Fr. JC Maximilian

Today, Bishop John M. Smith ordained three men priests for the diocese of Trenton. I have been close to all three of the guys, so it was an exciting day to see friends ordained priests.

The youngest guy is Fr. Brian Woodrow. He and I started the formation program the same year, 1998, but he was right out of high school so he had college to complete; first two years at Franciscan University at Steubenville, and the last two years at Seton Hall University, where he stayed for Theology as well (Immaculate Conception). Brian was always a fun-loving, well, goof-ball. I don’t think I have ever seen him without a smile on his face and joy in his heart. Always ready to be a friend to someone in need, Fr. Brian is also a very skilled kick boxer (if he didn’t study to be a priest, he had a promising career as an Ultimate Fighter). The only way that he has ever disappointed me is that he promised to take me for a ride on his JetSki, but then he sold it (LOL). Fr. Brian will be assigned to St. Rose Church in Belmar; that’s like a mile from the ocean.

Next is the new priest that I have spent the least amount of time with, but I feel as if we have become friends. Fr. Michael McClane is a Renaissance man. He is from North Jersey, actually the Archdiocese of Newark. He was a start QB on his HS football team, leading them to the State championship, and, something I just learnt today, he is an accomplished musician and singer. Where I think we have much in common is that he is a scholar. He attended Princeton University, a history major, and was an A student. A generous, kind man, I first met him when we were both at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, in Philadelphia. I did all my studies there, but Mike was only there for a year. Then he was sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome (OK, I was a little jealous, but it was undoubtedly for the best since I am not very good at learning languages so the Italian would have been hard). I always thought it would be hard to be the only seminarian from our diocese in Rome, and not able to come home much, so I tried to keep him informed about the diocese via email. I don’t know if he ever thought it was strange, but he is too good a man to ever be anything but appreciative, and it was through email that we became friends. I had the honor of going to Rome last October to concelebrate the Mass at which he was ordained a deacon. Fr. Michael will be serving at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown, NJ which is not very far from me, so I hope we stay in touch.

Finally I get to Fr. Joseph Jakub. I must admit that I am closest to him. We were several years in the seminary together at St. Charles. We seemed to develop good “timing,” when one of us was getting a bit too stressed out at the seminary, the other would be on a good streak and help the other out. An intelligent, articulate man, Joe has a good sense of humor and a deep faith in Jesus. He must get it from his family (as I am sure both Frs. Brian and Michael do); his one brother is a priest of the diocese, his mother runs the Catholic Center at Monmouth University, and his father went back to get his masters in Theology and now teaches, as a second career, at a Catholic HS. Fr. Joe will be assigned to St. Aloysius in Jackson (think Six Flags’ Great Adventure), also close.

Thank you Heavenly Father for these fine men. Bless them and give them the Gifts of the Holy Spirit so that they can through word and deed bring people to Jesus, Your Son and our Savior.