Profile
Mind of a scholar, heart of a priest
As Deacon David Waters prepares for his priestly ordination next month, friends recall his keen intellect and debating skill, and deep love of the Eucharist, even as a teenager at Downingtown East High School. See the first in our series of profiles of the six young men to be ordained priests for the archdiocese on May 17.
A friend to all men, great and common
Bob Sims, devout Catholic family man, received the Sourin Award April 10, the Catholic Philos' highest honor. Sims has served on Catholic organizations, advised cardinals, met popes, befriended priests -- and positively influenced other people too numerous to count.
One eventful life, written beautifully
Margaret Kenney McSweeney’s life reads like a story book, but it all really happened. She began in a Catholic parish near Rittenhouse Square, served as a nurse in WWII, knew Hollywood’s biggest stars and is still going strong at age 90 in California.
Couple took long road, through Jesus, to Philadelphia
Pedro and Carmen Biaggi renounced their former ways, embraced the Lord through the Neocatechumenal Way and are raising six children in New Jersey. They are all moving along with other families sent by Pope Francis to St. Michael Parish in North Philadelphia this June with the Missio ad Gentes.
Black, Catholic and proud
Stacy Williams is a busy leader at predominantly African American St. Malachy Parish in North Philadelphia. She also has written a play about the Catholic experience of the civil rights movement, premiering March 23.
Missioned to America, IHM sister bridges two cultures
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary began a mission to Peru in 1922. Now one daughter of that mission, Sister Sonia, serves Latinos and everyone at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bensalem.
Eyeing retirement, Cardinal O’Hara president reflects on career in education
Bill McCusker’s life in Catholic education began in Delaware County schools, and will end there in June when he retires from Cardinal O’Hara High School, where he spent 31 years.
Still smiling after all these years
Almost 50 years after a Montgomery County dentist made his first trip to treat Jamaican children in an orphanage, Dr. Thomas Check continues to faithfully provide missionary service. The children's dental health is markedly better now, but the need remains. At 86, so does his commitment.
Single man, 52, takes leap of faith through adoption
A Philadelphia man adopts a 7-year-old autistic boy through Catholic Social Services, and discovers life’s greatest joy. "Having lived alone all those years, now I’m completely focused on someone else," said physician Jim Fitzpatrick, father of Reece since last year. "It’s a big positive; it’s all for the better.”
A 50-year love story of faith, trials and generosity
Jim and Marygene Broussard have been in love for 52 years. They’ve worked hard together, seen success, raised children, even endured the loss of one. Faith has sustained them, by the Mass and by Magnificat magazine.