The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.scs.edu and https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, as well as on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/ and www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will ordain eight men to the Permanent Diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following their completion of a six-year formation program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. The Rite of Ordination will take place during Mass following the Liturgy of the Word.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Permanent Deacons serve as ordained clergy in the Roman Catholic Church. They may be single or married men. As ministers at the altar, permanent deacons assist the priest and bishop at the Liturgy. They proclaim God’s Word, preach and teach, baptize, witness marriages, carry out funeral rites at the vigil and the grave, administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying, and perform a wide variety of other pastoral and charitable works as part of their vocation.
Those being ordained as Permanent Deacons are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Peter Anninos, a member of Saint Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen (Montgomery County).
- James Coffey, a member of Saint Denis Parish in Havertown (Delaware County).
- Michael Connor, a member of Saint Eleanor Parish in Collegeville (Montgomery County).
- Charles Dern, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Doylestown (Bucks County).
- Mario Gonzalez, a member of Holy Innocents Parish in Philadelphia (Philadelphia County North).
- Matthew Ruel, a member of Saint Bede the Venerable Parish in Holland (Bucks County).
- Kris Van Hees, a member of Saint David Parish in Willow Grove (Montgomery County).
- Michael Willcox, a member of Saints Simon and Jude Parish in West Chester (Chester County).
To learn more about the men being ordained to the Permanent Diaconate, please visit
here.
Thanks to the generous support of the Catholic Charities Appeal, the Mass will be streamed live via the Archdiocesan Vimeo Channel (https://vimeo.com/event/2470138); Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/); Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s website (https://www.scs.edu/); and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/); beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Please contact Daniel Kearns with any technical concerns regarding the live stream coverage at 215-888-0305 (cell).
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Editor’s Note: A press audio/video mult-box clean feed will be provided with multiple HD-SDI video (BNC) and mic/line (XLR) connections. Crews will need a live truck or recording device. Broadcast media outlets will have parking availability in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center parking lot. The parking lot entrance is located on 17th Street.
Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 193 years. With a current enrollment of 139 seminarians, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the country. In 2024, the seminary relocated to Lower Gwynedd Township. The Lower Gwynedd campus helps to augment the seminary’s formation programs with updated technology, improved services, and modern facilities. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram or YouTube.
About the Catholic Charities Appeal
The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s single most important fundraiser, supporting nearly a million people each year through countless organizations and ministries across the Archdiocese. Since its founding in 1958, the Catholic Charities Appeal has remained steadfast in its mission to serve those in need throughout Philadelphia and the four surrounding counties – offering vital assistance and renewed hope to one in every five people in our region. Gifts made to the CCA provide essential support to beneficiaries grouped into five key areas: Social Services, Evangelization, Special Education, Mission Parishes, and Retired and Infirm Priests. To learn more or to support the Appeal, please visit www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
ArchPhilly
Contact:
Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)