Msgr. Leon J. Kasprzyk

Msgr. Leon J. Kasprzyk

On January 6, 2012 , the Lord chose to call His Priest and servant, Msgr. Leon J. Kasprzyk, back to Himself, bringing to an end his earthly pilgrimage of faith which began nine months before the day of his birth, July 14, 1935. He was born, the only child, of the late Leon and Josephine (Rajzner) Kasprzyk. He grew up in the city of Trenton and attended Holy Cross Elementary School and Trenton Catholic Boys High School. It was during his school days in Holy Cross, in the fifth grade, that the young boy began to perceive the Lord's call, "Leon, come, follow Me!" It was at this time that he began to perceive his vocation to the Holy Priesthood. At the time there were young priests in his parish of Holy Cross and he drew much inspiration from their example and priestly zeal. Msgr. Leon once said, "You know how young boys look up to baseball players; that was how I looked up to the young priests in our parish." After high school, in September of 1953, the young Leon enrolled in St. Charles Seminary in Maryland. Here he earned his bachelor's degree in Philosophy. He then continued his priestly formation and theological studies at Baltimore's St. Mary's University and Seminary, earning his Bachelor and Licentiate in Sacred Theology. The day that the young man so longed for finally arrived and on May 27, 1961, in St. Mary's Cathedral, he was ordained to the Priesthood of Christ by the Most Reverend George W. Ahr, Bishop of Trenton. Fr. Leon's first pastoral assignment was to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Amboy. Here he worked zealously with the youth of the parish community. His next pastoral assignment was to St. Mary's Parish in New Monmouth. With the permission of his pastor, Fr. Leon sought the assistance of the parish's Legion of Mary and instituted a crisis hotline for young teens in the area. He sought training for himself and his team of adult and teen volunteers from a local school psychologist. When in operation the hotline was manned 6 nights a week and helped many teens who were struggling with various personal problems. Fr. Leon's calm and God-centered presence in one call from a suicidal young teen helped the young man reconsider his path and choose life. "Choose Life, Defend Life, Respect Life!" These expressions embody Fr. Leon's approach to the dignity and worth of the human person. Following his tenure in New Monmouth, Fr. Leon was appointed to the pastorate of Sts. Peter and Paul in Great Meadows. Here he challenged a local radio station operator who was giving free air time to a Planned Parenthood Program. The man offered him an opportunity to then host a program on human life from the Catholic perspective. On January 1, 1977, "Catholic, Christian, Human" hit the airwaves with Fr. Leon as the host. In December of 1982, Fr. Leon took on the pastorate of Holy Family Parish in Carteret. He was instrumental in enlarging the enrollment of Holy Family School and in establishing programs for youth in the community as well as an active Social Ministry that reached out beyond the confines of the parish. He provided the leadership in bringing the annual CROP Walk to the Carteret community. The funds raised from this endeavor helped to provide food and other assistance within the community and beyond. He also provided the leadership that led to the establishment of a Ministerial Association within the community. In January of 1986 he continued his pastoral service at St. Stephen's in Perth Amboy and was instrumental in setting up a shelter system for the poor and homeless during the winter season. Following his tenure at St. Stephen's he returned for awhile to service as a parochial vicar in both Holy Family in Carteret and Christ the King in Manville. It was during this time that he realized another dream of his life, to visit the Diocese of Fairbanks in Alaska which had been a favorite personal charity of his for many years. Then, in 1995 he was appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lambertville. He served in this assignment until his retirement in 2008. His love was the little pre-school which was conducted through the parish. He was also instrumental in setting up a Food Pantry for the needy, a Ministerial Association within the community and bringing the CROP Walk into the area. In 2004 he was named Monsignor by the late Blessed John Paul 11. While carrying out so many pastoral responsibilities in the parishes he served, Msgr. Leon also found time to offer his services to the Bishops he served and the Diocese. He was the moderator of the Diocesan Courage/Encourage Program, Chairman of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Associate Spiritual Director of the Diocesan Office of the Diaconate and Chaplain at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. He also served as President of the Delaware Valley Council of Churches. Following his retirement in September of 2008 he resided at the retired priests' residence, Maria Regina in Somerset. He continued to offer pastoral services and assistance to different parishes in the Diocese. Due to declining health he found it necessary to transfer to the McCarrick Care Center in Somerset and it was here in June of 2011 that he celebrated with many long time friends, priest and lay, his Golden Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. At the time, Msgr. Leon noted that "God has given me a wonderful life, fifty wonderful years as a Priest." He cited his work with youth and married couples as his favorite priestly duties. Of course, for him, first and foremost among his priestly duties was the celebration of Holy Mass. He lived by the words that were on a plaque he always kept in his office: "Celebrate each Mass as if it were your First Mass and your Last Mass." Msgr. Leon is survived by his cousin, Leon Slezak, his good friend, Father Sean Winters, and many, many priest friends and lay friends. "Well done, good and faithful servant! Now, come, and enter into Your Master's joy"

The Reception of Rev. Msgr. Leon J. Kasprzyk will be on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 2 PM at Divine Mercy Parish, Holy Family BC Church in Carteret. The Vigil will be held from 2:30 PM to 7;15 PM on Tuesday. The Mass of Commemoration will be held at 7;30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 11 AM at Divine Mercy Parish, Holy Family RC Church in Carteret with Bishop Paul Bootkoski officiating. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway. Arrangements are under the care of Synowiecki Funeral Home.