Following his service in the United States Air Force, Father Daniel Kelley began discerning a vocation to the priesthood while attending the University of Texas at Arlington. After completing his freshman year, he entered the seminary for the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Father Kelley earned his undergraduate degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, in 1990. He then continued his priestly formation at Assumption Seminary and the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in 1995.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fort Worth on December 9, 1995—the day after his 36th birthday—by Bishop Joseph P. Delaney. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. John the Apostle Parish in North Richland Hills. His pastor was Msgr. Charles King, the same priest who had baptized him 36 years earlier.

After serving at St. John the Apostle for two and a half years, Father Kelley was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Denton, where he served for one year. He was then appointed pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Clifton and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Morgan, both located in Bosque County.

Three years later, Bishop Delaney appointed him pastor of St. George Parish in Fort Worth. After six years at St. George, Bishop Kevin Vann appointed him pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Arlington. Father Kelley served the people of St. Joseph for twelve years.

During that time, Bishop Vann also appointed him chancellor of the Diocese of Fort Worth. Father Kelley continued serving as chancellor during the first year and a half of Bishop Michael Olson’s episcopacy.

In 2021, Father Kelley moved to Mansfield to become pastor of Saint Jude Catholic Church. Both of his parents are deceased.

Hobbies and Interests

Father Kelley has conducted extensive genealogical research into his family history. On his father’s side, his eighth-great-grandfather, John Kelley, emigrated from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1635. On his mother’s side, Father Kelley has seven direct ancestors who were passengers aboard the Mayflower and arrived at Plymouth in 1620.