Author Archives: thinkitfirst

Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez was appointed 14^th Bishop and 10^th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Pope Francis on January 23, 2020 following more than two years as Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. Born in Miami, Florida (1961), Archbishop Pérez was raised in West New York, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University (1983). He entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he earned master of divinity (1988) and master of arts in theology (1989) degrees. Archbishop Pérez was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 20, 1989 and was assigned parochial vicar of Saint Ambrose Parish where he was stationed for five years. He concurrently served as assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics (1990-93) before serving as the founding director of the Institute for Evangelization (1993-2002). He was named Chaplain to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, with the title of Monsignor in 1998. His service in the Philadelphia archdiocese through 2012 included pastor of two parishes a faculty member at both Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and LaSalle University. He taught courses in psychology, religious studies, and developmental psychology for more than 15 years. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor. Three years later, Pope Benedict appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Center, New York, where he served as Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate overseeing 36 parishes. He also had administrative responsibility for Hispanic Ministry, formation programs, and ecclesial movements in 54 parishes. He participated in or led multiple archdiocesan councils, committees, and boards before his appointment to the Cleveland archdiocese in 2017. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Pérez serves on several committees and chairs the Bishops’ Standing Committee on Cultural Diversity. In November 2018, he began a three-year term as the bishop liaison for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Rooted in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” #24, Archbishop Pérez’s pastoral vision can be summarized as: “Church on Mission: Proactive, Involved, Supportive, Fruitful, and Joyful.”

With more than 40 years in Catholic education, Sister Margaret Rose Adams, IHM joined the Office of Catholic Education in August 2019 as Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, with responsibility for schools in Philadelphia County and Bucks County.  A Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, better known as an IHM, Sister has 17 years’ experience as a teacher and 22 years as a principal, serving in three dioceses. Here in Philadelphia, Sister ministered as principal at Ss. Simon and Jude School and Queen of Angels School.

Sister Margaret Rose earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and history at Immaculata University, where she later was awarded a master’s degree in educational leadership. In addition, she earned an M.A. degree in history from Villanova University. She is also a certified Google educator.

Sister Margaret Rose received the Pennsylvania affiliate of the Council on American Private Education (PACAPE) Early Education Administrator Award in 2016 for outstanding leadership at Queen of Angels Regional School. Two years later, she earned the Lead. Learn. Proclaim Award from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) as Distinguished Principal of the Year, and as nominated by her faculty.  Sister is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and convocations. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels.

Matthew Manion is Professor of Practice in the Department of Management and Operations and the faculty director for the Center for Church Management in the Villanova University School of Business (VSB). His responsibilities include the Master of Science in Church Management degree, the Certificate in Church Management programs, and research and writing on relevant church management issues.

Matt’s professional experience also includes 18 years with the Catholic Leadership Institute, where he served as president and CEO for 13 years, growing it to an international leadership training and consulting organization with 26 full-time employees and $6.1 million in annual revenues. This followed a strategic business development role with the Franklin Mint.

Matt earned a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in church management from Villanova University.  He is a graduate of St. Laurence Catholic School and Monsignor Bonner High School. Matt and his wife, Kerri, and their three children live in Berwyn and are members of St. Monica Parish.

Andrew McCloskey is chief investment officer of the McCloskey Financial Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Notre Dame in 1992. Andrew serves on the board of the James A. Finnegan Foundation and is a member of the Board of Governors of both St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and Philadelphia Country Club. Andrew also was a member of the Waldron Mercy Academy board, serving as chair from 2011 to 2015. In June 2020, together with their families, Andrew and Jennifer Watts were married at St. Thomas of Villanova, where they are parishioners. They reside in Haverford and are proud parents of five children/stepchildren. Andrew was elected president of the Ambassador’s Fund in June 2023.

Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald is Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2010, now retired (2023), and former Vicar for Catholic Education. Bishop Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 1970, a law degree from Villanova University in 1973, and a master of divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1980, the year he was ordained. He was ordained  a bishop on August 6, 2010. Bishop Fitzgerald is also a canon lawyer, awarded his degree by the Catholic University of America, and earned a doctorate degree in law from the Gregorian Institute in Rome. Bishop Fitzgerald has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal, as the founding director of the Office for Legal Services, and in the roles of Promoter of Justice and Judicial Vicar.

Charles Ladner is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Columbia University (MBA), and Villanova University (M.A.). He retired from UGI Corp. as chief financial officer in 1998 and from John Hancock Mutual Funds in 2010, where he served on the board for 31 years and as chairman from 2002 to 2006. Chuck is chairman emeritus of Dunwoody Village retirement community in Newtown Square. The parents of four adult children and nine grandchildren, Chuck and Diane are members of St. Monica Parish in Berwyn.

David Magee has worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 1983 and has spent more 25 years devoted to Catholic education. As Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Magee is responsible for the accounting, reporting, and budgetary functions of the Office of Catholic Education, the 17 archdiocesan high schools, and the four schools of special education. His responsibilities also include tuition management, investments, facilities management, procurement and contracts, and benefits administration. During his tenure, OCE built two new high schools after a hiatus of more than 25 years and helped manage the first-ever capital campaign for the schools, resulting in an endowment that now totals more than $45 million for their operations and maintenance. The schools now operate without parish subsidies, which were in excess of $15 million annually in 1994. Dr. Magee received the distinguished graduate award from Incarnation of Our Lord School in 2012. He received the Ratio Studiorum Award from St. Joseph’s University in January 2019 for exceptional leadership in collaborative efforts to transform Catholic education and ensure it for future generations. He earned a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Immaculata University and an M.B.A. from LaSalle University.

Sean McCloskey is director of strategic partnerships for New Pace Productions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond in 2003. Sean serves on the board of Guadalupe Family Services in Camden, New Jersey, an organization that delivers counseling and social services to troubled families. He spent six happy years on the alumni board of the University of Richmond, serving two consecutive terms that ended in 2019. Sean lives in Wayne and is a member of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. Sean was elected board secretary in June 2023.

Ryan Neff is a risk assurance associate in the Philadelphia office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and played varsity lacrosse and ice hockey. He continued his education at Boston College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and information systems in 2018 and captained the varsity lacrosse team. He also was a student teacher at the Collaborative for Educational Services, a correctional facility located in Dorchester. Ryan is a member of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. He is a great-great-grandson of Fund founder Matthew H. McCloskey, Jr., and serves on the Fund board with his grandfather and two uncles.