Who said that God doesn’t have a sense of humor?  He has allowed me to become Pastor of this wonderful parish.  I got the job because I told Cardinal Bevilacqua that I was very verbal, that I would do well in a parish with an articulate laity.  Articulate they are, ready and willing to help me in my responsibilities as Pastor.

I stared my journey to priesthood in West Philadelphia at Our Lady of Lourdes parish.  I am the oldest of five children, with three sisters and one brother.  I tell people that I am “pathetically parochial.”  Within a five-mile radius of my home I attended grammar school, high school (St. Thomas Moore), college (St. Joseph’s) and the seminary (St. Charles).  I was ordained a priest in 1974.

The call came in 1969.  I remember the moment, even now.  I was sitting in the last row of the Green Hill theater, pondering my future, watching a silly movie called “The Trouble With Angels”.  I was a typical young person at the time, disenchanted with the country because of the Vietnam War and, as I see now, a bit moody.  The movie featured a lively group of sisters living the Gospel enthusiastically.  In the midst of their good cheer a thought, which I could never again escape, was planted in my mind:  the Gospel is the antidote to the otherwise glum world of my day.  It was the first time I considered the priesthood for myself.

It has been 35 years since that day in the Green Hill theater.  I spent five years in the seminary.  Then 16 years as a parochial vicar in parishes located in Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties.  In 1990 my service too an unusual turn; I was assigned to the faculty of St. Charles Seminary.  I worked in the formation program first, as Director of Field Education, then as Dean of Formation.  The 12 years stationed at St. Charles were the most challenging of my priesthood.  It was our task as the faculty to assist the seminarian in his preparation for ordination.  As in every good ministry moment, my work with the seminarians had the effect of making me a better priest.  At least I hope so.

June of 2002 saw my appointment as Pastor of St. Alphonsus.  I can imagine no greater honor as a priest.  From the day I entered the seminary I had always hoped to become a Pastor.  With so many talented people around me here, it has been a real blessing to serve.