As we announced last week via Flocknote and at the Sunday Masses, we are happy to introduce Rev. Msgr. Francis W. Beach, who is currently the pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chalfont, PA, and has been assigned as a senior priest to our parish, effective on 20 June.  Msgr. Beach graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1967 and was ordained a priest in 1976.  He has had a wide variety of assignments throughout his 46 years of priesthood.  His first appointment was as a parochial vicar at St. Titus parish in East Norriton from 1976-1980.  He then was assigned to teach at Cardinal O’Hara High School for four years before being appointed to the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.  In 1990, he was named Rector and President of Roman Catholic High School and was instrumental in ensuring its financial viability.  He next served as an episcopal vicar for 10 years in the Philadelphia-North Vicariate.  In 2004, he was appointed pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia while remaining the episcopal vicar.  He was next appointed pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude in West Chester, where he served from 2007 until 2011.  In 2011, he was appointed the Archbishop’s Delegate for the Office of Stewardship and Development.  The next year, he was a founding member of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.  In 2015, he was appointed the pastor of St. Jude Parish while remaining on the Board of Trustees for the CFGP.  All of these priestly assignments have allowed him to use his many skills and talents, as well as his dedication to serve God’s people, for the benefit of our archdiocese.

Msgr. Beach has been a very effective fundraiser for our archdiocese and several of its institutions.  He is currently heavily involved in raising funds for the construction of the new St. Charles Borromeo Seminary complex in Gwynedd Valley as well as a number of other major capital projects throughout the archdiocese.

As a senior priest, Msgr. Beach will be free of administrative responsibilities in our parish.  He will, however, provide invaluable ministerial assistance, celebrating Mass and the other sacraments on a regular basis.  Fr. Scott Reilly, LC, and his colleagues will continue to serve us in a variety of ways, in particular with weekday and Sunday Masses and the Men’s and Women’s Evenings of Reflection.

I’m very grateful that Abp. Pérez has assigned Msgr. Beach here and look forward to his assistance and company.  I’m sure you will join me in welcoming Msgr. Beach as he joins our wonderful parish!