All Bets on Christ Father Colavito happily moves from political, government realms to priesthood By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor
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n the five years he worked as an assistant to a commissioner with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, Father Christopher J. Colavito became very familiar with the glitz of Atlantic City attractions. He was a man in his 20s who enjoyed a fashionable lifestyle, living in a three-bedroom townhouse and other perks he could well afford. What his lucrative salary did not provide, he later learned, was the “something more” he found in St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, which was not far from his workplace and situated in the midst of an impoverished area impacted by hunger, homelessness, drug use, prostitution, gangs and violent crime. While driving past “St. Nick’s” was part of his commute to work, it wasn’t until he actually stopped the car, went inside and started attending regularly that he found his way back to the Church a number of years later. The experience would ultimately help him to recognize his desire to become a priest, and set him on a course that led to his ordination June 4 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the Diocese of Trenton.
“This is where God is calling me. This is what God wants me to do.” Born in Toms River, Father Colavito is the son of Ernest and Nancy Colavito and has one brother, Michael. The new priest’s sacramental life took shape in Toms River, beginning with his Baptism in St. Justin the Martyr Church, followed by his First Holy Communion and Confirmation in St. Joseph Church. When he was in his late teens, Father Colavito stopped attending Mass altogether. “Life and other things became my priority,” said the 37-year-old. He cites the work and example of St. Nicholas Parish as instrumental in his return to the Church years later. Father Colavito explained that he enjoyed attending Mass there and appreciated all the parish did to provide outreach to the community – holding food and school supply drives and operating a food pantry and a religious articles shop. But it was witnessing the humble, yet strong leadership style of then-pastor, Msgr. William Hodge, that Father Colavito cites as a major factor in his discernment.
“He’s an amazing priest and he had a way of bringing people into the fold,” Father Colavito said, extending deep appreciation to Msgr. Hodge for his wisdom and insights. Even before knowing Msgr. Hodge and the community of St. Nicholas Parish, Father Colavito had shown signs of a possible call to the priesthood. He related that prior to his Atlantic City work, he had served as a political consultant for local and state campaigns and came to know well Ocean County politicos Tim Ryan and Delores Coulter. He recalled their telling him, “You’re not listening to what God is calling you to.” Father Colavito admitted, “All along I was resisting what I was hearing.” After more than 10 years in the workforce, which included a two-year stint managing the Manahawkin office of the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles, the 31-year-old decided it was time for a lifestyle change and went from the political and business worlds to one of service as a priest. He traded his townhouse for a nine-foot by-nine-foot “dorm-style room with a shared bathroom down the hall” in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore. Father Colavito
Father Christopher J. Colavito remembers that living with about 80 other guys and sacrificing general independence took some getting used to. But the energetic, effervescent former public servant found seminary life to be “a blast.” “I’m an outgoing guy who loves to talk to everyone. I loved hearing the different seminarians share their stories and how God called them at this point in their life,” Father Colavito said. In the seminary, he was awarded a bachelor of sacred theology, master of divinity and master of theology degrees. This education adds to his previously earned associates degree in liberal arts from Ocean County College; bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University, and master’s degree in American History from Monmouth University, West Long Branch. Father Colavito looks forward to continuing his journey in Burlington County. He will serve as parochial vicar in the parishes of St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton, and St. John Neumann, Mount Laurel, and as chaplain of Holy Cross Academy, Delran. “This definitely isn’t a job,” he said. “This is more. This is where God is calling me. This is what God wants me to do.”
RIGHT AT HOME • Father Colavito celebrates his first Mass June 4 in St. Barnabas Church, Bayville. Father Colavito realized his priestly vocation after having spent many years in political and state government roles. Jeff Bruno photo JUNE 16, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com •
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