Saint Jerome's Parishioners Say Thank You To Father Erin Brown

If you believe that humor and religion are a good combination, 9 a.m. Mass this past Sunday at St. Jerome’s in West Long Branch was the place you wanted to be. 

A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated for the Ministry of The Rev. Erin Brown (aka Father Brown.) After serving for the past four years as Parochial Vicar of Saint Jerome’s Parish, Father Brown is being reassigned as the Catholic Chaplain and Campus Minister of The College of New Jersey in Ewing.  Father Brown joked that he would have to readjust to a college schedule which meant that instead of arising at 6 a.m., he could now sleep until in until 10:30 a.m. every day.

The Rev. Harold Cullen, the Pastor of St. Jerome’s recalled that on the first day that Father Brown arrived at St. Jerome’s four years ago, he invited Father Cullen to join him that evening at the Stone Pony for a rock concert which he had tickets for. Father Cullen noted how he thought to himself “buckle your seatbelt!!" 

Father Brown told those present how the last four years were a wonderful memorable experience.  He concluded his remarks by saying “You have made my time here very special."

"I will never forget that,” Father Brown said.

A reception followed after Mass where dozens of parishioners gathered to say thank you to Father Brown and to wish him well in his new assignment.