Profile

Archdiocese’s new youth ministry leaders are Franciscan U grads

Read about the life journeys of Jacob King and Megan Mastroianni, respectively director and associate director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Though both born Catholic, they drifted away but came back as faithful young adults.

By caring for foster child, Phila. couple is making the world a better place

Mike and Nicole Darrah of Northeast Philadelphia are raising a boy through Catholic Social Services' foster care program. The baby doesn't know his situation, only that the Darrahs love him, "and that puts a smile on (his) face.”

After 25 years, pastor loves parish ministry — and it shows

Father Louis Bellopede loves serving the people of his parish, St. Mary's in Schwenksville, in all the moments of their life. "I love the priesthood. I enjoy getting up every day," he said, "and doing it all over again.”

He helps Vietnamese navigate the strange new land of America

Chinh Dinh has been helping new arrivals from his Vietnam homeland resettle in the Philadelphia region for more than 30 years from his base at the Aquinas Center in South Philadelphia, which recently honored him.

‘Lightning’ of autism strikes twice, but faith helps couple cope

AnnMarie and Steve Milligan, who attend St. Bede Church, never envisioned raising an autistic son, let alone two. But the challenges have brought the couple closer as they’ve helped each other all along, according to God’s plan.

Greatest draw to priesthood? A happy priest, says deacon

Matt Windle was working and dating before he turned to prayer and studying to become a priest at St. Charles Seminary. Serving in parishes, he saw how much his priest-mentors enjoyed ministry. See the last in our series on the men to be ordained priests May 21.

He follows the fishermen’s steps toward priesthood

Since he was a kid, Thomas O'Donald loved spending time on the water at Rehoboth Bay fishing, crabbing, boating. As a priest to be ordained May 21, he will soon be fishing in the manner of the apostles. See the next in our series on the four men to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Would-be football coach will be a new priest this May

Mark Cavara always loved football, and he sees parallels between coaching and priestly ministry. When he is ordained soon he will continue a recent string of vocations from his home parish, St. Agnes in West Chester. See the next in our series on the four men to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

From Temple to cathedral: One man’s path to priesthood

Matt Biedrzycki might have laughed at the idea of becoming a priest while at Northeast Catholic High School. But while attending Temple University, he had a conversion experience through the Newman Center and began discerning the call to priesthood. See the first in our series of profiles of the four men to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 21 at the cathedral.

From playground to pro hoops, Beck remains a Philly guy

Ernie Beck has been a basketball star and fan his whole life, from Southwest Philly to Penn to the Philadelphia Warriors. The devout Sacred Heart parishioner still loves the game and roots for the local teams.