Bishop Dennis Sullivan announces the following pastor appointments:
– Father Vincent Guest from parochial vicar, Parish of the Holy Cross, Bridgeton, to pastor, Parish of the Holy Cross, Bridgeton, for a six-year term, effective Aug. 5.
– Father Ariel Hernandez from pastor, Parish of the Holy Cross, Bridgeton, to pastor, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Newfield, for a six-year term, effective Aug. 5.
Father Guest, 53, originally from Philadelphia, is a graduate of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Temple University Law School, the University of Pennsylvania, Fels Center of Government, and the Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
He was ordained on May 19, 2012, by Bishop Joseph Galante, and was assigned to Parish of the Holy Cross shortly thereafter.
Father Hernandez, 39, studied at Jesus Buen Pastor Seminary in Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina, and was ordained on May 24, 2003, in St. Agnes Church, Blackwood, by Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio.
He was administrator at Immaculate Conception, Bridgeton (2008-10); St. Teresa of Avila, Bridgeton (2009-10); and St. Michael, Cedarville (2009-10) before the three parishes merged, along with St. Mary, Rosenhayn, into Parish of the Holy Cross in 2010. After the merger, Father Hernandez was named pastor.
He also served as parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Vineland (2003-07), and St. Bridget, Glassboro (2007-08). He was assistant vicar for Hispanics (2006-09), and chaplain of the Padre Pio Shrine, Buena Borough (2006-07).