Hello! I am Fr. Dave, and I want to send you my greetings as your pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church. In my Philadelphia style, let me begin by saying I was baptized in Immaculate Conception, Germantown, PA: and raised in Holy Cross Parish in West Mount Airy. I graduated from Holy Cross School, Cardinal Dougherty HS, and LaSalle College (now University) before my seminary journey to priesthood. I attended St Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. I was ordained on May 28, 1983, at St. John Cosco in Millville, NJ (my deacon assignment).
I am my parent’s 7th child, 5th soon their 11 children, 4 of whom are now in their 70’s. I moved to New Jersey when I was ordained as Deacon and haven’t looked back across the river. I love our Souther New Jersey Catholic Church here among the parishes of the Camden Diocese!
In 2005, I became pastor of St. Michael’s in Gibbbstown and Guardian Angels School; of St. John, Paulsboro, in 2008. In 2008, I was also appointed the Convener of the proposed new parish including St. Joseph’s Swedesboro to create St. Clare of Assisi Parish in September of 2010.
Locally, I began priestly ministry at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Bellmawr (1983) and was involved in St. Francis resales School. I had the wonderful opportunity to work own Pre-Cana in Haddonfield from 1987-2003, so if you are between 17 and 33 years married, we hay have met at Pre-Cana.
May we each and all be safe and healthy. Trust in God and know we are blessed as we begin each school year. Please pray for me, Fr. Kim, Deacon Rafferty, and Mrs. Fern love and our truly committed staff, faculty, and volunteers.
Let us help one another to live in the peace of Jesus Christ!
Fr. Dave Grover