Rev. Michael A. Colagreco, Pastor
Father Michael A. Colagreco was born in West Chester, PA on May 19, 1951. He is the oldest of the five children of Louis and Jean (Bewley) Colagreco. Father Colagreco attended Saint Agnes Grade School and Bishop Shanahan High School in West Chester. In 1969 he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook. After being ordained by Cardinal John Krol in 1977, Father served in a number of parishes in Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties. Father began his pastorate at Saint Francis de Sales on June 16, 2004.
Father would like to share two things about the parish: His vision for the future of the parish, and his observations about the present in the parish.
"I have never served in a parish this small. There is an advantage to this. In many large parishes people don't know each other, they don't realize the many spiritual and temporal opportunities offered by the parish, they're not aware of what their fellow parishioners are doing. If they do anything, or are involved in any activity, there is a tendency to think that that is the only thing going on. In short, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Here at Saint Francis we have something for just about everyone. My vision and hope is that we can continue to move in this direction. If new ministries are needed we will begin them. If different groups have a common goal they will work together. My vision for the parish is to build a true community of faith, a community that is cohesive, yet diverse, and a community that enables all its members to find ways to deepen their relationship with the Lord. I have been here for only a short time, but my observations about the parish refer to what is written above. Being small has many positive aspects. People know each other and can't hide in the crowd. Everyone does his or her part. Everyone knows everyone else. In fact, so many of our parishioners are related to one another in some way. If you're not related, you're quickly made to feel that you are. The people of Saint Francis de Sales Parish are warm and caring. Please, visit us whenever you can."
-oo0oo-
Rev. Joseph E. Walsh, Pastor Emeritus
When asked about his life as a priest, Father Walsh replied, “In the prayer called the Magnificat, Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, a prayer included in The Evening Prayer of the Devine Office which is prayed each day by Catholic priests and Religious, are the words: ‘THE ALMIGHTY HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME AND HOLY IS HIS NAME.’ How appropriate can these words be applied to my life as a Catholic priest! Yes, the Almighty has done great things for me. He has given me the best possible vocation that any priest could hope and pray for.”
“Looking back over my eighty years of life, I thank God daily for my good, responsible parents, JAMES AND MARY WALSH, both of Irish descent, for sending me and my three sisters and two brothers to twelve years of Catholic schooling at St. John the Baptist parish in Manayunk, Philadelphia. They supported me through eight years of spiritual and academic education and training at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook. It seems that I was always blessed with a sense of God’s closeness to me, His guidance in my daily life.”
“After my ordination to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on May 31, 1947, I have had the privilege to serve the people of God in various parishes in Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Now, in this year 2002, I am celebrating my fifty-five years of priesthood, over half of which (28 years) I have lived and served God among the wonderful, loyal people of St. Francis de Sales Parish here in Lenni. I have had the PRIVILEGE OF BEING THEIR PASTOR for sixteen years, and the Pastor Emeritus for an additional twelve years.”
“Here I have truly found a happy and loving home, second best only to my longed for and permanent home with the Good Lord in His eternal kingdom. I thank God for my good health in my eightieth year and look forward to serving Him and His people as long as He strengthens me and needs me in His vineyard. Indeed, ‘THE ALMIGHTY HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME AND HOLY IS HIS NAME.’”
-oo0oo-
Sister Betty Kirk, Parish Services Director
Sister Betty Kirk osf serves as Parish Services
Director.
Sister Betty was born and raised in Philadelphia. She attended St. Stephen
Elementary School and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. She
entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1956 and professed her
final vows in 1959.
She taught elementary school in Trenton, Philadelphia and at SFDS in Lenni in 1961 - 1963. After 13 years of teaching at St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls she worked within her community in admissions for 16 years. In 1990 she returned to Lenni to begin working in the parish.
She is the coordinator of the parish Religious Education Program and the RCIA. She enjoys working with Prayer Groups for Women - Lenten Programs - the Liturgy and decorating the church. Social services in the form of food drives, food certificates, clothing for newborns and Christmas for the needy often originate out of her office.
She believes the people are the parish and enjoys ministering with them.