Top photo caption: Father Nillo, center, is pictured with Father Jean Felicien, episcopal secretary to Bishop O’Connell; Bishop O’Connell, and Father Nillo’s parents, Jimmy and Marlene Nillo. John Batkowski photos
After serving a year in Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, Father Mark Nillo has ideas.
The newly-installed pastor envisions collaborating with other parishes to expand youth ministry in the area. He also wants to establish a St. Jerome School Alumni Association to generate support for the school. And, most importantly, he hopes to bring more steady leadership to a parish that has not had a sitting pastor since 2021.
Photo gallery: Father Mark Nillo’s Mass of Installation as pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish
Father Nillo began his ministry in Our Lady of Hope Parish as temporary administrator beginning in July, 2025. He was named pastor in January, 2026, and was officially installed by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at a June 21 Mass.
“I feel so blessed and so lucky that I was sent to serve Our Lady of Hope. It is, as Bishop O’Connell and others have said, a perfect fit for me. And that’s truly how I feel,” he said.
‘We look after each other’
It is a “great community with great potential and resources,” he said of the parish that was formed in 2018 from the merger of St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, and St. Mary Parish, Deal. The faith community serves 1,200 families, with 300 children enrolled in either St. Jerome School or the parish religious education program.
Father Nillo said the school, which is staffed by the Religious Teachers Filippini and has earned national Blue Ribbon recognition, “is a source of tremendous blessings for the parish.” The parishioners, he added, “love St. Jerome and St. Mary. They take care of our resources and facilities. People care for each other. We look after each other.”
The Philippine-born priest said that since coming to Our Lady of Hope, he has been heartened by the welcome he’s received from the parishioners.
“Parishioners have been optimistic about the future of the parish,” he said, noting that more people have stepped up to serve as readers, altar servers, cantors and musicians, and new members will be joining the Parish Pastoral Council.
“I’m trying to get new blood as well as young blood to join in our parish ministries,” he said.
“I envision a parish where people realize they are free to worship at our two beautiful church buildings and that our parish has an excellent grammar school that deserves support from our parishioners. I want the parish and school to thrive,” he said.
His sense of optimism and vision are valued in the parish. Deacon Louis Jakub described his new pastor as “warm, caring, intelligent, confident, poised and with a good sense of humor.” He also noted Father Nillo’s ministry in parishes with grammar schools and high schools and his service as a college campus minister.
“I think these qualities will serve him well in our two churches,” Deacon Jakub said.
Blessed Journey
One might see God’s hand guiding Father Nillo to a parish where his faith-filled energy and determination could be put to such good use. His journey began back in the Philippines when he was approached by a classmate and friend – now Father Carlo Calisin, administrator of St. Anselm Parish, Wayside – to consider pursuing his priestly formation and seminary studies in the Trenton Diocese. Father Nillo ultimately agreed.
He arrived in the United States in 2010 and entered St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. Bishop O’Connell ordained him a priest May 31, 2014.
His parish assignments included serving as parochial vicar of St. James, Red Bank; St. Michael, Long Branch; and St. Mary, Middletown. He also served as Catholic chaplain in Monmouth University, Long Branch.
Father Nillo’s parents, Marilyn and Jaime Nillo, were among family and friends who traveled from the Philippines to attend the installation.
Tears welled in Marilyn Nillo’s eyes as she reflected on how much she loves having a son who is a priest and what it meant to see her son become a first-time pastor.
“I give all glory to God,” she said. “Ever since his childhood, all he wanted was to be a priest and he loves being a priest very much.”
