ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY IRISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION Seton Hall University President Msgr. Joseph R. Reilly Honored as Irishman of the Year First Vice Chair of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade Susan H. Gartland Honored as Irishwoman of the Year

Newark, NJ –  Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted the Annual Essex County Irish Heritage Celebration on Wednesday, March 25^th. During the afternoon ceremony, the County Executive recognized Msgr. Joseph R. Reilly, President of Seton Hall University, as the 2026 Essex County Irishman of the Year and Susan H. Gartland, First Vice Chair of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as the 2026 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year. The Irish Heritage event recognizes the impact Irish men and women have had on the cultural, civic, political, law enforcement and economic history of the County.

“I have always said that the strength of Essex County lies in the diversity of the people living and working within our borders. This diversity stems throughout every corner of the county and highlighting the contributions that each ethnicity has had on our economy, culture and history are part of what creates our sense of community,” DiVincenzo said. “Msgr. Kelly and Susan have helped shape the quality of life in our County through their leadership and civic involvement. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and the positive impact they have had,” he added.

Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D., began his tenure as the University’s 22nd president on July 1, 2024. He brings to the presidency a deep understanding of Seton Hall’s identity as a leading Catholic university and a robust vision to elevate its standing among the leading institutions in American higher education.

A Mountainside native, Monsignor Reilly attended Seton Hall Prep and graduated from the University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1991 and then served as a parochial vicar at St. Paul in Ramsey and St. Andrew in Bayonne. In 1995, he joined the staff of Seton Hall Prep, where he served as a faculty member and chaplain. Seven years later, he returned to the University as Rector of the College Seminary at St. Andrew’s Hall. In 2012, he was named Rector/Dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, where he served until 2022. During this period, he helped strengthen the University’s Catholic foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees. After a year’s sabbatical, he undertook his most recent post as Vice Provost of Academics and Catholic Identity. In this role, he worked to integrate the University’s Catholic mission into academics – particularly local and international initiatives, and academic programs that make Seton Hall an icon of Catholic higher education.

He has served as a member of the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board, Advisory Committee on Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests, Archdiocesan Vocations Board and the Board of Trustees of Seton Hall. His appointment marks the return of a priest-president to Seton Hall, which has been a hallmark of the University for 146 years of its 168-year history.

Monsignor Reilly has played key roles in multiple pontificates. St. John Paul II named him a chaplain to His Holiness in 2005 with the title of Reverend Monsignor and Pope Francis appointed him a Missionary of Mercy in 2015. In addition, he has served the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Faithful Citizenship Strategy Committee and the Catholic Social Teaching Task Force.

“The priesthood is really about representing people, and I try to make people the heart of everything I do, especially at the university,” Msgr. Reilly said. “This is a meaningful and appreciated honor and it combines two things that make my life, and those are my Irish upbringing and my duties as a priest,” he added.

Susan H. Gartland has lived a life dedicated to service, tradition, and community. Born in East Orange and raised in West Caldwell, Susan was guided early on by strong values that would shape her life’s path. She is a graduate of St. Aloysius Grammar School, Mt. Saint Dominic Academy, and The College of Mount St. Vincent.

Susan’s call to serve led her into public life, where she dedicated 24 years to the Borough of Caldwell, first as a Councilwoman and later as Mayor. In her professional career, she also served the State of New Jersey in the Department of Consumer Affairs as Executive Director of the Board of Physical Therapy and the Board of Optometric Physicians. Her service did not end with retirement; it simply took on new meaning. She continues to give of her time and talents as a member of the Caldwell Public Library Board of Trustees, Vice Chairwoman of the Caldwell Public Library Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi.

But it is through the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade that Susan’s Irish spirit truly shines. What began as the honor of being named Deputy Grand Marshal became a lasting commitment to a tradition so rich in heritage and heart. Serving as General Chairwoman of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee from 2021 through 2025, Susan led with pride, perseverance, and a deep love for all the Parade represents. Today, as First Vice Chair, she continues to guide and inspire, helping to keep the tradition alive and the spirit of Ireland strong in the streets of Newark.

“Joe told me that I have been around for many years, but to be recognized in this manner is truly humbling and amazing,” Gartland said. “I am more truly honored than I can express and it’s even more special because I am surrounded by people I love,” she added.

Essex County’s Annual Irish Heritage Celebration is one of several cultural observances hosted by the Essex County Executive and the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action. The events are held to raise awareness about the rich ethnic diversity and backgrounds of County employees.

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