Hello

I grew up in a very religious Roman Catholic (RC) family in the city of Philadelphia and felt called at a very early age to become a spiritual leader.  After graduating high school, I was first encouraged to go to college before entering the seminary.  I graduated Penn State University and worked as a mechanical engineer while pursuing a master’s in engineering.  However, the call to the priesthood only became clearer and stronger.  In 1990, I left a promising career and turned down a big promotion to enter Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA for discernment as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  After one year in the seminary, the new seminarians for Philadelphia were required to enter the first Spirituality Year ever established in the history of the RC church in the US, second just a year behind France.  This special year was a call from Vatican II to prepare future priests for more intense prayer and spirituality. That year was very special.  I also got involved in the charismatic renewal and through these means I felt called to give my life over to prayer and join a monastery.  After several years of growth, I once again felt a strong call to return to become a parish priest and was welcomed by the diocese of Camden. 

In addition to being an assistant pastor, I was involved in many other services some of which were establishing a Good Samaritan's group in the parishes in which I was able to help those in need.  I taught scripture for the Camden Biblical Institute, led healing masses in both the diocese of Camden and the archdiocese of Philadelphia.  I also provided spiritual direction to the laity both locally and afar as well as for clergy and nuns.  I was on the board for the Charismatic Renewal Conference and regularly attended the yearly conference in Wildwood, NJ.  I promoted holy hours and devotion to the Eucharist and Sacred Heart.  I was involved in the youth groups and coached basketball as well as math in high school.

While serving in the diocese of Camden I realized that many parishioners felt alienated and confused with the institutionalized church.  Most RCs in the diocese and throughout the world no longer attended church nor did they feel a spiritual connection.  Many churches were closing or had just closed including parishes connected to my past.  After 11 years serving as a priest in the diocese, I resigned as I felt that the Church was alienating too many people.

I began working in hospice as a spiritual care counselor.  I encountered many former RCs who had developed their own spirituality/beliefs since they had become disenchanted by the church for many different reasons.  Many were hurt, felt alienated and were angry about the scandals and other issues.  I provided sacraments to those who asked for it and tried to nourish their spirit no matter what religion they were part of.  After seeing so many people who wanted to be part of a catholic church, but discouraged by the current climate, I realized that there is a need for a more benevolent church.

I have been helping people in the area and the idea of establishing the parish of St. John the Evangelist under the banner of now the Sacred Catholic Church was born.  This branch of the Catholic church provides a nonjudgmental atmosphere and an open table to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  The sacraments are offered to those who wish to receive them.  We are all children of God, and this parish seeks to promote a spirit of hospitality and kindness to all regardless of their status, sexual orientation, or belief system.