The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, www.scs.edu, www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/ and www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D. D., Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at Mass with Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood and ordain five new priests for service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Rite of Ordination will take place during Mass following the Liturgy of the Word.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Those being ordained are listed below in alphabetical order.
- Reverend Mr. Robert T. Bollinger, son of Karen and Dave Bollinger of Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
- Reverend Mr. Peter Nho V. Nguyen, son of Peter Tam and Anna Thao Nguyen of Vietnam.
- Reverend Mr. Przemyslaw L. Rozestwinski, son of Zenon Rozestwinski and Barbara Bliek of Poland.
- Reverend Mr. Edward G. Town, son of Kathryn and David Town of Maryland.
- Reverend Mr. Richard Scott Withers, son of Robert Patrick Withers and Ita (Elaine) Astor. He is a native of San Fernando Valley in California. He grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became the first diocesan hermit in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia when he professed vows as a hermit in 2001.
Most of the newly ordained priests will be assigned to a parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish with his pastoral and administrative duties.
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: Individual news releases on each new priest are available at www.archphila.org. Photos are also available. Please contact the Office for Communications to request an official photograph at [email protected].
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
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Contact:
Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)