Following God’s will Father Jamieson enters retirement filled with joy, gratitude

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

When Father Andrew J. Jamieson retired July 1 and moved across the Diocese from Tabernacle to his new home in Manasquan, the greatest belongings he took with him were the memories of his 35 years of priesthood.

Kept close in his mind and dear to his heart are the many people he’s encountered along the way: from his early days as a Capuchin Franciscan friar ministering to the poor in Delaware and the inner-city parishes in New York and northern Jersey, to those who guided and prayed with him as he discerned a new path of service as a diocesan priest, and those he served in the Diocese of Trenton.

Moving Forward

“I’m looking forward to retirement,” said Father Jamieson, who was born in October 1948 and grew up in Jersey City.

“I really feel that I’ve done all that the Lord had asked of me,” he said, especially during his 20 “wonderful years” as pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle. “Now I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the Church wherever help is needed.”

Father Jamieson exudes joy while reflecting on how his priestly calling began as an eighth grader at St. Anne’s School, Jersey City, and was supported by his devout Catholic family, especially his grandmother, whose continuous prayer strongly influenced him to pursue his vocation.

When Father Jamieson’s mother died during his senior year at Holy Family High School, Union City, his father asked his son to wait two years and further discern his vocation. Young Andrew worked in an accounting firm during that time, but his thoughts of priesthood never wavered.

In 1968, he entered the Capuchin Franciscan community as a postulant. Ten years later in 1978, he became director of a food program feeding the poor in Wilmington, Delaware. He earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, in 1982, and a master of divinity degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, in 1988.

Father Jamieson was ordained a Capuchin Franciscan priest May 7, 1988, by then-Bishop Seán O’Malley in St. Hedwig Church, Wilmington. The new priest served as his community’s vocation director for the New Jersey province of Capuchin Franciscans. From 1990-1991, he was associate vocation director for Immaculate Conception Friary, Bronx, N.Y., and from 1991-1992, he was the provincial secretary. In 1992, he became pastor of St. Ann Parish, Hoboken; six years later he was assigned as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Hackensack.

Though he treasured the charism of his Franciscan community, Father Jamieson, who was inspired by his parish experiences, began thinking about serving as a diocesan priest. After visiting several dioceses, he chose Trenton, where the need for priests was great.

His first assignment in Trenton was as parochial vicar of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, where he remained until he was named administrator of Holy Eucharist Parish in July 2002. Five months later, he was incardinated as a priest of the Trenton Diocese and was installed as pastor on Christmas Eve 2002.

Twenty Good Years

“Holy Eucharist is an absolutely exciting and very dynamic parish that’s filled with a lot of energy and where people are extremely welcoming,” he said of the parish that has about 2,500 registered families and scores of ministries, including the successful LIFT — Living in Faith Together, a family catechesis program where religious instruction is provided to both children and their parents. The parish also offers the HERO youth ministry for students in grades 8-12 and various liturgical and outreach ministries that assist those in need.

Along with the joys, there were challenges to being a pastor, Father Jamieson admitted, especially when it came to making changes that were not readily understood or agreed upon by the wider community. He proudly speaks about the team leadership approach he developed in which he and five individuals serving in various capacities worked together to determine decisions concerning the parish.

“They have been great supporters in helping me to reach final decisions,” he said, “but it was always the Holy Spirit who guided us in our discussions and our decisions.”

In retirement, Father Jamieson has been asked to assist in area parishes, and he looks forward to having more time for traveling and visiting the shore, “which I love.” He said he has a special fondness for Belmar, where he regularly vacationed with his family while growing up.

“I want to thank the Diocese of Trenton for allowing me to serve here. It’s a wonderful Diocese,” he said.

He extended a special message to the Holy Eucharist Parish community, saying it’s his prayer that “you continue to grow in faith, hope and love, worshipping the Lord with your whole heart, mind, body and soul, and remember to do everything for the glory of God. ... And I loved being your pastor!”