‘Ordinary people who do extraordinary things’
Four priests named Chaplains to His Holiness
By Kathleen Ogle
Managing Editor
METUCHEN — The 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Metuchen has become a celebration of “ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”
During solemn vespers June 25 at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski recognized four ordinary men who, as priests, have done extraordinary things.
The four priests invested as Chaplains to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and given the title Reverend Monsignor were: Msgr. Joseph M. Curry, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood; Msgr. David I. Fulton, pastor of Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown; Msgr. Gregory E.S. Malovetz, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Montgomery; and Msgr. Andrew L. Szaroleta, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton.
Msgr. Curry and Msgr. Malovetz are the first priests ordained in the Diocese of Metuchen to be given the honor.
In his homily, Bishop Bootkoski recalled several meaningful stops during his recent pilgrimage to Italy and France commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese. The bishop, accompanied by fellow diocesan travelers, visited the small town in Normandy that St. Therese of Lisieux called home. In her memoir, Story of a Soul, Bishop Bootkoski said, St. Therese wrote about doing ordinary things extraordinarily.
“That is what we have been doing for the past year,” Bishop Paul said,
referring to the inauguration of the 25th anniversary celebration, the commissioning of delegates to the first diocesan synod and the bestowal of diocesan and papal honors on laity and religious who have been recognized for their service to the diocese — “ordinary folks responding to the call to minister to God’s people.”
“Today we continue that celebration where we recognize our diocesan priesthood for what it is: Men who have responded to a call from Jesus Christ, a call that asks them to be for others,” Bishop Bootkoski said.
“You are the backbone of the church. You make Christ present by your preaching, by your preaching the Word, by your celebrating the Eucharist; for without the Eucharist, we lose our identity,” he continued.
Priests “are ordinary men who do extraordinary things for God and his people,” Bishop Bootkoski said.
The diocesan priests chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to be his chaplains are “four Vatican II priests who truly know what it means to be collaborative in their ministry, to work with God’s people, to make Jesus Christ known amongst men,” the bishop said.
He described Msgr. Curry as “a man who cares, who is concerned, who really loves the ministry.” He cited his work nurturing vocations and supporting the Catholic schools at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick, where he served as pastor for 12 years.
Msgr. Fulton, according to the bishop, “is a brilliant teacher, scholar and pastor.” He said he was especially grateful for Msgr. Fulton’s assistance to priests with canonical procedures. “He’s been there for us,” Bishop Bootkoski said.
Msgr. Malovetz, the bishop said, “is a creative thinker and implementer. Not only is he creative in his thinking he can put it into action, into reality.” He called Msgr. Malovetz a model pastor and said his parish, St. Charles Borromeo, is a model for the diocese, the state and country.
Bishop Bootkoski described Msgr. Szaroleta as “a loving shepherd” and a
pioneer. Msgr. Szaroleta established the parish of St. Theodore in Port Murray, and then became pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton, when their pastor, Msgr. Immanuel W. Vernon unexpectedly died Dec. 25, 1992. He praised Msgr. Szaroleta for building the first Catholic school in Hunterdon County. “He is truly a loving and caring pastor,” Bishop Paul said.
He then asked the four monsignors’ parents to stand to thank them for
their sons. When the people finished applauding, the bishop thanked them for their sons. “You done good,” he told the parents.
The four monsignors are models of the priesthood, the bishop said.” They are all different and they have different gifts. But all of you bring the one priesthood of Jesus Christ to our people. Thank you for working with your people,” he said. “Thank you for saying yes to your vocation from Christ.”
Diocesan chancellor Lori Brower read the English translation of the Latin document naming the honorees Chaplains to his Holiness and conferring on them the title “Reverend Monsignor.”
Each monsignor embraced the bishop after he presented him with his papal rescript. When all four turned to face the people, they were greeted with a standing ovation.
*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