Holy Bones Ministry
Father John Aherne, OFM
Marie Cioletti, President
Marie Cioletti, President
John Aherne, OFM is a Franciscan friar, priest, and pastor of St. Mary's Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ. He is especially proud that Holy Bones has its origins here at our Parish. In many ways, Holy Bones is an ideal Franciscan Ministry (St. Francis loved his animals!), it serves people who are often overlooked & marginalized, and builds community. When he is not pastoring St. Mary's, Fr. John enjoys running, crossword puzzles and all things Irish!
Marie Cioletti, President
Marie Cioletti, President
Marie Cioletti, President
In February 2022, a parishioner, Pat Carnevale, came to Marie about the possibility of starting a work employment program that would employ individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to bake and package all natural dog treats. In April 2022, Marie formed an Advisory Board to begin planning. On September 19, 2022, the first Holy Bones were made in the kitchen of St. Mary’s Church. Holy Bones currently employs 30 bakers with special needs and 2 kitchen managers. There are 18 volunteers who come to help on a weekly basis.
Marie is widowed, has three sons and 9 grandchildren. She enjoys spending time and vacationing with her family. She really enjoys working in this ministry and feel that she always gets more than she gives, which for Marie, is truly a gift.
Director & Advisory Board
Karen Niemann, Director
Bio to Come
Tom Abazia, Advisory Board
Tom has been a member of the Advisory Board since its inception in May 2022. Besides his regular board duties, Tom advises the team on equipment usage and purchase of new equipment and systems. Tom has been involved with St. Mary’s Special Needs Ministry for over 20 years and is excited to support and grow Holy Bones in providing our bakers with the opportunity to experience a work environment.
Andy Piccirillo, Advisory Board
Suzanne Freedman, Advisory Board
Suzanne Freedman, Advisory Board
Andy graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in accounting. He received the CPA designation in the state of New Jersey and spent over 40 years in the industry with a specialty in taxation. He has been involved with special needs ice hockey, running the NJ Dare Devils for the past 20 years. His association with Holy-Bones started in 2024 as a board member with the task of growing the supermarket business and establishing an e commerce business. It is an honor to be Andrew’s dad -- one of the Holy Bones Bakers.
Suzanne Freedman, Advisory Board
Suzanne Freedman, Advisory Board
Suzanne Freedman, Advisory Board
Suzanne has been a member of the Holy Bones Advisory Board since the inception of the ministry in 2022. She manages several aspects of the marketing and business of Holy Bones. Currently, she is the owner of Tanner's Canine Resort in Waldwick, NJ. She enjoys working with Holy Bones because it brings her joy to help out and spend time with the bakers and the other members of the board. Suzanne has two sons and enjoys spending time with friends, especially at the jersey shore.
The Bakers
Andrew
Madison
Madison
I have been a baker at Holy Bones since 2022. My responsibilities include baking, packaging, and labeling. I love my job and my co-workers and look forward to work each week!
I play ice hockey for the NJ Dare Devils. I have been a member of that team for 20 years. I am an avid gamer who loves Mario Brothers and Call of Duty. I am a huge College Football fan routing for Alabama! Roll Tide! I also follow the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, and Devils.
I have a passion for computers and built three working computers from scratch.
Madison
Madison
Madison
Madison is 24 years old and has been working at Holy Bones since September 2022. She loves working with all of her coworkers and friends! I get to meet new friends and it’s so much fun. I enjoy yoga and sewing and playing ball with my dog Macy.
Matthew
Madison
Matthew
Matthew is a new baker at Holy Bones, and has truly been enjoying his time here! When he isn't at Holy Bones, Matthew also volunteers at the Wayne Board of Education's Transportation Department, where he routinely organizes files. At home, Matthew spends most of his free time playing the Wii, particularly enjoying games such as Monopoly, and Wheel of Fortune. Matthew loves listening to music, hanging out with his friends, and participating in Special Olympics Bowling.
Steven
Samantha
Matthew
Steven loves his job at Holy Bones! He has been working as a baker since 2022. One of the joys of working there is seeing his friends and coworkers and having lunch with them. In his spare time he enjoys music, singing, watching movies and playing video games. Steven adores playing with his aunt’s dog, Penny, and she loves eating Holy Bones biscuits.
John
Samantha
Samantha
John has been baking bones for 3-4 years. He has 3 Sisters and 16 neices and nephews. He loves celebrations with his family and attends Mass every Sunday with his parish community.
He likes bowling, miniature golf, work outs at gym and volunteering at Fr English food pantry in Paterson. He loves TV golf, football, basketball and especially game shows!
Samantha
Samantha
Samantha
My name is Sam and I have been a baker at Holy Bones since June 2023. I have 3 dogs named Ranger, Dakota and Tundra. I enjoy Holy Bones because I like to make dog treats with my friends. When I am not at Holy Bones I play basketball and softball for Special Olympics. Softball is my number 1 favorite sport to play.
James
Matthew
Matthew
James has worked at Holy Bones since it first opened in September 2022! James enjoys working with such kind people and has learned so much about the dog biscuit business. James also volunteers at a local middle school and hospital, and he regularly participates in Special Olympics sports. His favorite hobby is following WWE, and he can tell you all there is to know about it! James loves time with his family, helping others, and especially taking care of his puppy, Olivia!
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
Matt has been working as a baker since Holy Bones first opened . He enjoys making the dog bones and when not baking he enjoys video games and going to parties in the community !
Alex
Matthew
Sarah
Alex is thrilled to have joined the Holy Bones crew in April, 2025. He grew up attending St. Pius X in Montville. Alex likes Veggie Tales cartoons, jigsaw puzzles, and Star Wars movies. He always has dogs around – both his own and those he dog sits - and he enjoys the thought of making treats for so many Holy Bones customers.
Sarah
Sarah
Sarah
Sarah has been working as a baker since January 2025. She looks forward to coming to bake bones and bits and talk with other workers. Sarah also works in the family business -- The Dawg Vacation House of NJ. She is in charge of feeding the pets that we care for...her favorite is Jacks, our dog, who we adopted in December of 2020. Sarah participates in the Special Olympics. She enjoys playing Pokémon and going bowling and swimming. In the fall, she also plays and coaches soccer.
Lauri
Sarah
Lauri
Lauri has been working as a baker since Nov 2022. She enjoys spending time with her friends and volunteers.
She likes to participate in Special Olympics and being with her nephews and neice. She feels good about making dog bones to reward good pets.
Kim
Sarah
Lauri
Kim has been working as a baker since the beginning of Holy Bones. She loves baking and coming to St. Mary's to work as well as being with her friends. Kim attends the Pride Program in Chatham when she is not working at Holy Bones. She has a Shih Tzu named Beau and he is 8 years old. she takes very good care of him.
Patty
Tristan
Patty
Patty has been working with Holy Bones since February 2024. She enjoys the friendships she has made at Holy Bones and looks forward to going to work. Some of her other interests include playing bocce (Special Olympics), bowling, going to the movies, and making Diamond Dot art. Patty also enjoys going to the dances sponsored by St.Mary’s Special Needs Ministry.
Owen
Tristan
Patty
Owen has been working at Holy Bones as a baker since September 2024. He enjoys making the bits. He has a dog named Woody and they have a special bond. When Owen is not at Holy Bones he is either working, participating in Special Olympics or hanging out with his friends and family. He loves being a part of the Holy Bones Family.
Tristan
Tristan
Elizabeth
Tristan has been working as a Baker since April 2024. Tristan enjoys being a part of the church community and working with his friends at Holy Bones.
When Tristan is not working, he is home helping his father and spending time with family.
Elizabeth
Christopher
Elizabeth
Elizabeth has been a baker since the start of Holy Bones. She loves having a job and working with her friends. She is a dancing phenom and is involved in Special Olympics sports.
Christopher
Christopher
Christopher
Christopher has been working as a baker at Holy Bones for the past 2 years. He enjoys spending time with the other bakers and volunteers. Christopher enjoys reading science fiction, movies and caring for his french bulldog named Emmett.
Jaci
Christopher
Christopher
Jaci has been with Holy Bones since it first opened and enjoys her work experience. She has 1 brother & enjoys going to many sporting events for her niece & nephew. Every Sunday she attends church with her parents. Music is her special talent & she takes vocal music lessons. Her other activities include taking exercise classes, volunteering at her local library and greeting customers at a local cafe.
Taisha
Taisha
Taisha
Taisha started at Holy Bones in the spring 2025. In her spare time she loves all things Disney! She has a Bichon-poo named Cocoa. Taisha enjoys going "Pokeman-Go" hunting with her dad and Cocoa. She likes yoga and exercise and going to Devil hockey games with her family. She helped teach Sunday school with her Dad & brother. She is presently learning sign language. Fun fact about Taisha: She did a food blog called Taishas Table Time—it’s on youtube! Also she was in a rock band!