The Coaster

By ED SALVAS

For many members of the parish at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Asbury Park, Father Gerard Lynch, O.SS.T., has been the pastor all their lives.

He baptized them, officiated at their weddings, and baptized their children.

Things will change at Mt. Carmel in early June when Father Gerard, as he is known, will move out of the Pine Street Rectory and take up residence in Trenton where he will become Director of Novices for the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, or Trinitarians, the religious order that he serves.

Coaster Photo: Father Gerard Lynch will be leaving Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Asbury Park after more than three decades.

“This is a big move,” Father Gerard says as he looks back over his more than 30 years at the Catholic Church.

He first came to Mt. Carmel in June of 1974 as a Deacon and was ordained three months later, on September 14, 1974, and except for a three year period from 1978 to 81 when he was transferred to Baltimore, the headquarters of the Trinitarians, his entire career has been spent in Asbury Park.

He’s been pastor of Mount Carmel since July 1, 1981.

In his new position, Father Gerard will be based at the Rectory of the old St. James church in Trenton which was recently merged with the Incarnation parish in a Diocese ordered consolidation. Initially, he will be instructing three Novices, young men studying for the priesthood who are nearing the end of their education.

Father Gerard, who turns 60 in September, said when he was approached by Trinitarian officials about the new position he “prayed about it” and decided to accept, saying “when it’s clear in your heart” that it’s the right move to make. Members of the Mount Carmel parish heard the news when he announced it at Mass a few weeks ago.

“The parishioners are very sad,” he said.”We’re family.”

There are presently about 1,800 families that belong to Mount Carmel, which also has a school for kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 150 students. Father Gerard says the number of parish families has been stable in recent years while other area parishes have seen declines and have been closed or merged.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, founded in 1905, is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Trenton. It has been served by the Trinitarians since 1912 and has occupied the present church building at the corner of Asbury Avenue and Pine Street since 1951.

Father Gerard has been one of only six pastors at the church and points out that he is the only non-Italian Priest to head the church.

He also had a hand in picking his successor. He was asked to make suggestions for a priest to succeed him as pastor and he recommended Father Thomas Cerulo, a priest for more than 30 years who is now the pastor of a church in Perth Amboy. He will take over in June.

Father Gerard says it’s the only name he gave to Trinitarian leaders.

When Our Lady of Mount Carmel opened its doors in the early 1950s, nearly all the parishioners lived in Asbury Park. Today, many parishioners don’t live in Asbury Park, they have to drive to attend Mass, Father Gerard says, adding that people who have moved some distance away make time for attendance at Mass when they return for a visit.

Parishshioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel are planning a farewell reception for Father Gerard following the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 18. It will be held in the school cafeteria.

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