06/07/2026
In this weekend's bulletin, Fr. Joel Wilson, our incoming pastor beginning on September 1st, wrote the following introduction:
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Dear Friends in Christ,
I am grateful Fr. Jim suggested that I write a letter of introduction. While I do not begin with you until September, we can use this time to pray for one another and to prepare our hearts for new beginnings. I am both excited and nervous for this change.
Originally a son of βNorth Jersey,β I am happy to be returning to the land of the Mets, Giants, and Knicks. For the past eight years I have shepherded the Church of OLPH in Maple Shade, which is solidly in Eagles country. But honestly, I do not think God cares too much about who wins football games. Still, I am happy to be coming back to home turf.
For 17 years now, I have served as a priest in the Diocese of Trenton, and since 2004 have called it home. The priesthood is my greatest joy, and Iβd like to share with you how it came to be. The University of Notre Dame (1995-1999) has had the greatest impact on my life, especially in two areas.
First, Notre Dame is the seedbed of my vocation, just as Wilson family life was the seedbed of my faith. Campus life, classes, and friendships at ND deepened in me so much love for God and our Catholic faith. Together we sought to love and serve our Lord, and we asked with courage the critical question βGod, what do you want for my life?β Ultimately, this led to the priesthood and a life of service in the Church; those years were an incredibly rich experience and have made possible the beautiful priesthood in which I share.
The other aspect, namely, my love for Spanish and appreciation for other cultures, also blossomed at Notre Dame. What began in middle school grew into months lived abroad in Chile, a place I still call βmy second country.β This time gave me a whole new vantage point on language, culture and perspective. I just fell in love with the richness of cultures, and food β letβs not forget the food! So, I am very grateful to be joining a multicultural community with a storied history, and I look forward to being a part of the next chapter of our parish life together.
What else can I share with you? I love learning and teaching, above all our precious and beautiful faith. So, I am looking forward to teaching in our school and adults in faith formationβ¦the great many occasions we have in parish life to share and grow our faith together.
In the pandemic, I took the plunge and bought a dog named Gracie. She is more beloved than I am in Maple Shade, so I hope you will welcome her company. My other great passion is doing things outdoors: hiking, cycling, and gardening. I love to be outside in nature, and I try to stay fit so that I can serve the Lord with gladness even in the twilight of my life.
That is enough about me for now. I look forward to getting to know all of you, your stories, hopes, and dreams, what is important to you and how you love to serve in our parish. I have been praying for you, and I ask you to pray for me. Together, I look forward to serving with you.
May God bless and keep you!
Fr. Joel
