Fr. Joseph Cervero, M. Div. was born in Bridgeport, CT and raised by parents of Italian descent. He attended St. Raphael elementary school and then Bullard Havens vocational school, graduating with a bakery degree in 1974. After honing his skills in a pizzeria, he changed occupations to work at a laser research company as sales expeditor. While there, the call from God (always present) became stronger. Members of St. Raphael’s prayer group encouraged him to heed the call.

After some thought, young Joseph decided that God did NOT want him but set up a meeting with the Diocese anyway hoping that the Bishop would end his confusion. There, the vocational director told him about the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Milwaukee which offered a program dedicated to second-career vocations. Father graduated in 1989 and was ordained by Bishop Edward Egan for the Diocese of Bridgeport on June 10, 1989.

After assignments at St. Mary in Ridgefield, St. John in Darien and St. Edward in New Fairfield he was named Pastor of St. Patrick in Redding Ridge where he remained for 11 years. Father Joe began his tenure as the fifth Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church (appointed by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano) by the grace of God on November 1, 2021.