The Most Rev. George M. Lucey, FCM, presiding bishop of the American National Catholic Church, has appointed the Rev. Paul Gulya pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus ANCC parish in Kearny.
Rev. Gulya was one of the founding co-pastors of the parish in 2013 and most recently served as a supply priest for various parishes of the ANCC and also for other parishes in an ecumenical capacity. He also served as chairman of the ANCC national convocation this past summer.
He was ordained to the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., in May 1981. He is a 1981 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Emmitsburg, Md., from which he holds masters’ degrees in theology divinity.
“Having co-founded and launched the Sacred Heart of Jesus ANCC parish, it brings me great joy to have seen its growth and to return as the pastor and spiritual leader of this vibrant faith community. I am looking forward to helping this parish to continue on its pilgrimage to the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom in our midst by ensuring that our hearts and our doors are always open to those who may feel excluded or disenfranchised from their faith,” Rev. Gulya said.
Sacred Heart of Jesus ANCC parish, which serves Hudson County and the greater-Kearny area, is a key parish of the American National Catholic Church. The ANCC is an all-inclusive church of the Catholic tradition where all are welcome regardless of lifestyle or circumstance. The ANCC embraces and promulgates the spirit of progress and reform initiated by the Second Vatican Council. Sacred Heart of Jesus ANCC parish recognizes the diversity of the community and actively seeks to integrate Spanish-language prayers into many of their liturgies.
Mass is offered every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at 380 Kearny Ave., in worship space Grace United Methodist Church generously shares with Sacred Heart of Jesus American National Catholic Church. All are welcome, without exception, to visit any Sunday.
For more information, visit www.SacredHeartANCC.org.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.