Father Kim’s first pastorate a welcomed surprise of two parishes

When Father Bede Kim received his first assignment as a pastor in the Diocese of Metuchen, he learned he would lead not one but two parishes: St. Edward the Confessor, Milford, and Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown.

“This was a surprise. The Bishop called me one day and asked to see me,” he recalled. “I didn’t think I was going to be pastor of two parishes.”

Bishop James F. Checchio installed Father Kim as pastor in Baptistown on Oct. 15; his installation in Milford was set for Nov. 4.

Both assignments were effective Sept. 4.

At the October installation, Father Kim said that as he looked at his new parishioners in the congregation, he felt a great sense of responsibility. “At the same time, I was calmer than I thought I would be. I thought I’d be a nervous wreck.”

As soon as the Mass began, he felt calm: “I was very happy to be there, and the nerves immediately disappeared.”

Among the priests in attendance was Father Kim’s mentor, Father John Barbella, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia, where Father Kim previously served as parochial vicar. He was impressed with the veteran pastor’s way with people. “He’s very respectful. He calmly deals with situations,” Father Kim said. “I learned a lot from him in that sense.”

Likewise, Father Kim is conscious of always being respectful toward others. And according to one of his new parishioners, he is. Ethel Mitchell of St. Edward the Confessor Church likes that her new pastor appreciates tradition and “treats people with nothing but kindness.” She said he is trying to get to know parishioners and learn their names, and “so far he is doing a very good job with that.”

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Father Kim and his family immigrated in 1992 and settled in Edison where he went to middle and high school, after which he entered college seminary at Seton Hall University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Seton Hall then a master of divinity degree from its Immaculate Conception Seminary.

The son of Andy and Agnes Kim of North Brunswick, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Metuchen in 2007 and celebrated his first Mass in his home church, Sacred Heart in New Brunswick.

Father Kim – who enjoys playing golf, driving in the countryside, watching movies and spending time with his family – served as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Spotswood, the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish based in Highland Park and St. John Vianney, Colonia.

While at Transfiguration Parish, Father Kim – who speaks Korean – served as a coordinator to the diocesan Korean Apostolate.

“I’ve been a parochial vicar for 16 years, so I know what it’s like to serve the people,” said Father Kim, 43. “In that sense it has been an easy transition” to being a pastor, but other responsibilities – like finances and administrative duties – are new to him.

A self-described “people person,” Father Kim plans to revive some activities that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic like trainings for various ministries. “The first focus is to make the liturgy more solemn and prayerful for the people and build on that,” he said. “The liturgy is first. Everything else will come into place after.”

The pastor – who always wanted to be a parish priest – lives at the rectory in Baptistown and travels about seven miles between the churches. He is grateful for the warm welcome at both. “I feel at home now because the people made me feel at home,” he said. Being pastor of the two churches “has been a great experience so far.”