New priests go home to celebrate first Masses

The Archdiocese of Newark’s new priests celebrated their first Masses in their home parishes on May 26. Father Matteo Matarazzo returned to Holy Redeemer Church in West New York, Father Joseph A. Pavone to Holy Family Church in Nutley, and Father Andrew M. Rubinich to St. Thomas More Church in Fairfield.

Father Matarazzo, 31, will be assigned to Holy Family Church in Nutley, where he has been a transitional deacon for the last year. As a priest,  he said he hopes to “be able to bring God’s love to these people in a very personal way.”

Father Joseph A. Ferraro, Holy Family’s pastor, said the parish is looking forward to Father Matarazzo sharing his gifts and talents with parishioners. He said Father Matarazzo, who is originally from Italy, fits well in the multi-cultural parish community.

“Father Matteo is a spiritual man with a good, solid prayer life. He is a good listener and works well with the various ethnic groups found in our community,” Father Ferraro said. “Our parish, founded as an Italian national parish, also includes a large Filipino community as well as various European and Asian ethnic groups. He has worked well as a teacher in our religious education program as well as in our parish school, Good Shepherd Academy.” 

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Father Pavone, 35, will be assigned to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff after serving as a transitional deacon at St. Anastasia  Church in Teaneck. He said he is ready to approach all his responsibilities at Saint Elizabeth “most seriously” and will do his best to be an example of Jesus Christ.

“I ask these future people I will serve for their prayers,” Father Pavone said.“I will always be praying for them as well.” Father Stephen Fichter, St. Elizabeth’s pastor, said he had “the joy” of teaching Father Pavone when the newly ordained priest was still in the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall.

“He impressed me back then, and I’m sure he will fit in very well with our faith community,” Father Fichter said. “We look forward to journeying with him during the very important first years of his priestly service to the people of God.”

Father Rubinich, 25, has been assigned to Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell. During his seminary days, he was dedicated to ministry work with the elderly, the poor, and the sick. He then served as a transitional deacon at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in the Greenville section of Jersey City.

Now, Father Rubinich said he cannot wait to embrace the vocation Jesus has called him to and “give in service of Him and His people.”

“There is nothing I desire more than to serve parishioners in their relationship with Jesus, be an instrument of His grace, seek holiness, and share in the gift of community,” Father Rubinich said.

Msgr. Robert Emery, pastor of Saint Aloysius Church, said the parish anticipates Father Rubinich’s arrival with “great joy” and is excited to welcome a newly ordained priest.

“It is a wonderful sign for young men to see a young, newly ordained priest in their parish, and I pray that it will lead others to consider a vocation to the priesthood,” Msgr. Emery said. “I also believe that Father Andrew will be a blessing to our parish in many ways as he shares his joy and love for the Lord!”

The three men were ordained by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, on May 25 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.