REV. MATTHEW J. TWIGGS

VISITATION: SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022 4PM TO 8PM LIGHT RFESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED IN THE SOCIAL HALL DURING THE VISITATION ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE RC CHURCH 5635 BERKSHIRE VALLEY ROAD OAK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY 07438 PRAYER SERVICE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022 7PM ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH 5635 BERKSHIRE VALLEY ROAD OAK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY 07438 LIVE STREAMED: www.facebook.com/ststhomasjohn https://venue.streamspot.com/7lcd47d1 FUNERAL MASS: MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2022 10AM ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE RC CHURCH 5635 BERKSHIRE VALLEY ROAD OAK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY 07438 LIVE STREAMED: www.facebook.com/ststhomasjohn https://venue.streamspot.com/7lcd47d1 INTERMENT: MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2022 FOLLOWING FUNERAL MASS ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CEMETERY ADJACENT TO THE CHURCH Rev. Matthew J. Twiggs, 74 years of age, a retired priest of the Diocese of Paterson, and the former pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oak Ridge, NJ and St. John Vianney Church in Stockholm, NJ, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022. Born on January 22, 1948 in Queens, New York to the late Florence (nee Vajda) and the late Patrick J. Twiggs, having three other siblings. He resided with his family in South Ozone Park, Queens until 1956. His family then moved to Washington Township, in Bergen County, New Jersey. After grammar school, he felt called to the priesthood and attended the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts. After a few months of discernment, he returned to New Jersey and graduated from Westwood High School in Washington Township, New Jersey. In 1965, his ongoing call to the priesthood led him to Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, run by the Salvatorian Fathers. Thus began his long-time love for the Green Bay Packers. He completed his priesthood studies at Mount St. Paul College an continued his theological studies at Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York, run by the Franciscans. On May 5, 1973, he was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop Lawrence B. Casey in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, New Jersey Casey, and has faithfully served in priestly ministry for 49 years. Fr. Twiggs’ first assignment was for five years as a parochial vicar at St. Monica Church in Sussex, New Jersey. During this time, he also taught theology to freshmen students at Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta, New Jersey. In 1978, he became a full-time staff member with assisting the football, baseball, and bowling teams, as well as the Theatre Arts program, and inaugurating the search program. In 1996, Fr. Twiggs was appointed as Pastor of St. John Vianney Church in Stockholm. In 2012, he was appointed as administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oak Ridge, which brought about the linking of St. John Vianney and St. Thomas the Apostle Churches, and was later named Pastor of both. Fr. Twiggs was also the Chaplain of both the Knights of Columbus Council # 12649 at St. John Vianney Church and the Joseph Lamb Council # 5510 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Most recently, upon his retirement while residing in Florida, he assisted both at All Saints Church in Sunrise and at St. Malachy Church in Tamarac. In 2019, Fr. Twiggs received the Person of the Year Award from the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD), an agency of Diocesan Catholic Charities. Fr. Twiggs will best be remembered as a seriously avid Green Bay Packers fan. In his spare time he enjoyed being a beach bum, playing golf, attending Broadway shows, and listening to Neil Diamond songs. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Florence A. Twiggs in 1978, and Patrick J. Twiggs in 2001; and his dear brothers Thomas P. Twiggs in 1996 and Daniel M. Twiggs in 1999, as well as his adored Shadow and Coco. Fr. Twiggs is survived by his loving sister Patricia M. Lick of Sunrise, Florida, his cherished nieces Melissa, Amy, and Lindsay Twiggs, all of Derby, Connecticut; his adored nephews Sean Twiggs of Washington Twp., New Jersey and Kevin Twiggs of West Milford, New Jersey; his cousins Kathleen Pearsall, Maureen Vertuccio, and Eileen Joy; his sisters-in-law Cathie Twiggs of Green Acres, Florida and Carol Twiggs of Derby, Connecticut. The rite of the Reception of the Body will take place on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 3pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5635 Berkshire Valley Road, Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438, followed by the visitation from 4pm to 8pm with a prayer service at 7pm at the church. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 10am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Interment will follow at St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Fr. Matthew J. Twiggs’ name to the Department for Persons with Disabilities, 1 Catholic Charities Way, PO Box 2539, Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438. On line condolences and directions to the church: www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com.

REV. MATTHEW J. TWIGGS

January 22, 1948 - August 7, 2022