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Infant Jesus Parish Honor Past and Present Priest and Deacons.
Comments from the Pews
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Father Tim Byerley is very missed at Infant Jesus Parish (St. John Vianney). OUr family will never forget him or his bright warm personality and friendly smile. Father Byerley was never judgmental and always had a kind, loving word to lift your spirits. When my grandson was born he was very ill and Father Tim came to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia to Baptize him. With Father’s prayers my grandson came home to us a healthy baby! It is hoped that he is happy at this new location. His new parishioners are very lucky to have him. Hopefully someday our paths will cross again.
Anna Alibrando & Family
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We are Joe & Kathy Polidoro. We have been married for 43 years. We have 5 children & 14 grandchildren. We are proud to share about Msgr. James P. Curran. We met Fr. Jim when he was assigned to our parish, St. Margaret's. He is the priest that brought Marriage Encounter to South Jersey. In 1975, he invited us & 4 other couples from our parish to make a Marriage Encounter. We have never heard of it before then, so we asked Fr. Jim what it was about, and he said "Don't worry, just trust me". So we did. Talk about blind faith. We trusted him & went on the weekend. Little did we know, our lives would never be the same. Through the years, our lives have been touched by Fr. Jim in so many wonderful ways. We have coordinated with him on different levels in Marriage Encounter. He has a positive effect on our children. They see him as a Holy man, but also a lot of fun to be with. When they were little, they would tell us he is so much like Jesus. Whenever one of them got engaged, they would call him up to set their wedding date. They respect him, admire him and truly love him.
We were blessed to go to Ireland with him twice. We met his family & friends & felt privileged to learn more about his roots. How blessed we were to be where Fr. Jim celebrated Mass in Waterford, where he was ordained. His Sacrament of Holy Orders is reflected in the way he lives everyday. He makes us proud to be Catholic. He is always there for us. He challenges us to be the best for each other in our Sacrament. Even though he is a "people priest", he doesn't water down his values. He is true to his word. He is well loved in our Diocese. He is respected by the other Priest. When we are with him, we laugh a lot. We pray a lot. We look to the future but still talk about the "good old days". Like our crazy meetings, those late nights meals, different ideas to recruit more couples to make a Marriage Encounter weekend, and how we started each meeting with praying the Rosary, of being on the Family Life Bureau for Matrimony & Family, those long drives during the week, just to be with other couples, priest & sisters for prayer & sharing, of being involved with Pro Life, encouraging couples to send their children to Catholic School, and Fr. Jim dedicating our family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Whenever we were scheduled to go to a leadership conference, we would plan a mini vacation around it. It seemed that Fr. Jim had a priest friend from Ireland, wherever we went. We often think back to the fun & excitement we had in Disney World. It was his first time there & he as like a little kid. We had just as much fun watching him. Then we had a crazy car race from Kennedy Space Center to the airport. Each time we are with him over the years, it is like "more misadventure".
There are so many wonderful memories we have of Fr. Jim. He is an asset to our Catholic Church. He loves being a priest & it shows in his love for others he is called to serve. He brings a dignity to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. We have been truly blessed to have Msgr. James P. Curran as a friend. We thank God for that honor.
Joe & Kathy Polidoro
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REV WALTER REILLY - Father Reilly brought our new St John Vianney together after we had been taken from the St Agnes that had been built and put back in our beloved church with a new name. Talk about frustration!! He was the glue that helped us. He was a great priest and a good friend. When my son was killed, he was there and helped in all ways. He loved the young people and they loved him. Bless him Lord and keep him close to you.
Msgr John Lubicky - Msgr was always trying to help people and he always was friendly and liked to visit the people. He would reward everyone in some way for the work they did for the church. He appreciated any one who helped. A good friend and I miss him. Bless him Lord.
Msgr James Rynne was a spiritual priest who helped many. So many things I remember about him, his caring for the sick, and trying to help so many. I still get tears thinking how often he visited my husband during his long illness. When he could hardly walk and was retired, he still came every week . He phone calls and his stories kept my husbands spirits up. Some how he made it to my husband's funeral. I'll never forget him for his parting words, "I'm going to my crib" and he never ended a call or a left your presence, without saying, as his constant reminder, "say your prayers". Bless you always, Msgr., and dear Lord, please keep him close to you.
Msgr. Timothy Byerley brought so many good things to our parish but what stands out is the love he shared with us for Jesus and His church. He gave a new sanctuary and a beautiful grotto to our Blessed Mother, changes in the rectory, all to benefit the parish. He did a great job bringing Jesus closer to all of us thru his teaching and his behavior. Thank you for all the visits to the hospital and our home during John's illness, I will never forget them and what they meant to him. Thank you for coming to my sister-in-law's family's aid when she was dying in JFK and not a priest could be found. You dropped everything and came to her bedside. We were so grateful!! That meant so much to them. Thank you for your love and caring in every way possible. God bless you in everything you do.
Msgr. John Burton - Always remembering your smile when greeting or talking to you! We used to tease you and say "You'll be bishop some day". My, you did turn red !! Msgr was the 1st to arrive at JFK when my son was killed and his compassion and caring helped us through those dark days. His visits after the funeral helped my family so much, thank you for caring. Thank you for your time and concern about others and especially for your love of God that you shared with us. Bless you in all you do.
Msgr Joseph DiMauro Many thanks for always remembering my husband through the years. He always enjoyed your company and the good talks you had. God bless you.
Many thanks to all the priests that I myself have in contact with and have inspired me.
Many thanks to all the priests that taught my children and continue to teach the love of God through their example. May God bless you all.
With Much Love,
Mary Welsh
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My wife, Peggy and I moved to Woodbury Hgts. form Philadelphia, about forty years ago. We had three children then, and my wife enrolled them in St. Margaret's school. I was not a Catholic at that time and I decided it was time form be to become one. I went to the rectory to find out what I had to do to become a Catholic. I met Father Gomes and he started giving me instructions. I started going once a week, at the rectory and then he started coming to our house. We became close friends but we lost contact over the years. My wife and I miss him and hope he is doing well.
Richard Graham
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Rev. Jamie Hostios - Every time he came to our women's club meeting he blessed us individually. To me that was so wonderful to take that extra effort for all of us.
Rev. Daniel Melendez - He came to our women's club meeting and took the time to meet us individually too. At the Halloween meeting he even dressed for the occasion. We all had a great time with him. I was really upset when Father Jamie and Father Dan left our parish.
Rev. Felipe Doldan - He is a very caring person and always there if you need him. So happy to see him come back to our parish every January and sad to see him leave in June.
Fran Holmstrom
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Fr. Jamie for his sweetness and spirituality
Fr. Cal for his kindness and strength
Msgr. Curran for his sense of humor
Fr. Dave for his strength
Fr. Dan for his dedication
Fr. Gregorio for his spirituality
Fr. Marucci for inspiring us
Fr. Lovell for his commitment to addicts and his kindness at a funeral
Fr. Wallace for his smile
Anonymous
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Father Mike Matveenko - Hope you are still enjoying the Eagles. As always, Dallas stinks (edited version). Best wishes to a great priest. God Bless an ex-Eagles fan for 55 years.
Anonymous
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Father Alfred Onyutha comes to our parish from far away. He is a kind and gentle man who always has time to greet every person around him. His love for our Lord God is obvious in everything he does, especially during mass when he speaks to us from the alter. Thank you Father Alfred for helping us all see and know the Lord.
Father Felipe Doldan is truly one of the Lord's disciples. He has a most calm and spiritual way about him. His love for all people is evident in his every word. Father Felipe lives to do God's will for the flock the Lord has chosen for him to guide. He has his hands and his heart open to everyone, all the time. Father Felipe is the kind of man the Lord God wnat us all to be like. Thank you Father for everything. Your home is far away but your heart is truly here, in our parish, for the time you visit every year. God Bless You.
Anonymous
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Father Cal-God's Messenger-"For I was in prison and you visited me" Mt 25:36. It has been my privilege to help apply these words from Jesus with Father Cal in the Kairos (God's time) and Kenosis prison ministries. These prison ministries offer a interdenominational Christian retreat for all those who are incarcerated. The 40 hour retreats are given by lay people of various faith traditions, assisted by ordained clergy, also from different religions. The ordained clergy act as spiritual advisors and help those residents in the power of God's forgiveness and mercy. Father Cal unselfishly gives of his time and always says yes when asked to be on the retreat teams. Father Cal has ministered to the residents at Bayside (medium) State Prison and most recently at New Jersey (Maximum) State Prison. Father Cal has shown by his words, actions, and his relationship with God's people the meaning of his vocation and great gift of the priesthood. In the closing days of the "Year of the Priest", I thank God for the blessings of having Father Cal as my Priest, Confessor, Pastor and friend. I lift up in prayer to all our Priests in Praise and Thanksgiving for their faithful service to God and God's people.
"The Lord Bless you and keep you!
The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
God Bless
Charlie Connell
Infant Jesus Parish
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A Story Shared- Cake Anyone?
I know this is going to date me, but I thought it was a cute tale.
Fr. Joe Wallace was just a baby and his sisters Joan and Eileen would bring him up to my house. It seemed they always would know when my mom baked her great pound cake, usually once a week. They would all come up the hill to the house and come in and we would all sit around the kitchen table for cake and milk. Soon after the whol cake was gone and they would leave. "Joey" would have to take his nap. I can still see Joan and Eileen carrying Joe down the hill. Of course before they would leave,they would always say Mrs Hendrix, your the best baker.
A Story Shared- Priests In A Classroom
I was a fifth grade teacher at Logan Twp. Each year for Social Studies I did a unit on Christmas Around the World. My second year into teaching I thought it would be neat to have someone come in to talk about the traditions and customs of their country. Fortunately for me Father James Curran was at St. Margarets.
Father Curran came to school and talked to my students. Told them what Ireland was like, their customs, how they celebrated Christmas. We even got him to do the Irish Jig. The kids loved it and really liked Fr. Curran. From that day, December of 1981 until 1990's, he came in every year. You could say we started our own tradition at Christmas time.
After some years we were fortunate to have other guests come and talk to our kids about their country and traditions. In 1987 we had Fr. Rudolph Preciado come in to talk of his country of Mexico. He brought numerous items and music to share with them.
The next year we had Fr. George Seiter bring Jaromir Michalak, then a seminarian. He was from Poland. The kids really like the fact that he was in America for such a short time, some many of his customs and traditions were still fresh.
Each of them came one year, however Fr. Curran was a steady fixture.
In the mid 90's we no longer did Christmas around the World. However, each class was given a country to explore. That year Fr. Felipe came to St. Margaret's. My class happened to be buddies with a second grade class-Mrs. Bean's. To our great fortune Fr. Felipe was from Argentina and Mrs. Bean's class had Argentina as their country. I approached Father and asked if he could come in and talk to our classes. He didn't hesitate, he said, "yes".
He came in then and every year, usually in the Spring, until I retired in 2005. The kids just loved him. He would teach them a few Spanish words, sing (surprise-surprise) and show some things from Argentina.
Throughout the years I enjoyed having all of the Fathers come. They brought a better understanding of their countries to all the children and a greater appreciation of the different cultures and way of life.
Each of them holds a special place in my heart and the kids. In fact, the students I run into always mention the times Fr. Curran, Fr. Preciado, Fr. Michalak, and Fr. Felipe came in. It left a really good impression on them.
They are all truly God's treasures.
Marie Hendrix
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Msgr O'Neill- Always wanted things to be the best for our parish.
Father Cal-Was always kind in praying over anyone who needed prayers of healing
Fr. Szolack- homilies are very spirit- filled. Took on a difficult task of merging churches into a parish. Was concerned about others feelings during the process.
Fr. Gregorio-after all the years since being at this parish remembers us as if it were yesterday.
Fr. Curran-comforted me about the death of my grandmother when I was 12. Told me about heaven.
Fr. Dunphy- I remember how he use to lean up against something while he smoked his pipe. I loved that smell.
Fr. Seiter- I was just married and he helped my husband and I try to get a youth group running. He was very kind and gentle.
Fr. Messina- He was very uplifting.
Fr. Felipe-kind, gentle, full of the Holy Spirit. Loves to dance, sing and is competitive in ping pong and the Wii
Fr. Stabeno-homilies were thought provoking
Fr. Lovell-again, enjoyed his homilies
Fr. Alfred-wonderful homilies. Seems proud of his family and country.
We have also been blessed with the wonderful Deacons, Bob, Nick, Ron, and Mike. All devote much time to our parish.
Patti Graham
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