Father Matthew Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Ordination
• Parishioners, Friends and Clergy at Nutley Reception
Apr 25, 2010 – Nearly 300 friends and parishioners of Father Matthew Kunnath attended a mass and reception yesterday celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination. The mass at St. Mary's Church was offered by Bishop Charles McDonnell.
St. Mary's pastor, Monsignor David Hubba, who con-celebrated the mass, joined parishioners and friends at a reception in the lower church. Father Matt is now in his 14th year as a priest at St. Mary's Church.
Jim Paulson, president of the St. Mary's Parish Council, presented gifts including a plaque marking yesterday's celebration.
Father Matthew was born to a devout Catholic family in Kerala, India, where he was also educated. After becoming a priest, he did missionary, parish, charitable, educational and hospital work in his native India before coming to the United States in 1980.
He has served in the Archdiocese of Newark, first as a chaplain at Pollack Hospital in Jersey City and at St. James Hospital in Newark, then as a parochial vicar at St. Mary's in Nutley where he has been assigned since 1996.
Besides fulfilling his parish duties, Father Matthew has organized many efforts to help people who are in need and has assisted many recent immigrants in beginning their lives in his new country.
[An earlier news report on this story incorrectly reported that the Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Newark.]
