Year of the Priest
Vocations Holy Hour draws 800 to North Wales
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer NORTH WALES – “We’re storming heaven for future priests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.” That was the declaration made by Msgr. Philip C. Ricci, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish in North Wales, Montgomery County, as he smiled upon the 800 Catholics who convened at MMR Church […]
Called to participate: Understanding baptismal and ministerial priesthood
Catechetical SeriesPart 1 First in a series that explains the priesthood during the Church’s Year of the Priest. By Father Robert A. Pesarchick The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “by Baptism, (the baptized) share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission” (CCC, 1268). This baptismal priesthood, also called […]
Multicultural ministry is priest’s ‘privilege’
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer Father Angelo J. Hernández, 50, at St. Aloysius Parish in Pottstown, Montgomery County, since 2006. He was ordained a priest for the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1993. He has also served as parochial vicar at St. Veronica Parish in North Philadelphia, St. William Parish in Northeast Philadelphia and pastoral care […]
The role of the pastor: Q & A with Msgr. Bolger
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer Msgr. Richard T. Bolger, 72, is pastor of St. David Parish in Willow Grove, Montgomery County. Ordained a priest for the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1966, he has served at St. David Parish for the past 17 years, since June 1992. Q. What aspect about being a pastor do you […]
Parishes to host St. John Vianney play
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer “Vianney,” a one-man national stage production depicting the life of St. Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney, the patron saint of all the world’s priests, will be performed in five parishes across the Archdiocese Nov. 30-Dec. 4. The play coincides with the universal Church’s celebration of the Year of the Priest, […]
School minister shows teens God’s undeniable love
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer Father Matthew W. Guckin, 44, has served as the school minister at Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, Chester County, since 2006. He graduated from St. Timothy School and Father Judge High School for Boys in Philadelphia. Before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood at age 30, he […]
Why does the priest have to be a man?
Catechetical SeriesPart 2 By Father Robert A. Pesarchick Second in a series that explains the priesthood during the Church’s Year of the Priest. The 1983 Code of Canon Law in canon 1024 states that “only a baptized male can validly receive sacred ordination.” The canon is simply the legal expression of the uninterrupted tradition of […]
Lecture series explores meaning of priesthood
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer WYNNEWOOD – A series of lectures on the priesthood soon to begin at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is not for priests only. “The vocation to the priesthood is a gift not only to the inspanidual priest, but a gift to the whole Church,” said Redemptorist Father Dennis J. Billy, […]
Helping people experience the mercy of God
A director of spiritual formation at St. Charles Seminary reflects on growth in holiness for seminarians, or anyone By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer In the first of a monthly series of questions-and-answers with priests reflecting on their ministries in this Year of the Priest, the CS&T caught up with Father Joseph F. Gleason at […]
Priest helps seniors carry their cross
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer During the Year of the Priest, the CS&T talks with priests in the varied ministries of the priesthood. Msgr. Thomas J. Duane, 66, is a chaplain with the status of senior priest at St. Mary Manor in Lansdale, Montgomery County. St. Mary Manor is a nursing and retirement residence […]