Obituary of Rev. Msgr. James M. Cafone S.T.D.

Reverend Monsignor James M. Cafone passed away on Wed, February 25, 2015 at Overlook Hospital, Summit. Monsignor Cafone will be waked at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Ave, South Orange on Sunday March 1, 2015 from 2:00 – 8:00 PM. There will be Evening Prayer from the Office of the Dead at 8:00 PM. On Monday, March 2, 2015, there will be a viewing from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange. The Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM. Following Mass, Monsignor Cafone will be laid to rest alongside his parents at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Lyndhurst, NJ. Arrangements by Preston Funeral Home, South Orange. Monsignor James M. Cafone was ordained a priest by the late Archbishop Thomas A. Boland on May 29, 1965, in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey. The newly-ordained Father Cafone was assigned to Our Lady of the Valley Church in Orange, New Jersey, where for three years he served the people of the parish and the students of the high school with love and dedication. Monsignor Cafone was assigned to Seton Hall University in 1968 having already obtained a master's degree in educational administration and supervision. He went on to receive his pontifical degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America. Since those days he was a valuable member of the faculty of the Department of Religion. Monsignor Cafone's talents were not solely limited to the classroom. In 1972 he was named the Spiritual Director of the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He served in that position until 1985. During that time he continued to be a full and active member of the then Religious Studies Department. While demonstrating his insight and expertise in the formation of young men to the priesthood he was one of the key players in the acquisition of Saint Andrew Church and buildings by the university as the new facility for the college seminary. After the terrible fire which destroyed the church building he immediately spearheaded the reconstruction of the facilities. In 1985 Monsignor Cafone was asked to take on greater responsibilities by the then Archbishop Peter L. Gerety and was named Vice Rector and Director of Formation at Immaculate Conception Seminary which had the previous year returned to new facilities on campus. For five years Monsignor Cafone addressed the new issues which faced the new situation of the seminary as the School of Theology of the university and created new and solid programs for the priestly formation program. Monsignor Cafone's great love was always the teaching of undergraduates. In 1990 he returned to the Department of Religious Studies to begin again the challenge of teaching courses such as, Religious Dimension of Life, Contemporary Moral Values and electives in Catholic Spiritual Life. For years and years each semester he taught more students than any other professor on campus. This remarkable fact was a testimony to his expert knowledge and great rapport with his students. In 1999 Monsignor Cafone was overwhelmingly recommended by the priests on campus and named by the Chancellor and approved by the then Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick as the Minister to the Priest Community. He threw himself wholeheartedly into this position in service to his brother priests for fifteen years. With the changes in the university's by-laws, Monsignor Cafone was appointed a member both of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents. This was certainly a recognition by the Archbishop of Newark of Monsignor Cafone's talents, experience and expertise. He served as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents. In 2005 Pope Saint John Paul II named him Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. Over the course of forty-seven years at Seton Hall University, Monsignor Cafone ministered to students, faculty, administration and staff as an exemplary priest. He offered Mass for the university community; he absolved penitents in the Sacrament of Penance; he counseled and advised; he prepared many young men and women for marriage. He served on numerous university committees. He also served with priestly zeal at many parishes on Sundays. Monsignor Cafone's accomplishments in his field of theology, his reputation as an outstanding teacher and his devoted priestly service, all demonstrated those qualities which characterized him as an extraordinary member of the Seton Hall University community and marked him as a person who had served Seton Hall with distinction and affection and merited him the awarding of the McQuaid Medal in 2012 His family, the Archdiocese of Newark and Seton Hall University all mourn his sudden passing and raise fervent prayers for his heavenly reward. Monsignor was predeceased by his loving parents Michael and Cordelia Cafone and his brothers Edward and John Cafone. He is survived by loving brothers Michael, Paul and Patrick Cafone and his loving sister Agnes McDonnell. His is also survived by his beloved nieces, nephews and grand grandnieces and grand nephews. In lieu of flowers donations to Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079 would be appreciated. For more information or to send condolences please visit prestonfuneralhome.net.