Msgr. John Frey, 78, former pastor and vocation director in the Diocese of Camden, died Jan. 28.
Serving the Catholic community of South Jersey for more than 50 years, Msgr. Frey had been In-Residence at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gibbsboro since his retirement from active ministry in 2016.
Born May 4, 1943, in Newark, Msgr. Frey studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J., before being ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1970, in Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Somerdale from 1970-1973.
As a pastor, Msgr. Frey served at many parishes across the Diocese: Saint Isidore, Vineland (1995-2002); Saint Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights (2002-2009); Maris Stella, Avalon and Saint Paul, Stone Harbor (2009-2010); and Saint Brendan the Navigator, from 2010 until his retirement.
In addition, he served as diocesan vocation director, clergy personnel director, episcopal vicar for priestly life and development, and spiritual director of the South Jersey Cursillo Movement.
Other parochial vicar assignments included Saint Edward, Pine Hill (1973-1974); Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral, Camden (1974-1980); Saint Agnes, Blackwood (1980-1983); and Saint Francis de Sales, Barrington (1988-1995).
Father Carlo Santa Teresa, who as a seminarian spent a year at Saint Andrew the Apostle, recalled Msgr. Frey as “a wonderful and holy person” with a priestly heart who was “very committed to the people he served. He was always thinking of others.”
Reception of the Body will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at Saint Andrew the Apostle Church, 27 Kresson-Gibbsboro Road, Gibbsboro. The viewing will follow until 7 p.m., at which point Msgr. Louis Marucci will celebrate Mass.
The viewing will continue Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m. Bishop Dennis Sullivan will celebrate a Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 2398 West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J., 08002.
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