Father Varga recalled as living life of joy, patience, persistence
October 15, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
Conventual Franciscan Father Rick Riccioli, left, and Kathleen Varga, right, place the pall on Father Varga's casket. Paying tribute to Conventual Franciscan Father Paul Varga, Father Jobe Abbass remembered his friend and brother priest as a man whose life and ministry reflected the Scripture passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “Be joyful in hope; patient in suffering, and persistent in prayer.”
“I believe Father Paul lived” those words, said Father Abbass. “They became a reality in his life; he followed those words to a tee.”
Father Varga, who was born in the Diocese of Trenton and served a significant portion of his 62 years of priesthood in Diocesan parishes staffed by the Conventual Franciscan friars, died Oct. 7 in Brick Township. He was 88.
Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Heine, minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, of which Father Varga was a member, celebrated the Oct. 10 Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Church, Point Pleasant Beach, the last parish where Father Varga served as parochial vicar. Along with Father Abbass, parochial vicar of St. Adalbert Parish, Elmhurst, N.Y., other concelebrants included several Conventual Franciscan confreres and Father Varga’s cousin, Msgr. Edward Arnister, a priest of the Diocese and pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar.
‘Walking the walk’
In his homily, Father Abbass referenced the day’s Gospel story about the Road to Emmaus, in which the two disciples encountered the risen Jesus; he likened it to when “Father Paul recognized Jesus, who called him at an early age to religious life.”
“I also truly believe that in his last days of suffering, Father Paul recognized Jesus again on that road to Emmaus,” which “leads into eternity,” Father Abbass said. “I believe after all those years of being tied to the dialysis machine, Father Paul is now tied to that man he met along the way – Jesus – who is the fulfillment of his hope and is now leading him to the road of glory.”
Felician Sister Juanita Arnister, cousin of Father Varga, proclaims the Reading during his Funeral Mass. Seated at left are Conventual Franciscan Fathers Jobe Abbass, homilist, and Michael Heine, principal celebrant, and Msgr. Edward Arnister, also a cousin of Father Varga. Father Varga was born in Trenton in December 1936 to Stephen and Catherine Chmielweski Varga Jr. His family belonged to Holy Angels Parish (now St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton, where he and his siblings attended the parish grammar school. He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School, Trenton, in 1954, then attended St. Francis College Seminary, Staten Island, N.Y. He entered the novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Middleburgh, N.Y., professing first vows Aug. 12, 1957. He professed solemn vows Oct. 11, 1960, while completing theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, N.Y. He was ordained a priest May 25, 1963, by Bishop William A. Scully in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Albany, N.Y.Following his ordination, Father Varga served in many parishes in the United States and Canada. In the Diocese of Trenton he served in St. Peter Parish, Riverside, 1990-1992; St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, 1992-1995; St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, 1995-1998; Immaculate Conception Parish (now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish), Trenton, 1998-2000; and St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, where he remained until about 13 years ago, when he moved to Crest Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Point Pleasant.
Fond Recollections
After describing their priest-cousin as being “a very holy man,” “a prayerful man” and a “true Franciscan,” Msgr. Arnister and his sister, Felician Sister Juanita Arnister, said that even though there were differences in age and life experiences, they appreciated the support and prayers they received from their elder cousin as they pursued their own vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Both Msgr. Arnister and Sister Juanita reflected on their cousin’s faith and strength, especially during his lengthy illness.
Kathleen Varga, stands by her brother's casket before the Mass. At left is Conventual Franciscan Father Jobe Abbass.
“He joined his sufferings to Christ. He never complained. He accepted the cross in his life,” Msgr. Arnister said.
“Because he is such a family person, I have no doubt that he is delighted to be in heaven now with his parents and sibling … that he’s finally back home with them,” Sister Juanita added.
Because Father Varga was 14 years older, his younger sister, Kathleen Varga, does not have too many childhood memories of him. However, she vividly recalls major events in her brother’s life such as his ordination and his various milestone anniversary celebrations. She said she will always remember traveling with him on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje years ago.
Kathleen Varga witnessed her brother presiding over the sacramental celebrations of family members. She also spoke of his musical abilities, love of gardening, and his sewing skills – he made habits for himself and fellow community members.
“My brother’s going to be very, very missed,” she added.
Father Varga was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Joseph. In addition to his sister, he is survived by another brother, Michael, a niece and three nephews, as well as several grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.
Burial was in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton. Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Fund, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, Md., 20142.
Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Schlageter, pastor of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, looks on as Father Varga's casket is placed in the hearse.
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Conventual Franciscan Father Rick Riccioli, left, and Kathleen Varga, right, place the pall on Father Varga's casket. Paying tribute to Conventual Franciscan Father Paul Varga, Father Jobe Abbass remembered his friend and brother priest as a man whose life and ministry reflected the Scripture passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “Be joyful in hope; patient in suffering, and persistent in prayer.”
“I believe Father Paul lived” those words, said Father Abbass. “They became a reality in his life; he followed those words to a tee.”
Father Varga, who was born in the Diocese of Trenton and served a significant portion of his 62 years of priesthood in Diocesan parishes staffed by the Conventual Franciscan friars, died Oct. 7 in Brick Township. He was 88.
Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Heine, minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, of which Father Varga was a member, celebrated the Oct. 10 Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Church, Point Pleasant Beach, the last parish where Father Varga served as parochial vicar. Along with Father Abbass, parochial vicar of St. Adalbert Parish, Elmhurst, N.Y., other concelebrants included several Conventual Franciscan confreres and Father Varga’s cousin, Msgr. Edward Arnister, a priest of the Diocese and pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar.
‘Walking the walk’
In his homily, Father Abbass referenced the day’s Gospel story about the Road to Emmaus, in which the two disciples encountered the risen Jesus; he likened it to when “Father Paul recognized Jesus, who called him at an early age to religious life.”
“I also truly believe that in his last days of suffering, Father Paul recognized Jesus again on that road to Emmaus,” which “leads into eternity,” Father Abbass said. “I believe after all those years of being tied to the dialysis machine, Father Paul is now tied to that man he met along the way – Jesus – who is the fulfillment of his hope and is now leading him to the road of glory.”
Felician Sister Juanita Arnister, cousin of Father Varga, proclaims the Reading during his Funeral Mass. Seated at left are Conventual Franciscan Fathers Jobe Abbass, homilist, and Michael Heine, principal celebrant, and Msgr. Edward Arnister, also a cousin of Father Varga. Father Varga was born in Trenton in December 1936 to Stephen and Catherine Chmielweski Varga Jr. His family belonged to Holy Angels Parish (now St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton, where he and his siblings attended the parish grammar school. He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School, Trenton, in 1954, then attended St. Francis College Seminary, Staten Island, N.Y. He entered the novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Middleburgh, N.Y., professing first vows Aug. 12, 1957. He professed solemn vows Oct. 11, 1960, while completing theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, N.Y. He was ordained a priest May 25, 1963, by Bishop William A. Scully in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Albany, N.Y.Following his ordination, Father Varga served in many parishes in the United States and Canada. In the Diocese of Trenton he served in St. Peter Parish, Riverside, 1990-1992; St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, 1992-1995; St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, 1995-1998; Immaculate Conception Parish (now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish), Trenton, 1998-2000; and St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, where he remained until about 13 years ago, when he moved to Crest Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Point Pleasant.
Fond Recollections
After describing their priest-cousin as being “a very holy man,” “a prayerful man” and a “true Franciscan,” Msgr. Arnister and his sister, Felician Sister Juanita Arnister, said that even though there were differences in age and life experiences, they appreciated the support and prayers they received from their elder cousin as they pursued their own vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Both Msgr. Arnister and Sister Juanita reflected on their cousin’s faith and strength, especially during his lengthy illness.
Kathleen Varga, stands by her brother's casket before the Mass. At left is Conventual Franciscan Father Jobe Abbass.
“He joined his sufferings to Christ. He never complained. He accepted the cross in his life,” Msgr. Arnister said.
“Because he is such a family person, I have no doubt that he is delighted to be in heaven now with his parents and sibling … that he’s finally back home with them,” Sister Juanita added.
Because Father Varga was 14 years older, his younger sister, Kathleen Varga, does not have too many childhood memories of him. However, she vividly recalls major events in her brother’s life such as his ordination and his various milestone anniversary celebrations. She said she will always remember traveling with him on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje years ago.
Kathleen Varga witnessed her brother presiding over the sacramental celebrations of family members. She also spoke of his musical abilities, love of gardening, and his sewing skills – he made habits for himself and fellow community members.
“My brother’s going to be very, very missed,” she added.
Father Varga was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Joseph. In addition to his sister, he is survived by another brother, Michael, a niece and three nephews, as well as several grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.
Burial was in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton. Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Fund, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, Md., 20142.
Conventual Franciscan Father Robert Schlageter, pastor of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, looks on as Father Varga's casket is placed in the hearse.