New pastor enjoys tending to needs of flock, guiding parochial school

ANNANDALE -- Hundreds of faithful gathered for Mass in which Bishop James F. Checchio installed Father Keith M. Cervine as the 10th pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.

Bishop Checchio, who presided at the Mass on May 7 and offered the homily, said, “The first act of a priest is to be a believer. No one is left alone to recognize Jesus Christ as the savior of the world. God has chosen someone for you to believe with and today we are installing him as your new pastor.”

During the rite of installation, Bishop Checchio presented the parish staff, council members, finance committee and trustees to Father Cervine, who pledged his support and thanks for their guidance and help.

Then, Father Cervine was presented to the congregation who responded with thunderous applause.

The bishop, referring to the Gospel, said, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. When Jesus is saying this, what he is really saying is that he is opening us up to have a relationship with the Father like he has.

“I believe that Father Cervine will be the one who will lead this parish to this life-giving kind of relationship with the Father. I believe this community of Christ will be a beautiful dwelling place for the Father.”

Father Cervine was born to Michael and Dorothy Cervine in 1976 and raised in Clifton. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Rutgers University College of Engineering, New Brunswick, as well as Master of Divinity and Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology degrees from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore.

Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski ordained Father Cervine to the priesthood May 23, 2009, in the Cathedral of St. Francis Assisi, Metuchen.

Father Cervine’s past assignments include parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, Annandale; associate director of Vocations and director of the House of Discernment, initially in Hopelawn and then in Highland Park; chaplain at the Catholic Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick; and parochial vicar, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.

He also served as the director of Catholic Identity in St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, from 2016-2022. During this time, he was in residence at St. Helena Parish, Edison, and Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South Plainfield.

In 2021 he was awarded Education Specialist in Catholic School Leadership from Seton Hall University, South Orange.

In August 2022, he was appointed administrator in Immaculate Conception Parish.

Father Cervine also serves as interim president for St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

“That was one of my previous assignments, so I am comfortable there,” he said. “I just have a bit more responsibility now.”

Reflecting on the transition from administrator to pastor, he said, “The responsibilities are the same. I am just relieved for the parish and for myself that this is more of a permanent thing. Knowing I am going to be here for a while is a relief.”

Immaculate Conception is an active and vibrant parish with a school that serves more than 400 children.

“Catholic school is very important to me. I enjoy being able to greet the students most days. I love seeing the joy they have for life,” stated Father Cervine.

Joining in the celebration of his installation were people from many of the former parishes and assignments where he served. Among them was Brother Joe Donavan, a member of the Brotherhood of Hope community, from Saint Paul’s Outreach at Rutgers University.

“This parish is going to be blessed to have him here and I wanted to be here to support him. He is going to do great things,” Brother Joe said.

Father Cervine thanked Bishop Checchio for giving him the privilege of shepherding a vibrant Christ-centered parish. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those in the parish who will be working closely with him to move the parish forward.

“This parish was my first assignment after ordination. I made friendships with people who are still here. I am looking forward to picking up where we left off,” he said.

There are a few challenges in his new role. “Personally, I need to find some time to take care of my health by exercising and, as a pastor, my concern is for the people who have not come back to church. We need to find a way to reach out to them and bring them back home.

“I am looking forward to walking with individuals and developing long-term relationships,” he continued. “I want to watch them grow spiritually and celebrate the sacraments with them.

“I ask the parishioners to pray for me. I need all the help I can get. It is good to be back in pastoral ministry.”