Profile

New vicar sees the beauty of multicultural Catholic Church

Vincentian Father Gregory Semeniuk is the Philadelphia Archdiocese's new head of cultural ministries, a task he sees as blending sacraments and catechesis with social ministry programs.

She affirms life, right to the end

As a hospice-care nurse, Bunny Dugan believes she is called to accompany people as their life ends and they go into the next, where “God is preparing a place for us.”

Malvern’s new man aims to focus on forgiveness

After a successful career in social services, Mark Poletunow, the new president of Malvern Retreat House, wants to help people deepen their relationship with Jesus, who can heal their brokenness.

In rapidly changing field, he keeps Catholic identity constant

James Amato, new secretary for Catholic Human Services, has seen seen a lot in his 32 years of social work in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. He knows how to adapt to new models of care and government funding.

A look back on a life of leading the helpers’ of God’s children

Joseph J. Sweeney Jr. retired as head of the 2,300 employees of Catholic Human Services of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. He reflects on his La Sallian education and 31 years of service to the church.

Malvern Retreat chief steps down, but not out of Catholic life

A longtime teacher and educational leader, and former seminarian, James Fitzsimmons reflects on retirement from the oldest and largest Catholic retreat center in the country.

He’ll meet the pope, and one wonders, who is luckier?

Gerry Davis and his family will bring up the offertory gifts at a Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia. The pope will meet a devout Catholic family man who leads by example, as he was raised.

In foster families, time may be short but love is abundant

The sad truth is there are many children who are not born into a stable and loving family. The latest in our Faithful Families series looks at Catholic foster parents and the loving homes they provide for at-risk children, often for a limited period.

Sisters, married to Christ, live as a family in cloisters

Nuns living a sequestered life of prayer among a small band of companions become a new family. We take a look at four communities in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, part of our Faithful Families series.

How to make raising 15 children look easy

If you're inviting the Waltrich family of Hatboro over for a barbeque, you're going to need a bigger yard for all those kids, their spouses and 48 grandchildren. The latest in CatholicPhilly.com's Faithful Families series tells how Paul and Margaret Anne hadn't planned on such a big brood 55 years ago, but they made a hectic household a loving home.