Father James Cruz became pastor of St. Raymond Parish in 2016 and presided over the parish's 175th Anhiversary celebration in 2017.

Fr. Cruz was not a stranger to St. Raymond as the parish was his first assignment after being ordained. A native New Yorker, Fr. Cruz was born and raised in the Bronx and is an alumnus of St. Raymond High School for Boys.

Before joining St. Raymond as pastor,
Fr. Cruz was pastor of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls, New York. Prior to that, he served as Cardinal Dolan's secretary for five and a half years. Fr. Cruz was ordained in 2005. Prior to entering the seminary, Fr. Cruz served in the United States Army.