Memorial Mass for Msgr. Stephen J. Patch, our Founding Pastor

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the 11:00 AM Mass, our parish family at Corpus Christi Church will commemorate what would have been the 100th birthday of our founding pastor, Monsignor Stephen J. Patch (born November 26, 1925).

Stephen Joseph Patch was born in Morristown, New Jersey, the son of Stephen Patch and Alice Mansfield. He was raised in Saint Margaret’s Parish in Morristown and graduated from Saint Margaret’s School (1937), Oratory School in Summit (1941), Seton Hall College in South Orange (1945), and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington (1949). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Paterson by Bishop Thomas A. Boland on June 11, 1949, at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral in Paterson.

Early Assignments
 Fr. Patch served as parochial vicar in several parishes:

• Saint Monica, Sussex (1949 – three months)
• Saint Vincent Martyr, Madison (1949–1958)
• Saint Thérèse, Paterson (1958–1959)
• Saint Patrick, Chatham (1959–1962)
• Our Lady of Mercy, Whippany (1962–1965)

Service to the Diocese
 A man of talent, charm, and generosity, Msgr. Patch made many contributions to the wider diocesan Church. In 1950, he began teaching religion part-time at the former Bayley-Ellard Diocesan High School in Madison (now the campus of Saint Paul Inside the Walls), beginning a lifelong involvement in Catholic education as both teacher and fundraiser. His work there also allowed him to form strong relationships with many Catholic families in southeastern Morris County.

In 1959, he was appointed District Director of the Pre-Cana Program, which led him to pursue graduate studies in Marriage and Family Life at Seton Hall University. Later, in 1975, he was named Director of Diocesan Funding—an office that evolved into the Department of Diocesan Development the following year. In this role, he founded the Casey Classic golf tournament to support the Department for Persons with Disabilities. He later served two terms on the Priests Personnel Board (beginning in 1981) and two terms as Dean of Southeastern Morris County (beginning in 1984).

Founding of Corpus Christi Parish
In October 1965, during the illness of Monsignor William Looney, Fr. Patch was appointed Administrator of Saint Patrick’s Parish, Chatham. His experience in the area led him to advocate for a second parish in the Chathams. In June 1966, most of Chatham Township was separated from Saint Patrick’s Parish to form the new Corpus Christi Parish, with Fr. Patch as its founding pastor. He chose the Eucharistic title “Corpus Christi” himself. His vision took shape through years of prayer, planning, and fundraising, culminating in the completion of the church in 1990.

The years following the Second Vatican Council were a challenging time to begin a new parish, especially with evolving ideas about liturgy and church architecture. Under Fr. Patch’s leadership, Corpus Christi first built a multi-purpose structure containing a chapel, gymnasium, offices, and classrooms—designed to meet many needs. A quarter-century later, once post-conciliar changes had settled, he led the parish in building a new, permanent church to enhance its worship life.

Recognition and Legacy
Pope Saint John Paul II honored Fr. Patch by naming him a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) on February 25, 1984. He retired from active ministry on September 17, 1990, continuing to reside at Corpus Christi as Pastor Emeritus until his passing on July 20, 1993.

Paterson’s sixth bishop, Frank J. Rodimer, was a contemporary of Msgr. Patch and two years his junior. The two often traveled together as students on the Erie Lackawanna trains from Morris County to Summit and South Orange. Bishop Rodimer fondly recalled that while he could study on the train from Rockaway to Morristown, once Steve Patch boarded, the books were put away—because he would entertain his fellow students for the rest of the trip. From an early age, he had a gift for bringing people together.

A Lasting Example
Monsignor Patch’s leadership, generosity, and pastoral heart profoundly shaped the spiritual life of our parish and community. As we mark this centenary of his birth, we give thanks for his faithful ministry, his example of selfless service, and the enduring legacy of faith he leaves among us.