Profile
For Penn grad soon to be priest, peace comes with achievement
Get to know Eric Banecker, who will be ordained this May 19. The South Philadelphia native honed his accomplished writing skills at U Penn, and now he believes, "whatever you do you must do well."
Long road to priesthood began in Vietnam, will end in Philly
Quy K. Pham left Vietnam by boat in 1983, frustrated by circumstances that left his seminary training unfinished. In the U.S., he found further frustration, but also a happy marriage. The widower will be ordained a priest next month.
John Delaney Jr. brings prosecutor’s eye to sex abuse probes
The new director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Investigations spent a career in the city D.A.'s office. Now he will look into allegations of child sex abuse in the church, knowing that abuse "cuts across all society."
St. Joseph Sister leads spiritual direction for parish
The new position at St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford is perhaps unprecedented for an archdiocesan parish, but Sister Maria McCoy brings vast experience in helping the average parishioner to pray.
Good relations with lawmakers key to ‘vocation’ as lobbyist
Before his retirement as executive director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, Robert O’Hara reflects on his 21 years representing the Catholic Church in the state capitol on a range of issues, including Catholic education.
Jim Lackey, longtime editor who embraced old and new media, retires
From 1979 until last December, the longtime journalist for Catholic News Service covered the White House and national news both in print and, later, in digital media. Amidst his accomplishments, he's remained humble.
If Catholic Church owns up to its racism, it can change, says scholar
Tia Noelle Pratt, a St. Joseph’s professor, studies the history of racism toward Black Catholics. “People are working toward justice,” said the member of St. Matthias Parish in Bala Cynwyd. “The church can be fixed.”
With Mercedarians, Anne DeSantis leads ministry to the divorced
The parishioner of Corpus Christi in Lansdale deepened her faith through the Mercedarian Fathers. As director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation, she is "reaching out to people who are suffering, supporting marriage and families in all ways.”
Even with stellar credentials, his hobbies may serve him best
Superintendent of Elementary Education Dr. Andrew McLaughlin has numerous degrees and years of experience. But he will rely on the patience of fly fishing and the attention to detail of woodworking as he leads Catholic grade schools.
Family man now leads area’s largest pro-life organization
Tom Stevens, head of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, has pro-life credentials tracing back to his days as an economics student at Villanova University, where he met his wife. A "bridge-builder," his specialty is helping organizations grow.