Adoration, Confessions focus of Father Da Silva’s ministry

Father Paul Da Silva

Celebrating 25 years

“I enjoy celebrating the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Confession,” declared Father Arlindo Paul Da Silva as he reflected upon his 25 years of priestly ministry. “I see happening what Christ came to do. For people who have been away so long, and carry the weight of sins, to see them lifted is the most inspirational thing.”

Father Da Silva was born in 1970 on the continent of Africa in Blantyre, Malawi, to the late Arlindo Ferreira and Maria Luisa Da Silva, who were of Portuguese descent. The family immigrated to the U.S. eight years later, and young Arlindo received his education in Elizabeth’s St. Patrick Elementary and High Schools. Upon his graduation as valedictorian, he attended St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, on full scholarship and graduated summa cum laude in 1993 with a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in history and philosophy and a minor in theology. He became an American citizen in 1992.

Father Da Silva applied as a candidate to the priesthood for the Diocese of Metuchen, attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree, with Honors, in 1997, and a Master of

Arts Degree, with Honors, in theology in 1998. Father Da Silva was ordained May 30, 1998, in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi by Bishop Vincent de Paul Breen.

Over the course of his 25 years of ministry, Father Da Silva has served as a transitional deacon in St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, and parochial vicar in the parishes of St. Mary, Alpha; Our Lady of Fatima, Piscataway, and Immaculate Conception, Somerville, as well as chaplain in All Saints Regional Catholic School, Phillipsburg, and Immaculata High School, also Somerville. On the diocesan level, he has served on the seminary board; as Moderator of the Legion of Mary, and director of the Office of Multi-Cultural Ministries.

In addition to his role as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, since 2008, Father Da Silva currently serves the diocese as a member of its College of Consultors and Presbyteral Council, as well as on the school board of Holy Savior Academy, South Plainfield. He also is an executive board member for Life Choices, Inc, Phillipsburg.

Father Da Silva reaps the most joy in bringing others, especially college students, back to Confession and Eucharistic Adoration.

“We have confessions three times a week and get young people from [nearby] Rutgers University for adoration, so many around the times of mid-terms or final exams that the chapel isn’t big enough,” he said. “This past week, two seminarians told me the reason they went to the seminary was this chapel where they nurture this vocation. I love to help those away for a long time. It is a priority of mine.”

To those young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, Father Da Silva has sage advice –ponder the decision free of emotion.

“He should maintain a strong spiritual life, receive the sacraments often and get a spiritual director free from emotion to give good guidance,” the priest said. “Go to Mass and confession frequently, and make sure your options are clear. A spiritual director is important; you can’t see clearly with emotion.”

By Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor