Methuen parishes get 1st Latino leader

The temporary administrator of Methuen Catholic, the Parishes of St. Monica and St. Lucy, comes with vast experience in Central America and Europe.

Father Marcos Tulio Peña, who began his ministry in Methuen on Aug. 26, was born in El Salvador and studied for the priesthood at Sede Sapientiae, Rome, a seminary for the formation of priests coming from around the world. He also studied philosophy at Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, a prestigious school with a distinguished record in teaching and research.

“I’m very happy with my assignment and I see it as an opportunity for me to grow and share what I’ve learned with others,” Peña said.
Peña is the second temporary administrator at Methuen Catholic. He will also oversee St. Monica School on the campus of St. Monica Parish on Lawrence Street.

Father Ron Coyne served throughout the summer, replacing Father Darin Colarusso who was transferred to Wilmington in June.

Although his assignment is temporary, Peña becomes the first Latino to oversee a parish in Methuen.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the pastoral work here and I know God will guide me through it,” he said.

Peña said he will draw from his experience in Rome where he worked with people who came from over 40 countries and his time working at All Saints in Haverhill, a multicultural parish.

“St. Monica and St. Lucy are also culturally rich and diverse and we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ who have a lot to offer for the good of the church,” he said.

Peña, who turns 40 on Sept. 21, was ordained a priest Dec. 8, 2009 in El Salvador and served in two parishes there. He also taught in the seminary in his native country.

Peña came to the United States in 2020 after his mother Maria Elena Portillo de Peña, who lived in Lawrence, became sick. His mother and father, Santiago Peña, now live in Leominster. He petitioned the Archdiocese of Boston to serve here so he could be closer to his family.

Peña served as assistant priest at All Saints Parish from February 2020 to June 2024. This past April, he was incardinated, or formally received, in the Archdiocese of Boston after serving four years in Haverhill.

Before being named temporary administrator in Methuen, he was parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Parish in Cambridge.

Peña’s journey to the priesthood was forged by the example of his devout parents and his six brothers. He had a sister who died at birth.

Another factor in his vocation was the confidence his parish priest, Hector Figueroa, placed on him as a teenager sending him to preach, serve as Eucharist minister, and minister to poor families and the sick during Holy Week. He was only 16.

“It was a powerful experience that opened my eyes to the reality of people and to be present in their time of need when they are searching for God,” Peña said.

If he had not been a priest, Peña said he’d have joined the military or had been a math teacher.

The Bible verse he lives by since Peña was ordained is John 15 which says, “I am the vine and you are the branches.”

During his spare time, Peña enjoys hiking, walking and playing basketball.

While studying in Rome, he played soccer with other seminarians in a clerical tournament.