Throughout his lifetime, Father William J. Kelly has amassed quite the range of experiences – with a resume to match.
Before entering religious life – first as a religious brother and later as a priest – he worked as a Catholic Youth Organization coach, park and recreation playground supervisor, religious education teacher, director of religious education, elementary school and high school teacher and a disc jockey. He was also a hospital orderly and later a pediatric nurse, and continues to maintain his nursing license.
Serving as a priest in the Diocese of Camden, he went on to serve in five different parish communities, including his latest assignment as pastor of Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish, Avalon. It was in his time as a diocesan priest, he said, that he felt most at home in his vocation.
“For myself, saying Mass and celebrating the Sacraments are the highlight of my priesthood. Saying Mass is the highlight of my day,” said Father Kelly, 68. “The people count on you to do that, and that is what I love to do.”
Bishop Dennis Sullivan recently announced that Father Kelly would be retiring from active ministry for medical reasons, effective July 1.
“The retirement is a little bittersweet,” Father Kelly said. “My cardiologist was really telling me that I should, and I had to listen to him.”
In a letter to his parish family, Father Kelly shared that he has been dealing with heart health issues for many years. He had open heart surgery in 2005 and again in 2018, when doctors discovered that he was born with a defective aortic valve. He has struggled with heart issues for the past several years, and his doctor recommended he retire to focus on his health.
In July, Father Kelly will relocate to Collegeville, Penn., where he will be closer to his family and his hometown of Conshohocken. He looks forward to eating healthy, exercising more and better managing stress – all ways to improve his heart health. He has always enjoyed helping his family, too, he said.
“I watched most of my nieces and nephews,” he said, noting that his pediatric nursing background has come in handy. “Now, I am watching their children. I am watching great-nieces and nephews.”
Father Kelly studied at Boston College and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago before being ordained a Norbertine of Daylesford Abbey, Pa., on Sept. 17, 2005.
He began his service to the Diocese of Camden in 2009, when he was appointed parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception in Bridgeton. A year later, he was named parochial vicar at the Parish of the Holy Cross in Bridgeton, which merged Immaculate Conception with Saint Teresa of Avila, Bridgeton; Saint Michael, Cedarville; Saint Anthony, Port Norris; and Saint Mary, Rosenhayn.
In 2012, he was transferred to Saint Damien Parish as parochial vicar, and in 2013, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Camden. A year later, he became pastor of Glassboro’s Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, and served there until being named to his most recent assignment in Avalon.
In all of his assignments, including his latest, Father Kelly had the goal of uniting his merged parish communities.
“My goal here [Saint Brendan] was to bring the parish together, more than it was,” he said. “I think I have accomplished that goal, but I think it continues, and I think it will continue with the new pastor.”
He looks back on his tenure in Avalon fondly, remembering in a letter to parishioners all of the parish gatherings and festivities that brought everyone together. His time also included a number of highlights, like his Fireside Chat video segments, the refurbishing of the Saint Paul Rectory and Tierney Hall, improvements to the parish office, renovations at Saint Paul Church, sound system upgrades in all three churches and more.
“I think it is just being there for people, and just being present,” Father Kelly said as he reflected on his priesthood, also noting the range of occasions when priests can be present for their parishioners. “You are dealing with life, you are dealing with death, you’re dealing with sickness and you’re dealing with happiness.”
That presence – and support – is reciprocal. “They are present to me, too, and I learn from them,” he said. “I minister to people, but they also minister to me, and I think that is a beautiful thing.”
He also spoke about his role as a pastor – and the opportunity to work with and learn from staff as well as fellow clergy.
“Some of the priests who help out on the weekends have been pastors before,” he shared. “I learned so much from them.”
Father Kelly may have the opportunity to pay that forward in his retirement, as he plans to assist with weekend Masses at his home parish of Saint Matthew in Conshohocken.
“You never stop being a priest, and you don’t retire from being a priest,” he said. “You are always called on to do more.”
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