Fr. William T. Kelly

Email:  frkellystpaulparish@gmail.com
Telephone: (617) 491-8400, x309
Address: 29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: harvardcatholic.org

You could argue that I was destined to become the pastor of St. Paul’s one day, as the idea of becoming a priest first occurred to me when I was a fifth grader at the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School (now called the St. Paul’s Choir School). On April 25, 2016, I officially assumed the duties of pastor of the parish, senior chaplain of the Harvard Catholic Center, and head of, yes, the St. Paul’s Choir School.

I grew up in North Quincy, the oldest of six children. I attended B.C. High, and entered the seminary directly from there, followed by five years at the North American College in Rome. My ordination was in 1988 and from there I was assigned as parochial vicar briefly at Sacred Heart in East Boston, and then St. Paul’s in Hingham. In 1996 I completed doctoral studies at the Gregorian University in Rome with the plan of serving as spiritual director and a teacher at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, a position I held for ten years.  During that time, I was on the staff of the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and on the board of the Federation for Seminary Spiritual Directors, for which I served as president for three years.

I have lectured and led retreats throughout the United States. For five years I was Director of the Office for Clergy Support and Ongoing Formation for the Archdiocese of Boston. In May 2010, I was assigned my first pastorate, at St. Mary’s in Dedham. And now, I have returned to my roots in a sense, as the head of the school where I first had an inkling of my vocation to the priesthood; The Holy Spirit has led me back to a Parish and School that were a wonderful influence on my life and I am thrilled to return.  As Senior Chaplain, I look forward to building upon the recent success of the Harvard Catholic Center which experienced tremendous growth under the leadership of Father Michael Drea.  I am pleased to be working with two wonderful priests, Father George Salzmann and Father Patrick Fiorillo along with a great staff.  Together, and with your help, the New Evangelization will continue to flourish and prosper throughout Harvard University.” All for Jesus through Mary!!