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SPOTSWOOD — When Father John “Jack” O’Kane was officially installed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at a Mass July 24, it was a role he had yearned for.
He had already achieved one goal on his spiritual journey — to be ordained a priest. After serving as a parochial vicar at other parishes since he was ordained to the priesthood in 2008, all that was left was the opportunity to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of a parish family as a pastor or, as he described, like a “father.”
“As the associate [parochial vicar], you are kind of the uncle,” Father O’Kane said with a laugh during an interview several days after the Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. “You are there with the families, but you are not in charge. You are following the directions that the pastor sets because really there can only be one direction for a parish. There is a lot of guidance and a lot of voices to help the pastor, but at the end of the day, the pastor has to lead his family. So that is one of the joys of now being a pastor — to be responsible for these souls and the family of Immaculate Conception.”
He added that he enjoys being with families at their highest and lowest points such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. “They invite you in because you are a priest, to be a part of that experience with them and for them. I cherish that,” he said.
He was appointed administrator of the parish Aug. 8, 2019, and pastor Oct. 15, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an official installation had to be postponed. Father O’Kane said he is blessed that the 73-year-old parish, which serves about 2,500 registered families, has “very active” members.
“The Church and the parish are rooted in tradition, which I love,” he stated.
As for any plans Father O’Kane has for the parish, he said building an entranceway to the church and school is one of them because it has been on the drawing board for 20 years. “The only issue is that construction costs have grown so high we may wait another year. The money has been raised for it, now we have to do the work,” he said.
Regarding the extra responsibility as pastor of overseeing a school, which serves about 170 children in kindergarten to eighth grade, Father O’Kane said it is a challenge, but one he enjoys.
“I am a product of Catholic schools and it is such a gift, especially in the world today where there is so much indoctrination of anti-Catholic principles,” he said. “I love having a Catholic school to teach the faith and help the families form their children.”
During the Rite of Installation as pastor, which was led by Bishop James F. Checchio, Father O’Kane pledged to work with and seek the counsel of the parish’s clergy, staff, Finance Committee, Pastoral Council and Trustees.
Father O’Kane then gave his oath of fidelity to the Church and Bishop Checchio.
In closing, Bishop Checchio said, “Remember, my brother, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd and a wise teacher of the people, that you may lead them to Christ, who will strengthen all that you.”
The new pastor then led the faithful in reciting the Confession of Faith.
Among the family members of Father O’Kane who attended the Mass were his mother, Barbara, and siblings, including an older sister, Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Barbara O’Kane.
“I’m thrilled for him,” Sister Barbara said after the Mass. “I was just going back over some clippings of milestones in his priesthood journey and one quote said, ‘Being ordained to the priesthood was the happiest day of his life.’
“Now this, I think, will be a close second.”
Sister Barbara serves as her community’s director of vocations for the province of the United States. She was invested in her religious community the same year her brother was ordained to the priesthood.
A native of New Brunswick, Father O’Kane is one of five children of the late John O’Kane and his mother. The family’s home parish was St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick, where Father O’Kane also attended its school.
After graduating from Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, because he had aspirations of a political career.
He worked as a sales manager for a software company before entering Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, South Orange, at the age of 33.
He was ordained to the transitional diaconate by then-Bishop, now Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski at St. Bartholomew Church, May 12, 2007.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Bootkoski at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Bartholomew Church the following day.
He served as a parochial vicar at the following parishes: Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville; St. Magdalen de Pazzi, Flemington; Mary, Mother of God, Hillsborough; and St. Ambrose, Old Bridge.
