Obituaries for June 2024
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in June.
Father John P. Holian
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Mountainside, N.J. for Father John P. Holian.
Father Holian, a dedicated servant of faith and compassion, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence, West Palm Beach, at the age of 86.
Father Holian was known for his unwavering commitment to his parishioners, his compassionate service as a hospital chaplain at Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J. and his tireless work with Alcoholic Anonymous and Matt Talbot retreats.
Ordained on May 25, 1963, by Archbishop Thomas Boland, Father Holian’s spiritual journey was marked by his deep empathy and relentless dedication to helping others. He served in various parishes across the Archdiocese of Newark (Saint Michaels in Newark, Saint Peter Claver in Montclair, Saint Catherine of Sienna in Cedar Grove, and Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Park Ridge) before finding his true calling as a hospital chaplain at Overlook Medical Center, where he provided comfort, solace, and spiritual guidance to patients and their families for over 17 years. His gentle presence and kind words brought peace to many during their most challenging times.
Beyond his parochial ministries and chaplaincy, Father Holian was a staunch advocate for those battling addiction. As a member and mentor in Alcoholics Anonymous, he dedicated countless hours to supporting individuals on their paths to recovery. His personal testimony and unwavering support were for many a beacon of hope, and his legacy with the AA community will be long remembered by many.
Father Holian was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Loretta Holian, and his sister Janet. He is survived by countless friends and parishioners who were touched by his kindness and generosity. His life was a testament to the power of faith, compassion, and the importance of community.
Father Holian’s life was a profound example of love and service, things we should all model in our lives. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Father Andres J. Reyes
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Hackensack, N.J. for Father Andres J. Reyes.
Father Reyes of Hackensack, formerly of Belleville, Bergenfield, Newark, Jersey City, Ridgefield Park, Union City, and Elizabeth, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the age of 81 years.
Father Reyes was ordained on Nov. 21, 1970, in Bogota, Colombia by Bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal and was incardinated to the Archdiocese of Newark on Oct. 9, 1986.
He was assigned to St. Michael’s Church, Elizabeth in 1971. In 1974, he went to Honduras as a National Director for Family Life. Upon returning to New Jersey in 1975, he was assigned to Holy Family Church in Union City. Throughout the years, he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima in Newark, St. Francis Church in Ridgefield Park, St. John’s Church in Bergenfield, Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack, St. Peter’s Church in Belleville, and retired as Pastor of St. Paul of the Cross in Jersey City after 17 years.
In pursuit of offering his parishioners and the general public his best, in 1988 Father Reyes obtained a Master’s Degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York and later obtained a NJ License as a Clinical Social Worker.
After retiring, he continued to assist at Holy Trinity, and in Teaneck, Bogota, and Westfield.
Sister Kathleen Doyle, CSJP
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. for Sister Kathleen Doyle, CSJP.
Sister Doyle, 82, of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., died peacefully at St. Michael Villa on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
She was born on Dec. 28, 1941, in West New York, N.J., the only child of the late Martin Hilary Doyle and Brigid Theresa Lynch.
Sister Doyle became a Postulant on Sept. 12, 1959, at St. Michael Novitiate, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., then a Novice on July 2, 1960. She pronounced Final Vows there on June 20, 1967.
Sister Doyle graduated from Caldwell College in 1968 with a B.A. in History and Elementary Education; Seton Hall University with an M.A. in Administration and Supervision in 1973; Villanova University, Pa., with an M.A. in Religious Studies in 1982; and a Certificate of Theological Studies in Spirituality from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Cali. in 1986.
Sister Doyle taught at St. Anne’s School in Fair Lawn, N.J.; St. James School, Penns Grove, N.J.; Our Lady of Peace, Fords, N.J.; St. Ann’s School, Trenton, N.J.; St. Elizabeth’s School, Wyckoff, N.J.; and St. Joseph’s School, Beverly, N.J. She was the Director of Elementary Education for the Trenton Diocese; Pastoral Associate and DRE at St. James Parish, Pennington, N.J.; Principal at St. Joseph School, East Rutherford, N.J.; and DRE at Star of the Sea in Lake Hopatcong, N.J.
In 1998 she was asked to serve as the Director of Ministry and Formation for the Eastern Region of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace until 2003. Sister then returned to her ministry as DRE at St. Joseph’s School, Bogota, N.J.; Pastoral Associate for Sacramental Preparation at St. Mary’s Parish, Dumont, N.J. before returning as DRE to Our Lady Star of the Sea in Lake Hopatcong, N.J. for an additional 8 years. She served as Pastoral Life Coordinator at St. Michael Villa, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. as well as Moderator on the Guild for the Sisters. Sister Doyle joined the St. Michael Villa Community in 2023.
