Monsignor Arduino “Edward” Puleo, ‘Always a priest, always present, always with a pastor’s heart’

“We are here because we love this priest of God.” 

The words of Father John Hillier resonated with a congregation of hundreds, gathered for a Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Arduino “Edward” Puleo, who died Oct. 25.

Scores of mourners filled the church, the hall, and the outdoor plaza of St. Brigid Parish, Peapack, Oct. 31, to give witness to their love, appreciation and gratitude for a beloved priest and pastor.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop James. F. Checchio and concelebrated by numerous priests of the Diocese. Father Hillier, long-time friend of Msgr. Puleo, and diocesan director of both the Office of Pontifical Mission Societies and the Office for Persons with Disabilities, served as homilist.

On the day prior, Oct. 30, a Mass of Commemoration was celebrated by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop Emeritus, in St. Elizabeth Church, Far Hills. Msgr. Ronald T. Marino, pastor-emeritus, Basilica of Regina Pacis, Brooklyn, served as homilist. The Mass was preceded by veneration which drew some 1,000 mourners over the course of a few hours

In his homily, which brought the congregation to both tears and laughter, Father Hillier recalled Msgr. Puleo’s sense of humor, and the struggles he had faced during his illness, and how, through the prayers of his family, his flock and the Knights of Columbus, his three-month prognosis became three years. Many prayers “sustained him on the silent pathway before eternity,” said Father Hillier.

Father Hillier reflected on the Gospel Reading for the Mass, the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus, as one of Msgr. Puleo’s favorites. … The Blessed Lord, himself, had died, but the disciples didn’t recognize him. “He was made known to them in the breaking of bread,” recalled Father Hillier.

“The familiar Scripture summarizes well the daily focus of Msgr. Puleo’s life,” said Father Hillier. “For him, Our Lord’s presence in the Eucharist is not just one aspect of priestly life, Holy Communion was everything – everything along the way of life, as well as all the other sacraments … especially the most beautiful sacrament of God’s mercy – Holy Confession.”

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are left to the limitations of physical sight, Father Hiller stressed. “We could never really see our Risen Lord in our midst nor could we perceive the presence of Jesus in the people before us in our line of vision. Only in the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist, Holy Communion, are we given the optical assistance we need to see Christ clearly in ourselves and in others.” 

Father Hillier spoke warmly about Msgr. Puleo’s ability to see Christ in others, his profound care for his parishioners and the relationships he forged through his love of the priesthood. He shared the fruit of Msgr. Puleo’s gifts through some cards presented to Msgr. Puleo when he moved on from his pastorate in St. Joseph Parish, Carteret.

“Thank you for welcoming me back to the Church and [helping] me to know that God has a special place for me,” wrote one parishioner.

“Your departure will leave a hole difficult to fill for our church, our community, our heart,” wrote another.

And yet another, “I can never thank you enough for restoring my mom’s faith in Jesus. You may not know it, but you have touched the lives of so many people as a priest, we are all better Catholics for knowing you.”

And one more, that sounded like it could have been written last week. “I always knew this day would come and I’ve always dreaded it for years. Sorry for the tears.”

He was, said Father Hillier, “Always a priest, always present, always with a pastor’s heart after the example of Jesus.”

At the closing of Mass, Bishop Checchio spoke with gratitude for Msgr. Puleo, with whom the Bishop worked closely upon his arrival in the Diocese in 2016, and as he got to know and care for all the priests in the Diocese, saying “I’ve been so grateful to him over the years for his guidance and assistance …There were few priests who made as large of a contribution to the Diocese as he did, through his work and the positions he held,” describing him as “energetic, faithful and loyal,” in serving Jesus Christ and his Church.

Bishop Checchio recalled his visit with Msgr. Puleo on his last day, “when I could thank him myself for all he has done for me.” Msgr. Puleo shared his own gratitude for all those who had taken care of him during his illness, especially Father Hillier. “We can all hope we have friends like that,” said Bishop Checchio.

The Bishop noted the last text he received from Father Puleo was one expressing his love and concern for his parishioners. He said he felt good that they were being taken care of and loved during this difficult time, and being who he was, he finished the text saying, “And I think we’re going to make the Bishop’s Appeal!” Laughter rippled through the congregation.

Bishop Checchio shared that he always asks the deceased to “reveal a bit of Heaven to me, so I may keep Heaven before my eyes, motivating what I do each day and encouraging me to be more generous in my love of Jesus.”  Speaking of Msgr. Puleo, he suggested “we look to his legacy … and then examine our own legacy.” He posed the questions, “What do I want to leave as my legacy? … and with Heaven before our eyes, what do we need to do better?”

Bishop Checchio then incensed the casket which hundreds of hands had touched earlier in fond remembrance of Msgr. Puleo as they passed to receive Eucharist from Bishop Checchio and Father Hillier.

As the casket left the church, Msgr. Puleo was greeted outside by all his brother priests as a fitting farewell for someone who so loved his vocation.



Rest in Peace

Reverend Monsignor Edward C. Puleo, pastor of the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Far Hills, and St. Brigid, Peapack, died on Oct. 25. He was 67 years old.

Msgr. Puleo was born in Elmhurst, Queens, the son of the late Salvatore Puleo and Silvana (nee D’Amico); devoted brother of the late Anthony; uncle to Steven, Taryn, and Joseph; nephew of Maria DiVerde, Johanna D’Amico and Peter Puleo; cousin and relative to many. 

Upon graduation from McClancy High School, Msgr. Puleo entered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and, after his profession, served as a teacher in several of his community’s schools in New York and New Jersey. Upon discerning a call to diocesan priesthood, he attended Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edward T. Hughes on May 29, 1988.  He served at St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville.  

In 1995 he became pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, before becoming pastor of St. Elizabeth and St. Brigid Parishes in 2007.  In 2011, he was named a Chaplain to His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor. Msgr. Puleo served as episcopal vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life, as well as in various diocesan roles and on many committees: director of the Office of Priest Personnel, dean of the Arthur Kill Deanery, College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Priest Personnel Board, Seminary Education Board, Synod Preparatory Committee, and Committee for Future Staffing of Parishes.

A Mass of Commemoration was held on Oct. 30, in St. Elizabeth Church, Far Hills, with public visitation preceding Mass. Bishop-Emeritus Paul Bootkoski presided at the Mass and Msgr. Ronald T. Marino, Pastor-Emeritus, Basilica of Regina Pacis, Brooklyn was the homilist. Bishop James F. Checchio celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial on Oct. 31, in St. Brigid Church, Peapack, and Rev. John Hillier, Director of the Office of the Pontifical Missions, served as homilist. 

Interment followed at St. Bernard Cemetery, Bridgewater.

Let us be joined in prayer that Monsignor Puleo will find the fulfillment of his faith and the reward of his priestly labors in the presence of the Risen Lord. May our prayerful support be a source of comfort to his family, friends, and parishioners. May he rest in peace.