June 28, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Well
done good and faithful servant, enter into your Father’s joy!
This week we mourn and rejoice at the passing of our dear Fr Paul Lehman, faithful friend of Jesus and shepherd of God’s people. There were well over 1000 people who came by to to pay their respects to this faithful priest, to intercede for him and to ask for his prayers. The outpouring of love and gratitude from both his brother Priests who came to celebrate Fr Paul’s vigil Mass or Funeral Mass, as well as the faithful from St. Antoninus, BLD and many of the other parishes and ministries where he served God’s people was very edifying.
Fr Paul was a priest of Jesus Christ serving in the Archdiocese of Newark for 65 years!
He was a man who never stoped learning and growing in his faith. He was clear and confident in that faith and yet, always open to a new light upon age-old issues.
He was a man of deep prayer and constant learning even as he kept very active in ministry up until almost 90 years old - giving spiritual direction, assisting with retreats and giving talks. In his last few years he also had the privilege of suffering with Jesus through sleepless nights. In this I am sure he did most or all of his purgatory preparing him for heaven.
“Fr Paul, thank you for running your race to the finish and for passing on to us that baton of faith. We promise to remember you in our prayers, especially the Rosary and in Mass. Please pray for us that we may run that race which is ours. Please pray for those men and women among us who Jesus is calling, in your footsteps, to serve the Lord as his priest and/or religious.”
Eternal rest grant unto Fr Paul Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!
PS As one of Fr Paul’s many spiritual sons & daughters. it would always be my privilege to assist anyone inspired by Fr Paul’s life, who may seek to discern a call to the priesthood or religious life. Do not hesitate to call St Antoninus 973-623-0258 to make an appointment.
In Jesus thru Mary,
Fr Joseph
Below, see a photo tribute to Fr Paul of our 2 day Viewing, Funeral Masses & Burial at St Antoninus Church
