PATERSON Bishop Serratelli installed Father Brando Ibarra as pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians here June 17 during 12:15 p.m. Mass, which was celebrated in Spanish and English. Several priests from the diocese concelebrated the Mass.
A native of Colombia, Father Ibarra was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emeritus Rodimer on Sept. 25, 1999 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist here. Following his ordination, Father Ibarra’s first assignment was at St. Margaret Parish in Morristown and he later served at St. Gerard Majella Parish here. In 2000, he was appointed diocesan spiritual advisor of the Hispanic Curillos de Cristiandad. He was appointed as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic in July 2007 and served there until October 2015 when he was appointed as pastor of St. Mary’s.