Reverend Stephen DeLacy appointed Vicar of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults

Contextual Background

In July 2020, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez had formed a task force shortly after his arrival to study ministry to youth and young adults in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its level of effectiveness. 

The task force contained representation from the local and national levels and used three documents to guide its work—Renewing the Vision and Sons and Daughters of Light from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation to young people, Christus Vivit.

The Archdiocese also announced that Archbishop Pérez had accepted the recommendations of the task force to form two distinct and new offices—one focused youth ministry and one focused on young adult ministry, each with its own director.

In addition, the Archdiocese announced Mrs. Ann Menna, Deputy Secretary for Catechetical Formation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Reverend Stephen DeLacy, the Archbishop’s Delegate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, would oversee both offices.

In October 2020, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Pérez had appointed Mrs. Marisally Santiago as the Director of the Office of Ministry with Youth and Mr. Matthew Davis as the Director of the Office of Ministry with Young Adults.

Additional information regarding both announcements can be found here.

Today’s Announcement

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to announce that Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has appointed Reverend Stephen DeLacy as the Vicar for the newly formed Office for Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults. Father DeLacy currently serves as the Director of the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood.

As Vicar for the Office for Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults, he will oversee the Offices of Catechetical Formation, Ministry with Youth, and Ministry with Young Adults.  In his new role, Father DeLacy will also provide support for secondary school ministry initiatives emanating from the Office of Catholic Education and supervision of Archdiocesan Newman Center Apostolates at local colleges and universities.

“God is so good!  The gift of the priesthood has brought me many adventures, I thank Archbishop Chaput and all those with whom I worked with in my role as Vocation Director,” said Father DeLacy. “I thank God for countless blessings of this time.  I am deeply blessed by and grateful to Archbishop Perez for the gift of this appointment, in hope I am eager for many graces to come.”

In addition, Archbishop Pérez has appointed Reverend David Friel to succeed Father DeLacy as the new Director of the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood.

“Being a priest of Philadelphia is the great joy of my life,” said Father Friel. “To have the opportunity to walk with others who are considering that same call is a real blessing.” 

In making these appointments, Archbishop Pérez remarked, “It brings me great joy to appoint Father DeLacy as the Vicar for the Office for Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults and Father Friel as the Director of the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood. These priests have more than the right experience to do the job, they are innovative, passionate about the tasks in front of them, and possess hearts on fire with love for the Lord and His people.

 

I am deeply grateful to Father DeLacy and Father Friel for their willingness to serve in these critical roles and ask the people of the Archdiocese to join me in prayerfully congratulating them.”

Father DeLacy and Father Friel’s appointments take effect with the priest assignment changes in June 2021.

Background on Reverend Stephen DeLacy

Father DeLacy was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Justin Rigali, then Archbishop of Philadelphia, on May 15, 2004. He attended Monsignor Bonner High School and West Chester University before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood.

Prior to being named Director of the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood, Father DeLacy served as Parochial Vicar, Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Chester (June 2004-June 2007); School Minister at Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor (June 2007-June 2010); School Minister at Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (June 2010-June 2013).

In May 2020, Father DeLacy was named Archbishop’s Delegate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry by Archbishop Pérez.

Background on Reverend David Friel

Father Friel was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Justin Rigali, then Archbishop of Philadelphia, on May 21, 2011. He attended Archbishop Wood High School before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. 

Father Friel served as the Parochial Vicar, Saint Anselm Parish in Northeast Philadelphia (June 2011- June 2016); Chaplain, Catholic Committee on Scouting (July 2013- June 2016); and Priest Vocation Coordinator for the North Vicariate (August 2013-June 2016).

Father Friel is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

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Contact:

Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)