Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney installed Father Hernan Cely as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township during a Mass on Nov. 23. Bishop Sweeney named him pastor of St. Vincent’s in July.
Many priests, including Father Cely, concelebrated the installation Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and main celebrant.
Father Cely was born on May 28, 1981 in Covarachia Boyaca Colombia to Ildefonso Cely. In his native county, he studied philosophy at the Seminary Intermisional St. Luis Beltran and theology at the Seminary St. Jose Obrero.
Also, in Colombia, Father Cely worked as an adviser to the diocesan youth ministry and a school for the formation of catechists. During five years of theology studies, he conducted pastoral work in parishes for training and community projection.
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli ordained Father Cely to the priesthood of the Paterson Diocese on May 25, 2013. That year, he was named parochial vicar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in the Flanders neighborhood of Mount Olive Township.
Father Cely was named administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic in 2017 and then pastor the following year. He went on a yearlong sabbatical before coming to St. Vincent’s.
— Michael Wojcik
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
