Profile
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.
Confession led man to seminary, and now to cusp of priesthood
In the third of a series of profiles of the six men to be ordained priests for the archdiocese on May 17, meet Deacon Christopher Moriconi, a classically trained organist who, after a nine-month career discernment with his brother, received the sacrament of penance and knew he wanted to be a priest.
Hearing God’s call in a whisper, and other ways
In the second of a series of profiles of the six men to be ordained priests for the archdiocese on May 17, Deacon Charles Ravert recounts the steps that led him from Mercy Vocational High School and a possible career as a nurse, through a discernment of doubts and finally to the seminary.
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.