May 21, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 23 Religious Notes Archdiocese to ordain 12 new priests on May 24 On May 24, the Archdiocese of Newark again will have the second largest class among dioceses in the nation in terms of new priests when 12 men are ordained to the priesthood for service in the Archdio- cese of Newark. The ordination will take place beginning at noon in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street in Newark. The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, will be the celebrant. Although some of the new priests come from as far away as Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Korea, three are American-born and hail from New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico. Several members of the Class of 2014 gained business experience prior to enter- ing the seminary. One was a car salesman, one worked in human resources, one was an industrial designer, and another had a career in real estate. Many have been involved in both missionary work around the world and in youth and young adult ministry. Reflecting on the new priests and the strengths that they will bring to the people of the archdiocese, Archbishop Myers said the archdiocese “continues to be blessed by so many vocations to the priesthood. I per- sonally am blessed as well by the gift of the 163 men who have answered God’s call to priesthood since I became shepherd of this local Church of Newark in 2001. Each of us is called to discipleship of Jesus Christ. We all must seek to do so lovingly, selflessly, courageously, and respectfully. “These men have chosen to hear God’s call to serve his people as priests, and the call of Pope Francis to address the spiritual and human needs of people with love and commitment to the Gospel,” he continued. “I know that the people of this local church will welcome them gratefully as they begin their ministries as Catholic priests.” New priest to begin service at Nativity Emmanuel Otuosoruchi Agu, one of the men who will be ordained this weekend, will celebrate his first Mass at the Church of Nativity in Midland Park, where he also served his diaconate. Before entering the seminary, Father Agu, 35, was an evangelization and out- reach leader in the Nigerian village where he was raised. His father Romanus and his mother Caroline are farmers. Thanks to their influence and that of other friends and relatives, he said he always thought he would be a priest. Entering the seminary, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the Lat- eran Pontifical University in Rome. At the seminary, he earned a master’s degree in theology and a master of divinity in pasto- ral ministry. Father Sung Gaye Hong, 39, who grew up in Seoul, South Korea, had a career in industrial design before discerning his vocation. The older of two siblings, he earned college degrees at Catholic Univer- sity of Korea and Seton Hall, where he also received his master of divinity degree. He will celebrate his first Mass at his home parish of St. Andrew Kim in Maple- wood; he served his diaconate at St. Eliza- beth in Wyckoff. Father Jong Going Kim, 33, grew up in South Korea. He aspired to follow in his mother’s footsteps as a professional tennis player, but shoulder surgery waylaid that dream. Following conversations with his parish priest, he made the choice to enter the seminary. He will celebrate his first Mass as his home parish, Madonna in Fort Lee; he served his diaconate at St. Catha- rine in Glen Rock. Archdiocese participates in Memorial Day services Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdio- cese of Newark will once again join with approximately 1,000 other Catholic cem- eteries nationwide to celebrate “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to our Heroes” on Monday, May 26. Special public Masses will be held at Archdioc- esan cemeteries located in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. All Masses will begin at 11 a.m. Services will be held rain or shine and canopies and seating will be provided. Local services will be held at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Avenue in Mahwah and at Christ the King Cemetery, 980 Huron Road in Franklin Lakes. The service in Mahwah will be said by the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda, coadjutor archbishop of Newark. For more information about this Mass, call (201) 327- 7011. The principal celebrant at the Franklin Lakes service will be the Most Reverend John W. Flesey, regional bishop of Bergen County. Additional information about this Mass is available by calling (201) 891-9191. Body shop revises proposal (continued from page 7) Estimates and repair analysis could also be done in this area, he said. Struc said that no painting, refinishing or framing work would be done. Board member David Zuidema asked where employees would park, since Struc said additional employees would be hired as the operation grew. Member Dan Brennan asked how the additional traffic volume would be handled on the property. Struc said he did not see volume increasing, He said cars come in at staggered hours, some even on Saturday for Monday work. He said he could accom- modate 25 cars on the site, plus 12 at the property at 154 Godwin. Board Chairman Linda Herlihy said that while the uses on both properties may be integrated, the site in question needs to function on its own as if it had a separate owner, with independent parking and cir- culation patterns. “If it can only work with the other lots, then we don’t approve it, or you need to put the entire property together, Herlihy said. Testimony on the application will con- tinue at the board’s June 11 meeting.