Father Yuvan Alvarez
Father Yuvan Alvarez, 30, the 20th of 21 sons and daughters of Maria Conception Yepes and Luis Alvarez, was born in Copacabana, Medellin, Colombia, then attended technological school in Colombia. He attended Caldwell College and Seton Hall University and holds a B.A. degree and Masters in Divinity.

Father Alvarez went to Redemptoris Mater Seminary. He served at SS. Joseph and Michael Parish, Union City, and was a deacon at St. Anne Parish, Jersey City.

“In my final stages of preparation for the priesthood, I give thanks to God for the gift of being in a seminary where I grew in maturity and consequently learned to shepherd the Lord’s flock.” His “hopes, dreams and aspirations” for his priesthood are “to serve others and share with them the marvelous things that God has done in my life (and) to guide the Lord’s flock entrusted to me.”

Father Alvarez will celebrate his first Mass at St. Anne Parish, Jersey City, at noon on May 30. Concelebrants will be Father Victor Kennedy, Father Julio Roman, Father Jorge Acosta, Father Gabriel Gomez, Father Jesus Mena, Father Jorge Acosta, Father Jose Parcon and Father John Bauman. Homilist will be Father Kennedy.

Father Richard Joseph Berbary
Father Richard Joseph Berbary, 50, was born in Elmira, NY. He is the son of the late Delcine Mary Melead and the late George Daniel Berbary. He attended St. John Fisher College, Russell Sage College, the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY) and Seton Hall University. Father Berbary earned a B.A. degree from St. John Fisher College, a Master of Arts degree from SUNY and a Masters of Divinity degree from Immaculate Conception Seminary. He served at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hoboken; Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Cedar Grove, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. He was a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Ridgewood.

He said, “I am both excited and humbled at the possibilities of the future. My hopes, aspirations and dreams for the priesthood surround the opportunity it provides me to serve the people of God. God has brought me to the threshold of this opportunity. It is my desire to use all my varied skills and experiences to help turn people toward God and help them grow closer to His presence in their lives.”

Father Berbary will celebrate his first Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hoboken, May 30, at 1:15 p.m. Concelebrants will include Msgr. Frank Del Prete, Father Joseph D’Amico and Father Michael Andreano. Father Berbary will be the homilist.

Father Michael Donovan
A native of Hempstead, NY, Father Michael Donovan, 54, is the son of Edward and Helen, deceased. He attended Marquette University. Fordham University Law School and Seton Hall University. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham and a Master of Divinity degree from Seton Hall.

Father Donovan attended Immaculate Conception Seminary and served at Holy Trinity Parish, Hackensack; SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hoboken, and St. Joseph Parish, Maplewood, where he was also a deacon.

“I want to dedicate my remaining years to fully serving those in need of love, compassion and forgiveness and imitate Christ in every thing I do,” he commented. “The idea of working in a parish excites me and hopefully I will be able to convey my love for God to His people. I see myself as a domestic missionary.”

Father Donovan will celebrate his first Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Wayne, on May 29 at 6:30 p.m. Concelebrants will be Father Robert Stagg, Father Gerard McCarren, Father Chris Beirne, Father James Walsh, Father John Quill and possibly others. Father Donovan will be the homilist.

Father Eric Wolfgang Fuchs
Twenty-six-year-old Father Eric W. Fuchs is the son of Wolfgang and Lydia and was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. He received a B.A. degree from St. John’s University, NY.

Father Fuchs served at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Franklin Lakes; Holy Spirit Parish, East Orange, and Pius X Parish, Old Tappan. He was a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Bayonne.

Saying the priesthood is “the best vocation that exists under heaven,” he added “there is nothing I would rather do with my life. My one goal is to get to heaven and to take as many people as I can along for the ride.”

Father Fuchs will celebrate his first Mass May 29, 5:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Bayonne. Concelebrants will be friends, parish priests and members of the seminary faculty. Father Thomas Nydegger, Vice Rector of Immaculate Conception Seminary, will deliver the homily.

Father Christopher D. Isinta
The first son of Samwel and Agnes Ogari Insinta, Father Christopher D. Isinta, 51, is from Kisii, Kenya. A religious brother for 29 years before joining the seminary, during which he served as a high school teacher 17 years and a provincial superior six years, he attended Kenya Polytechnic where he studied electrical engineering.

He studied psychology and education at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, and earned a Master of Divinity degree and an M.A. in theology with a concentration in systematics at Immaculate Conception Seminary. He served at St. Patrick Parish, Jersey City; Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair; St. Joseph Parish, Oradell, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Secaucus, where he was a deacon. He is a recipient of the St. Peter’s Spur Society’s Award for Academic Excellence and Service to the Community.

Citing the sexual abuse scandal that has “rocked” the Church in the United States, Father Isinta says he is “determined to go forward and make a difference. I believe this was a ‘cleansing’ process and soon the priesthood, with the help of Mary, Mother of the Church, will rise more energized and visionary.”

Father Isinta will celebrate his first Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Parish, Jersey City, on May 30. Concelebrants will be members of the seminary faculty and friends. Father Eugene Squeo is the homilist.

“My profound gratitude to God, my family and friends and all the good people of the United States who have assisted me along the way. God bless you all,” he said.

Father Basil Lek
The son of Leonard and Mary, Father Basil Lek, 42, was born in Singapore. He studied business administration at the University of South Australia and was a student at Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

Father Lek served at St. Philip Parish, Saddle Brook and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Bergenfield. He was a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Garfield.

Says Father Lek, “my hope is to be an instrument of the new evangelization according to the will of God.”

Father Lek will be the homilist at his first Mass at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Garfield. Concelebrants will be Msgr. Paul L. Bochicchio and Father Alfonso Picone

Father Mariusz Luksza
A native of Poland, Father Mariusz Luksza, 42, the son of Waclaw and Ludwika, attended the University of Gdansk, Poland, and the School of Theology at Seton Hall University. He studied for the priesthood at Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

Father Luksza served at St. Mary Parish, Tartu, Estonia, and St. Aloysius Parish, Jersey City. He was a deacon at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, West New York.

His most “vivid memory” of the seminary is “the brotherhood I found with the seminarians from many different countries.” He says too, “another gift I take with me is the experience of the mission in Estonia where I witnessed the return of the people to the faith.”

As he enters the priesthood, Father Luksza says “my great desire is to live this vocation being open to God’s will.”

Father Luksza will celebrate his first Mass at 10 a.m. on May 30 at Our Lady Help of Christians (St. Mary) Parish, West New York. Homilist will be Father Carlo Fortunio, O.P.

Father Piotr Maslanka
Born in Krynica, Poland, Father Piotr Maslanka, 31, is the son of Edward and Janina. He attended the Higher Clerical Seminary in Lodz and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and holds an M. A. degree. Father Maslanka attended Immaculate Conception Seminary.

He served at St. Andrew Parish, Bayonne and St. Aloysius Parish, Caldwell. Father Maslanka was a deacon at St. Theresa Parish, Kenilworth.

Being in the seminary, he says, has been “critical in my life and in my discernment.” Being a priest, Father Maslanka explains, is “an immensely rewarding role, a life dedicated to serving God and people. I can’t imagine another life where one individual is able to touch so many people at such a deep level so often.”

Father Maslanka will celebrate his first Mass at St. Theresa Parish, Kenilworth, at noon on May 30. Concelebrants will be Father Joseph S. Bejgrowicz, Father Erlito Ebron, Father Alfred Kowalski, Father Henry Marciniak, Father Janusz Rzgoka and Father Czeslaw Zalubski. Father Krzyszt of Kaczynski is the homilist.

Father Titus Chukwudumueje Njoku
The son of Martin Madu and Antonia Nwaobira Njoku, Father Titus Chukwudumueje Njoku, 44, was born in Amaimo-Ikeduru, Owerri, Imostate, Nigeria. Before coming to the United States he was a member of many religious societies in his Archdiocese in Nigeria. He also worked at the Nigerian maximum security prison for 14 years.

He attended Essex County College, Caldwell College and Seton Hall University. Father Njoku earned an associate's degree in liberal arts, bachelor's degree in religion and Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry and M.A. in Theology. He was a student at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Father Njoku served at the Veterans Hospital, Newark; New Community Corp.; St. Stephen Parish, Kearny and St. Theresa Parish, Kenilworth. He was a deacon at St. Aloysius Parish, Caldwell. Father Njoku is a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

“My daily prayer is that my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, particularly the poor, homeless, orphans and those whom the world rejects, may come to know the depth of God's love for them. I pray for the grace of God to be a humble servant all the days of my life,” he said.

Father Njoku will celebrate his first Mass on May 30, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary Parish, Newark Abbey. Concelebrants will be Msgr. Robert F. Coleman, Father Thomas P. Nydegger, Father Anselm Nwagu, Father Eustace Edomobi, Father Lawrence Abara, Father Alex Okoro, Father Emma Ogu, Father Stephen Egwime, Father Ernest Rush, Father Sal DeStefano, Father Marcel Awadun, Father James Cafone, Father Joseph R. Chapel, Father John J. Ibe, Father Linus Odougwo, Father Philip Waters, Pastor of the Newark Abbey and other priests. Msgr. John W. Flesey will be the homilist. Father Luke Edelen is the master of ceremonies and Father DeStefano is the assistant master of ceremonies.

Father Manoel Jackson Guedes Oliveira
Father Manoel Jackson Guedes Oliveira, 34, was born in Januaria-MG, Brazil. He is the son of Jose Santana and Terezinha Oliveira. Father Oliveira has a B.S. degree in mathematics and an M.A. degree in mathematics, both from the University of Brasilia. He attended Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

Father Oliveira served at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Newark; St. Francis Xavier Parish, Newark and St. Mary Parish, West New York. He served as a deacon at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark.

“My hopes and aspirations for the priesthood are to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ (and) how He has given meaning to my life. I want to bring Jesus Christ to those I meet here in Newark and wherever I may find myself,” he stated.

Father Oliveira will celebrate his first Mass at noon May 30 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. Concelebrants will be Msgr. Richard Groncki, Father Orlando Gonzalez, Father Raul Louis Arce and Father Jose Folque. Father Oliveira will be the homilist.

Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay
Born in Mexico City, Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, 33, is the son of Jorge and Estela. He attended the University of Mexico and Seton Hall University. He has a law degree and a Masters of Divinity degree. Father Ortiz-Garay attended Redemptoris Mater Seminary. He served at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Union City; SS. Joseph and Michael Parish, Union City, and St. Leo Parish, Irvington. He was a deacon at St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

Father Ortiz-Garay said, having had seen “the Gospel fulfilled in my life, my greatest desire is to serve the people of God because this is the basis of the missionary character of every priest.”

Father Ortiz-Garay will celebrate his first Mass on May 30 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Union City. Concelebrant will be Father Ilario Crepaz.

Father Amilcar Benito Prado
Father Amilcar Benito Prado, 32, is the son of Gregorio and Teresa. He was born in Leon, Nicaragua. Father Prado attended St. John’s University and Seton Hall University earning a Master of Divinity degree and an M.A. in theology.

Father Prado attended Immaculate Conception Seminary. He served at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Franklin Lakes; St. James the Apostle Parish, Springfield, and Resurrection Parish, Jersey City. He was a deacon at Holy Trinity Parish, Hackensack.

“My dream is like that of Pius X… ‘to renew all things in Christ.’ So that people will deepen their relationship with God and achieve salvation through the ministry of the Church,” he commented.

Father Prado will celebrate his first Mass at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Bronx, NY, at 3 p.m. on May 30. Concelebrants will be Father Paul LeBlanc, Father Edward Bader, Father Thomas Nydegger, Msgr. Robert Larkin and Father Anthony Figuieredo, Father Gabriel Piedrahita, M.X.Y. will be the homilist.

Father Dave Thomas Nachura Sison
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Father Dave Thomas Nachura Sison, 30, is the son of Cecilio and Leah. He attended Marist School, St. Vincent Minor Seminary, Vincentian Hills Seminary and Adamson University. He studied for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary.

Father Sison served at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills; St. Joseph Parish Oradell; St. Anne Parish, Jersey City, and St. Joseph the Carpenter Parish, Roselle, where he was also a deacon.

“My hope is that more men will say ‘yes’ to God’s call to the priesthood so that the Good News may continue to be preached to other people. If you have the desire, God will surely use you and do the best for you. He will truly make you the best priest you can ever be,” he said.

Father Sison will celebrate his first Mass May 30 at noon at St. Joseph the Carpenter Parish, Roselle. Concelebrants will be Father Paul Lehman, Msgr. Robert Chabak, Father Juancho de Leon, Father George Gillen, Father John Spino, Father Nerva Duque, Father Edgar Abano and Father Edgardo Jocson. Father George Gillen will be the homilist.

Father Jerzy Zaslona
Father Jerzy Zaslona, 35, was born in Ostrow Maz, Poland. He is the son of Janina and Eugeniusz. Father Zaslona studied agriculture at a technical school in Poland. He also attended Montclair State University. He has a philosophy degree, Master of Divinity degree and M.A. degree.

Father Zaslona attended Immaculate Conception Seminary. He served at St. Luke Parish, Ho-Ho-Kus; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, West Orange, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Maywood. He was a deacon at Queen of Peace Parish, North Arlington.

“I hope to be an effective priest and preacher. I hope to minister at my best to everyone that the Lord will send my way,” he noted. “I hope to always be faithful to the ideals that I learned and the words of the Gospel. I hope that I will not compromise the truth and above and beyond all I will always trust in God’s mercy.”

Father Zaslona will celebrate his first Mass at noon on May 30 at St. Luke Parish. Concelebrants include Father Tadeusz Kopczynski, Father James Weiner, Father Paschal Tsiquaye, Father Stanley Gomez, Father James Spera, Msgr. Richard Holmes, Father Joseph Pieteopinto, Father Minhyun Cho and Father Cebin Cionke. Homilist will be Father Jorostow Zaniewski.