August 15, 2008

Br. Stephen L. Smouse, S.D.V., of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a member of the Society of Divine Vocations Religious Congregation died August 15, 2008 at the Vocationist Father’s Residence in Florham Park. He was 64 years old. Born in Orange, California, September 30, 1943, he was the son of the late Jacob W. and Mary E. Smouse.

He served in the United States Air Force, stationed in France.  Br. Steve entered the congregation in 1992. He professed his first vows June 18, 1994 and his perpetual vows June 15, 1997.  He served at St. Michael Church, Newark where he taught CCD, RCIA and Bible classes, and he started the Mary Queen of Peace Prayer Group which continues today.  Br. Steve was responsible for the Food Program at St. Michael and is remembered for his dedication and loyalty to the homeless and poor in Newark. He became a beggar to feed and clothe the needy. He was constantly packing food or driving his van through the streets of Newark to distribute it to those, who were unable to come to the rectory. 

Br. Steve was an avid gardener, he loved flowers and wherever he found a bare spot for sure he’d plant a bed of flowers; he called it “Mary’s Garden.”  He also enjoyed fishing and cheering his favorite football team LA Rams.

He was predeceased by his sister Madge Mouzakis. He leaves his loving brother and sister in law Peter and Linda Smouse of Kendall Park, NJ, his loving brother in law, John Mouzakis of California, nieces Rebecca McGraw, Elizabeth and Katherine Mouzakis and nephews, Daniel Smouse and Dennis Mouzakis and his  loving Vocationist family worldwide.

Viewing, Monday August 18 from 4:00 to 9:00 p. m. at St. Michael Church, 172 Broadway, Newark, NJ.  The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 9:00 a. m.
at St. Michael’s. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover. 

August 24, 2007  

Born in San Giorgio a Liri (Frosinone) Italy on July 16, 1923, Fr. Mario, was the son of the late Luigi and Francesca Muccitelli.  Fr. Mario pronounced his first Religious Vows on November 12, 1944 and on March 28, 1948 he was ordained a priest in Naples, Italy.  Soon after his ordination he was sent to Rome where he established the first Vocationist residence; he remained there until 1950 when he was sent as a missionary to Brazil.   As part of his missionary and apostolic work, he established an orphanage for over 200 children.  In 1957 he came to the USA; he was assigned to Regina Pacis Church, Brooklyn NY.  

     Fr. Mario’s main work in the USA was in Newark, NJ.  In August 1962, at the request and support of the Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas A. Boland, of the Archdiocese of Newark he founded the first Vocationist Father’s residence on Broad Street.  From that little residence the Vocationists ministered to the spiritual and social needs of the increasing number of Spanish speaking people in the area. Soon after, in 1964 Fr. Mario renovated the former St. Michael’s Lyceum at the corner of Broad Street and Fourth Avenue to become Our Lady of Perpetual Help Center which was later made a Parish in 1967; Fr. Mario was its first Pastor.   Also in 1967, he created FOCUS (Field Orientation Center for Underprivileged Spanish) and he arranged for the Vocationist Sisters in Italy to establish a mission in the USA and  was responsible for their setting up of Perpetual Help Day Care Center, Newark.

     Everyone in the city of Newark knew Fr. Mario Muccitelli, they loved and respected him.   They couldn’t stop talking about this wonderful priest who was working with the Spanish community in Newark.   People came for assistance and with tireless dedication he helped people find jobs and get better housing. He fed the poor and the hungry and clothed the less fortunate.  No one was turned away.       

      In 1977 Fr. Mario was appointed Pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, Newark where he remained until he moved to Florham Park in 1989.  While at St. Michael’s he created the Archangel Clinic to help meet the medical needs of the poor, established emergency food programs to feed the needy and renovated and refurbished the school.  With the help of many friends and benefactors, in 1989 Fr. Mario set up the Shepherds of Youth Trust to support the religious, educational and social endeavors of the Vocationist community and the children committed to their care.  With dedication and conviction, he led the efforts to build the Fr. Justin Vocationary in Florham Park and with the support of generous benefactors, the first vocationary in the USA was opened in 1989 as a place of preparation for those seeking to follow a vocation to the priesthood and religious life.   

Fr. Mario continued to promote the growth and expansion of the Vocationist Fathers in the USA and served as the Delegate of the Superior General of the Vocationist Fathers.  Today, the visions cherished by the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters are an outstanding reality that stands as a testimony to the faith of Fr. Mario and to the fulfillment of the hopes of all those who believed in his mission. 

     At his 50th Anniversary celebration, Fr. Mario said:  “Let us continue our Journey together.  The shadows for me are getting longer, the days are getting shorter.  At times I worry because I see that my work is not finished.  But I am comforted by the thought of the Talmud that says: It is not necessary that you finish your job.  You just have to make sure that when the Lord comes, He will find you on the job.  This is my hope and prayer.”  

     Fr. Mario Muccitelli, S.D. V. of the Society of Divine Vocations died Friday, August 24, 2007 at the Vocationist Fathers’ Residence in Florham Park, NJ.  

     A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, August 28, at St. Michael Church, 172 Broadway, Newark at 10 a.m.  Entombment was at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, East Hanover. 

We shall always remember his love and dedication; he has left footprints on the hearts of all who have known him. 

February 14, 2007

Our Brother Rafael Aviles, SDV passed away on February 14, 2007. He served the Vocationist Community of Newark, New Jersey, USA. He was seventy one years old. He made his Perpetual Vows in 1992. Viewing will on Friday 16th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Santa Cruz Funeral Home(253 Mt.Prospect Ave., Newark, NJ). The funeral will be on Saturday 17,2007 at 10:00 AM in St. Michael's Church, Newark. Most Reverend Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V. will be presiding the funeral.

September 10, 2006

Rev. Fr. Salvatore de Fusco, S.D.V.  on September 10^th in Pianura. Fr. De Fusco was 86 years old. Having born in the same year of Vocationist where the Fr. Justin was the pastor. Fr. Justin was his godfather at confirmation. Fr. Salvatore served congregation as general counselor when Fr. Justin was still alive as Vicar General for 12 years. During his long ministry, he served varios Vocationist Communities; Vibonati (Salerno) The Vocationary in Pinaura, St. George in Pianura, The parish of Paestum, as novice master in Alta Villa, Pastor of St. George in Pianura, Pastor of Grammichelle (Catania), as a pastor of St. Philip the Apostle parish in Rome, St. Felicita in Rome, St. Gabriel Parish in Rome, as Superior of the Community Aniagnia, Superior of the Community of Alta Villa, Silletina where he spent the last years of his life in an explerary life of prayer and ministry.

August 01, 2007

Rev. Fr. Francesco Belluzzo, S.D.V. who was the pastor of  St. Giovanni Battista in Napoli passed away. He was 58 years old when he dies.

Bro. Ernest Kpadonov, S.D.V. who was a temporary professed brother was ready to make his perpetual vows in September in Madagascar also passed away at the same day.