New pastor draws warm welcome from Alpha parish

On June 3, St. Mary Parish, Alpha – a word that means beginning – celebrated such a moment with the installation of Father Dawid J. Wejnerowski as its pastor.

Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.  Father Wejnerowski served as concelebrant.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio reflected, “Sometimes we hesitate to take an action or accept responsibility unless we fully understand the impact of that action in our future lives.  But when it comes to faith, Jesus asks up to commit ourselves without such knowledge.”

Directing his comments to Father Wejnerowski, the Bishop instructed him, “Your primary responsibility as pastor will be to direct this community to grow in that supernatural gift of Faith. Gratefully this parish has always symbolized that faith and trust.”

Father Wejnerowski felt the call to the priesthood in his native Poland and began his preparation in seminary there right after high school.  He completed his studies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., an institution with strong ties to the Polish American community. Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski ordained him on May 26, 2012, at the time the youngest priest in the Diocese.

Prior to being named administrator of St. Mary on July 1, 2021, Father Wejnerowski served as a parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, Annandale; St Bartholomew, East Brunswick and the Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen. Father Wejnerowski said that this assignment would be the first time in his priesthood that he will be the only priest in the parish. It is a situation that will be new to him but not problematic.

Father Wejnerowski said, “I truly love this parish and the parishioners.  From the first day I arrived they have been warm, welcoming and supportive to me.” The continued applause that followed his installation indicated that the feeling is mutual. He hopes to attract the youth of the area to become more involved in the parish and the liturgy.

The Borough of Alpha, formerly known as Vulcanite, was incorporated by the State of New Jersey in 1911. It was named for the Alpha Cement works. But the beginning of the parish goes back to 1903 when a number of primarily Hungarian Catholic workers from the cement plant came together to form a new Catholic community in the area.

By August 1903 the first Church was dedicated, and services were held. The current church building was completed in September 1957 and the original building was torn down in 1973.

In his remarks at the end the Mass he thanked Bishop Checchio for installing him as the pastor and said he was humbled by the Bishop’s confidence in him. He also thanked the parish staff, everyone who contributed to the celebration, including Deacon John Van Haute, the servers and the choir.

Father Wejnerowski said one of the great joys of his installation Mass was the presence of his mother Danuta, who had traveled from Poland to be part of the celebration. Not having any brothers or sisters and having lost his father Jozef two years ago, her presence was a special comfort and blessing for him.

After the Mass Father Wejnrowski said this was his mother’s fourth trip to visit him. On the previous occasions he and his mother had done all the usual tourist things.  This time Mrs. Wejnerowski said that the area in and around Alpha was so beautiful they should just stay local. She also commented on the warmth of all the parishioners she had met.

Mary King, who has been a member of the parish all her life and received all her sacraments in the church, speaks of the parish as her second home where she finds comfort. She describes Father Wejnerowski as a very loving pastor who, “has become very much a part of the community since he arrived. He is welcoming to everyone and at the end of each Mass he thanks the congregation for attending.”