Reverend Monsignor Elso Charles Introini

Reverend Monsignor Elso Charles Introini, age 89, of Toms River, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2026. He was born and raised in Clifton to the late Charles and Velia Maria (nee: Moret) Introini and was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church. In 1954 he graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic and began his studies at Seton Hall University. While still a student at Seton Hall, Monsignor joined the Immaculate Conception Seminary and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. John's Cathedral in Paterson by Bishop Dean McNulty in 1962. Monsignor Elso began his diverse ministry as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul's in Clifton, a position he also later held at Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham. He was a member of the religious faculty at Pope Pius XII High School and Neumann Prep High School, while serving weekend duty at St. Anthony Church in Hawthorne. He served as the Chaplain to the Sisters of Charity at Convent Station and then as Director of Clergy Personnel for the Paterson Diocese. From 1979-1987, Monsignor Elso was the Executive Secretary for Pastoral Ministry for the diocese and served two terms as a member of the Priest Senate and two years as a member of the Priests' Retirement Fund. He proceeded to become pastor of St. Simon the Apostle in Green Pond from 1985-1987 and then St. Clement Pope and Martyr Church in Rockaway from 1987-1993. After serving as the Dean of Northern Morris County from 1990-1993, Monsignor Elso accepted his final assignment as Pastor of St. Anthony R.C. Church in Hawthorne, retiring in 2002 after a distinguished career of service. In 1993, Pope John Paul II designated Monsignor Elso Prelate of Honor. In retirement, he was a Priest Assistant to the Chaplain at the Lakehurst Naval Base and a weekend assistant at St. John's Parish in Lakehurst. His extensive education included a Bachelor of Arts from Seton Hall University, and Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Darlington School of Theology and a Doctor of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary.

Monsignor Elso's leadership, his spiritual guidance, and his priestly example have enriched all whom he served. His gentleness was his strength, and his strength was his gentleness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7:30pm on Friday, January 30, 2026 at St. Anthony R.C. Church, 276 Diamond Bridge Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506. Friends and parishioners may express their condolences at the church prior to the mass from 4:00pm-7:30pm. Monsignor Elso's interment at Calvary Cemetery in Paterson will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in Monsignor Elso's honor.

The mass will be livestreamed and available for view at: https://www.youtube.com/@StAnthonyRCChurchHawthorneNJ