‘Not-so-new pastor’ now officially leads parish in Warren County

BELVIDERE — Prayers from the faithful of St. Patrick and St. Rose of Lima parishes descended on Father Charles A. Sabella at his Mass of Installation as pastor at St. Patrick Church July 10.

Bishop James F. Checchio, who in January 2020 appointed Father Sabella to shepherd the two Warren County congregations, focused on prayer in his homily, with an added quip.

“I pray that the Eucharist nourishes you today and every week,” the bishop said. “I pray that the word of God inspires you … and I pray today as we install your not-so-new pastor anymore.”

Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic that began in March of that year prevented an earlier celebration. At the Mass, parishioners prayed, sang hymns and shared in the joy of their newly installed shepherd.

Father Sabella spoke little during the liturgy, but he opened it by referencing participants who came to his celebration from a charismatic group at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station.

“My first parish as a deacon was at Our Lady of Lourdes,” said Father Sabella, who was ordained May 28, 1994, by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes. “They had one prayer group that is still going strong.”

Several women from the prayer group came to the Mass. Father Sabella said he was “delighted and honored” by their presence, noting he was wearing a clerical stole he received upon his ordination.

“He likes to be around people of prayers,” said Barbara Kearns, one of the prayer cell members whose son, Anthony P. Kearns III, is diocesan chancellor. “That’s what he said, ‘I like to be with prayers.’”

Bishop Checchio told the congregation the “three essentials” of prayer Jesus Christ handed down to his disciples and to Catholics throughout the centuries are: patience, perseverance, and persistence.

“Our Lord sent the Apostles to continue his work in the world, and for us in Belvidere and in Oxford, that’s you, all of us, together,” the bishop said, pointing his right index finger at the congregation

The bishop thanked the St. Patrick community from Belvidere and those from Oxford who worship at St. Rose for their prayers and commitment. Turning to Father Sabella, he also thanked him for his “extraordinary efforts” in providing for parishioners’ needs. About 600 families make up the combined parishes, according to the diocesan directory.

Following the bishop’s homily, Michele Beha, St. Patrick’s director of faith formation and religious education, led the Rite of Installation by announcing the vital groups who are assisting Father Sabella, including the parish staff, Finance Committee and Pastoral Council.

Bishop Checchio then formally presented the groups to Father Sabella, who pledged to collaborate with them in the parish’s spiritual, pastoral, social and temporal activities.

Father Sabella then led the congregation in the Nicene Creed, and afterward made his “Oath of Fidelity” to the parish. It drew a large applause, with the bishop and pastor exchanging a hug.

Some parishioners, including Beha and her husband, Patrick Beha, knew Father Sabella when he served four years in the 2000s as parochial vicar. He made an indelible impression, the Behas said.

“He challenges you to think,” Michele Beha said, “and when you are challenged to think, then you grow. I’ve always felt it from the time he was here. The first time.”

The Behas said they feel fortunate that Father Sabella has returned — for his homilies, his spirituality and other reasons.

“He’s a breath of fresh air,” said Michael Belby, another longtime parishioner. “He’s an excellent teacher. That’s his gift, teaching.”

Patrick Beha said he and others kidded Father Sabella that he should jump at the chance to lead their parish, if ever there was a chance.

“He always said he never wanted to be a pastor,” Patrick Beha said. “But sometimes it’s in God’s hands.”

Father Sabella, 66, was ordained at age 39, and previously worked as a research director for ABC News in Washington, D.C., before changing vocations.

“When God wants to take you form one place to another, you’ve got to let go of everything,” he said during an interview in 2019 for a story on his 25th anniversary to the priesthood.

The two parishes are among the oldest in the diocese, with Father Sabella becoming just the 10th pastor of St. Patrick’s, which is 170 years old, according to its website. St. Rose, which holds claim to having the first church erected in Warren County (1858) held its first recorded Mass four years earlier elsewhere.