After almost 50 years as a shepherd in South Jersey, Msgr. William Hodge is home.
Granted, he spent about 17 of those years at “home” – Atlantic City, where he was born – serving what is now the Parish of Saint Monica. Today, however, he can rest, assured that his days of parish transfers are a thing of the past.
Effective July 1, Msgr. Hodge retired from active ministry, and he is already enjoying the fruits of a vocation well-lived.
“I love it,” he enthuses on the present, while reflecting on the past. “I have enjoyed the priesthood thoroughly. It’s always been a blessing.”
The son of Marie and Bill, and younger brother to Marie, Msgr. Hodge recalls a childhood spent among the Catholic community in Atlantic City. Sunday mornings were spent at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, while weekdays were for classwork at Our Lady Star of the Sea Elementary School.
“Most of my family’s life revolved around the parish and school,” he explained, adding that traditions such as 40 Hours Devotion, May Crownings and parish missions were a major part of life.
Beginning in the fifth grade, Msgr. Hodge began serving as an altar boy, and a year later, a larger calling began taking shape.
“During the 40 Hours, I watched a parish priest carry the Blessed Sacrament. … I said to the Almighty God, ‘One day, that’ll be me” taking Jesus to others, he said.
After studies at institutions including Saint Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, N.Y.; Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., and the University of Dayton in Ohio, he began doing just that. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese on May 25, 1974, by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle.
“I never had a doubt,” he said. “I knew God and the priesthood were my destiny. I was very confident that the almighty God had a plan for me.”
He has enjoyed shepherding multitudes of generations throughout his assignments as parochial vicar, administrator and pastor at various diocesan parishes as well as walking with students at Wildwood Catholic and Gloucester Catholic high schools. He also was a spiritual resource for patients at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital while serving as chaplain.
He said one of the most powerful moments in his ministry was witnessing the last days of Bishop Guilfoyle. Msgr. Hodge served as a caretaker for the Bishop, who had cancer. In sickness, his Bishop’s mission never wavered.
“I remember Bishop before daily Mass, praying out loud and telling God how much he loved him. It was very touching,” Msgr. Hodge recalled.
Throughout the years, he has drawn strength from saints such as Thérèse of Lisieux, inspired by her desire to “see Jesus more passionately and intimately,” and Teresa of Avila.
He has felt divine providence at every turn, be it at his first assignment at Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Barrington; the six years at Saint Vincent Pallotti, Haddon Township; the time serving churches of Atlantic City; his final assignment as pastor of Saint Mary Parish, Gloucester City – and so many other places in-between.
“I always believed that God and the Holy Spirit were behind everything. It was all an opportunity to glorify Him. I just happened to be the recipient of His grace.”
Now helping out with weekend Masses at the Parish of Saint Monica, Msgr. Hodge is thankful for the blessings of the priesthood and has some advice for young men discerning a calling.
The priesthood is “the happiest life I could encourage for them,” he said. “A life of service that goes beyond all imagination.”
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