Most Reverend John W. Flesey
Pastor
Most Reverend John W. Flesey is a Jersey City native. He attended Saint Peter's Preparatory School and College. He was ordained in 1969 in Sacred Heart Cathedral after studying for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary.
His first assignment was to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Plainfield, where he served for 14 years. While there, he completed an M.A. in pastoral counseling from Iona College, New York, and was involved in a program for the renewal of priests.
In 1983, Bishop Flesey studied for a licentiate in spiritual theology from Gregorian University, Rome. He received his degree in 1985. He returned to serve at Immaculate Conception Seminary.
In 1990, Bishop Flesey defended his thesis for his doctorate in theology from the University of Saint Thomas, Rome. In December 1996, he was elevated to the rank of Prelate of Honor and given the title of Monsignor.
From 1995-2000, Bishop Flesey served as rector of the seminary before taking a sabbatical year in Italy. He returned to the seminary, and in September 2002 was named Director of the Office of Continuing Formation of Priests.
On June 1, 2004 he became pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. On August 4, 2004 he was named Titular Bishop of Allegheny, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Regional Bishop of Bergen County.
Reverend Renato J. Bautista
Parochial Vicar
Before entering the priesthood, Father Bautista attended the University of St. Thomas and the Dominican House of Studies both in the Philippines. He has a Master of Divinity Degree. A deacon at St. Henry Parish in Bayonne, Father Renato J. Bautista, 44, had his life turned around five years ago when he left his native Philippines for a vacation in the United States. That trip took an unexpected direction from what he called a "vacation with the Lord" into a vocation. At the time he had a "promising" banking career in the Philippines. He already had two years of college seminary experience "and the thought of entering (the seminary) then leaving again was just ridiculous," he said. Looking back on his banking career, Father Bautista remembers he being able "to allow God to enter my life again. I began to experience a growing joy and peace within me. I really thought God was only calling me to be more active in the Church. I got really scared when the idea of the priesthood starting popping into my head. What I did differently this time was that, instead of running away or hiding through work and other worldly diversions, I prayed more to God and turned to the Holy Eucharist." Father Bautista hopes to be "an earthen vessel through which God's grace is shared with everyone that He places in his care.
Sister Anne Lucille Coates, SSJ
Pastoral Associate
Sister Anne Lucille Coates, SSJ has been associated with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill from the day she entered first grade at St. Joseph's School in Roselle, New Jersey. After her high school years at Holy Family Academy in Bayonne, she dedicated her life to the service of the Church by entering the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the community that was so instrumental in helping her to "...know, love and serve God."
While pursing her B.S. at Chestnut Hill College, Sister Anne taught first and second grades in Philadelphia, Chester, PA, and Spring Lake, NJ. (In that century completing a degree could take years-eleven to be exact.)
After serving four years in Palisades Park, NJ, Sister Anne arrived at Most Blessed Sacrament in 1972 where she has served for the past "37 years". As a "young and innocent" parishioner, she taught first grade at MBS School and volunteered to teach second grade Religious Education classes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (No one told her that most people volunteer for just one day a week.)
In 1980 Sister Anne became the Director of the Religious Education Program here at MBS.
In 1987, she received her masters in Pastoral Ministry from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University. She also has certification as a Pastoral Care Specialist from the Creative Living Counseling Center of Mental Health Associates, Inc. in Allendale, NJ.
Sister Anne is presently involved in various adult ministries, including pastoral care of the elderly.
JoAnn Mathews
Principal
(Info coming soon)
Lauren Longo, Ph.D.
Office of the Bishop
Dr. Longo holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York with a specialization in music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. She received an M.A. in Music Theory and a B.A. in Music Education from Montclair State University.
Lauren's recent recordings are on Celtic harp: Angel Calls (2005) and Glory Be, just released in July of 2007. She is currently using her recording expertise to create pod casts of Bishop Flesey's homilies and is drawing on her liturgical experience to enhance the worship environment of Most Blessed Sacrament Church.
Sister Rose Marie Kean, S.S.J.
Pastoral Associate-Adult Ministries
Born and raised in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Sister Rose Marie is one of six children born to Thomas and Helen Kean. Her oldest sister, Eileen was the first in the family to enter the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, followed by Rose Marie and later her youngest sister, Kathleen. Her three brothers are happily married and parents to a total of 13 children and grandparents to 25 more.
Sister Rose Marie has served God and his people for the last 46 years; first as a grade school and music teacher and now as a Pastoral Associate at Most Blessed Sacrament. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chestnut Hill College and a Master Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Boston College. In 1993, Sister was certified in counseling by the Creative Living Counseling Center of Mental Health Associates and in 1998 began attending a Bereavement Qualification Certification program from the American Academy of Bereavement. In July of 2002 she completed that course of studies with a certificate in the Advanced Bereavement Facilitator Program. Sister attends several workshops throughout the year and is constantly working to keep herself abreast of the latest and most advanced skills needed to best help the people she serves.
Sister Rose Marie's ministry at Most Blessed Sacrament goes in many directions. She coordinates the Baptismal Program, is Spiritual Coordinator of the Women's Cornerstone Program, gives Pastoral Counseling and visits the sick at home, in hospitals and in nursing homes. She helps families and individuals in crisis, journeys with the chronically ill and dying and offers faith and hope to families who have lost a loved one. The bereavement program she facilitates is a priority to her and a great source of consolation to those who attend it. Sister Rose Marie's greatest gift is the peace, the faith and the grace that she brings to each individual whose life she touches.
Dr. Marcia Klink
Director of Religious Education
Marcia Klink received her Masters Degree in Systematic Theology from the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University. She also completed requirements for B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Speech Pathology and Drama from Montclair State College, Columbia University and City University of New York. Dr. Klink has taught and worked in administration from the preschool level to the college level at Fair Lawn Public Schools, Ramapo High School, Lehman College, and Seton Hall University. Her mission in the Church has included volunteering as CCD Teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Youth Minister Athletic Manager, and Church Committee Member. Dr. Klink now enjoys serving on the staff at Most Blessed Sacrament Church.
Lori Flynn
Director of Youth Ministry
Lori Flynn has been a member of
the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish for the past
20 years. She is a North Haledon resident. She is married to
Michael Flynn and has three children, Patrick, Mary and Faith. Patrick
and Mary attend the University of Arizona and Faith is a senior at IHA.
While raising her children over the past 22 years, she has been doing
volunteer work for the parish, as well as for the Valley Hospital and
Hackensack University Medical Center as a Eucharistic Minister. She has
also volunteered in local nursing homes and helped care for the homebound.
Lori received a degree in Special Education from Glassboro State
College. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis
but most of all loves, attending daily mass and living a full and
happy Christian life. She is also working for Queen of Peace High
School in North Arlington as a Religion Teacher as well as the Varsity Tennis
Coach.
David Maiullo
Director of Music-Choirs/Organist
Described by Opera Now Magazine as "a pianist of sentiment, discretion and style" David Maiullo is an avid accompanist/coach in the New York City Metropolitan area. His performances of over 2500 recitals and programs have led him to the stages of Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher, Alice Tully, and Merkin Concert Halls in the US as well as venues in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Japan.
He was awarded a scholarship as an accompanist to the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and has been a recipient of a fellowship with Opera-Music Theater International with Jerome Hines.
Mr. Maiullo had the distinct honor of performing the European premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's Mass for its composer in Spoleto with the Ars Musica Chorale and has also performed in the prestigious "Fringe Festival" in Edinburgh. Mr. Maiullo held the position of Chorus Master for the New Jersey State Opera for eight seasons and he continues to be a lecturer and pianist for opera logs and concerts with the company.
As a collaborative pianist, New York Times critic Bernard Holland wrote, "Mr. Maiullo's playing was sensitive and effective." Some of the notable singers with whom Mr. Maiullo has collaborated include Mario Bertolino, Dominick Cossa, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Sandra Darling, Mark Delavan, Enrico DiGiuseppe, Marta Eggerth-Kiepura, Jerome Hines, Kim Josephson, Vahan Khanzadian, Teresa Kubiak, Ted Lambrinos, Anthony Laciura, Edward Pierson III, Paul Plishka, Olga Ramanko, Joan Sena-Grande, Kevin Short and Margarita Zambrana.
Currently Mr. Maiullo serves as the accompanist for the Gerda Lissner Foundation, Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, Career Bridges, and is the official Accompanist/Music Director for the Altamura/Caruso Competition. He is Conductor/Musical Director of the New Jersey Alliance of Performing Artists (a 501 (c) tax exempt organization) and Chamber Virtuosi Orchestra. He is also Music Director of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes.
Mr. Maiullo holds positions on the faculty of NYACK College where he is director of the Opera Workshop, New Jersey City University, and is the Coach/Accompanist of the Musical Theater Class at the Julliard School of Music.
Valerie
Muller Torkelson, Director of Music-Programming /Cantor
Valerie Muller Torkelson, a Franklin Lakes native, grew up at MBS and has been serving as Cantor since 1999. As an active performer in regional, national and international concert, opera, and musical theater, she has appeared on the concert stage and in leading roles in many theatrical productions throughout the country, and across the globe. Most recently she has appeared as a guest soloist with St. Peter By the Sea Orchestra and, as an active member of New Jersey Alliance of Performing Artists, she has appeared in various concerts throughout the state. Valerie has twice performed for the troops in Asia, and has been honored to be an annual guest artist to perform the National Anthem at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo --- “The Daddy of them All!”
Valerie regularly sings throughout the Archdiocese of Newark. She has performed benefit concerts for the Office of Vocations, has cantered for the Women’s Commission Annual Day of Reflection, and has led the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy for various Archdiocesan events. Valerie also has taught voice classes through regional after-school programs, and she enjoys giving private voice lessons (when her schedule permits!). Valerie has released three CDs: Lights, a collection of sacred music; Spirit of the Season, the Christmas album; and Stages - songs from stage and screen. She is a graduate of Northwestern University where she earned a degree in Voice and Opera Performance.
Valerie Torkelson [vsmuller@gmail.com]
Philip M. Tancorra
Business Administrator
Phil is a life-long resident of Bergen County, residing in Glen Rock for the last 33 years. He has over 30 years experience in the financial industry and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Phil is married and has two sons.