Meet Our Staff
Pastoral Staff
Pastor
Fr. Benny Prado
I am originally from Nicaragua and arrived to the United States as a teenager in 1988. I wound up spending the opening chapters of my new American life in the Bronx. It was a rough at first because I did not speak English and I was on my own living with my mother’s relatives. Six months later my dad arrived and a year later my mother with my sister came. We eventually left the South Bronx and made our way to Van Cortland Park, the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
I attended college at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, where I earned a BA in Philosophy and Theology. I then entered Immaculate Conception Seminary earning an M Div. and MA in Theology and was ordained a priest on May 29, 2004. My first assignment was at the Parish of the Resurrection in Jersey City, followed by Sts. Peter and Paul in Hoboken from 2005 – 2012 and The Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River from 2012-2017.
I thank God for the gift of my vocation, my ministry as a priest and to Archbishop Joseph Cardinal Tobin for appointing me as Administrator in 2017 and Pastor in 2018. May God continue to bless our journey together here at St. Teresa in Montclair.
Faith Formation Coordinator
Mary Peters
My name is Mary Peters, and I am the Family Faith Formation Coordinator. I am overjoyed to be at St. Teresa‘s, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve your family as we grow together in our Catholic faith. Our Family Faith program is available to all registered parishioners, grades 1-9. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have in regards to our unique “class & mass” program.
Cantor and Technology
Joshua Benevento
Joshua Benevento M.M., joined the parish staff in the fall of 2016. Named “a substantial tenor” by Opera News, Mr. Benevento currently sings with the Metropolitan Opera Extra Chorus which led him to a Grammy Award for his involvement in the recording of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Achievements on the recital stage brought him to Carnegie Hall after winning first place in the Liederkranz Competition. Joshua has sung leading roles on several opera recordings, most recently as Judge Danforth in Ward’s The Crucible which won the Opera News Critics Choice Award. Active as a private teacher and adjunct voice faculty at the State College of New York at Purchase, combined with years of experience in liturgical music, Joshua brings a unique skill set to our parish music ministry program.
Administrative Staff
Parish Secretary
Samantha Fusi
Samantha was born in Italy and, after spending 15 years in the UK, moved to the US in 2008. She has been living in Montclair with her husband and 2 children, who are 18 and 20, since then. She has worked in the Parish office for over 7 years, assisting among other things with Mary’s Pantry, Pope Francis Garden and many parish events. Samantha has always devoted part of her time to serving others. She started as a girl scout many years ago and in more recent years has volunteered at the Human Needs Food Pantry and is part of the Domestic Violence Response Team for Montclair. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, often around a table with good food.
Receptionist
Lucilla Pierini
Born and raised in Florence, Italy, Lucilla moved to Glen Ridge 10 years ago with her husband and two teenage children who are the main beneficiaries of her personal time and Italian cuisine.
She worked in the fashion industry in the US and Europe. Most recently she volunteered her time in various positions at Glen Ridge High School and other community organizations. She is the new admin assistant to Fr Benny, providing support to the parish office and community.
Cemetery Supervisor
Chrissy Nasce
Being raised in Montclair, I have developed many relationships throughout the community. In my role as Cemetery Supervisor at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, these relationships allow me to treat those around me as if they were my own family. I pride myself in providing dignified care for your loved ones during the most difficult time. If I can be of assistance during your grief journey, please feel free to contact me.