Dear Parishioners,
As your new pastor, I think it is important that we get to know each other. Let me begin by telling you a little about myself.
I was born in the City of Brotherly Love, but grew up on the Jersey shore in Wildwood, NJ. I am the oldest of five children—four boys and one girl.
I am truly the product of Catholic Schools:
- Kindergarten at St. John Cantius School (now part of Blessed Trinity Regional Catholic School), Philadelphia
- Elementary School at St. Ann Regional School (now part of Wildwood Catholic Academy), Wildwood
- High School at Wildwood Catholic High School (now Wildwood Catholic Academy)
- College Seminary at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia
- Major Seminary at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD
I have been a priest for 39 years now, ordained in 1987 by the late Bishop George H. Guilfoyle. A significant amount of my priesthood had been involved with Catholic education, primarily at the former St. Joseph High School (now St. Joseph Academy), Hammonton for six years and the former Sacred Heart High School, Vineland for fourteen years.
Now I come to you with enthusiasm, zeal and the desire to build on the strong foundation of my predecessors here at St. Thomas the Apostle. Every priest brings with him his own unique gifts, talents and abilities. I hope to be able to share mine with you. I enjoy writing and, with the encouragement of the parishioners from my first parish as pastor, began writing a weekly column (now a blog www.fr-ed-namiotka.com) for my parishioners to read. I also have a YouTube channel (Edward Namiotka) with many of my homilies. I invite you to check them out!
I have been involved with Worldwide Marriage
Encounter, giving weekends for well over 35 years. If
there has been an influence that has truly impacted my priesthood and
ministry, Marriage Encounter is at the top of the
list.
From my seminary days—especially from my time at Mt.
St. Mary’s—I took with me a strong devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and a great love for Our Blessed Lady. Nothing defines my life and my priesthood more
than this. I also have great love for the Sacred Scriptures which was my major
in the seminary.
Please pray for me as I do for you! Be patient as I try to learn (and remember) your names and backgrounds. Remember there is only one of me to remember but I now have thousands more of you!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
