Hundreds gathered inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to celebrate Archbishop Peter Gerety's 95th birthday Sunday.

Gerety served as archbishop of Newark from 1974 to 1986.

Father Charles Granstrand, Gerety?s former secretary said Gerety is a "great inspiration. All those who worked with him used to kid, trying to keep up with him. He's just so tremendous."

Gerety joked about his longevity in his homily. "What marvels modern medicine performs," he said.

Gerety said his biggest challenge was adhering to the changes set forth by Vatican II, namely "changes with regards to the relations with non-Catholics and the Jewish people."Archbiship Gerety said he hopes that the Archdioese continues to reach out to other faiths as set forth by Vatican II.