A retirement celebration is being held for Pastor Jerome Nolan at the Ascension Center in Bradley Beach on Sun., May 20.
Father Nolan, who was born in Neptune in 1945, the third of five children, has served as pastor of Church of the Ascension since June 11, 2004.
He grew up in Philadelphia and Brooklyn before attending St. Mary College in Kentucky and completing his priestly studies at Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York.
Father Nolan was ordained on May 18, 1974 at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton by Bishop George Ahr.
His first assignment was as associate pastor in the Parish of Sacred Heart, South Plainfield.
He also served as chaplain to the South Plainfield Police Department.
He then served as associate pastor at St. Paul in Burlington, St. Dorothea in Eatontown and St. Dominic in Brick.
On Sept. 12, 1986 he was named pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Asbury Park.
On Jan. 10, 1992 he became pastor at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven where he served before coming to Bradley Beach.
