Pope's Move 'Courageous,' St. Pat's Priest Says

Father Bob Mitchell said the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church has set a precedent for future popes.

The Rev. Robert Mitchell of St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough said he thought "it took much courage for the Pope to step down," as was announced Monday. Pope Benedict XVI decided decision to resign for health reasons effective Feb. 28. The move makes him the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign. When the College of Cardinals elects a new pope in conclave, the election is usually for life. Mitchell said he feels "much thought was given to this decision thought the past year." Pope Benedict said in a 2010 interview he believed an ailing pope had an option of stepping down for a younger choice, though there is little precedent. "I also believe it sets a standard for future Popes, as well as all people who fear admission that they …

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Johnson T. Honkey

7:43 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Yeah, it's more like 28.   more ›

Youth Ministries Launch 'Gnome Invasion'

Prank your neighbors and help raise money for teens from St. Patrick and St. Vincent Martyr to build homes in the Appalachians.

When Barbara Murphy heard "a commotion" on her front lawn Monday night, she thought college students home for the summer were having some fun. It was not until her daughter Colleen came home later that she learned her front yard had some new occupants. "Colleen came in that night, and she could barely speak, she was laughing so hard," Murphy said. The commotion came from members of local youth ministries who set up about a dozen garden gnomes in Murphy's yard. JoAnne Babbitt, who woke up to the gnomes in her yard Saturday morning, donated money to send the gnomes to Murphy. The gnomes raise money for the Appalachia Outreach Program for youth ministry teens from St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough and St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison…

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Murdered Priest Honored in Crime Victims Ceremony

Morris County Prosecutor's Office holds ceremony to remember Chatham's 'Father Ed.'

Law enforcement officials, elected representatives and family and friends of crime victims gathered in St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough Monday to honor victims of crimes from Morris County. Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said each year the Prosecutor's Office chooses one victim, usually a homocide victim from a prominent trial case the year before, to honor in their Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony held each April during Crime Victims' Rights Week.  This year, the Prosecutor's Office chose to honor the Rev. Edward Hinds, the former pastor of St. Patrick Church. Hinds, who was known to his congregation as "Father Ed," was stabbed 44 times by Jose Feliciano, the church custodian. Feliciano was tried in 2011 by Bianchi and …

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Convicted Murderer Faces Sentencing Friday

Priest's memory to be honored during National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Jose Feliciano will appear in Morris County Superior Court for sentencing on Friday, April 20. Capt. Jeffrey Paul of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said sentencing was moved from the previously-scheduled date of Friday, April 13. This is the second time the sentencing has been delayed. A previous date of March 2 was changed due a scheduling conflict. Feliciano, 66, was found guilty of seven charges related to the stabbing death of the Rev. Edward Hinds, known to his congregation as "Father Ed," the pastor at St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough, on Oct. 22, 2009. Feliciano was found guilty of murder, felony murder, two counts of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and hindering his own arrest. Morris County Prosecutor Robert A…

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Feliciano Sentencing Postponed Again

The convicted murderer faces 30 years to life in prison.

Jose Feliciano will appear in Morris County Superior Court for sentencing on Friday, April 20. Capt. Jeffrey Paul of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said sentencing was moved from the previously-scheduled date of Friday, April 13. This is the second time the sentencing has been delayed. A previous date of March 2 was changed due a scheduling conflict. Feliciano, 66, was found guilty of seven charges related to the stabbing death of the Rev. Edward Hinds, the pastor at St. Patrick Church in Chatham Borough, on Oct. 22, 2009. Two of the charges were murder charges: felony murder and murder. He was also found guilty of two counts of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and hindering his own arrest. Morris County Prosecutor Robert A…

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Hinds' Blood Found on Feliciano's Jacket

DNA tests prove the blood belongs to the former pastor at St. Patrick Church.

PHOTOS: St. Pat's Community Gathers for 5K

Hundreds turn out to participate in the 2nd annual event in memory of the Rev. Edward J. Hinds.

Sunny skies and brisk temperatures in the 50s greeted the more than 450 runners registered for the 5K race and 225 of all ages who participated in the 1 Mile Fun Run at St. Patrick Church in Chatham on Sunday. Young and old came out. The overall 5K winner was 15-year old Christopher Jagoe from Chatham and a student at Delbarton School. His time was 19:06:36. First for the women and 19th overall was Jen Selverian of Florham Park with a time of 22:21:24. First place in the Fun Run went to Casey McKee followed by William Kelleher and Drew Kania for second and third. With the help of more than 50 volunteers and the support of many local businesses, the community gathered together in memory of the late Rev. Edward J. Hinds. All proceeds from …

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St. Patrick Celebrates Oktoberfest

Event part of month-long festivities at parish.

St. Patrick Church held an Oktoberfest for members of the church on Saturday. The celebration is part of the church's month-long festivities of community-building within the parish. It began with the church's outdoor Mass and parish picnic on Lum Field and ends with the 5k run on Oct. 23.

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Photos: St. Patrick Celebrates with Outdoor Picnic

The parish kicked off their October celebrations with an outdoor Mass and picnic on Lum Field.

St. Patrick Church held an outdoor picnic Sunday afternoon, following a Mass on Lum Avenue Field. Families brought lawn chairs and enjoyed food by the Knights of Columbus. The picnic also featured a rock wall, music and family-friendly activities for kids and adults. The picnic was the first of several parish events planned over the coming weeks, including an Octoberfest on Oct. 1 and a 5k run on Oct. 23, all to honor the slain Rev. Edward Hinds.

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Detective: Priest Saw Feliciano's Pa. Records

The Daily Record reports a Morris County detective has evidence the Rev. Edward Hinds found criminal records for accused murderer Jose Feliciano in the days before his death.