September 4, 2010

Monsignor Fimiani passed away Friday morning, September 3rd at 10:30AM. Thursday was one of his better days since he was hospitalized, and he was very pleased and consoled that the people of St. Michael's Parish came out Wednesday night to show their love for him at the Prayer Service. He was especially pleased that his very good friend Bishop Marconi and Father Warren Hall were there to preside alongside of Father Ed.

A viewing is to be held at St. Michael's Church on Wednesday, September 8 from 12 Noon to 7PM. It will be followed with a Mass of the Resurrection at 7:30PM. Father McGovern planned the evening liturgy so that as many friends and priests could pay their respects and attend his funeral Mass.

When Msgr. Fimiani retired from Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland he had many options available to him. He knew that he was not quite ready for “a rocking chair” and wanted to join a parish where he could still interact with the parishioners and be of assistance to the pastor and priests.

He developed a close friendship with Father McGovern when they served together at St. Teresa’s in Summit in the late 1960’s and early 70’s. That bond, coupled with the appeal of an active parish in a lovely town, drew him to St. Michael’s in Cranford, where he began his “retirement” as our Monsignor in residence.

Msgr. Fimiani was born in Newark and grew up in Bloomfield with his parents and brother. He attended Seton Hall Prep and is a graduate of Seton Hall University. He and his family were very active at the parish of St. Francis Xavier in Newark, and he describes his interaction with the priests there as very influential on his decision to enter the priesthood. Newly ordained in 1960, Msgr. Fimiani considers the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) as a highlight of his first years in the priesthood. He recently celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in a get-together that was extremely well-attended by parishioners, past and present, and friends from his many assignments over the years. (Read about the 50th Anniversary >>)

First stationed at St. Teresa’s in Summit, he served from 1960-1975, sharing 10 of those years of service with Father McGovern. He moved to Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange for 2 years before becoming the pastor at St. Bernard’s in Plainfield, where he served for an additional 10 years. He was then asked to become the pastor at The Holy Family Church in Nutley, a position he held for an additional 11 years. His final position before retirement was at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland.

Of course, retirement for him was only a state of mind. Msgr. Fimiani was very happy to be reunited with Father McGovern in a parish that he described as welcoming and gracious. He celebrated Mass on a regular basis and enjoyed meeting parishioners and “connecting names and faces.” He was also a frequent visitor to St. Michael’s School and Religious Education program. During Lent he presented a Lenten Scripture Series, and he initiated other similar programs during different times of the liturgical year .

A big fan of classical music, Msgr. Fimiani used to play the piano and organ and loved to travel and cruise. He enjoyed a very active retirement here at St. Michael’s and will be sorely missed by parishioners and friends.