Announcement Regarding Pastoral Transition at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Fairview, NJ

The Archdiocese of Newark announces that the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers and Brothers), Immaculate Conception Province, has informed the Archdiocese of its decision to conclude its pastoral administration of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Fairview, effective June 30, 2026.

This decision follows the recent death of the Very Rev. Peter T. Sticco, S.A.C., Provincial Rector of the Pallottines of the Immaculate Conception Province and Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church. It reflects the Province’s current reality of limited personnel and growing responsibilities across its remaining ministries. The Archdiocese receives this decision with gratitude and deep respect for the discernment shown by the Pallottine leadership.

“We are deeply grateful to the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers for more than a century of faithful service to this community,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Their ministry has been a living witness to the Gospel, and we pray for God’s continued blessing upon them as they carry forward their mission in the Church.”

Since 1923, the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers have served the parish community of Our Lady of Grace, maintaining a presence in the Archdiocese since 1895. For more than a century, their pastoral care, sacramental ministry, and faithful accompaniment of parishioners have been a lasting gift to the Church in Fairview and beyond.

The Archdiocese of Newark will work closely with the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers and with parish leadership over the coming months to ensure a prayerful, orderly, and well-coordinated transition. The Pallottine Sisters will continue to provide pastoral and educational support to the Academy of Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, located adjacent to the parish.

Father Manuel Raj Innasia Pillai, S.A.C., Temporary Administrator, together with other Pallottine priests, will continue assisting at the parish through June 30, 2026, to support a smooth transition to archdiocesan administration. During this period, the Archdiocese will collaborate closely with the parish’s lay leadership and Pastoral Advisory Council to ensure continuity and effective pastoral coordination.

The Archdiocese is committed to ensuring continuity in parish life, including the celebration of the sacraments and ongoing pastoral care for the community. A new full-time pastor or administrator will be appointed and announced in the coming months.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito, and the Archdiocesan leadership express profound gratitude to the Pallottine community for their longstanding witness, dedication, and service. They assure the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers of their prayers as they continue their ministry in the Church. Archdiocesan leadership also extends heartfelt gratitude to the parish community of Our Lady of Grace for its patience, faith, and understanding during this period of transition. It reaffirms its commitment to walking with the parish as it continues to flourish as a vibrant center of Catholic life.