The Reverend Peter Wehrle, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church Parish in North Bergen, was a very busy man to catch up with, but I headed him off at the pass with tenacity of spirit, and through interviewing others too, I got my story! Gee, I never knew that a parish pastor could be busier than his boss Pope Benedict XVI.
Reverend Wehrle is the son of the late loving parents Hilda and Francis Wehrle, and was raised in Thomaston, Conn. There he attended public school while his faith life was nurtured in a loving home and at his local church there, Saint Thomas Parish.
After high school, he began his studies at the University of Rochester in upstate New York, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts Degree in German, and then a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Information Systems Degree in the 1980s.
It was during this period that Father Peter first began to think of his calling to the priesthood. He completed a year of training in philosophy at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in Essex County. The following year he began the study of Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, while residing at the Pontifical North American College.
In May, 1999 he was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ for service to the Archdiocese of Newark. He has spent 8 years as parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Oradell, Bergen County, before serving in North Bergen as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish for approximately 4 years.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano and organ, and also singing in the Rheinisher Sangerbund. Mrs. Ingrid Berner of housekeeping personnel of Fritz Reuter Antenheim/Scheutzen Park in North Bergen, tells us that the Rheinisher Sangerbund is a men’s singing society, and they gather every month, and Father Peter participates with them.
Mr. Jim Goodness, director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Newark for Archbishop John J. Myers, tells us that Father Peter is short-handed in the parish, therefore he takes over many other duties such as being a hospital chaplain, and caring for the sick and parish-family deceased matters.
Parish Secretary Vivian Crespo tells us that Father Peter is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Palisades Emergency Residential Corporation (PERC), based in Union City whose Executive Director is Emory Edwards who resides in Union City and Jersey City, and through his office, this columnist received a corporate list of trustees of record.
Thus, Father Peter Wehrle wears many religious-based working hats, and is to be commended for his many hours of parish work, and his parishioners surely are thankful. As for interview sources Ingrid Berner, Vivian Crespo, Mr. Emory Edwards, and Mr. Jim Goodness – my goodness – you are All The Best!
Superior Court Judge Maureen Mantineo of Guttenberg, and Guttenberg Mayor , daughter and brother-in-law respectively of West New Yorker Joseph Mantineo, tell us that Joe Mantineo has taken ill and has been having his medication adjusted by his doctors to bounce-back from illness. That’s good news! Other good news from educational union sources is that by the time you read this column, Joe “The Mountain Man,” should be back home with his loving family. Joseph Mantineo is the President of the Hudson County Area Vocational-Technical Education Association/NJEA. GET WELL SOON, JOE!
Angelette Lopes of Secaucus has been named to the Dean’s List at Lasell College in Maryland. Congratulations Ms. Lopes!
Siobhan Gregory of Union City has achieved a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Illinois/Chicago Campus. Best Wishes to you Ms. Gregory!
Rosario Nunez of West New York has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars. Congrats Ms. Nunez; make your family proud!
West New York Police Captain Michael Indri, aside from being a good cop, and placed in a leading police role position by West New York Mayor Felix Roque, is also a sports reporter for a North Jersey cultural newspaper. Yes he is, and sports he loves, especially boxing. Good going Captain Indri!
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner tells us that he has been working locally out of the Jersey City Congressional Office of Representative Albio Sires of West New York, 13th District. This of course keeps him close to his local township and North Hudson County congressional business affairs, and away from the beltway business of Washington, D.C. Thus, the electorate has easier access to their government officials, and as it works out, Congressman Sires has five Congressional District Offices, in service for the people. Call (201) 222-2828 for any information you may need!
And so it goes … until next time …see you around town …MATT
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