Meet the Staff

apuzzo@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 13

My name is Br. Ken Apuzzo and I was born in the Bronx, New York City. I have two brothers and two sisters. My family moved to Northern New Jersey (a small town called New Milford) when I was in 3rd grade but it took awhile for the city kid to wear off. I changed from a Public N.Y. school to a Catholic school. The nuns were not impressed by my street smarts and I failed every class that year. One Sister had mercy on me and actually gave me an F+.

Barely surviving Catholic grammar school, I attended public high school and became really involved in sports. I played football, basketball and ran track. In the long run, (get the pun) , I excelled at long distance running and was ranked in the State.

After high school I arrived here On the Banks. If you ever need someone to counsel you in how to survive the RU screw, I am your guy. I was tripled on Livingston even though all my classes were at College Ave. I had no meal card or I.D. card for the first few days of the semester. I took 21 credits (yes-be amazed) my 1st semester even though I had never read a book before in my life. I also racked up quite a few parking tickets in my day. I could swear that RU parking had secret agents that swooped in on you with stealth technology. You never saw them the tickets just magically appeared!

I joined a frat called Squamish had my share of suds and parties and got bored of it all. Thats when I finally decided to figure out what my Catholic faith was about. I went on a student retreat and got blown away by Gods love. It was amazing but by my senior year most of my closest friends had all re-discovered their Catholic faith and Gods love. The impact of Gods love in my life and on my friends was so awesome that I wanted to give something back to God and the Church in gratitude. I got to know the Brotherhood of Hope, a Catholic order of religious brothers, whose mission was to help college students get closer to God.

Well, here I am a Brother and one of your Catholic Chaplains at RU.(The Sisters I had in grammar school now believe in God more than ever). I have been a chaplain at Florida State University, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. My favorite thing to do as a chaplain is to meet with students on a one to one basis. If you ever want to talk just give me a call or drop me an e-mail.

cebulka@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 10

I am a native New Jerseyan, having grown up in rural Chesterfield Township in Burlington County. After graduating college with a degree in religion, I entered the Fransican Order as a brother, during which time I completed a Master of Liturgical Music degree at Catholic University. After leaving the Franciscans, I worked in nearby St. Joesph Church in Bound Brook as director of music and as a faculty member at the parish school where I also served for several years as vice-principal. In addition to the M.L.M. degree, I hold an M.A. in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University and have done graduate studies in liturgy and church history. Teaching is one of my deepest passions and it was no easy decision to give up the classroom when I began to discern the Lord calling me to priestly service.

I entered the seminary in September of 1990, persuing theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Seton Hall. Ordination was in May of 1993 at which point I was assigned to St. Bartholomew Church in East Brunswick where I served as associate pastor and, for three years, as principal of the parish school.

In September of 1998, Fr. Tom & I became two of the founding members of the Metuchen Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri and since that time I have served the community as Provost (superior)

St. Philip Neri, the founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, had a great love for young people and enjoyed being in their company. Ministry with college students is a work that is truly in keeping with the spirit of St. Philip and the tradition of the Oratory. My entire adult life has been spent in working with young people in one way or another and I have been greatly enriched by the experience. I am grateful to the Lord for giving me the grace to work in campus ministry and to be of service to the student community here at Rutgers.

FrKeith@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 33

How ya doin? Born and raised a Jersey Guy, from beautiful Clifton (approximately 13.564932 miles from New York City), I have an affinity for all things Jersey - Bon Jovi, Frank, The Boss, Taylor Ham (don't call it Pork Roll ;)), Rutgers sports, The Shore, and chemical plants... I may have to draw the line at the Jonas Brothers though.

I attended public school my whole life. I excelled and enjoyed math and science, so I decided to come to the Banks for a degree in Chemical Engineering back in a decade I like to call "The Nineties." While at Rutgers, I had a fairly typical engineering experience, lots of classes, lots of cramming and lots of questions about life (like contemplating the Twins Paradox). I also had a great time and met friends that I still hold dear and most importantly I found a real turn in my faith. I always went to Mass with my family, but it was here that I first really lived my faith. I became a Eucharistic Minister and Lector and quickly became involved in the Catholic Center. It was something I loved doing and really was the stepping stone to my future life as a priest.

I graduated in the Year of our Lord, 1999 and worked for a number of years for an Industrial IT company and got to use both my computer and engineering skills while working in chemical, electrical and nuclear plants (see and you thought that line about loving chemical plants was a joke!). I loved my job, but really felt a calling towards something more and was involved in various activities in the Church from serving at my local parish in Edgewater, NJ to helping out with youth groups and Confirmation classes and once again I was amazed at the faith of these young people and wanted to help even more. Eventually, I started to think of the priesthood.

I attended St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore where I received one of the coolest degrees ever... a Master of Divinity... and was ordained by Bishop Paul Bootkoski at the Cathedral of St. Francis in Metuchen, NJ on May 23, 2009. I was blessed to be assigned to Campus Ministry by Bishop Bootkoski in June of 2010 and ask for your continued prayers as I look forward to a wonderful ministry here on the banks.

bropat@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 16

I was born right outside of Philadelphia in Havertown, PA. I spent my high school years in Tampa, FL and went to college at Florida State University (FSU).

Growing up, I loved sports and played them all. As I got older, I focused more on football, swimming and karate. When I moved to Florida, I received my black belt in Tae Kwon Do and during my high school years began teaching the childrens class (not a bad first job!). The beginning of college was probably my loneliest time of my life. I didnt now where I was going, what to study or who to be. Sports werent satisfying me anymore, relationships were getting harder and complicated and my hope with life began to get jaded.

When I went to FSU, I experienced a revival of my faith. My conversion story has lots of drama (Here is the 5 cent version). I was always Irish, Democrat and Catholic. However, the Catholic part was probably the weakest link in my life during my high school and beginning college year. After meeting the brothers from the Brotherhood of Hope, I experienced the Lord Jesus in a new way that words fail to adequately describe. Life began to turn around from the inside out. Decisions werent necessarily easier, but I found the Lord and a community of Catholic students from the Catholic Student Union that loved me and who I could love back.

Now, Im a religious brother (which is a real long story as well- so I will spare you) but ask me sometime. My first assignment was Boston University, in which I served for 8 years and had a one year stint at University of Massachusetts. Im very excited about being at Rutgers and look forward to meeting as many students as I can.

srellen@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 15

I belong to the Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, a closely-knit Community of Religious Sisters whose mission is to bring hope in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and to lead others to know Jesus as their hope. Life has been exciting since I joined the Sisters! I studied at the Franciscan U. of Steubenville, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, taught pre-school, Kindergarten, and 2nd Grade, and was sent to World Youth Days in Rome and Toronto. Like Jesus, I live a life of obedient love, and I am thrilled that the Good Lord has sent me to serve you here at The Catholic Center.

Some background: My family still lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I was born and raised. I am the eldest of four, a nicely balanced mix of two boys and two girls. I enjoyed singing in a variety of choirs, taking ballroom dancing lessons, reading, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, skiing, and traveling. Since my dad had his own business in prosthetics and orthotics, that was the field I entered. My college years at the George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, Ontario were my first years really away from home. I made many friends, and did many things. I did go to Mass every Sunday, but only so that I could truthfully tell my mom that I had. A relationship with God was not high on my list of priorities.

When I returned to Ottawa, I began working for my father and looking for the God of my youth. I realized that while the world that God had created was wonderful, beautiful and so exciting to live in, it really was rather empty without Him. One Friday evening, after attending an evening Mass, I followed the sound of music, and discovered a large group of young people singing religious songs. Many of them were really good-looking young men, and since I was planning on getting married and having 12 children, I joined the group because of the prospect of finding a good, Catholic husband. They called themselves the Prayer & Share group, so, besides getting to know some very fine and holy young men (and young women), through them and with them I also came to know and love Jesus in a very real and personal way. Now I am a (very happy and content!) Sister of Jesus Our Hope, and if you want to know how that happened, come and ask me. I love to tell the story!

coldon@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 12

I am a native of New Jersey, born and raised in East Brunswick. I attended Corpus Christi Elementary School, East Brunswick High School, and took some courses at Middlesex County College, but then elected to go out into the working world. I worked for several years, met and married my husband, and then moved to Hillsborough and started a family. I stayed home for 12 years, raising our sons.

God has blessed my husband and I with two wonderful sons. My oldest, Ryan, is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, with a degree in Information Technology. He lives in Rochester and is employed by the George Eastman House in Rochester as their Webmaster and I.T. Specialist.

My younger son, Matt, graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Business Administration wih a concentration in Economics and Finance. While at Fordham, he played Defensive back for the Rams football team., who won the Patriot League Championship in Matt's Junior year! Matt is employed by ICP Capital Partners in Manhattan, and will graduate with his MBA in May 2010.

My husband and I were always very active in whatever our son's were involved in, particularly sports. Whenever they were on the field, either for practice or games, we were there! Pat coached, and I was either the Team Mom or, in the case of youth football, was the team's Trainer. When the boys started high school, were were active members of their sport's booster clubs.

I am a Eucharistic Minister, love Eucharistic Adoration, and was a catechist for 12 years, getting my Certification as a Master Catechist in the Diocese of Metuchen from Felician College. I also served on my parish's Pastoral Council, was active in Renew, and taught Adult Education. I love football, reading, watching "vintage" TV shows , being by the ocean, and SNOW!

I always had a great love of my Catholic faith and was always active in ministry, so when my boys got older and it was time for me to head back to the workforce, a job at The Catholic Center seemed like a perfect fit for me! I'm in my 13th year at the Center and love working here. I am continually impressed with the caliber of students who grace us with their presence, their ministry, their affection, and their wonderful faith. Stop in the back office and say hello when you come by!

broparker@brohope.net Phone Ext: 16

I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, the oldest of six kids in a great family, full of fun and lots of life. My family lives on a farm, and raises cattle, in Chattahoochee, FL - it's the best Black Angus Burger you'll ever have (yes - even better than Five Guys!). Tallahassee is also the home of the Florida State Seminoles. I grew up a huge fan of the Noles, watching them dominate the college football scene with National Championships in 1993 and 1999. So I was really excited to go there as a student, hoping for more national titles only to see us become the bottom feeders of the ACC during my four years there. (Don't worry, now FSU is really "On the Rise!").

So it's a good thing football wasn't the only thing in my life in college. While at FSU I began to make real steps in my faith. I realized that growing up with a good family I had really taken a lot for granted in my relationship with God. I knew a lot about God, but I didn't really know God. So I began to get more involved with the campus ministry, I started to take time to actually talk to God in prayer and began some real life-lasting friendships. I majored in Biochemistry and was Pre-Med, I wanted to be a doctor and have a large, Catholic family. But while in college, I also got to know the campus ministers there really well, these guys who called themselves "Brother" and wore these grey shirts with Anchors that strangely enough look like the shirt I'm wearing... right... now... (I guess God knew what He was doing, huh?)

I'm a new Brother in our community of the Brotherhood of Hope. I just made my first vows in August of 2010 and then served for a year at Boston University. Now, I'm very excited to be here with you at Rutgers doing what I love, helping college students come to know God's love in their life!

krhystyne.pablo@gmail.com Phone Ext: 34

Hi! I'm Kristy the intern, and I'm a city girl through and through. I was born and raised in Queens, NY, and I still don't have my driver's license. I'm working on it. Until then, you'll see me hanging around on the Rutgers buses, hopefully not getting lost. This past spring, I graduated from Boston University with a degree in neuroscience. I initially participated in the epic saga of Pre-Med, otherwise known as "Several Ways to Die Trying", but I learned it wasn't for me, and that nursing might be more my style. But instead of picking apart brains for cold hard cash or enrolling in a nursing program, I decided to dedicate this year to serving the Lord as a missionary on the Rutgers campus.

As a Filipina, Catholicism was always a part of my family culture, but my faith life really blossomed when I got to BU and got involved with their Catholic Center community. After so many years of Christ trying to search me out, I finally began to discover and pursue Him. I was honored to serve on their inaugural E-board, run a weekly bible study, and direct the 2011 spring retreat (whattup Team Transformers). God had given me a heart for evangelization, and upon returning from an alternative spring break service trip in Detroit, I felt He was asking me to serve in that capacity as a campus ministry intern. So here I am, trading Massachusetts for New Jersey and college hockey for college football. At least our colors are the same - white and scarlet for the win.

I promise I'm far more interesting than an online bio can convey. The best way to find that out is to drop by my office - or even better - meet me over coffee. Or lunch. Or whatever it is that you would like to ingest. I'll be waiting on your call, email, or facebook message. Seriously. I'm waiting. So get to it.

why did you click this then?

We are currently looking for a maintenance worker, this will be updated soon!

arnardino@gmail.com Phone Ext: 42

My name is Anthony Nardino and I grew up in Toms River New Jersey yes, thats down the shore. Back in high school, I spent a few seasons running cross-country and track, but I spent most of my time either on stage or behind a piano. Though I enjoyed those glory days the lime-light, when I went off to college, I decided to use my musical talents in dedication to the Lord through liturgical music.

In 2004, I enrolled in the Catholic University of America and shipped down to D.C. At CUA, I became extremely involved in campus ministry as a whole and particularly in music ministry. Although I was pursuing a music degree, I supplemented that degree with every liturgy class that the school of theology would let me into. In 2008, I graduated with my Bachelor of Music in Pipe Organ Performance and a minor in Theology and Religious Studies; more important than that, however, in my time at CUA I began to learn what it means to be a Catholic Christian and I accepted the faith as my own.

After graduation, I enjoyed a few months at the beach (Seaside Park), and then started up as the director of music ministry here at the Catholic Center. I was thrilled to inherit an amazing music program full of young singers and instrumentalists who all seemed to share two things in common: a love of music and a love of God who could ask for anything more?! Since that first semester, the music program has grown substantially, and were always moving onward and upward.

One of the most amazing things about this ministry is that Im able to witness students at every musical level, from a student with no musical training to a senior about to graduate with a degree in music, coming together in common musical worship. So whether you can sing all 24 Italian Songs and Arias, or if as of now, your solo vocal career only exists in the shower come on by and check out music ministry at the Catholic Center. It would be great to get to know you.

brogary@rci.rutgers.edu Phone Ext: 14

Bro. Gary, show me the money!