Father Soprano on priesthood: ‘Christ was welcoming me’

For Father Ernest Soprano, the path to priesthood began with a faithful family and family-like parish community.

As an infant in 1951, he was the third Baptism at Mantua’s nascent Incarnation Parish, where, he said, he attended “Mass every Sunday, in the same pew, middle on the left-hand side” with his parents and two older sisters.

His high school years were spent helping the parish in any way possible, be it mowing the lawn, cooking meals or setting up for religious education.

And then there was his cousin, also named Ernest and 20 years his senior, who served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

“I had a front row seat to a priest in action,” Father Soprano said, reflecting on his cousin’s visits to New Jersey. “I saw his joys and sorrows” of the priesthood.

Father Soprano ultimately followed in his relative’s footsteps, studying at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Md., and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, N.J., before being ordained a priest in 1979 by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle.

After two years in his first assignment – parochial vicar at Christ the King Parish, Haddonfield – Father Soprano was surprised to be appointed secretary to Bishop Guilfoyle and associate chancellor. This experience proved valuable, he said, as it helped him better understand not only the lives of the faithful working in parish and diocesan ministries, but also in grasping the administrative practices of these offices.

Over the following decades, he served as a parochial vicar, administrator and pastor, shepherding the merger of Saint John of God, North Cape May, with Saint Raymond, Villas, into what is today Saint John Neumann Parish. His retirement from the North Cape May parish became effective July 1.

Now residing in Wildwood Crest, Father Soprano is spending time visiting friends, enjoying the sand and shore, and perfecting his cooking and baking skills on  favorites such as biscuits and pie.

“I’m going to spend time in prayer and writing” as well, he said, adding that he is willing to fill in at parish Masses as needed.

Looking back over his years of active ministry – “I can’t believe where these 43 years went” – he has a message for South Jersey’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or friends – anyone who knows a young man who would make a good priest.

“Talk and listen to them, and be bold enough to invite them to things that would make them happy in the long run,” Father Soprano said, citing as examples community gatherings, Masses or suggesting spiritual texts.

Father Soprano noted that he often invites friends and family to celebrations marking his Ordination Day, May 25. The special occasion, he said, began “in a spirit of joy. That spirit hasn’t changed. Christ was welcoming me, and I responded.”