Community Corner
Scotch Plains Parish Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Special Mass
Diamond Jubilee Liturgy Included Visits from Cardinal Tobin, Past Clergy
SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. – St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church commemorated 75 years of serving the Scotch Plains and Fanwood communities with a Diamond Jubilee Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, on November 19.
Approximately 300 parishioners — including some families who have been part of the parish since its 1948 founding — listened with rapt attention as Cardinal Tobin reminded them that it is now their duty to give back to those in need after experiencing 75 years of good fortune. Afterward, the congregation gathered for a joyful reception featuring special guests from the parish’s history, including past clergy and 10 sisters who formerly taught at St. Bartholomew Academy. Father John Paladino, who spent 18 years as St. Bart’s pastor before leaving for a new position within the Archdiocese of Newark this June, received a particularly warm reception from his former parishioners.
“This was a beautiful experience for the parish,” said Father Andy Prachar, pastor of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church. “Everyone was excited to be part of it. And it’s fitting the Mass happened so close to Thanksgiving because it was a chance for our parishioners to give thanks that St. Bart’s has been around for so long. It’s been a big part of a lot of people’s lives, and we plan on continuing to do good works moving forward.”
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The Diamond Jubilee Mass was the culmination of a yearlong series of anniversary events that began in March, when Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua Losardo and Township Manager Alexander Mirabella presented the congregation with a resolution acknowledging St. Bart’s local contributions. Later that month, Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo helped recognize those who have benefited the parish community in an extraordinary way during a special ceremony. In the spring, St. Bart’s held a parish-wide May Crowning event at which parishioners had the chance to get their Marian statues blessed. Finally, at the start of September, hundreds gathered for a vibrant Italian festival and Mass that paid tribute to St. Bart’s origin as an Italian Catholic parish.
For more information on St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, visit https://stbartholomewchurch.org/.
