Flemington parish welcomes new shepherd at liturgy

St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, which celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding in 2022, began a new chapter in its history when Father James E. De Fillipps was formally installed as pastor by Bishop James F. Checchio.  

The rite of installation was held during Mass in St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church, May 7, for Father De Fillips, who was appointed administrator of St. Magdalen’s while remaining as bishop’s delegate for the diocesan Office of Evangelization June 14, 2022.  

Prior to that, Father De Fillipps served as parochial vicar at St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick.  

Father De Fillipps succeeds Father Kenneth D. Brighenti, who was installed as pastor Sept. 23, 2017. Father Brighenti is now vice rector at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.  

Father De Fillipps was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese by then-Bishop, now Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, May 26, 2012. His vesting priest was Msgr. Joseph M. Curry, who was among the concelebrants at the May 7 liturgy.  

Father De Fillipps’ first priestly assignment was parochial vicar at St. Ann Parish, Raritan Borough.  

He was born in Livingston and after graduating from Parsippany High School in 1999, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and social studies at Caldwell College, now University.  

In a story in The Catholic Spirit published in conjunction with his 2012 ordination, Father De Fillipps said his interest in becoming a priest was “sparked” by Father Jude S. Salus, then pastor of the home parish of Father De Fillipps’ family – Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish, Cedar Knolls.  

Father De Fillipps, then a teacher at St. Therese School, Succasuna, said he was approached by Father Salus, a member of the Benedictine Order founded by St. Benedict of Nursia, at a teacher’s day of reflection and told him, in so many words, he was going to be a priest.  

And, although he loved teaching, at Mass during Advent in 2004, he recalled feeling a strong desire to do “something more.”  

Father De Fillipps recalled that his relationship with the Benedictine monks at St, Mary’s Abbey and at Delbarton School, both in Morristown, fueled his journey to the priesthood.  

Founded in 1847 by Bishop Francis Kenrick, shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish now serves some 3,344 registered families and 397 children in its religious education program, according to a story about the anniversary celebration in the Sept. 22, 2022 edition of The Catholic Spirit.