Archdiocese of Newark obituaries: November 2023

We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in November.

Sister Mary Amelia Cetera, OP

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Sister Mary Amelia Cetera, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 84 years, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell, N.J. 

Sister Cetera entered into eternal life on Nov. 25, 2023, at the age of 101 at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, Caldwell, N.J.

Sister Cetera (affectionately known as Sister Molly) was a gentle woman of deep faith and compassion, which she learned from her parents, Charles and Amalia (Facente) Cetera. Sister entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on Jan. 2, 1939, received the habit on Aug. 21, 1939, made first profession on Aug. 22, 1940, and made final profession on Aug. 22, 1946.

Sister Cetera earned her BA from Caldwell University (Caldwell College) in English and social studies, her MA in curriculum and teaching / elementary education from Seton Hall University in South Orange, and completed doctoral studies in curriculum and teaching at Teachers College Columbia University in New York City. Sister began her lifelong career in education as a teacher at St. John the Baptist in Jersey City and Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport. She was director at Mount Saint Dominic Grade School in Caldwell and principal at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Mountainside.

Sister Cetera was legendary in Caldwell University’s Education Department. For over 40 years, she devoted her efforts to the development of outstanding teachers. Before becoming a professor in the Education Department, she was director and instructor of the Reading Center, supervisor of student interns and teachers, chairperson of the Education Department, academic advisor in Continuing Education, and assistant for Placement Services. She designed the University’s first BA in Education program and the BA in Early Childhood Education.

In 2000, Sister Cetera was awarded the status of Professor Emerita of Education and in 2009, was the recipient of the University’s Veritas Award for Excellence in Education Leadership. 

During her retirement, she actively participated in community activities and continued her quiet reflection and prayer ministry. Known as a woman of joy and peace, a lifelong student of grace and humility, Sister greeted everyone with her beautiful smile and kind words. The Dominican motto “to praise, to bless, to preach” has been her steadfast witness to a faithful life.

Sister Cetera was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Amalia; her sisters, Mary (Carl) Sellen, Europa (Mack) McIntosh, and Gilda (Edward) Maiuro; her brother, John (Rose) Cetera; and her niece, Martha Stevens. Sister is survived by her nephews, Edward Maiuro, John Cetera and Carl Cetera; nieces, Mali Spooner and Rosalie Sposito; grandnieces and grandnephews; and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic.

Sister Marie Gilligan, SC

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Sister Marie Gilligan, SC, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J.

Sister Gilligan, 95, formerly Sister James Marie, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, entered into eternal life on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at McAuley Hall Health Center in Watchung, N.J.

Sister was born in Elizabeth, N.J., the daughter of James and Helen (Kutzler) Gilligan. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 8, 1946, and was a member for 77 years.

Sister graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station with a B.S. degree in Education and from Goddard College in Vermont with an M.A. degree in Social Ministry. Sister Gilligan served in education and pastoral ministry in New Jersey, Florida, and Mississippi. She ministered as a teacher at Our Lady of Sorrows School, South Orange; St. Francis School, Riviera Beach, Florida; St. Stephen School, Kearny; and St. Michael Elementary School, Jersey City. Answering the call to serve where there were unmet needs, Sister Gilligan moved to Mississippi where she was missioned from 1973-1999. She ministered in Pastoral/Social Ministry in Smithville, Miss. and was then named as pastor at St. Helen Parish, Amory, Miss. During those many years, Sister’s energy and faithfulness touched the lives of countless individuals and families. She, together with Sister Kathy Quigley, who joined her in Mississippi, has ensured that the Legacy of Charity continues there through the 14 Seton Associates who continue daily to live Gospel values in service of others. Returning to Convent Station, she served in the Generalate Office of Pastoral Services. Upon retiring she continued in volunteer services. She recently moved to McAuley Hall Heath Center.

She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her brother James Gilligan, nephew James Gilligan, Jr. (Jessica), brother-in-law Donald Murphy, nieces Sandra Kovecses (Joseph), Helen Misiewicz, Lois Johnson and many other nieces and grandnieces/nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Richard Gilligan, and her sisters Kathleen Syryoynski, Joanne Murphy, and Lois Misiewicz.

Father Richard Carrington

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Father Richard J. Carrington, Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Mountainside, N.J. 

Father Carrington, Jr., 72, entered into eternal life on Nov. 22, 2023.

Father graduated from Seton Hall University and continued on to the Immaculate Conception Seminary and was ordained on May 29, 1976.

A Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, Father Carrington dedicated his life to service in the Catholic Church and touched countless lives in the following parishes: SS Joseph and Michael in Union City, where he also served as pastor; St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield; St. John the Baptist in Jersey City; St. Joseph of the Palisades in West New York; Our Lady of Grace/St. Joseph in Hoboken, where he also served as pastor; and Our Lady of Lourdes in Mountainside, from where he retired as pastor.

In addition, he served in the US Navy as a Chaplain for 20 years, retiring as a commander.

Father Carrington was predeceased by his parents, the late Richard and Genevieve Carrington.

He is survived by his sister, Jeanne Carrington and her husband Brian Keane of Toms River; his nieces, Kaitlin Carrington Keane and her husband, David O’Flanagan of London, England; and Elizabeth Anne Keane and her husband, Conor White of New York City; and his grandniece.