Camden Catholic High School is proud to announce the founding of a memorial scholarship fund to honor the life and legacy of beloved former Rector, Reverend Father Joseph “Father Joe” Capella. The Reverend Father Joseph Capella scholarship fund will benefit students who demonstrate a great commitment to their Catholic faith through their involvement in parish life and service to the community.
One of the founding gifts to the scholarship fund was made by Pepe and Peggy Piperno, longtime friends of Father Joe, who also have consistently supported dozens of Camden Catholic students through their Domenica Foundation scholars program. “Father Joe flourished as a Catholic educational leader during his time at Camden Catholic. He worked diligently to eliminate barriers for families who desperately sought a Catholic education. Myself and my family feel strongly that a scholarship for deserving students is the best way to honor his life and legacy,” shared Pepe.
The Pipernos have also committed to helping fund the renovation and renaming of the Camden Catholic courtyard in Father Joe’s name as the Capella Commons. “Having a physical space in which to remember Father Joe will mean so much to his former students and colleagues as well as the Capella family,” shared Elena Piperno, Domenica Foundation Executive Director.
“Father Joe’s work as a school leader and pastor left an indelible mark on all he met,” shared Jack Wixted, Chairman, Camden Catholic Board of Trustees. “He inspired his parishioners, students, faculty, and staff to center their relationship with Christ in all they said and did to give glory to His sacred name. Camden Catholic was honored to be a part of Father Joe’s life-journey, and we are proud to launch this fund to celebrate his lasting contribution and eternal legacy at CCHS.”
In all of his ministries Father Joe succeeded in providing an incredible Catholic formation program that inspired young people to live out the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ in a transformative manner. His pastoral journey began when he was ordained as a Pallottine priest in St. Joseph's Parish in Hammonton on June 2, 1990 by Most Reverend James McHugh. He served at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Brooklyn, NY from 1990 - 1996, as teacher, chaplain and the rector of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken from 1996 - 2003 and in 2006 Father Joe was incardinated into the Camden Diocese and served at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Mays Landing. He served as pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Stratford from 2006- 2009 followed by Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lindenwold through 2016 at which time Father Joe was assigned to Camden Catholic High School as Director of Catholic Identity. In 2018 he was appointed as Rector at CCHS by Bishop Dennis Sullivan.
During his final address to the Camden Catholic community at commencement ceremonies for the class of 2022, Father Joe left the CCHS family with a parting message that continues to inspire the Camden Catholic students and faculty: “You are now called as alumni of CCHS not to live in the same world as others, but to live in the same world differently…You are loved…Be men and women who share Calvary love with others. And when you may have a dark day, a difficult situation, a tragedy, know that love is with you but also know that it is within you. And you can live in this world in such a different way that others will know, positively, that Jesus Christ is our lord and savior.”
“It is our hope as a community that through this scholarship we will be able to offer a Camden Catholic education to students who will perpetuate Father Joe’s message of Calvary love,” shared Rory Sweeney, Camden Catholic President.
Camden Catholic will host a private event to officially launch the Reverend Father Joseph Capella Memorial Scholarship Fund at the start of the 2024-25 academic year. Plans for the Capella Commons will be unveiled at that time as well.
If you have interest in supporting the Reverend Father Joseph Capella Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit www.camdencatholic.org/give or contact Mrs. Angela Leone Carrozzino, Director of Donor Experience & Alumni Engagement: <angela.leone@camdencatholic.org> or call 856-663-2247 ext. 137.