Officials bid priest farewell

MANALAPAN – The Township Committee gave a formal sendoff to the Rev. John Bambrick of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church as he prepared to leave Manalapan for a new parish.

Mayor Michelle Roth presented Bambrick with a proclamation that noted that he is leaving the Manalapan church to guide St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Monsignor Donovan High School and St. Joseph Grade School, all in Toms River.

Speaking about Bambrick, Roth said, “I have always been impressed by his ecumenical outlook and civic leadership.”

Bambrick came to St. Thomas More in 1996 and was a member of several civic organizations, including the Samaritan Center and the Manalapan Community Emergency Response Team. He also served as the chaplain for the Manalapan Police Department.

In accepting the proclamation, Bambrick said, “It has been an honor to be a religious leader in this town. It’s a great town with great citizens. I joke about it, but there’s a creative tension in this town. You know there are differences and it’s for a good reason. People really love the town and want to see the best for our town and really terrific stuff for our kids.”

Although Bambrick said he is looking forward to the challenges of his new position in Toms River, he said of his association with St. Thomas More in Manalapan and with Our Lady of Mercy Church in Englishtown, “I’m going to miss being here. These 12 years have been great.”

In other business at the June 11 Township Committee meeting, Eli Cohen, Peter Miller, Scott Leitstein and Nick Grassi were appointed to the Manalapan Heritage Committee and Richard Stockwell was appointed as a second alternate to the Manalapan Environmental Commission to complete the unexpired term of Bob Steinmark. Stockwell’s term will expire at the end of 2008.

– Kathy Baratta