Monsignor William J. Linder, The `People`s Priest,`

Monsignor William J. Linder, The ‘People’s
Priest,’ Retires from St. Rose
Amidst heartfelt words of gratitude for his nearly half century of ministry in Newark, Monsignor William J.
Linder’s final mass as pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church was celebrated before a crowd of more than 500
parishioners, family members and friends.
The June 24th service was an emotional one for the parishioners who had called Monsignor pastor for the
last 38 years.
At Monsignor’s request, the jazz mass featured music arranged by the late pianist, composer and singer,
Mary Lou Williams.
While retiring as a pastor, Monsignor has stressed that he is looking forward to devoting more time and
energy to being President and CEO of New Community.
“We witness today an end to an era, but let us not mourn its end. Monsignor is expected to be more involved
than ever in New Community and fulfilling it’s mission of improving quality of life for those who need it
most,” said Art Wilson, board chairman of New Community.
Father Beatus Kitururu said Monsignor has truly seen “the glory of the Lord” and is a symbol of New
Community’s 45th anniversary theme, “Out of the Ashes Came Hope.”
“He will continue to live in the community and service the people of Newark,” he said.
Ordained into the Catholic priesthood on May 25, 1963 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, Monsignor
Linder spent his entire priestly life ministering to the people of Newark. He had been the pastor at St. Rose of
Lima Church, one of the most culturally diverse parishes in all of Newark, since 1974. The church boasts a
membership hailing from 45 different countries, a feature that was celebrated annually during a Harvest Festival
where individuals dressed up in their native garb and paraded their flags down the center aisle.
Monsignor Linder’s first assignment as a priest, in June of 1963, was at Queen of Angels Parish in
Newark’s Central Ward. It was from the basement of Queen of Angels, an all African-American parish, that
New Community had its beginnings right after the 1967 summer unrest, with the early organizers holding
meetings there.
“It was a great assignment. I’d only been in Newark once before that, and the place was tremendous,”
Monsignor once said. “In 1963, you got thrown right in the middle of the civil rights movement. Being in Newark
all these years and ministering to such wonderful people was the best assignment a priest could have had,” he said,
noting people like labor leader Cesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were among those he encountered on
their visits to Newark.
Monsignor Linder was born in Jersey City and grew up in West New York. He attended St. Peter’s Prep
school in Jersey City, Manhattan College of Engineering and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington,
New Jersey.
Monsignor Linder holds an A.B. in Classical Languages and Philosophy from Seton Hall University, an MA
and Ph.D in Sociology from Fordham University and honorary degrees from ten institutions of higher education.
A biblical scholar who loves dissecting the scriptures, Monsignor’s style of delivering a homily, surprisingly,
was rather simple and direct.
“There was no beating around the bush. He got to the point and it made you think. He was most direct about it
and he clarified everything so you would understand exactly what he was talking about,” said Margaret Hand, 59,
of Union, a St. Rose member and former Baptist who converted to Catholicism because of the authenticity she
witnessed in Monsignor when she first came to St. Rose more than 20 years ago.
A true ‘people’s priest,’ Monsignor always made time for anybody who rang his doorbell and needed his help,
including parishioners, their families, or even strangers. “He is a person who tried to help everybody. I know that
he’s been good to me,” said Migdalia Martinez, 70, of Newark, a St. Rose member for 35 years. One of
Monsignor’s greatest legacies will be the scholarship fund he started more than 30 years ago in his name for needy
students.
“The Monsignor Linder scholars want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Monsignor for his kindness and
generosity,” said Suzanne Ramsahai, who graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair in
June.
Madge Wilson, longtime member and Outreach Coordinator at St. Rose, said Monsignor leaves a legacy of
love, caring, commitment and unity.
With Monsignor’s retirement, The Archbishop of Newark has appointed as the new pastor of St. Rose the
Rev. Joseph Kwiatkowski. He is a former Parochial Vicar at St. Catharine Parish in Glen Rock (Bergen
County). “I wish him all the best as he begins his ministry as the pastor at St. Rose,” Monsignor said.