New St. Patrick's Pastor Making Most of Opportunity

The Rev. Robert Mitchell began his first day of work as the pastor of St. Patrick's Church on Wednesday without much fanfare. And for Mitchell, who exudes humility, that was the perfect way to start.

"It was a nice snowy morning with six people at church to greet me," Mitchell said. "It was a nice way to break in."

Mitchell became the parish's first full-time pastor since former Rev. Edward Hinds was murdered in late October inside the church building.

The church's former janitor, Jose Feliciano, has been charged with murder in connection with Hinds' death.

Mitchell, who comes to St. Patrick's after 12 years at St. Jude Parish in Budd Lake, said he has already seen that church members "live with the loss of a good man."

"He did a lot of good things for them in ways that sometimes people don't even know," Mitchell said.

He said he looks back fondly at his time in Budd Lake, and said transitioning to something new like this can be like "going back to first grade."

But he is pleased with the way things have gone so far.

"Any change is difficult to make, but at the same time, it's made easier when people are as receptive and welcoming as they have been to me," he said.

Mitchell will be present at his first Sunday Mass tomorrow. St. Patrick's holds Mass at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m., and after each, Mitchell will meet and greet the church's parishioners.