By Catholic Philly Staff • Posted June 7, 2023

In a June 2 letter to school families and supporters of Catholic education, Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia who oversees Catholic Education in the archdiocese, shared information about the evolving landscape for the assignment of school ministers in the Archdiocesan secondary system.

Archdiocesan priests have historically been assigned to serve as full-time school ministers at each secondary school throughout the five-county region.

“With the 2023 Clerical Appointments, there was a decrease in the number of priests available for assignment to our high schools,” said Bishop Fitzgerald.

He pointed to the decline in active priests in the archdiocese coupled with a large number of priests reaching the retirement age of 75.

“Many who recently served as full-time school ministers will transition into new roles in parishes who would not otherwise have had priests,” Bishop Fitzgerald added.

>>READ MORE: Archbishop Announces Clerical Assignment Changes Effective June 19

Plans are in place to ensure a lay school minister is assigned to each of the 15 high schools. Priests will continue to be available for each school’s needs including the celebration of Mass and to attend to other sacramental needs, according to the letter.

A newly established position, Director of Spirituality and Mission, is also being created within the Office of Catholic Education to support those lay school ministers.

Archbishop Pérez announces the following appointments effective June 26, 2023:

Reverend Marc Capizzi, to Chaplain, Conwell-Egan High School, Fairless Hills, while continuing as Parochial Vicar, Saint Andrew Parish, Newtown

Reverend Kenneth Cavara, to Chaplain, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School, Philadelphia, while continuing as Parochial Vicar, Saint Monica Parish, Philadelphia

Reverend Joseph McCaffrey, to Chaplain, Archbishop John Carroll High School, Radnor, while continuing as Parochial Administrator, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Milmont Park

Reverend Addisalem Mekonnen, to Chaplain, West Catholic Preparatory High School, Philadelphia, while continuing as Pastor, Saint Martin De Porres, Philadelphia

Reverend David O’Brien, from School Minister, Lansdale Catholic High School, Lansdale, to Chaplain, Lansdale Catholic High School, Lansdale, and Chaplain, Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster

Reverend Anthony Raymundo, from School Minister, Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill, to Chaplain, Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill, and Chaplain, Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia

Reverend Eugene Wilson, to Chaplain, Pope John Paul II High School, Royersford, while continuing as Pastor, Saint Gabriel Parish, Stowe