HILLSDALE, N.J.—St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale has welcomed Donald Caputo as its new director of lifelong faith formation, effective Sept. 1.
The parish announced the appointment “with joy and excitement about the future growth of the faith formation program and new initiatives” on Saturday, Aug. 29, which marked the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on the Catholic liturgical calendar.
Parish leaders said the new position reflects their commitment to expanding faith formation for people at every stage of life.
Working closely with the pastor, clergy, parish staff, catechists and ministry leaders, Caputo will serve as the parish’s catechetical leader. He will develop, coordinate and implement Catholic faith formation for children, youths and adults while assisting St. John’s Academy in the same mission.
His responsibilities will include sacramental preparation and other programs intended to encourage evangelization, discipleship and active participation in Sunday liturgies and parish life.
He also will work to strengthen collaboration among the parish’s ministries and help foster a mission-driven community rooted in the Gospel.
Caputo described the position as a “second calling” following a successful professional career and years of involvement in Catholic education and parish ministry. He is currently in formation and discerning a vocation to the permanent diaconate.
He comes to St. John’s from Immaculate Conception Parish in Secaucus, where he served in numerous pastoral and educational roles. Those included director of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, assistant parish catechetical leader, religious education and adult formation instructor, confirmation leader, altar server trainer and parish bulletin editor.
Caputo also has served as a sacristan, eucharistic minister and lector and has participated in youth, vocation, singles and
family ministries. A fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, he was recently recognized by his council as Knight of the Year.
He holds a master’s degree in theology, earned with honors, from St. Joseph’s College of Maine and has completed certifications in Catholic doctrine, lay leadership and catechesis through the Archdiocese of Newark. Parish officials said he brings to the position a deep commitment to the Eucharist and to the Catholic Church’s catechetical and evangelizing mission.
Before entering full-time parish ministry, Caputo spent 40 years working in finance and legal services. For approximately two decades, he served as chief internal auditor for a global law firm with offices in the United States, elsewhere in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Following a major merger, his responsibilities extended to 47 offices and more than 4,000 attorneys.
His work required extensive international travel and collaboration with professionals from a variety of countries and cultures. The parish said that experience strengthened his skills in leadership, accountability, organizational renewal and managing growth—qualities he now brings to his new ministry at St. John’s.
For information about St. John the Baptist’s sacramental, catechetical and lifelong faith formation programs, visit stjohnhillsdale.org or call 201-664-3131.