Priests-to-be have messages for future parishioners (Ordination 2024)
For deacons Matteo Matarazzo, 31, and Joseph Pavone, 35, the road toward the priesthood was not linear. Deacon Andrew Rubinich, 25, went to seminary right out of high school. Regardless of their differences, all three men ultimately realized Jesus was calling them to be priests. And on May 25, they will finally be ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Read on to learn what led the ordinandi to this point and what they hope to achieve moving forward.
Deacon Matteo Matarazzo
Deacon Matarazzo had once lost faith and pursued a career in the restaurant industry before applying to the Navy in his native country of Italy. However, upon encountering the catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way, he experienced God’s forgiveness and acceptance, which reignited his faith.
“I learned God was not ashamed of me,” he said.
Feeling the presence of God’s love, Deacon Matarazzo knew he wanted to join the priesthood.
When his life was spared in an automobile accident, his decision to enter the seminary was finalized.
So, when the Italian Navy approached him to join its officers’ program, he declined, stating God had already enlisted him for service.
He attended the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Newark in Kearny and has been serving as a transitional deacon at Holy Family in Nutley.
He says he wants to become a priest because “there is an urgent need to evangelize. I want to be able to bring God’s love to these people in a very personal way.”
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, he said: “I am very excited to be with you! I look forward to meeting you and together walk toward God. He is the only one that can fill the void that we may experience.”
Deacon Joseph Pavone
Deacon Pavone did not take a linear path to the priesthood. Ten years ago, he was ordained as a transitional deacon but later chose to step away from Church ministry in search of personal fulfillment. This led him to explore unique jobs and meet a multitude of people. Through these experiences, he matured, became more compassionate, and gained a deeper understanding of life. Eventually, Deacon Pavone realized this journey was God’s way of preparing him for his true calling as a priest.
However, he says there was not one defining moment that confirmed his decision to enter the seminary.
“Rather, it was a slow and steady revelation over time whereby the Lord used the ordinary events of my daily life to reveal Himself to me,” Deacon Pavone said, adding that the first seed was probably planted when he watched Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic visit to the Archdiocese when he was a young boy.
He said he wants to become a priest in these challenging times because “the Church needs men who are willing to boldly and unreservedly announce the faith to a world that is so desperately in need of God’s love.”
Deacon Pavone attended the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology and studied systematic theology as well as ecclesiastical history, an area of study in which he is most interested.
Deacon Pavone has been serving as a transitional deacon at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Teaneck.
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, he asked for patience: “Navigating any new change or position in life always comes with certain challenges. My future parishioners can be assured that I will approach all my responsibilities most seriously and I will do my best, as God permits, to be an example of Jesus Christ. There is still, however, no doubt that I may make a misstep or two along the way. I ask these future people I will serve for their prayers as they could be assured, I will always be praying for them as well.”
Deacon Andrew M. Rubinich
Deacon Rubinich’s journey began in St. Thomas More Church in Fairfield, where he started as an altar server and later engaged in youth ministry, eventually becoming a catechetics teacher and vacation Bible school leader. Through these roles, he felt a call to the priesthood but kept his dream to himself. It was only after several people urged him to consider seminary that he realized his vocation as a priest.
Deacon Rubinich said he came to hear Jesus’ call in “a still, small voice that resounded in my heart and invited me to be His priest and a man who lives for others.”
He said it was the witness of “holy and zealous priests” in his life that inspired him to enter the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology where he studied moral theology.
During his seminary years, he was dedicated to ministry work with seniors, the poor, and the sick. He also taught catechism.
“That affirmed me in my vocation and served as integral components of my seminary formation,” he said.
Deacon Rubinich wants to become a priest in these challenging times “because everyone is still seeking. As Saint Augustine would say, ‘God has made us for himself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.’”
He has served as a Transitional Deacon at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Greenville within Jersey City.
Deacon Rubinich said it was a blessing serving “in such an incredible and growing, mission-oriented, and zealous parish community.”
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, Deacon Rubinich said he cannot wait to embrace the vocation that Jesus has called him to and “give in service of Him and His people.”
“I have been praying for you through all my years in the seminary,” Deacon Rubinich said. There is nothing I desire more than to serve you in your relationship with Jesus, be an instrument of His grace, seek holiness, and share in the gift of community. Please pray for me, and please know that I can’t wait to meet you and walk this journey of life and faith together.”
Men who are interested in exploring a life in the priesthood are encouraged to contact the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office of Priestly Vocations, which fosters a culture of vocations through prayer, recruitment, and accompaniment. To learn more, visit www.newarkpriest.com.
Featured image: From left Deacon Matteo Matarazzo, Deacon Andrew M. Rubinich, and Deacon Joseph A. Pavone greet the newly ordained deacons at the May 19 ordination.
