September 11, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

Well, this week will mark 3 months since I moved in as your new pastor. These 3 months have been truly a blessing for me, and you all have welcomed me so warmly. As we still get to know each other, I felt it necessary to repeat what I wrote for my first weekend here, for those who were away in the summer months. So please be assured, you are not driving me crazy to the point of losing my mind. On the contrary, you all have eased my mind and through your dedication and commitment to your parish, have made my life easier.

So here it is again…the facts of my life. 

I was born on June 18, 1974, to the late Michael and late Kathleen “Kass” (Kealey) Reilly and have one sibling, a sister Dawn. I grew up in the Frankford section of the city and attended Mater Dolorosa Parish and Grade School until 6th grade. After that we moved five minutes away to the suburbs of Frankford, Bridesburg and attended All Saints Parish and Grade School for 7th and 8th grade. After graduating I attended Northeast Catholic High School for Boys and graduated in 1992.

I entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary after graduating from North Catholic and was ordained a priest on May 19, 2001, by Cardinal Bevilacqua. My last 2 years in the seminary I had the honor and privilege to live with Msgr. Citino when he was pastor of Mother of Divine Grace. I truly owe a lot to Msgr. for teaching me how to be a parish priest…so if you do not like anything I do, please feel free to blame him!!

After ordination I was assigned as Parochial Vicar to Our Lady of Charity Parish in Brookhaven for 2 years then sent to teach High School for the next 5 years at Hallahan and Conwell-Egan. After teaching High School I was sent down the road as Parochial Vicar to Saints Philip and James Parish in Exton where I lasted 2 ½ years. From there I was appointed administrator then pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Collingdale for 2 years and 4 months. I was then appointed pastor of St. Richard Parish in South Philly for 6 years then appointed pastor of St. Jerome Parish in the Greater Northeast for 6 years until June 17, 2024, when I was appointed here to Saints Peter and Paul Parish as your new pastor being installed next weekend at the 11:30 AM Mass.

As you can see, I had many different assignments in my priesthood, and I loved every one of them. Not one day goes by where I am not happy being a priest. So, I look forward to this new chapter in my life with all of you and the happiness it will bring.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue this new journey and please be assured of a remembrance in mine.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly