Yearly Archives: 2019

Franciscan Center Undertaking Efforts to Address Sustainability in Coal Region

The Franciscan Friars who minister in Coal Township, Shamokin and Trevorton are undertaking a new ministry that will address sustainability in the Coal Region.

The Franciscan Center, located in a former rectory at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Coal Township, will serve as a meeting space and housing facility for groups and interns focusing on ways to address socio-economic and environmental issues in the area.

Ordination 2019: Father Joshua Weaver

Father Joshua Weaver
Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine Labouré Parish, Harrisburg
Chaplain at Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg
From St. Joseph Parish in Mechanicsburg
Trinity High School
Mount St. Mary’s University
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

When did you first hear or consider the call to be a priest?
It really took off in college. I met this girl who was really awesome, and as I was going out with her, she was very involved in her faith. I knew that the best way to be the best boyfriend possible was that I would need to fall in love with Christ in order to be a better boyfriend and, if God willed it, a better husband for her. I committed myself to really try to grow in my faith. She and I went to daily Mass together, we prayed together, we talked about the faith together. We really pushed each other to grow in virtue and grow in relationship with Christ. It was through that relationship of growing closer to Christ – initially motivated by her – that when he eventually did call and started speaking to me to tell me that he wanted me to enter the seminary, I was actually able to hear it.

Ordination 2019: Father Andrew St. Hilaire

Father Andrew St. Hilaire
Parochial Vicar, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Gettysburg, and
Campus Minister at Gettysburg College

From St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Mechanicsburg
St. Benedict Academy, Manchester, N.H.
Cumberland Valley High School
Catholic University of America
St. John’s Seminary in Massachusetts
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary

When did you first hear or consider the call to be a priest?
When I was five, I wanted to be a priest, according to some of the stories given by my parents. My reason at the age of five was kind of comical, because I thought priests were really cool because they dressed up as wizards at Mass. Also at the age of five, I thought girls had “cooties,” so I thought “No cooties and I get to dress up like a wizard!” This whole thing sounded cool to a five year old!

Mary’s Fiat

Some time ago, a Sister in my congregation just didn’t feel right. She ached all over and was tired all the time. After a visit to the doctor and several tests, she was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. The doctors told her that her kidneys were giving out as well. Dialysis would assist her kidneys in their function, but there was no cure and no treatment for her terminal cancer. Upon hearing the news, she whispered, “Fiat!” and signed medical papers for palliative care that would make her as comfortable as possible. When our religious community at large was given the news, several of us began to tear up and felt awe at Sister Margareta’s courage. She was called to her heavenly home a mere 10 days after diagnosis.

York Catholic Girls’ Lacrosse Nabs First District 3 Title

Success for the Fighting Irish of York Catholic girls’ lacrosse program has long been tradition, but never have they been able to capture that elusive Class 2A district trophy – not until 2019 that is.

After losing a one-goal game to Kennard-Dale in the York Area league final two weeks prior, the Fighting Irish were all but guaranteed a rematch with their rival in the District 3 final at Central Dauphin’s Landis Field, Harrisburg, under the lights on May 22.

York Catholic Breaks Ground to Enhance Student Experience

York Catholic High School broke ground on the first phase of its “Grow Today, Impact Tomorrow” capital campaign, designed to provide resources for needed renovations and improvements to the high school with a focus on academic, student life, and extra-curricular experiences.

Bishop Ronald Gainer led the blessing of the site on May 29.

Ordination 2019: Father Samuel Edward Good Miller

Father Samuel Edward Good Miller
Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish, Camp Hill
From St. James Parish in Lititz
Warwick School District
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary

When did you first hear or consider the call to be a priest?
I hadn’t paid really any attention to a call to the priesthood until I was in high school, because that is when I started taking my Catholic faith seriously. The youth group took a trip to a Steubenville conference in Atlanta, where we were exposed to a group of people very much on fire with their faith. It was something I had never seen before. Being cradle Catholic, you get used to going through the motions, but these people were in love with their faith and on fire with being Catholic. It was something I never thought I’d want, but it made me realize I want that! I started in my senior year really taking it seriously, and then I thought, “Ok, now it’s time to figure out what I want to do. Do I go to college? Maybe I start thinking about priesthood.”

Ordination 2019: Father Matthew Cannon

Father Matthew Cannon
Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Harrisburg
From St. Leo the Great Parish in Rohrerstown
Lancaster Catholic High School
St. Vincent College
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary

When did you first hear or consider the call to be a priest?
For me, it was as early as fifth grade. I heard the call for the first time around 10 years old. At the time, I didn’t really know what to think of it. I had always been in touch with the faith and had been excited about my faith. I always remember sitting in the school Mass on Fridays and really just being amazed at what the priest did on the altar, and being in awe of what he did.