Bernardsville Pastor Honored by Pope With Rev. Monsignor Title

Rev. Msgr. John N. Fell of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Bernardsville was one of nine priests within the Metuchen diocese to receive honors from the pope at an evening prayer service held Jan. 29 in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, the diocese of Metuchen announced on Tuesday.

Rev. Fell was named pastor for Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 2003. He also teaches at the School of St. Elizabeth in Bernardsville, according to the diocese.

Rev. Fell was ordained to the priesthood in 1988 by Bishop-Emeritus Edward T. Hughes at Mary, Mother of God Church in Hillsborough. He has served as parochial vicar at Mary, Mother of God parish; St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge; and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Whitehouse Station.

As part of the Diocese of Metuchen’s 30th Anniversary celebration, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski petitioned Pope Benedict XVI to bestow papal honors upon the nine priests by naming them as Rev. Monsignor, in recognition of their outstanding service and significant contributions to the people of the diocese, the announcement said.

When Rev. Fell learned that the pope had named him with the title, Rev. Fell said he was humbled, yet uplifted.

“To be honest, just as every little boy dreams about being in the major leagues, you think about it (being named monsignor),” he said. “I was very, very surprised when the bishop called that day.”

Another local pastor to be named as monsignor was Rev. Edward C. Puleo of St. Elizabeth Parish and St. Brigid Parish in Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone. He serves as both executive director of the diocesan Department of Clergy & Religious Personnel and director of the Office for Priest Personnel. Rev. Puleo is a member of the Seminary Education Board, College of Consultors, Committee for Future Staffing of Parishes, Presbyteral Council, Priest Personnel Board. He is a Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, according to the announcement.

In his nearly 24 years as a priest, Rev. Fell said he has tried to put the Lord at the center of his life, and to share that dedication with others, especially the communicants at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

“I think the core thing for the priesthood is that we really have to be devoted to our faith; we can’t just put on a good show and step away from it. Our religious faith, the teaching of the Church, the Scriptures…that has to be the story of my life, that has to be what gives meaning to me,” he said.

Rev. Fell said he enjoys praying with people, and especially loves that a school — the School of St. Elizabeth — is affiliated with his parish.

“I think it adds life and goodness and joy,” he said. He both teaches in the school and in the parish religious education program.

“It’s important to me. I want a chance to get to know the kids, and for them to get to know me. Maybe someday 50 years from now, they’ll remember the priest that used to teach them in religious education, and hopefully there’s something I said that clicked in their heads and they’re remembering it,” he said.

He cited several positive Catholic role models throughout his childhood and adolescence, including educators and his grandparents. He recalled a religious sister in his high school, who helped remind him that God is “always there, watching over us, protecting us, leading us, guiding us.”

“I thought, well, if I can bring that to others, with this wonderful experience of praising God and praying, I thought…that would be a great way to spend my life,” he said.

As pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; member of the ethics committee with Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, New Brunswick; member of the diocesan Theological Commission; regular columnist for "The Catholic Spirit: and Episcopal Vicar of the diocesan Health Care Apostolate, Rev. Fell has had ample opportunity to bring the Church’s teachings and traditions to the fore and help people understand those teachings, the announcement said.

Rev. Fell was born in Trenton to the late Audrey McLean and John N. Fell. He attended St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School, Bordentown, and St. Anthony Catholic High School, Trenton. He then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Rev. Fell completed his seminary education at the Pontifical North American College while studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Alphonsian Academy, the Superior Institute of Moral Theology attached to the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, leading to a doctorate in sacred theology.

“I’ve been to 27 years of Catholic school,” he joked.