NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. GERARD

118 7th Avenue, Newark  NJ  07104

- In Remembrance -

Reverend Joseph S. Nativo

Parochial Vicar

Saint Lucy Church

Newark, New Jersey

*  *  * 

Born -  January 3, 1929

Ordained - May 26, 1956

Died - June 15, 2004

...Taken from the Italian Tribune Obituaries, June 24, 2004

     The Rev. Joseph S. Nativo, 75, Parochial Vicar of St. Lucy's Church, Newark died last Tuesday in Hackensack University Medical Center.

     A Mass was offered Saturday in St. Lucy's Church, Newark.  Arrangements were by the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, Hackensack.

     Known to parishioners and friends as Father Nat, Father Nativo became a vital link between God and his "flock."  His unique ability to direct people, particularly the youth of the parish, had drawn many souls into the St. Lucy's Family.

     Joseph and Mary Nativo, immigrants from Sicily, raised their children, Joe, Fran, and Carmine in Hackensack.  Together, the Nativo family enjoyed a special warmth and spirit centered around Jesus Christ, the impetus of their life.  Being the eldest, Father Nativo became the caretaker and honed his skills in family life.  He developed talents in cooking, gardening, and construction.

     Father Nativo was a graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange.  At Darlington Seminary, he met and befriended Joseph Granato, the person with whom he was to share 48 years of devoted service to the people of God.  Father Nat was ordained in 1956 and through Divine Providence, Father Ruggiero selected him to serve St. Lucy's along with Father Granato.

     During his early years at St. Lucy's, Father Nat shared his gift for the arts with the youngsters of the parish.  He graciously accepted the role of director of the CYO and Drum Corps, which under his leadership became number one in the nation.  Upon hearing a group  of young men harmonizing on the street corner, Father Nativo "tapped" into their talents and taught them in the classics of true harmony.  This experience was the beginning of the magnificent Men's Choir, still heard today at St. Lucy's.

     Father Nativo is survived by a brother, Carmine Nativo and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

     "We are here today to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of the soul of Fr. Joseph S. Nativo.  We are also here to recognize a truly remarkable 48 years of faithful, self-sacrificing and caring service to the flock committed to his care.

     The span of 48 years in the same parish is a record for an Assistant Pastor in this day and age like Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, a record that will never be broken.

     In this last year, especially when his arthritis was extremely painful, when he had great difficulty in walking or standing, he never asked to be excused from offering his daily Mass.

     In fact, three years ago, he had just finished his Mass before he almost collapsed and then did we realized that he was actually having a heart attack.  He was so very brave.  He never, never complained.

     Now what are come of the other sacrifices that Fr. Nativo has made all this time?

     1.  He has sacrificed his time- not just daytime or evening time, but even entire nights to listen, to counsel, to teach, to instruct, and absolve those who needed that time.  There was no such thing as "well fellows it's getting late, you will have to excuse me."

     2.  He gave of himself- no matter what the request.  If he thought it was good for the soul, he put himself at the disposal of the soul, no matter the physical or emotional cost to himself.

     3.  He sacrificed his free choice.  What do you want to do, or it's all right with me, or sure come right over, or I'll be right there.

     He really loved the parish, he loved the beauty of the Church, he loved the school, he loved the Sisters, especially Sr. Celeste, Vincent, and Sr. Francis Marie.  He loved art, flowers, good music, Latin motets, he loved Christmas, Easter, the Feast of St. Joseph, and of course, St. Gerard.  But most of all, he loved the people, his flock.  Because of this love and his great talents, he was a tremendous preacher, as you well know.

     As far as I am concerned, I am convinced that the secret of the success of Fr. Nativo's priestly ministry was his superb ability to work "one on one."  This one on one multiplied by thousands and thousands of hours over 48 years have resulted in the growing influence of Our Lord over their souls, the development of their spiritual lives and this in turn has exerted a tremendous influence for good on the entire parish.

     Since Vatican II you have heard the words Commitment, Involvement, and Community.  Father Nativo has been totally committed to the spiritual and temporal welfare of St. Lucy's Parish.  Because of this commitment he has been totally involved in its affairs for his entire priesthood.  And because of his involvement he had helped to form a community of Faith- You.  You don't build community on a time schedule or on limited tenure, you build it on a lifetime of hard work.

     Father Nativo ran a raffle in 1957 of a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.  The drawing was March 19, 1957, the Feast of St. Joseph, Fr. Ruggiero was very pleased with the proceeds so he decided to tell a story of the two Fr. Joe's.

     "I have a problem.  People call and ask for Fr. Joe.  I say, which one.  The young one.  They're both young.  The tall one.  They're both tall.  The handsome one.  But they are both handsome."

     Twenty-three years ago, I repeated that story at Fr. Nativo's 25th Anniversary.  I modified it- "We are not young anymore.  Fr. Nat is still handsome and I'm still tall."

     Well now I'm still tall but I'm standing alone.  You have list your priest, your confessor, your confidant, your friend.  I share your deep, deep sorrow.  I have lost all that and more.  I have lost my partner.  May his soul rest in peace."