New pastor grateful for support from present, past parishioners

The Rite of Installation included a welcome by the parishioners and the formal presentation of their new pastor to the clergy and staff, members of the pastoral and finance committees and the parish trustees. It concluded with Bishop Checchio asking the new pastor, “lead your people in the profession of their faith.”

In his opening remarks, the bishop commented that although Father Krull had been present in the parish for a period of time it was very fitting that his installation Mass should occur the actual week that Our Lady of Peace was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Father Krull was born in New Brunswick in 1958 and attended Milltown public schools and Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen. He received a bachelor’s degree in music at Seton Hall University, South Orange, before entering Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Church History.

Father Krull was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1986, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

Prior to being named pastor of Our Lady of Peace, Father Krull served as pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville; Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading; as well as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown; Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords; St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge; and St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park.

Father Krull is also the author of the diocesan history book “Of This We Are All Witnesses,” published in 2006.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio stressed the gift and the need of the priesthood. He recalled that he once heard Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI state, “the most important thing a priest can do for the people is to be what he is, a believer.”

“As your bishop I certainly want you to know that I believe. And I happily entrust you to another believer, a priest, as your pastor, Father Michael Krull.”

“The gift of the priesthood is to give every single member of the human family someone to believe with. The priesthood does this. No one is left alone,” he continued. “In spite of all the horrors that we have heard this past year, God is calling more men to be priests because humanity is so in need of someone to lead them to Jesus Christ. I ask you to pray for more good and holy men to become priests. We need priests now in our Church and in our world, maybe even more than ever.

In comments before the end of the Mass, Father Krull mentioned that one of the concelebrating priests was Father Daniel Sloan, a retired priest of the diocese, who received his call to the priesthood when he was a parishioner at Our Lady of Peace.

Father Krull said that although he has been at the parish for a relatively short period of time, he feels he has become integrated into the daily life of the parish and its parishioners.

Walter McGhee, a member of the parish for seven years, recalled that Father Krull arrived the week of the picnic celebrating the parish anniversary and believes the introduction helped the new pastor “to definitely become fully part of the parish in just such a short time.”  

Deacon David DeFrange, who exercises his ministry at the parish and has been a parishioner there for almost 50 years, said “the parish is very fortunate to have Father Krull as pastor.” Having known the new pastor for years he added, “Father Krull is great to work with.”

Father Krull’s homilies were mentioned by a number of the parishioners. Carmeline Barretto, said she “is always impressed by the message contained in his homilies. I always leave Mass very inspired for the rest of my day and look forward to returning to hear more.”

In his remarks at a reception in the parish hall after the Mass, Father Krull thanked everyone for coming to the celebration. He was especially grateful to all the people who had worked so hard putting the Mass and the entire event together and for making it such a very enjoyable occasion.
He also expressed his gratitude to all of the members of the parish for their support. He went on to acknowledge and recognize the parishioners from each of his previous parochial assignments who had made the effort to be present at the Mass and reception.

Father Krull said he believes that having his installation during the 50th anniversary year for Our Lady of Peace made his transition as the new pastor very easy and seamless.

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater