Dear Friends,

I have several important updates to share with you. However, this particular announcement stands on its own. The others I will share with you in a separate correspondence later in the week.

Mr. Anthony Nardino, our Director of Sacred Music, recently informed me that he will be leaving our parish to take a full-time teaching position at St. Ann's Elementary School, Raritan NJ. He will also be serving as a liturgical coordinator for the parishes snd public oratory the Raritan Oratory serves in the Bridgewater-Raritan area. Although I was saddened by this news, I am happy for Anthony and for the new opportunities this will open for him. Anthony has served our parish lovingly and well these past twelve years. He has not only brought professional expertise to the position of music director, but also those qualities that truly make him a pastoral musician; deep faith, love for the Church and Her Liturgy, and the ability to inspire others to the same. Personally, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him these past two years and will miss him very much. I'm sure you will, too. Unfortunately, Anthony's departure is coming at a time when we cannot properly gather to express our gratitude and wish him well in this new endeavor. However, as soon as restrictions for indoor gatherings further ease, I'll invite Anthony back so we can properly honor him.

I am pleased to announce that Claire E. McCarthy will be joining our parish and campus ministry staff as the Interim Director of Sacred Music. Claire is already well known to our community. She has worked with Anthony and our music ministry for some time now.

Claire is currently completing a MA in Music Performance at Rutgers and holds a BA in the same with a minor in piano and voice from West Chester University, PA. She not only is a skilled musician and vocalist but also has experience in conducting choirs, liturgical planning and music organization, and has served as a substitute musician in several parishes, including our own. Claire has a heart for music ministry and hopes to combine her musical expertise and training with her strong Catholic faith and love of the Liturgy into a vocation of service as a pastoral musician. This transition will take place on the weekend of July 17-18. If you see Anthony over the next two weeks, please take a few moments to thank him and wish him well.

Please join me in praying for Anthony, his family, and Claire during this time of transitions and new beginnings.

Servus,
Msgr. Joe Celano
Pastor