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FATHER PETETO DELIVERFINAL MASS A community of faith bids a beloved pastor afond farewell and reflects on all the blessingsthey have shared in his 15 years at St. Padre Pio Parish.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28Father Pete’s Last Mass. St. PadrePio Parish at 10:30 a.m. FollowingMass, a luncheon reception will beheld in Rosary Hall. Everyone wel-come to join in thanking Father Peterfor his 15 years of dedication andservice. Call 865-691-7526 if you planto attend.

This final Sunday in June marks the endof a 15-year stay for the beloved pastorof St. Padre Pio Parish. Father Peter

Saporito will be moving on and the communi-ty will be saying farewell to a true friend andfamily member. Hundreds upon hundreds ofpeople are expected to attend his final masscelebration at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 28 atour Lady of Pompeii church in Vineland. Father Pete started his pastorship in

September 2000 at Our Lady of PompeiiChurch, which later merged with St. MaryChurch and St. Joe’s in January 2003 to whatis now known as St. Padre Pio Parish. There ismuch to celebrate of his accomplishments. Father Pete likes to refer to his stay here as

“home” and the parishioners as “family.” Hisgoal was simple—bring the people together,bring them closer to God, and make thechurch a vibrant active community wherepeople want to be. Not just on Sunday, butevery day. A place to feel welcome and a partof something bigger. Well, he accomplishedthat and more. First up on the list was having a festival

and as he gathered up a group of volunteers,the St. Anthony Festival was formed and washeld in June. It was a four-day event thatincluded a midway and rides. Then, with the merging of the parishes

coinciding with the canonization of St. PadrePio, the merged parishes became St. Padre PioParish. So, it was only fitting to move the festi-val to the saint’s feast day in September andname it in honor of St. Padre Pio. The St. Padre Pio Festival is now in its 13th

year and has grown to be an event where peo-ple travel great distances by bus loads toattend this day-long festival and some evenhave traveled from as far away as Italy. Theday begins with an Italian mass and is fol-lowed by a procession and mass in celebrationof St. Padre Pio, culminating in a day filledwith food and fun for all. The parishioners of St. Padre Pio Parish

are the ones from soup to nuts that cometogether as a community to make this eventhappen with Father Pete at the helm. Everyyear the attendance grows with over 4,000people converging in the small East Vinelandfarming community. The food is plentiful, thecompany is always good, local farmers providethe produce, there’s music and celebrationand St. Padre Pio is at the core of the celebra-tion. Father Pete has a knack for bringing peo-

ple together and finding the right folks for anyjob. He can easily spot someone for the joband has the unique ability of getting them tobuy in. He places his trust in them to get thejob done and get it done they do. That is whySt. Padre Pio Parish is now home to over 1,300families. Saporito recognizes that the churchis not a building where members come to visit

each Sunday, but it is the people that make theChurch. From his very first days as pastor, heset his sights on bringing the people in andhaving them take ownership. He can often beheard saying, this is “your” parish and “your”family. Grace Hoffner, longtime friend and parish-

ioner had this to say of Father Pete, “The bestway to describe Pete, is that he is an imperfectman, who lives in a perfect manmade world.The world says, charity begins at home, takecare of number one, it's not my problem. Well,that's not Father Pete. He gives withoutreserve, he places himself last and tries to takeon everyone's problems. Father Pete is a largeman with an equally large heart. The onething that I really love about Pete, is that henever negates an idea. He is extremely sup-portive and recognizes talent. And once hegives you a job to do he never gets in yourway.”Always filled with ideas, he never rests on

his laurels and is always planning programsthat provide spiritual formation and alwaysfocus on bringing families back to church.Each year ,missions have been held thatincluded the likes of Grayson Brown, Hard AsNails Ministry, Vince Ambrosetti MusicMinistry, and Father McAlear, OMI Ministryof Hope & Healing. Another simple but very effective change

Father Pete made was when he first arrived.He added a center aisle to Our Lady ofPompeii church so that brides-to-be wouldwant to get married there. A pond was built atthe entry of the church and provides a serenetranquil setting for reflection and a favoriteplace for the children to watch the fish bothbefore and after church while moms and dads

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Best Wishes in your futureendeavors Father Pete!

Crowd at the St. Padre Pio Festival and festi-val workers,

Memories of accomplishments in Father Pete’s15-year tenure ... { BY CAROL KIRCHMAN }

Continued on next page

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1954 Pennsylvania Ave. • Vineland, NJ 08360info@plochfarm.com • www.plochfarm.com

Thanksfor EverythingWe will miss you!

Love,The Ploch Family

Celebrating 100 Years

gather to catch up. Other additions include the Children’s

Chapel where daily masses are held and theGarden of Saints where people can visit orpray and where Easter Sunrise mass is cele-brated on Easter morning.Each religious holiday is treated with

deserving reverence and Father Pete neversettles for ordinary. The Easter Celebrationalways includes a Holy Thursday liturgy withthe washing of feet, breaking of bread andsharing of wine as part of the mass. Then, aTableau was performed that traced the stepsof Jesus in silence with parishioners takingparts of each biblical person. The Tableau has now grown to a full-

fledged production of the Passion of Christthat was first held each year in the churchthen moved to St. Mary School and now hastaken center stage at the Frank A. GuaranciniPerforming Arts Center at CumberlandCounty College with the St. Padre Pio Playersprayerfully acting out the final days of Jesus’life and resurrection. Father Peter even had the idea of holding a

Tent Revival in the month of June and sum-mer thunderstorms tried to hamper atten-dance but for those who attended, it was wellworth it. Father Pete’s love of music is evident in the

many songs he has taught the congregation atSunday services. He not only expects them toremember, he coaxes them to sing. The musicministry of the church has grown to includethe adult choir, children’s choir, the ChristianRock Band and the St. Padre Pio Players. Hehas also incorporated liturgical dance intomany celebrations. His love of music doesn’t stop at religious

services but includes the yearly Jerry Blavatdances, The Rat Pack dinner shows a ’70sDance, western dances and bringing theItalian legend and music great PatrizioBuanne concert that was held at the LandisTheater. Father Pete is never afraid to try some-

thing that will bring people together and isalways willing to take the chance. Anotherexample of these programs is the St. PadrePio Players, which has brought the Broadwaystage to the St. Mary School Auditorium withNunsense, Nuncrackers, and Nunsense the II

Coming, a Broadway review and Salute toMilitary. All of these events would not havebeen possible if it were not for the support ofthe pastor and his faith in the dedicated vol-unteers and the congregation. St. Padre Pio Parish has blossomed into a

parish of the people and they welcome thenew Pastor, Father Robert Sinatra. We wishFather Peter Saporito peace and all goodthings and thank him for breathing life intoour church community and to quote FatherPete as he is often heard to say, “God is goodall the time and all the time God is good.” God Bless You, Father Pete, and we’ll see

you at the Festival. I

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Continued from previous page

Father PeteWe wish you a fond farewell!

God Bless,The Pustizzi Family

andSNJ Today

From alll MSt S

l of us ll olScho .

MarySt. S

Peace and all good things to you

Fr. Peter Saporito!

From all of us atSt. Mary School

God is Good - All the Time!

www.smrschool.org(856) 692-8537

735 Union RoadVineland, NJ 08360

CumberlandInternalMedicine

1450 E. Chestnut Ave.Building 3A, Suite AVineland, NJ 08361

856-794-8700

Thank you for being there for our familyspiritually and through the milestones.We will miss you!

—The GalettosMary, David, Matt, Brian, & Lauren

FROM TOP: Annual May crowning at St.Mary’s School, an Easter Sunrise Mass, andThanksgiving Mass. Father Pete has playedan integral role in the life of church andcommunity for the past 15 years.

,anks for all the love and blessings over the years!My family and I will miss you dearly!Farewell & Best Wishes.

Love,�e Buono Family & the Crew at

�e Greenview Inn & Eastlyn Golf Course

4049 Ita l ia Ave.Vineland, NJ 08361856-691-5558 ext . 3

�

�

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Fr. PeteTo a Valued Colleague

and Good Friend.Peace and all Good Things.

Christ the Good Shepherd Parish1655 Magnolia Road • Vineland, NJ 08361

Rev. Msgr. John Burton, Clergy, Staff and People of

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Large FootprintsFather Peter Saporito will be finish-

ing his 15-year stewardship of theSaint Padre Pio Parish in EastVineland at the end of this month.

And while Father Pete (that’s howeveryone refers to him) may soon begone, he will leave large footprints forhis successor, Father Rob Sinatra.

Dr. Paul Trivellini, a parishionerand member of the parish’s St.Joseph Society, summed up Fr. Pete’stenure as “leaving the parish betterthan he found it.”

Fr. Pete has touched many livesover his 15-year stewardship. Thereprobably isn’t a family in EastVineland that hasn’t felt his presenceover the past decade and a half.

As one parishioner put it, “(FatherPete) has been at more of our familyevents than some distant relatives.”

He’s presided over weddings,funerals, confirmations, baptisms,family illnesses, and more.

And, if he wasn’t there to personal-ly oversee the event, he was the one,as steward of the parish, who oversawits execution.

When he came to the parish inSeptember, 2000, it was still OurLady of Pompeii Parish.

He coordinated the merger of St.Mary’s Church and Our Lady ofPompeii in January of 2002 whenthey combined to become the St.Padre Pio Parish.

The merger was not without itschallenges but, according to parish-ioner Jim Sauro, “God knew just whatour Lady of Pompeii needed to helpmove St. Mary’s Church and schoolforward to where they are today andFr. Pete was a real blessing.”

Pearl Giordano spoke of Fr. Pete’scompassion and heart.

“When our son, Jerry, passed threeyears ago, Father Pete helped my hus-band and I through a very difficultday,” she said. “He just seemed toknow what was needed and provided

comfort and peace at our moments ofgreatest pain.”

Another parishioner, MarieDandrea, praised Father Pete for his“staunch support of the St. Padre PioShrine in Landisville” and just gener-ally for “being a great priest.”

A significant part of Father Pete’slegacy will be the church’s annual FallFestival.

Under Father Pete’s guidance thefestival has grown each and everyyear to become a “calendar event” fornot only the parish, but literally thou-sands for people who come to enjoythe traditional Italian music and food.

Another legacy Father Pete leavesbehind is the parish’s online prayersite, which he established to “spreadthe power of St. Padre Pio to all thefaithful.”

His true legacy for most parish-ioners, however, will be the fact thathe was forever doing something, mov-ing the parish forward through song,dance and example.

This Sunday, June 28, the parishwill be celebrating Father Pete’s lastMass at 10:30 a.m.

Following the mass, all are invitedto attend a small reception for FatherPete at Rosary Hall, located behindthe church at Dante and Cornucopiaavenues in Vineland.

Please call the rectory at 856-691-7526 is you plan to attend so thatproper accommodations can bemade. —Paul Doe

Father Pete with Cardinal Peter Turkson.He was a classmate of Father Pete’s and isat the Vatican.

Best Wishes and BlessingsFather Pete!

— Bob McCormick1370 Main Rd. Vineland(856) 690-1200

Good Luck Father Pete!We wish you well.You will not be

forgotten!

Love,Ann Cantoni &

Families

So sorry to see you go. Thank you forbeing our Pastor for the past 15 years,doing so many wonderful things for us.

You will be greatly missed!

With Love,The Tolotti Family

Ann, Louis, Lisa & Robert & Families2231 NE Blvd., Vineland

Best WishesFather Pete

from all of us at

4940 E. Landis Ave., Vineland(856) 691-8051

Best Wishes Father Pete Thanks for all your help.

—The Merighi Family. 1607 S. Delsea Dr. • Vineland • 856-691-9468www.Latorre-Hardware.com

Best wishes Father PeteFrom the LaTorre Family

We Treat You Better...Period1517 South Delsea Drive, Vineland

Se Habla Español856-692-1700

Best WishesFather Pete

On Your New Journey It won’t be the same

without you!

Love,The Rossi Family

& Staff

Thank you Father for your loveand support.

May the Angels protect andguide you always,

Jo, Sharon, Scott

923 Landis AvenueVineland, NJ 08360 (856) 691-9588

Holy Communion and Confirmation Gifts richlandcarpetandflooring.com

1309 Harding HwyRichland, NJ 08350

856-697-3041

ContinuedSuccess

—Phil &Jeanne Marie Brunozzi

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The Role of PastorFulfilled

Webster defines pastor as a spir-itual overseer. Father Peter Saporito,whose term as pastor of St. PadrePio Parish will come to an end inthe next few days, embodies thatterm. Fr. Pete has fulfilled this rolein ways that reach the greatestnumber of parishioners—from tradi-tional liturgies with inspirationalhomilies to spiritual and socialactivities.

Under Fr. Pete’s leadership, theparish has held events large andsmall including a tent revival, heal-ing masses, parish retreats, parishdances, parish picnics, the PalmSunday dinner and, of course, thePadre Pio Festival which draws visi-tors from multiple states to partici-pate in beautiful liturgies as well asan afternoon of fun. While some ofthese events are purely spiritualand others are social, they serve acommon theme of providing spiritu-al guidance while fostering a senseof fellowship and support amongthe parishioners.

The impact of Fr. Pete’s efforts toinspire the community is reflectedin the response from the parish-ioners who fill the church for themany liturgical services conductedthroughout the year in addition toweekly mass, including Holy Weekservices at Easter a sunrise mass inthe garden of saints that was devel-oped under Fr. Pete’s guidance.

Fr. Pete’s efforts to provide spiri-tual enrichment include participat-ing in a local radio broadcast onSaturday mornings and makinghimself available for individualmeetings for those in need of hisguidance. Many of us in the parishhave seen the tremendous impacthe has had on this parish and com-munity. Fr. Pete is a humble personwho will probably get annoyed atme for writing this article. Perhapsone of his best qualities is that herefuses to focus on his many suc-cesses and is more concerned withthose he feels that he has notreached.

I have benefited greatly fromhaving developed a close friendshipwith Fr. Pete over the years and Iknow that there are countless otherpeople who have as well. We all feelgreatly enriched spiritually from hisstewardship and for this reason wewill miss him.

—Stephen Barse

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Best Wishes to our Dear FriendFather Pete

RONE FUNERALSERVICE

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1110 E. Chestnut Ave.Vineland, NJ 08360

Owner/ManagerJames C. Geraci NJ Lic. No. 3736

Family Owned & OperatedSince 1932

LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTORSNicholas Chamenko NJ Lic. No. 3510Michael R DeStefano NJ Lic. No. 4978

Ph: 856-691-4222 Fx: 856-691-4214

THE SAINT JOSEPH’SSOCIETY FAREWELL TOOUR FRIEND

The Saint Joseph’s Society isan organization of men who arededicated to serving the Parish ofSaint Padre Pio. We serve underthe auspices of Saint Joseph, ourpatron saint. By donating time,talents and labor to support vari-ous events and physical projectswe attempt to improve the church-es, the grounds, the ancillarybuildings and the spiritual eventsof our Parish. We always attemptto complete our projects at littleor no cost to the church. We holdone annual fundraising event, atake-out chicken barbeque, whichis usually held in March. Other projects are supported through donations. Thesociety was founded on April 17, 1910 and is always looking for volunteers tojoin and donations toward projects.

The Society attempts to work in ways that compliment the goals of ourparish and to not create any burden upon the Pastor and staff. With FatherPeter’s support, the society has completed numerous projects such as replace-ment windows, a concrete ramp at the handicapped entrance, a new producestand for the annual festival, reconstruction of the garage at St. Mary’s ceme-tery, repairs to commercial doors, painting projects, a redesign to the storagecloset for tables and chairs and construction of the barbeque pit. An ongoingproject that we have recently undertaken is the restoration of the “Grotto ofOur Lady of Lourdes and Mount Carmel,” a labor of love created by FatherEugene Fitenti, the fifth pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Church. So far, with thedonations of many, we have replaced the fountain, replaced interior and exteri-or lighting with LED lights, increased the sidewalk area and installed granitebenches. Father Peter has supported all of these projects, offering his time andencouragement whenever we had a question.

Father Peter, you have done a superb job under trying and difficult circum-stances. There is an old saying that goes something like “leave it better thanyou found it.” You have certainly done that. While we are sorry to see you go,others will now benefit from what we have learned together. And although wewill not be close in proximity, we will remain close in our hearts.

Remember…God is good, all the time! Thank you for guiding us, for yourfriendship, and for your support of our humble goals.

For the Saint Joseph Society —Dr. Paul D. Trivellini

THE STAFF OF ST. PADRE PIO PARISH wish Fr. Peter God’s blessings as he completeshis ministry at St. Padre Pio Parish. Fr. Peter is a loving priest, generous and kind. Hehas always been understanding to our needs and the needs of his church family. We lovehim and will miss him. He leaves accompanied by our prayers.

Love, Your family at the parish office

Peace and all good things to you Fr. Peter.Thank you for all you have done for the St. Padre Pio Parish community, for

your spiritual leadership and caring; for all the religious celebrations,healing masses and special liturgies; for your love of music; for your love ofthe parish and for all the great events planned, especially the St. Padre PioFestival. We will miss you and we wish you many blessings for the future.

Love, the parishioners of St. Padre Pio Parish

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CONNECTING YOU TO CONNECTING YOU TO SOUTH JERSEY. WEEKLY.SOUTH JERSEY. WEEKLY.

The Grapevinewishes you thebest of luck in

your futureendeavors. Thank

you for yourservice to ourcommunity!

We’ve Moved!

Take Main Rd./Wheaton Ave. south to thelight at G Street. The GlassWorks complexis on the left. Turn left at the light to enter

the building from the G Street side.

The Grapevine is on the second floor.(Take the steps or the elevator.)

Our new address:

The Grapevine1101 Wheaton Ave., Ste. 625

Millville, NJ 08332

“Father Pete”a man of God

Thank you forhelping us feed

thousands of seniorsand those withoutfood. Thank you forcaring for the sick andthose in transition.Thank you forreaching out to thelost, lonely, and thosefeeling forsaken. Mayyour faith, kindnessand goodness carryyou to greater successand service in theyears ahead.

Pearl Giordano andyour faithful

listeners at 92.1

It is Not Good Bye, It is "Fare Thee Well," Good FriendFather Pete has a heart that is larger than life. He has a faith that is beyond

measure. Father Pete has opened his heart to those who are grieving, lost andfeel forsaken—those in his flock with greater needs than his own, those withcrosses that have become too heavy to bear. Father Pete has been there tocomfort those dealing with the many pressures of life and to encourage thosewho have become lost along the way.

St. Padre Pio Parish has been blessed with a priest that truly lives his faith.I am one of those touched by his kindness and goodness. When our son Jerrypassed three years ago, Father Pete helped my husband and me through verydifficult days; he just seemed to know what was needed and provided comfortand peace at the moments of our greatest pain. We have seen him reach outto many others in their moments of grief and loss with the same compassionand caring.

Jim Sauro said, "God knew just what our Lady of Pompeii needed to helpmove the church and St. Mary's School forward to where they are today, andthat was a real blessing! Tomorrow he will find himself exactly where Godwants him to be."

Father Pete has spent many hours lifting those in crisis and offering hope tomany who have been struggling to find their way.

His mark has been left in every corner of St. Pio Parish and on the heartsand lives of those in his Parish Family. I have watched him buy food for thehungry and fuel for those without heat in the dead of winter, with never anexpectation of repayment; he is a humble man with an indomitable spirit.

Marie Dandrea said Father Pete has always been a staunch supporter of theSt. Pio Shrine in Landisville, and, “he is a great Priest."

Father reminds us that God is good all of the time, and, all of the time Godis good! Father Pete has said:

To those I may have wronged, I ask forgiveness. To those I may have helped, I wish I did more. To those I was unable to help, I ask for understanding, To those who helped me, I sincerely thank you so much...These are words that express the feelings of his heart. Father Pete has

helped to inspire many to become the best they can be, and, allow their faithto lead them.

Jackie Greer said, "Many years ago I left my home and family in England,and I was afraid, but God puts us where he wants us to be. I then met PadrePio and he became one of my most special and dearest friends, and then Imet Father Pete who has become another of my dearest friends. I know thatSt. Pio will never desert him and life for Father Pete has a new beginning."

Dan Cuellar said, "Father Pete is a great spiritual leader, mentor and man ofGod. Thank You for coming into our lives, Your Friend Dan Cuellar"

—Pearl Giordano

Father Pete with Pearl Giordano, Jake Kell, and Vince Ambrosetti.