Most Rev. Frank J. Rodimer, JCD

Frank J. Rodimer was born to Frank G. and Susan Hiler Rodimer on October 25, 1927 in Rockaway, New Jersey, the second of three children. After graduating from Seton Hall Prep in 1944, he attended St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland, and the old St. Mary's Seminary on Paca Street, Baltimore. He went on to Immaculate Conception, Darlington, New Jersey for Theology in 1947, and in his fourth year as a deacon completed his theological studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, receiving his S.T.L., (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) in 1951.
In that same year, on May 19, in St. John's Cathedral. he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Paterson by Bishop Thomas A. Boland. At 23 years of age, he was the second youngest priest ordained for the diocese.
Following ordination to the priesthood he pursued a degree in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and was awarded a doctorate in 1954. In June 1954, he was appointed Assistant Chancellor of the Diocese of Paterson and Secretary of the Diocesan Tribune. During the time, he served as Assistant Pastor in St. Brendan's Parish, Clifton. He was later appointed first Diocesan Director of Sacred Liturgy. He was named Secretary to Paterson's Bishop James Navagh and attended the Second Vatican Council. In December 1964, he was appointed Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Consultors.
He was the Administrator of Our Lady of the Lake parish in Sparta from April 1967 to January 1968, at which time he became the pastor St. Paul's parish in Clifton. On December 5, 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed him the sixth Bishop of Paterson, the first native born bishop the diocese. He was ordained Bishop on February 28, 1978, in St. John's Cathedral, Paterson, by Archbishop Peter A. Gerety.
One of the new bishop's first priorities was to strengthen the parishes of the Diocese. In September 1978, he began a systematic visitation of all the parishes of the Diocese. Over the next six years, he preached at every Sunday Mass in the Diocese and experienced the diversity of the Diocese in a comprehensive way.
Because of the growth Bishop Rodimer observed in the diocese during visitation, four mission churches we raised to parish status, and eight new parishes were opened. The new bishop encouraged parish communities to reassess their resources and priorities. He also led the diocese in a process of reassessment which resulted in "The Church of Paterson: A Vision" published in 1983 on the fifth anniversary of his episcopal ordination. In that document Bishop Rodimer summed up the local Church's mission as a "as Church of Worship...A Teaching Church...a Church of Service."
Bishop Rodimer's interest in the worshipping Church was shown by his many articles on the Liturgy in his weekly columns in the diocesan newspaper, The Beacon, and in the fifty new or renovated church buildings he blessed in his 26 years as bishop. The summit of his effort was the solemn rededication of the 107-year-old Saint John the Baptist Cathedral after its renovation for the Diocesan Golden Jubilee on December 9, 1987.
The Bishop's concern for the Church as teacher was manifested in a special way when, in 1981, along with Edward L. Hennesy, Jr., he founded the Tri-County Scholarship Fund, which raised 14 million dollars over two decades to help fund scholarships for the Catholic Schools of the diocese. On the adult level, Bishop Rodimer enthusiastically encouraged the restoration of the adult catechumenate of the diocese, presiding at the first Rite of Election at St. Paul's, Clifton in Advent 1980.
Bishop Rodimer's commitment to the diocese as a Church of Service has taken on several aspects. In the summer of 1978, the Bishop journeyed to the Dominican Republic for an intensive immersion course in Spanish in order to reach the growing Hispanic presence in the diocese. Twice in his episcopate, he had led the diocese in successful capital campaigns - the $13 million "Share His Vision" in 1984, and the $64 million "Prepare the Way" in 2000 - both of which helped fund such diverse social outreach initiatives as Straight and Narrow Hospital for addictions, Father English Center in Paterson Hope House in Dover, and a dozen group homes for people with disabilities.
Bishop Rodimer on October 25, 2002, his 75th birthday, submitted his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II, to whom he had made five official ad limina visits over the course of 25 years, and it was accepted in Spring of 2004. As a retired bishop, he resided in Green Pond, Rockaway Township, and continued to assist in nearby parishes and to administer Confirmation as needed. In the Fall of 2017 he moved to St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Totowa, where he was lovingly cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor until his passing on December 6.
Bishop Rodimer was predeceased by his parents, Frank Grant and Susan (nee Hiler) Rodimer and by a brother, Daniel Rodimer.
He is survived by his brother, John Rodimer and his wife, Marylou, of Rockaway; his sister-in-law, Julia Rodimer, of Newton; and his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visitation will be Friday, December 14th from 2:00-7:00 pm and Saturday, December 15th from 8:00-9:30 am at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, cor. Main and Grand Streets, Paterson. Funeral will be Saturday, December 15th at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson.