Father Robert G. Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park, was born to Joseph and Dorothy Yates Lynam in Mount Holly. He has one brothers, Gary, and a sister, Barbara Campor.
After completing parochial elementary school and public high school in Mount Holly, he entered the Cistercian monastic community of Our Lady of Fatima Monastery in Mount Laurel in 1978.
Two years later he decided to become a diocesan seminarian. He earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at Seton Hall University, South Orange, then entered Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahwah, where he received a master’s degree in divinity.
On May 12, 1984, then-Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick ordained Father Lynam in St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen.
Father Lynam has served as associate pastor in Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, and St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin. He also served as temporary administrator of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Avenel, before being assigned as pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Port Reading, in August, 1990.
Bishop Edward T. Hughes appointed Father Lynam pastor of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Oct. 10, 1995. During his pastorate, Father Lynam has overseen many expansion projects to Saint Augustine of Canterbury School and Church.
Father Lynam has served as chaplain to the Catholic students in Middlesex County College; as a member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council and the Board for Seminary Education; as director of the Office of Youth Ministry, and as Director of Vocations.
He was appointed dean of Forsgate Deanery by Bishop Vincent D. Breen and was reappointed by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski. He served as a dean for nine years.
In 2008 Father Lynam was appointed by Archbishop John Myers to the Board of Overseers of Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, and continues to serve on the Board.
Bishop Bootkoski nominated Father Lynam to be invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and recently was promoted to Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre.