Priest in New Jersey marks Fourth of July as new U.S. citizen

Published: 2006-07-05

SPARTA, N.J. (CNS) -- As fireworks exploded and backyard barbeques marked the 230th anniversary of the birth of our nation on Independence Day, Father Albert Nix had special reason to celebrate. The Irish-born pastor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, in the Paterson Diocese, became a U.S. citizen at a recent ceremony in Newark. "I am very proud to have become an American and I look forward to being able to vote on the issues that affect this nation and local politics," said Father Nix, whose Fourth of July celebration included watching fireworks July 3 from the boardwalk of Sparta's Lake Mohawk. In celebration of his new citizenship, Father Nix planned to share his love for America and his love of music by singing the national anthem before 4,000 baseball fans at Skylands Park in Augusta July 21 as part of Blessed Kateri's night at the ballpark, the home of the minor league Sussex Skyhawks.

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