New pastor pleased parish has diverse ministries, Spanish community

HILLSBOROUGH — From a young age, Msgr. Joseph Curry knew he wanted to serve God and others. His parents and grandparents shared their strong faith with their young boy who would become a priest. From them, he learned that God always had to be significant in his life. It is a lesson he heard again when Bishop James F. Checchio installed him as pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish.

In his homily,  Bishop Checchio, who presided at the liturgy, spoke of the great promise that Jesus made to his disciples on a mountain in Bethany just before he returned to heaven. “The Holy Spirit would be given to them by the Father who would teach and guide them,” he said.

As Jesus’ disciples today, he added, “we should take heart from the words of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit is our constant guide, mentor, protector and even prays with us.”

The bishop then told the parishioners, “Msgr. Curry’s main task as your pastor is to ensure that the people of Mary, Mother of God know the Holy Spirit and depend upon him in all that you do in all the good ministries that take place in your families and homes and in your own lives.”

It was the lesson the parish’s new pastor learned years ago — God needs to be significant in our life. One of four children of Joseph C. and Helen (Peg) Margaret Gaidos Curry, Msgr. Curry attended St. Matthew the Apostle Elementary School, Edison, and the now-closed St. Pius X High School, Piscataway.

Msgr. Curry said he believes “my vocation came from my family and the Parish of St. Matthew.”

As an altar server and a member of the youth group there, young Joseph got to know two priests who would influence his vocation to the priesthood: Father Patrick Barrett, who shared his love for the needy, and Father James O’Brien, who worked with the youth group and helped Msgr. Curry “discover an amazing relationship with Jesus.”   

Along with preparing to enter college, Msgr. Curry began to consider the priesthood as an option. He enrolled in the University of Scranton, Pa., intending to study law. He decided to live in the university’s minor seminary, “just to try it out.” After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, he completed his seminary training at Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

Msgr. Curry was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1986, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. His first 19 years as a priest were spent as parochial vicar and then pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick; as chaplain at the now-closed St Peter the Apostle High School, and at the Catholic Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

In 2005, Msgr. Curry was named pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, which also has a school. “I have always been in a parish with a school and I remain committed to ensuring that Catholic education is available for all who desire it,” he noted, while recognizes making it accessible can be a struggle.

In addition to his parish assignments, Msgr. Curry served the diocese in other roles and positions. He was the associate director, diocesan  Office of Vacations; and Episcopal Vicar for Western Middlesex County. He has also been a mentor for newly ordained priests.

Msgr. Curry has always promoted and supported vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For a number of years, he oversaw the diocese’s vocational camps for boys and girls, Camp Christopher and Camp Maria.

He attended Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C., established to serve the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing, where he studied American Sign Language. Msgr. Curry found that working with and ministering to the hearing-impaired community was one of many enriching experiences as a priest.

In March 2006, Msgr. Curry was installed as a Chaplain to his Holiness with the title Reverend Monsignor, one of the first priests ordained for the Diocese of Metuchen to receive this honor.

At the end of his Mass of Installation, Msgr. Curry thanked Bishop Checchio for his confidence in him  to serve as pastor of Mary, Mother of God. He also thanked — in English and Spanish —  his family, many of whom attendedd the Mass, and the members of the various parishes he served, who “made me the man and the priest that I am today.”

He expressed his gratitude to God, too, because, “without him we would never know each other.”

Before the final blessing, Bishop Checchio mentioned another example of Msgr. Curry’s service — director, diocesan Office of Ministry to Priests. “For any priest who is facing challenges, he is the person who gets the call,” the bishop said. “I am very grateful for his willingness to serve in that capacity.”

Shortly after coming to Mary, Mother of God, on the parish website, Msgr. Curry wrote: “I am discovering new and exciting things every day! We as a parish community are blessed in so many ways especially with:

An impressive number of significant diverse ministries, that are alive and well!

A spiritual and diverse community of faith with an active and involved Spanish community!