Rev. Joseph Furnaquera Says First Mass at St. James

TWO FATHER JOES...The newly-ordained Rev. Joseph Anthony Furnaquera, right, is congratulated by St. James the Apostle pastor, Joseph F. Barbone, prior to celebrating his first Mass as a priest at his home parish in Springfield.

Photo by Ernie DellaSala

Springfield resident, Joseph Anthony Furnaquera, was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Archdiocese of Newark by His Eminence, Joseph William Cardinal Tobin on May 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Later in the day, Rev. Furnaquera celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving at St. James the Apostle Church, his home parish.

Before mass, Rev. Joseph F. Barbone, pastor of St. James, shared a moment with the newly ordained priest.

After a brief return to Rome, Rev. Furnaquera will spend the summer ministering to the congregation of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish in Scotch Plains.