Meet your Synod Preparatory Commission
The following individuals have been appointed by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski to serve on the Synod Preparatory Commission, which wil assist with the organization of and preparations for the upcoming Synod. Its first meeting is Oct. 2 in St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen.
Msgr. William Benwell — Msgr. William Benwell became a diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia effective Sept. 9, 2003. Prior to that, he served as pastor of Our Lady of the Mount Parish, Warren. Msgr. Benwell was born Oct. 4, 1954, in Plainfield. He attended Middlesex County College, later receiving a bachelor of arts degree in history from Rutgers University. Msgr. Benwell completed his theological studies in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahwah, and holds a master of divinity in pastoral theology.
Deacon Enock Berluche Sr. — Deacon Enock Berluche Sr. is a member of St. Philip and St. James Parish, Phillipsburg. He has been married for 34 years and has seven children ranging in age from 20 to 34 and three grandchildren. Berluche, a native of Haiti, was born Feb. 20, 1947. He is a senior chemist who holds a bachelor of science degree and took post-graduate courses in advanced chemistry and laboratory techniques. He is seeking a master’s degree in theology from the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown. His ministry experience includes Baptism preparation coordinator since 1995, marriage preparation, spiritual director of Legion of Mary, moderator for charismatic prayer group and Eucharistic adoration organizer. Berluche enjoys traveling, photography and spending time with his family.
Lori Brower — Lori Brower is chancellor in he diocesan Office of Chancellor and a canon lawyer. She also serves on the diocesan Tribunal as a judge and defender of the bond; advocate. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Boston University in 1995 and a JCL from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1998. Brower, who was born October 8, 1973 in New Brunswick, is a member of St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick. She enjoys reading, traveling, church and family.
Deacon Samuel J. Costantino — Deacon Samuel J. Costantino has ministered in Holy Spirit Parish, Perth Amboy, for more than four years, and is associate director of the diocesan diaconate formation for the Class of 2007. He is a member of Holy Spirit Parish, Perth Amboy. Deacon Costantino and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 37 years. The couple has three grown children, Annette, Andrea and Anthony, and four grandchildren, Alyssa, Cara, Michael and Sara. Deacon Costantino was born Aug. 25, 1945, in Glen Ridge. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and a certificate in the diaconal ministry from the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown. He was ordained a deacon in June 1998. His interests include his grandchildren, family, traveling and working on home improvement projects.
Father John N. Fell — Father
John N. Fell is pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, Bernardsville.
He was ordained a priest Aug. 6,
1988, in Mary, Mother of God Church,
Hillsborough, by then-Bishop Edward T.
Hughes.
He also serves on the Board of Trustees
and Ethics Committee of St. Peter’s
University Hospital, New Brunswick, and
on the diocesan Theological Commission.
Father Fell writes a weekly column
for The Catholic Spirit.
Father Fell was born April 20, 1961,
one of two children of the late John N.
and Audrey McLean Fell. He attended St.
Mary of Assumption School, Trenton, and
McCorristin/St. Anthony Catholic High
School, Trenton.
He received bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in psychology from Duquesne
University, Pittsburgh.
He completed his seminary education
at the Pontifical North American
College while studying at the Pontifical
Gregorian University in Rome. He later
completed further studies at the
Alphonsian Academy, the Superior Institute
of Moral Theology attached to the
Pontifical Lateran University in Rome,
leading to a doctorate in sacred theology.
Paz E. Gatchalian — Paz E. Gatchalian is a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, where she has served as a lector since 1986. She has served as secretary of the commission for diocesan Filipino Apostolate since 1992 and was president of the Our Lady of Fatima Filipini-American Association, Piscataway, from 1996 to 1998. Gatchalian, who has one adult daughter, was born in the Phillipines Oct. 1, 1944. She earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering in Mapua Institute and Technology, Phillipines, in 1964. She is employed as a realtor. Her interests are real estate, reading, cooking and spectator sports such as basketball and tennis.
Dr. Meredith Gould — Dr. Meredith Gould is a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Skillman, where she is coordinator of communications and participates in music ministry, parish life and spiritual formation council. A resident of Princeton, Gould was born March 9, 1951, in New York City. Gould earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Queens College, CUNY, and both a doctoral degree and master of arts in sociology from New York University. She also studied in New York University School of Law and did undergraduate work in fine and applied arts in Rochester Institute of Technology. She works as a freelance writer and line editor; published author; marketing communications consultant, and interior space and systems organizer. Her interests are iconography, music, gardening and solitude.
Claretian Father Francesco Iacona — Claretian Father Francesco Iacona, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy, was born Aug. 1, 1947, in Italy. He was ordained a priest Jan. 4, 2002 in Chicago. Father Iacona studied business administration and law in Wayne State University, Detroit, where he earned a juris doctorate degree, and Catholic Theological Mission, Chicago. He speaks Spanish and Italian as well as English.
Elizabeth Ippolito — Elizabeth Ippolito serves as a youth minister in Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough. She is a professional ballet dancer and teaches ballet and pilates. She also attends Felician College. Next year, Ippolito will marry Patrick O’Connell, a former youth minister. Ippolitio was born in New Brunswick, Oct. 11, 1981. In addition to ballet, she enjoys literature, meeting people and the opportunity that ministry gives to share faith.
Wayne J. Isbitski — Wayne J. Isbitski is vice president of Enterprise and Channel Sales, CIENA Communications. He’s also stewardship ministry leader in Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton. Isbitski is a life-long resident of New Jersey. He graduated from Edison High School, attended Upsala College, East Orange, for business management and also graduated on the Dean’s List from DeVry Institute of Technology for Digital Electronics. Born Dec. 28, 1959, Isbitski has been married for 19 years to his wife, Cecilia. They have four children; Ian, 15, sophomore, Immaculata High School; Megan, 12, 8th grade, Immaculate Conception School, and twins Corey and Connor, 9, Immaculate Conception School. He enjoys reading, basketball, classic automobiles and traveling with his family.
Jesus our Hope Sister Julia Jamink — Jesus our Hope Sister Julia Jamink has served in religious life for 54 years, currently acting as the community sister servant for her order, the Sisters of Jesus our Hope. For the past four years, Sister Julia has been the delegate for religious for the diocese. Sister Julia received a bachelor’s degree from College of St. Elizabeth and a master’s degree from Catholic University of America. She was born Aug. 22, 1933 in Ridgewood and is currently a member of St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook.
Mercy Sister Elizabeth O’Hara — Sister Elizabeth O’Hara, who serves St. Mary Parish, Stony Hill, has been a member of the Sisters of Mercy since 1953. She is director of archives for the Sisters of Mercy, New Jersey Regional Community Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Sister Elizabeth was born Nov. 11, 1935, in Philadelphia. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry from Georgian Court College, now a university, in 1965; master’s degree in chemistry from University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Rutgers University in 1973.
St. Joseph Sister Gerry Kent —Sister Gerry Kent serves as a guidance counselor in St. Joseph High School, Edison. Sister Gerry earned a bachelor of arts degree from Chestnut Hill College and a master’s degree in religious studies at St. Charles Seminary. Sister Gerry, who was born Aug. 10, 1930, in Philadelphia, enjoys reading and traveling. Carol Mascola — Carol Mascola is director of religious education in her home parish of St. Joseph, Bound Brook, and a member of the choir and cantor in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield. Married to Wayne Mascola Sr., they have four children; Nadia, 27; Tara, 26; Wayne Jr., 22, and Kristin, 20. They also have two grand children, Krystal and Ashley Zarzuela, ages 7 and 5 respectively. Mascola attended All Saints’ Grammar School and Lincoln High School, both in Jersey City. She also attended College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown. Born in Jersey City, Dec. 11, 1956, Mascola enjoys sacred music, history – especially architecture of Churches and historic homes – and New York Mets baseball.
Joseph L. Powell Jr. — Joseph L. Powell Jr. has served as a lector for more than 30 years in both his current parish, Our Lady of Fatima, Piscataway, and St. Michael, Archdiocese of Chicago. He began serving as a member of the board of trustees of Catholic Charities, Metuchen, in January. Powell is a salesman, owner and operator of Manufacturer’s Rep Agency for providers of Technology Solutions to the business and educational markets. He is a member of the board of trustees of the National Black Congress and a member of the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators since 1989, serving as president from 1999 to 2003. Powell has been an associate member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference since 1998 and a member of the organization’s board of trustees since 2003. Powell was born Jan. 2, 1946, in Chicago. He has been married for 31 years to his wife, Dyanne. The couple lives in Piscataway and have two sons, Joseph III and Michael.
Ivis Y. Rosa — Ivis Y. Rosa is a resident of Perth Amboy and a member of La Asuncion Parish, Perth Amboy. Rosa is a religious education teacher for Rite of Catholic Initiation and Confirmation and is involved with the youth group in her parish. She is also lay director for the Cursillo Movement. She works as a secretary for the state’s Cursillo Committee. Rosa was born in Manhattan, N.Y., Oct. 19, 1954. She attended high school and took college courses. She is the mother of one daughter, Dianna; three step children, Carlos, Rosa Jr. and Brenda Rosa; four grandchildren; a stepson and three step grandchildren. Rosa’s interests include dancing, bowling and listening to Christian music.
Jennifer A. Ruggiero — Jennifer A. Ruggiero has been director of the diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities for the past seven years. She was born June 2, 1961 in Neptune. She and her husband, Frank, have been married for 20 years. The couple, who live in Iselin, has four children, sons Jonathan, 15, Robert, 14, Christopher, 12, and Mary, 10. Ruggiero, who is a certified catechist and a Eucharistic minister, is a member of St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin. Ruggiero earned a bachelor of science degree in metallurgical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken in 1983. She enjoys reading, walking, winetasting, puzzles, spectator sports and piano music.
Oscar Schnaith — Oscar Schnaith is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville. Now retired, he volunteers as an auditor with the diocesan Tribunal.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law