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Rafael A. Obituary
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October 29, 1979 – August 27, 2025
Rev. Rafael A. Ciro, 45, of Paterson, Pastor of Saint Stephen R.C. Church, Paterson, passed away on August 27, 2025.
Born on October 29, 1979, in Colombia to the late Rafael Angel Ciro-Rios and Aura Elena Guarín.
He attended elementary and high school at Liceo de Alejandría in Alejandría from 1995 to 2000. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia, in 2006. He continued his theological studies at Universidad Intercontinental in Mexico City (2007–2009), Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut (2011–2012), and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland (2012–2013).
Before joining the Diocese of Paterson as a seminarian in January 2011, Father Ciro dedicated nearly three years to missionary work in Medellín and another three years in Mexico City, serving in some of the most impoverished communities. He also ministered to Hispanic migrants in Alabama and New Jersey.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 2013, at St. Philip the Apostle in Clifton. Following his ordination, he served the parish communities of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Mary's Assumption (Passaic), Saint Nicholas (Passaic), and Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary (Dover), before being appointed Pastor of Saint Stephen R.C. Church in Paterson.
Father Ciro is survived by his beloved mother Doña Elena Guarin, his siblings, and many cousins, friends and brother priests.
Services
Reception of the Body will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, followed by visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Saint Stephen R.C. Church, Paterson, New Jersey. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson, celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Burial will take place in Colombia.
Condolences may be sent to:
Office of Clergy Personnel
c/o Saint Paul Inside the Walls
205 Madison Avenue
Madison, New Jersey 07940
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Chaplain David A DeSimone
September 3, 2025
Condolences and prayers for Fr. Rafael , his family , and parishioners.
Saint Aelred Catholic Church All Souls Guild
September 2, 2025
Father Ciro has been added to our All Souls Guild roster. We pray morning and evening prayer for the dead in our care every day. May his soul rest in peace.
With Christ's Love,
Saint Aelred Catholic Church All Souls Guild in Bishop, Georgia
Father J. Daniel Mindling OFM Cap.
September 2, 2025
He is remembered as a student here at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, and he will be remembered in our prayers
Alan Juszcyk
September 2, 2025
When, as a relatively new priest, Father Rafael was assigned to St.
Nicholas Church, Passaic, I was impressed with his dedication to
service. I tutored him weekly on English pronunciation and meaning;
he was a good student and became proficient in his adopted language.
When he was transferred to Dover, we, the parishioners of St. Nicholas
and St. Mary's, sent him off with best wishes. Later, when he became
Pastor of St. Stephen's, he saw me in Passaic to thank me again for
assisting him in the past. Father Rafael will be missed.
Alan Juszcyk, Past Trustee, St. Nicholas Parish, Passaic ,NJ.
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