Profile
Some seeds take time to cultivate
Deacon Michael Pascarella, who has been named to lead the permanent diaconate ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, hesitated when he heard God’s call to ordained ministry as a child, as a young man, and as a family man. Then he answered, and by grace, his life and ministry are full.
Menna helping children to fall in love with Jesus
As the new head of the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s Office of Catechetical Formation, Ann Menna works enthusiastically with parishes to find new and exciting ways to make the Catholic faith attractive to young people.
Speaking of sex, he takes the ‘beautiful approach’
Damon Owens’ life experience with Natural Family Planning and Theology of the Body make the businessman, husband and father of eight well positioned to speak about sexuality and Catholic teaching.
Artist views painting as sacramental, studio as a cloister
Kennett Square artist Neilson Carlin, a husband, father and Catholic convert, reflects on his art, his faith and his latest commission: a painting for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
A Philly guy through and through, this judge keeps Catholic principles at his core
Federal Judge Jerry McHugh never moved from his childhood neighborhood in St. Francis de Sales Parish, West Philadelphia. He also has never wavered from his conviction to help ex-cons and the poor.
New leader of global Christian Brothers is native Philadelphian
Brother Robert Schieler, F.S.C., grew up in West Philadelphia and taught in schools in the archdiocese before his election last month as the superior general of the order of religious men founded by St. John Baptist de La Salle.
Walking life’s journey with the poor
Bethany Welch has won a national award for her work with poor residents of multi-ethnic South Philadelphia, but that’s not a surprise considering her devout Catholic faith. The surprise is in how far she has come in her spiritual journey and her thinking about poverty.
La Salle president steps down from top post but not from classroom
Brother Michael McGinniss retired as president from the university last month, leaving it in good health. He will still teach as he has for 44 years, and he’ll think about how to make college affordable for families.
The calling, the denial, and how the rosary led to priesthood
Deacon Bob Gross heard God calling him to be a priest. So he prayed the rosary as a way to quiet the interior voice, but instead it calmed him and helped him accept the call. Learn Gross’s story in this fifth of six profiles on the men to be ordained priests May 17.
Path to priesthood began with, ‘Could you be a priest?’
That one question by a pastor led amicable and athletic Sean English from Drexel Hill to Lehigh University to St. Charles Seminary – and to ordination as a priest in just two weeks. See our fourth in a series on the men to be ordained priests May 17.