‘pray for them’

Father Marian loves to serve

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

Father Marian F. Kokorzycki, while sharing stories from his duties as chaplain in Ocean University Medical Center, Brick, revealed the perfect, one-size-fits-all care package he brings each hospital patient he visits: “Bring your smile and your love, and pray for them.” The Polish cleric has utilized those gifts of cheer and comfort for the past 25 years, both in the Diocese of Trenton and internationally.

Born in Poland in 1959, Father Kokorzycki didn’t immediately hear God’s call to the priesthood, instead working for a newspaper company. “But I met bishops and good priests,” he recalled, “who showed me what being a priest was all about.” Due to his delayed vocation, he was sent to study in Rome; he was ordained at age 39 on May 24, 1998, in Santo Spiritu by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski.

Wearing Many Hats

Father Kokorzycki’s introduction to ministry in the United States was at the invitation of then-director of vocations for the Diocese of Trenton, Msgr. Ronald Bacovin. The transition was relatively rapid, he said, recalling, “[The Diocese] was looking for a Polish priest for Lakewood, so I applied for a Visa. I was here for Easter, returned to Poland, then I was back again in June.”

Father Kokorzycki served a total of 14 years in Lakewood as parochial vicar in St. Mary of the Lake Parish (now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood) and was incardinated into the Trenton Diocese April 8, 2010. He has held his current position as parochial vicar in St. Dominic Parish, Brick, for three years, and refers to the pastoral staff as “a beautiful team of priests doing God’s work.”

25 years

Learning to juggle parish ministry and chaplain work was a challenge at first, he admitted, “but now I am used to it. It is very important for the patients, for sometimes their friends and family are far away, but the priest can be someone to talk to. I like it. It is an incredible vocation from God.”

Service And Prayer

Father Kokorzycki shared two short phrases describing his philosophy on the priesthood: “to love is to serve,” and “no prayer, no priesthood.” He elaborated, “We need saints today to renew the Church again; they are examples of the way to go.

The Internet can be a beautiful thing if you look in the right places. [Reading about] the lives of the saints can help us show the way.”

Father Kokorzycki assists in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, celebrating Mass in the Polish language three times a month. He spoke joyfully about one of his newest ministries: outreach to the people of El Salvador that have begun to worship in his Brick parish.

“I help them with their Sacraments,” he stated. “One family comes to baptize their child, and then another comes for Confirmation or [to validate] their marriage. I do this with love; I become one of them and sit and listen.”

Father Kokorzycki now flies to El Salvador two or three times a year, each time bringing Rosaries for those in the Central American country. “They are beautiful people in the mountains, and the Church is very strong there. They have a chapel, but sometimes don’t see a priest for months.”

His advice to a man considering the priesthood is to “go on retreats and listen to older priests. The Eucharist is the highway to heaven; don’t be afraid. Always pray for your priests.”

An added joy Father Kokorzycki noted occurred in 2019 when he was bestowed with the title of Honorary Canon of the Chapter of the Cathedral Basilica of Czestochowa by Archbishop Waclaw Depo of Czestochowa, Poland. An honorary canon is a title given by an archbishop or bishop to a priest who has served or is associated with a cathedral or basilica church. The title grants special privileges, including wearing clerical garb that reflects its status, similar to what is worn by a monsignor.

Father Marian Kokorzycki

For 25 years of Faithful Service

Deacon Edward Buecker

For 20 years of Faithful Service Thank

Priest Anniversary

 Ordained May 25, 1968 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr

 Served as parochial vicar in Sts. Philip and James Parish, Phillipsburg; St. James Parish, Pennington, and St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel

Father Antony Poovakulam

 Retired in 2004

 Born 1934 in Kerala, India

 Attended St. Joseph’s College, Kerala, and Dharmaram College Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Bangalore

 Ordained May 17, 1963, by Bishop Sebastian Valloppally

 In India, he served in the prior general’s house in Kerala

 Incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton Dec. 24, 1988

 Parochial vicar in the parishes of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen; Corpus Christi, Willingboro; Immaculate Conception, Spotswood; St. Ann, Browns Mills, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Whiting

60 years Priest Anniversary

55 years

Father Anthony Carotenuto

 Retired in 2013

 Born in 1942 in Freehold

 Prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College Seminary, Catonsville, Maryland.; St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore. He also pursued further studies in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington

 Served as pastor of Assumption Parish (now part of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish), New Egypt, St. Anthony of Claret Parish (now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish), Lakewood, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank

 Other assignments include serving as vocations director in Warren County; director of Pre-Cana in Hunterdon and Warren Counties, and a member of the Priests’ Continuing Education Committee

Msgr. John K. Dermond

 Retired in 2013

 Born in 1942 in Camden and raised in Riverton

 Prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College Seminary, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, and earned a bachelor’s degree and bachelor’s degree in sacred theology; holds a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America, Washington

 Ordained May 25, 1968, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr

 Served as parochial vicar in the parishes of Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex; Blessed Sacrament, Trenton, and St. Ann, Lawrenceville

 Served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisium, Trenton; administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, and rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton

 Served in Diocesan Tribunal for more than 40 years, 33 of which was as diocesan judicial vicar.

 Other appointments include chaplain of the diocesan Catholic Committees on Scouting; chaplain of the Court Columbus, Catholic Daughters of the Americas; diocesan marriage preparation program; member of the diocesan committee for the Common Policy on Marriage Preparation; diocesan Engaged Encounter and Pre-Cana teams; diocesan presbyteral council; a canonical advisor at the Fourth Diocesan Synod; diocesan ecumenical commission; spiritual assistant to Secular Franciscan fraternities in the City of Trenton; priest-moderator of the Mercer county Federation of Holy Name Societies

 Named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II in 1983

 After retiring from full-time ministry as judicial vicar in 2013, he continues to work part-time on the Tribunal staff and helps with Masses and other sacramental celebrations in area Trenton parishes

 Has held various positions on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, including his active membership of the group’s advisory board. Is also a member of the Region III Catholic Committee on Scouting and the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, and has served on the board of Cathedral Square Senior Citizens Housing

Father Michael S. Vona

 Retired in 2011

 Born in 1932 in South Amboy

 Served in U.S. Army during the Korean War

 Prepared for priesthood in Mount St. Mary College and Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.,

 Ordained May 25, 1968 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr

 Pursued graduate work in Princeton Theological Seminary

 Served as parochial vicar in the parishes of St. James, Jamesburg; Sacred Heart, Trenton; St. Dorothea, Eatontown; Holy Cross, Rumson, and Sacred Heart, Riverton

 Served as temporary administrator in the parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade, and Ascension (now part of St. Teresa of Calcutta), Bradley Beach, before he was named pastor. Also served as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale

 Other appointments include director of the Monmouth County CYO; the Diocesan Liturgy Commission

 Also taught in St. Leo’s College in Florida

Msgr. Dennis A. Apoldite

 Currently, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and episcopal vicar of Mercer County

 Born in 1951 in Trenton

 Attended Mount St. Mary University and Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

 Earned an undergraduate degree in social welfare and a master’s degree in theology

 Ordained May 20, 1978, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr



Served as parochial vicar in the parishes of Our Lady of Sorrows (now part of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony), Hamilton; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; St. Veronica, Howell, and Sacred Heart, Trenton

 Served as pastor of Sacred Heart, Trenton; St. Mary, Middletown; St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; returned to serve as pastor of Sacred Heart, Trenton, which merged with other area parishes – Divine Mercy, Trenton, and Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd, Trenton

 Other appointments include member of the Council of Priests, chaplain of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Catholic chaplain of the Trenton Police Department and New Jersey State Prison; director of Recruitment for Vocations for the Diocese; member of the Episcopal Council and secretary of the Mercer County CYO board of trustees

 Appointed episcopal vicar of Mercer County in July, 2021

 Named a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor by Pope Francis in November 2021

Father James A. Conover

 Currently, pastor, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold

 Born in 1949 in Neptune

 Attended Monmouth College (now University), West Long Branch, and Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood

 Prepared for the priesthood in Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

 Holds masters’ degrees in theology and in dogmatic theology

 Ordained May 20, 1978, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr

 Served as parochial vicar in the parishes of St. Mary, Middletown; St. Veronica, Howell; St. Raphael (now part of St. Ra-

Gracious and loving God, we

thank you for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the Sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen. –USCCB phael-Holy Angels), Hamilton, and St. Joseph (now part of Our Lady of Fatima), Keyport

 Served as pastor of St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown

 Served as administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish before he was named pastor

 Other appointments include the diocesan Liturgical Commission, Engaged Encounter team, chaplain in Mater Dei High School, Middletown, and St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel

 Served as organist for the Diocesan Festival Choir for more than 25 years

40 years

Trinitarian Father Stan DeBo e

 Currently, pastor, Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing

 Born September 1956

 Profession of First Vows in the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives, August 1978

 Final Vows September 1978

 Priestly Ordination June 4, 1983

 Education, undergraduate studies, St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa; undergraduate degree, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 1979; master’s degree, theology, Washington Theological Union, 1987



Assignments: Faculty at DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, Md., 1978-1984; director of religious education/youth minister, Holy Redeemer Parish, College Park Md,1982-1984; faculty, McCorristin Catholic High School, Hamilton, 19841985; Holy Rosary Parish, Perth Amboy,

Continued from 41

1985-1986; director of the Ministry to the Persecuted Church, 1987; Staff of Rep. Christopher Smith, Foreign Affairs, 19921998; Catholic Charities, USA. Bernardin Fellow, 1998-2000; Justice and Peace Director, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, 2000-2005; Praesidium, Inc., Safety Specialist, 2005-2007; pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Victoria, Texas 2007-2013; Vocation Director for the Trinitarians, 20132016; chaplain, St. Martin’s Home, Little Sisters of the Poor, Baltimore, 2014-2020; pastor, Incarnation-St. James, Ewing-Trenton, 2020-present

 Formation director and on the Trinitarian Leadership Team at various times

Father Leandro Dela Cruz

 Currently, pastor, St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville

 Born in 1955 in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines

 Attended St. Gregory the Great Minor Seminary in the Philippines; Divine Word College of Legazpi and Divine Word Seminary, Tagatay City

 Earned licentiate in canon law from the Universita della Santa Croce (University of the Holy Cross), Rome, Italy

 Ordained Oct. 23, 1983, in St. Gregory the Great Cathedral, Albay, Philippines, by Bishop Concordio Ma. Sarte

 In the Philippines, served as parochial vicar in four parishes, as pastor in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, and rector of the St. Gregory the Great Minor Seminary. For the Diocese of Legazpi, he served for six years as judge in the metropolitan tribunal and as a member of the diocesan commission for liturgy, the laity, the synod, evangelization and canon law and the presbyteral council

 Arrived in the Trenton Diocese in 2004 and served as an adjunct priest or parochial vicar in the parishes of Holy Name (now part of Resurrection Parish), Delran; St. Mary of the Lake (now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish), Lakewood; St. Raphael (now part of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton; St. Jerome, West Long Branch, and St. Mary, Deal (both are now part of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch), and St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square

 Incardinated into the Diocese in 2010 and named administrator of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville

 Served as regional representative of the National Association of Filipino Priests in America and an officer in the Filipino Clergy Association of the Americas

 Appointed Vicar Forane (Dean) of Northern Mercer County, July 1, 2023

Father Jacek W. Labinski

 Currently, pastor, St. Hedwig Parish, Trenton

 Born in 1957 in Zielona Gora, Poland

 Attended the seminary at Goscikowo-Paradyz

 Ordained May 29, 1983, by Bishop Wilhelm Pluta in Zielona Gora, Poland

 Following his ordination he served as parochial vicar in Christ the King Parish, Gorzow, Poland

 Arrived to the Trenton Diocese in August 1985

 Former parochial vicar in All Saints Parish (now part of St. Katharine Drexel Parish), Burlington; St. Mary of the Lake Parish (now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish), Lakewood; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown

 Former administrator then pastor of All Saints Parish (now part of St. Katharine

Drexel Parish), Burlington

 On April 1, 2005, he was bestowed the tile of Honorary Canon in the Co-Cathedral Church of St. Hedwig in Zielona Gora by Bishop Adam Dyczowski

 Holds a master’s degree in theology from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of Opole, Poland

 Other appointments included chaplain for the St. Hedwig Council, Knights of Columbus, Trenton; the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and vice dean of the North Trenton Deanery; member of College of Consultors; chaplain in the Polish organization, Good Samaritan, helping children orphans in Uganda and Cameroon; chaplain of the Polish organization, Polish, Children’s Hotline, helping children with heart problems in Poland

35 years

Father Stanley W. Krzyston

 Currently, pastor, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Yardville

 Born in 1953 in Philadelphia

 Attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.; earned a bachelor of arts degree from Temple University, Philadelphia

 Taught in Bergen County program for socially disadvantaged boys; was a physical education instructor in St. Joseph Preparatory Seminary, Princeton; was a gym teacher in St. Paul School, Princeton

 Prepared for the priesthood in Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Pa., where he received a Master of Divinity degree

 Ordained May 14, 1988, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop John C. Reiss

 Served as parochial vicar in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Holy Angels Parish (now St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton, and administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, before being named pastor

 Diocesan appointments include Scouting chaplain for Ocean County; a pro-life chaplain for Ocean County; a county youth spiritual director for the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry; the board of recruitment for vocations; master of ceremonies for Bishop John C. Reiss; chaplain for the Serra Club of Mercerville

Father Damian J. McElroy

 Currently, pastor, St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake

 Born in Newry, Northern Ireland in 1963

 Attended Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland where he studied educational theory and philosophy

 Prepared for priesthood in Gregorian University, Rome

 Ordained June 26, 1988, in Newry Cathedral of Sts. Patrick and Colman by Bishop Francis Gerard Brooks

 Assignments in Ireland included vicar for education in St. Colman’s College; St. Peter’s, Lurgan; St. Colman’s Newry

 Arrived to the Diocese of Trenton in 1996 and served as parochial vicar in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, and St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square

 Incardinated a priest of the Diocese in 2004

 Served as administrator and then pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown

 Other appointments include serving as dean of the Southern Burlington Deanery for a three-year term

Father Brian Butch

 Currently, pastor, St. Anselm Parish, Wayside

 Born in Jersey City in 1961

 Attended Monmouth University, West Long Branch, received a Master of Arts in criminal justice; Fordham University, New York, Master of Social Work, individual and family social work; George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., Bachelor of Science in social work

 Prepared for priesthood in Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., master of divinity degree

 Ordained May 15, 1993, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop John C.

Reiss

 Served as parochial vicar in St. Ann Parish Keansburg; St. Paul Parish, Princeton, and St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold

 Served as pastor of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune

 Diocesan positions include director of Catholic Relief Services/Catholic Campaign for Human Development

 Earned state certification as a licensed clinical social worker and school social worker

 Work experience includes therapist in The Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore Manasquan; director, Neptune Township Department of Senior Services and Senior Center; associate parole board member, New Jersey State Parole Board; board of trustees chair and vice chair of the board of trustees, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft

 Social work/teaching experience includes adjunct faculty member, Monmouth Uni- versity, West Long Branch; social worker for Counseling Services and Beacon House

Father Joseph G. Hlubik

 Currently, pastor, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, and Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head

 Born in 1954 in Trenton

 Attended Rutgers University’s Cook College and Michigan State University

 Prepared for the priesthood in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore

 Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pa., May 15, 1993, by Bishop Joseph Adamac

 Served in Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown parishes of Our Lady of Victory and St. Rose of Lima, as well as Catholic chaplain in Pennsylvania State University

 Other appointments include: a year with the Marianist community in Boston where he was chaplain in Massachusetts General Hospital and New England Baptist Hospital and Bentley College, Waltham, Mass.

 Returned to the Trenton Diocese in 2002 and incardinated a priest of the Diocese in 2006

 Served as parochial vicar in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown; St. Dorothea Parish, Eatontown; St. Andrew Parish, Jobstown; St. Clare Parish, Florence; Holy Assumption Parish, Roebling

 Served as administrator of St. Andrew Parish, Jobstown (now part of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt)

 Served as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, and Holy Assumption Parish, Roebling (now both part of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown)

 Other appointments in the Trenton Diocese include serving for almost 10 years as Catholic chaplain in The College of New Jersey, Ewing, and Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, Trenton

 Named a “Missionary of Mercy” in 2015 by Pope Francis

30 years

20 years

 Currently, parochial vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual HelpSt. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands

 Born in 1957

 Attended Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

 Prepared for seminary in Moreau Seminary at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.; Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange

 Ordained May 15, 1993, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop John C. Reiss

 Served as parochial vicar in St. Mary Parish, Middletown; St. Mary of the Lake (now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe) Parish, Lakewood; Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, and St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft

 Served as administrator then pastor in St. Anselm Parish, Wayside

 Other positions include serving as chaplain in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; vice chairperson of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and a committee member for the Review of Diocesan Policies

15 years

10 years

Priest Anniversary

5 years

Deacon George Kelder Deacon John Little Deacon Kevin Smith

Father Christopher Dayton parochial vicar, St. Paul Parish, Princeton and associate diocesan director for Real Estate and Property

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