Since his July 1 arrival as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, Father Rene Pulgarin has dedicated himself to getting to know the “people and the programs” in this bustling Bayshore community.

To see photo gallery on this story, click here.

On Aug. 20, they responded to his efforts, signaling support by filling the pews for his installation Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

The 11th pastor of the parish, founded in 1854, Father Pulgarin said he was moved by “the many happy faces” he saw as the Bishop certified his place in the parish annals.

“I felt very accepted and that it was definitely the right thing for me to be here. It was a beautiful ceremony and the community was especially pleased to have the Bishop in their church, walking down the aisle for the first time.”

“This was the first time he was coming into the church and the people were very moved to have him there and to have him bless the new chalice and paten for the church,” he said, noting they had been donated by the Knights of Columbus.

He also took heart from the support of his brother priests, 13 of whom concelebrated the vigil Mass. They included:   Father Mark Devlin, pastor, Holy Family, Keyport;  Father Kenneth Ekdahl, pastor, Jesus, the Lord, Keyport;  Father Roberto Padilla, parochial vicar, Sacred Heart and Christ the Redeemer, Mount Holly;  Father Thomas Vala, pastor, St. Clement, Matawan; Father Richard Osborn, parochial, St. Mary, Middletown; Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor, St. Mary, Middletown; Father Jason Parzynski, parochial vicar, St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square; Father Carlos Aguirre, parochial vicar,  St. Joseph, Toms River; Father Cesar Rubiano, pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Trenton, and  Father Water Quinceno, parochial vicar, St. Rose, Belmar.

Born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1975, he came to the United States as a student at the University of Tampa prior to entering Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

Ordained to the priesthood By Bishop John M. Smith May 15, 2004 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, where he served as parochial vicar, Father Pulgarin was assigned as parochial vicar in St. Paul Parish, Princeton in 2008.

In 2011, he was installed as pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, where he remained until being named pastor of St. Joseph.

After the Mass, Father Pulgarin said he was also very pleased to see people from Mount Holly and “so many good friends and priests.”

He has been enjoying that fact that in just five weeks, the parish environment has been very warm and welcoming.

“Many people have come by the office and introduced themselves,” said Father Pulgarin.