Two deacons from Jersey City and West New York, respectively, were ordained as priests by Cardinal Joseph Tobin at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart last week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Amidst a sea of exuberant smiles and tears of joy from family and friends, Matteo Matarazzo, of Holy Redeemer Church in West New York, Joseph A. Pavone, and Andrew M. Rubinich, of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Jersey City, were called forward by Tobin for election to the priesthood.
They pledged their obedience, prostrated before the altar, and kneeled as archdiocesan priests laid hands on them in prayer. Tobin then recited the Prayer of Consecration, officially ordaining the trio as priests in a moment of immense happiness and celebration.
Upon donning their stoles and chasubles, the new priests had their hands anointed with sacred chrism before distributing the Holy Eucharist for the first time. Afterward, they offered their inaugural blessings to many of the gathered faithful.
Now assigned to their respective parishes, the new priests — Father Matarazzo at Holy Family Parish in Nutley, Father Pavone at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff, and Father Rubinich at St. Aloysius Parish in Caldwell — will embark on their pastoral duties to shepherd the faithful and administer the sacraments.
Through it all, they will be guided by the message of Tobin’s homily, which emphasized service as “the foundation on which the priesthood is built.”
