Fr. Ezio Antunes, S.D.V. - Vocationist Fathers

Fr. Ezio Antunes, S.D.V.

Fr. Ezio Antunes , SDV the new pastor of the two churches, St. Michael the Archangel and St. Gerard Majella both in Paterson , New Jersey . Fr. Ezio was born in March 28/1964 in the state of Santa Catarina , Brazil . Fr. Antunes had his bachelor degree in Philosophy with specialization in Psychology in 1986. In 2002 Father Antunes finished his Master Degree in Divinity from Seton Hall University . Fr. Antunes lived in Portugal , Canada and the United State where he was when he joined the Vocationist Fathers in November 1995 at St. Michael Church in Newark , NJ . In 1996 he went to Florham Park where he did his postulancy, novitiate and took his temporary vows.

In 2001 he moved to Palisades Park , NJ where he took his perpetual vows. In May 2001, he was ordained a deacon at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Newark , by the hands of Archbishop of Newark, John Myers. In October 19th 2002, he was ordained a priest at St. Nicholas Church in Palisades Park , NJ by the hands of Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli.

Fr. Ezio with Daisy, Rose Mary, Evelyn and Sr. Bene after the crowning of the Blessed Mother His first mission was in India where he lived for six months. Then he was appointed the Vocation Director and was transferred to Florham Park , NJ . In 2005 he was transferred to St. Michael Parish in Newark , NJ . Living in St. Michael Church gave Fr. Antunes the opportunity to live, love and learn more about his beloved Spanish community.

Fr. Antunes also helped different parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark especially the Portuguese and the Brazilian communities. He dedicated these years to take the Good News to other countries, preaching retreats in Japan , Hong Kong, Macau , Taiwan , Germany , France and Brazil . In China Fr. Antunes witnessed the division between the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. He participated in a conference for the reunion of both communities at St. Paul Church in Beijing .

Fr. Antunes will be officially installed as a pastor of St. Gerard Majella and St. Michael the Archangel Churches on August 9th 2008 at St. Gerard Majella Church. When asked if he is scare of the difficulty he will find there, he just says: “I already offered both Churches to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We are also counting on the intercession of our beloved Venerable Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV. Don’t you think we are well protected?”