Bishop Joseph A. Galante has announced that Father Matthew Hillyard, OSFS, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, will become pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel/Fatima, Camden, effective June 15.
Father Hillyard continues his position as rector of the Cathedral, pastor of Holy Name, Camden, and convener in the merging of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel/Fatima, Holy Name, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Father Hillyard, born in Alexandria, Va., joined the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales after graduating high school in 1979. He earned his undergraduate degree at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, and has two master’s degrees, one in church history from The Catholic University of America and one in theology from de Sales School of Theology, both in Washington, D.C. He was ordained on June 8, 1991.
He taught at Father Judge High School, Philadelphia, 1984-86, and at Allentown College, 1991-94. He was chaplain at Paul VI High School, Fairfax, Va. from 1994-2000, and from 2000-08, spent time at Ireton High School in Alexandria, Va., his alma mater.
From 2000-2003, he was chaplain, and he was principal there from 2003-08, when he left to become rector at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.