Rev. Douglas J. Haefner

Father Doug was ordained on May 14, 1982 (the feast of St. Matthias) and was appointed as the sixth pastor of The Catholic Community of St. Matthias on February 12, 1991. Father Doug serves as a consultant for religious education for the Diocese of Metuchen.

A native of Milltown, NJ, Father Doug graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and history from St. Francis College, Biddeford, Maine. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. Since receiving a Masters in Education from Boston College in 1991, he has done postgraduate work at Boston College and Fordham University, Bronx, NY.

At St. Matthias, Father Doug works collaboratively with the Pastoral Staff and Pastoral Council in living out the parish Mission Statement. As pastor, he sits on the Finance Council, Pastoral Council, Stewardship & Development Committees, the Home School Association and the School Advisory Council. Father Doug is the Moderator of Filipino American Association of St. Matthias, the St. Martin de Porres Society and serves on the Parish Vocation Committee.

On a diocesan level, Father Doug is a member of the Pastors’ Advisory Board for Catholic Schools, the Pastors’ Advisory Board for the Bishop’s Capital Campaign, "In Service To The Kingdom" and the Diaconate Advisory Board. He is a member of the National Catholic Stewardship Council, National Catholic Development Association, the National Catholic Education Association and the Religious Education Association of America. Father Doug’s favorite summer pleasure is the "Summer SONdays" Children’s Bible School held every summer at St. Matthias. He creates and writes the program that is a fun-filled, faith-filled experience for children Pre-K through 5th Grade. He is the creator and author of the "Fr. Matt" Series in Vocation Awareness and served as the Chairperson of the Writing Committeefor the N.J. Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on Catechesis.

Prior to his studies for the priesthood, Father Doug taught high school, ministered as a Director of Religious Education and served as a police officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. An avid Giants football fan, Father Doug also loves the Broadway theatre and is a member of the Lambs Club.

Father Doug can be reached at (732) 828-1400 or by email:pastor@smpo.us