St. Benedict's Pastor Celebrates A Milestone

     Twenty five years later and the words spoken at his first Mass, "Be a good priest. Be a happy priest, a holy one. And be faithful to your priesthood." still ring very true for Very Reverend Daniel F. Swift as he celebrates his 25th Anniversary of Ordination on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church and School in Holmdel, New Jersey.

     Born September 20, 1961 in Camden, Father Dan is a graduate of St. Joan of Arc Elementary School in Marlton and Cherokee High School in Marlton. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Computer Sciences from Rutgers University in Camden, he entered Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD, where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1987, and a Master of Arts degree in moral theology in 1988. He was ordained a priest May 20, 1989, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Trenton by Bishop John C. Reiss.

     Making positive changes, an innovative style, and the powerful ability to turn things around, are just a few of the traits and abilities Father Dan is best known for, proven by his indelible impression left on the parishes and communities he has served over the past 25 years. As parochial vicar, he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima, Freehold from 1989 to 1994, then St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, from 1995 to 1997. As Associate Pastor for five years at St. Rose of Lima, Father Dan served as the Director of Religious Education, taught as an Adult Education Instructor, and founded many new ministries including the annual Parish Fair, the Hospitality Committee, the Bereavement Ministry and the Junior CYO. Upon being transferred, Father Dan was presented with a Resolution by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Freehold honoring his service to their community. He was also awarded with a Proclamation from the Township as Award Recipient honoring him "Man of the Year" by the Knights of Columbus. In addition, he was presented the State of New Jersey General Assembly Resolution by Assemblywoman Clare M. Farragher, honoring and commending his faithful and fruitful ministry.

     During 1994-1995, he served as Director of Recruitment in the Diocesan Office of Vocations. He revamped the diocesan recruitment posters to appeal to younger people and his schedule was filled with speaking engagements at many schools.

     Moving to Holy Trinity Parish in 2002, Father Dan started several new ministries in the parish, created a restructured parish program for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and a marketing committee for increasing enrollment at Holy Trinity School was formed. He also focused on renovation of the church and rectory and revamped the music program for the adult and children's choir.

     In the Fall of 2005, Father Dan came to St. Benedict Catholic Church and School in Holmdel, where he has served as Pastor for the past nine years, his longest assignment. Turning the Parish around since then, St. Benedict's proudly offers over 90 ministries at the church and school, as well as the formation of several consultative bodies, including the most recent addition of a Stewardship Council. Under Father Dan's faithful leadership, St. Benedict has been named "Top 100 Parishes in the United States" by Parish Catalyst. Recently, the renovations for both the  church and school are now underway, with the addition of an Adoration Chapel being a major part of the renovations. Both Father Dan and the parishioners feel blessed to have been a part of this journey and to witness his 25th Anniversary of Ordination which will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th.

     The call to priesthood was not inspired by a person, but rather a "desire to bring other people to see God in their lives," as Father Dan explains it. Praising his family as his "domestic church," the first to show him God's love, we are grateful his calling has given us the past 25 years to witness a remarkable journey and many more to follow. Come to Mass any Sunday at St. Benedict Church and see this calling come to life. Come and see.

Mass of Thanksgiving commemorating his 25th Anniversary of Ordination
Sunday, June 8th, 2014
12:30 pm
www.stbenedictnj.org