Profile
The youth from Nigeria will be a priest for Philadelphia
When Kevin Okafor is ordained a priest by Archbishop Nelson Perez on June 20, it will be the end of an almost three-decade journey from a farming village to lay mission work to St. Charles Seminary.
Following God’s unique call on a traditional path to priesthood
Louis Monica Jr. followed the way of many an archdiocesan priest, which he will become in June: from Philadelphia parish to Catholic high school and right into St. Charles Seminary, whose seminarians "are like brothers to me."
Long road, long time leading to priesthood, finally
Cesar J. Izaguirre joined the Neo-Catechumenal Way from his home in Nicaragua, studied for the priesthood in Guam and at St. Charles Seminary and, at age 35, will be ordained this June.
For 50 years, Oratorian priest ‘an instrument of God’s love’ in Phila.
Father Georges Theirs, who co-founded the Oratory of St. Philip Neri at St. Francis Xavier Parish in the city's Fairmount section, has helped model St. John Newman's motto, "Heart Speaks unto Heart."
The living tell the story of God’s goodness in pandemic’s wake
Shoshana Taylor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in North Philadelphia found her faith and her mission to share God's mysterious love renewed after her boyfriend died from coronavirus.
Cantor’s voice raised hearts of viewers watching Masses online
Even without the Cathedral Choir, Marcelle McGuirk's soaring soprano presence uplifted hundreds of thousands of faithful watching the Masses of Holy Week and Easter at the cathedral.
Youngest-ever head of Catholic Charities sees hope Appeal gives
The Catholic Charities Appeal has appointed William J. (Bill) Phelan IV as president of its Board of Directors. The 37-year-old Philadelphia native and lawyer seeks to engage young donors, and everyone, with the CCA.
Protestant speaker proves pro-life isn’t just for Catholics
Scott Klusendorf, an Evangelical Christian, has been committed to the pro-life movement for 30 years, almost as long as the Pennsylvanians for Human Life have held their annual banquet at which he spoke Feb. 23.
Priest mentor to Archbishop Perez still going strong at 89
Father Michael Feketie befriended the family of Archbishop Nelson Perez in his boyhood and inspired him to be a priest. The Newark archdiocesan priest proudly watched his protege while serving in the ministry he loves.
Married couple shares life, hope with people at end of theirs
Funeral director Jim Brady and his wife Amanda, a 911 dispatcher, take nothing for granted -- including each other and the love they've shared since high school.