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Archdiocese's 2021 anniversary priests

The priests of the Archdiocese of Washington celebrating 60th, 50th, 40th and 25th anniversaries in 2020 are profiled in this special series. In this photo, Msgr. Raymond East, the pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Washington, D.C., marking his 40th anniversary this year, is shown giving Communion at a 2016 Mass for Black Catholic History Month.

In this series

Father Robert Richardson marking 50th anniversary as a priest

Father Robert C. Richardson, who throughout his priesthood faithfully served as a pastor or parochial vicar in all regions of the Archdiocese of Washington, is marking the 50th...

Ethiopian priest who said ‘yes’ to God’s call expresses gratitude for God’s ‘yes to everything’

Father Abayneh Gebremichael has happy memories of his ordination to the priesthood 25 years ago. “It was awesome!” said Father Gebremichael, a priest of the Archdiocese of Addis...

In 40th year as a priest, Msgr. East says he is renewed by encountering and sharing Jesus every day

Msgr. Raymond East, pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., has traveled the world preaching the Gospel. Marking his 40th...

Former disc jockey keeps the beat as a parish priest marking his 25th anniversary

Now marking his 25th year as a priest, Father Timothy Baer – the pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Laurel, Maryland – has a vocation journey that began when he was a college...

Ethiopian priest serving as D.C. hospital chaplain marks his 40th anniversary

Father Araia Ghiday Ghebray celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination earlier this year with his fellow Washington-area Ethiopian expatriates and immigrants, among whom he...

Father Sileo’s 50 years as priest have centered on serving parishes and people with special needs

Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Father Joseph Sileo said his priestly vocation consists of two major aspects – serving special needs children, adults and...

Priest marking 60th anniversary says his vocation has been all about ‘being with the people’

In the cottage on the grounds of St. John Vianney Parish in Prince Frederick, Maryland, where Father Peter Alliata has lived since his retirement in 2010, large gold-colored...

Priest’s first year coincided with pandemic, and inspiring examples of people’s faith

Growing up in a devout Filipino American Catholic family formed the foundation for Father Stefan Yap’s eventual ordination to the priesthood. This year marks not only his first...

As a pastor during pandemic, Msgr. Panke adapted ministries but continued work bringing Christ to his people

Asked what his 25th anniversary as a priest meant to him, Msgr. Robert Panke, the pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland, said, “It’s hard to believe it’s 25...

For three generations of priests at St. John Neumann Parish, pandemic increased their bonds of priestly brotherhood

After a challenging year of serving their parishioners during the coronavirus pandemic, all three priests at the rectory of St. John Neumann Parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland, had...

Father Sweeney’s 60 years as a priest have included serving parishes and piloting planes

In an interview about his 60th anniversary as a priest – reflecting on the journey of his priestly vocation and down-to-earth experiences at parishes and also on his avocation of...

Daily Holy Hour gives Msgr. Charles Parry a ‘powerhouse of grace’ to fulfill his ministries as pastor of Rockville parish

For Msgr. Charles Parry – pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Rockville, Maryland, who this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of his ordination – being a priest “has been an...

Father Clifford’s life as a Jesuit has kept him close to home, but with broad horizons

St. Ignatius Parish in Chapel Point, Maryland, may well be the parish assignment Jesuit Father Thomas Clifford has been preparing for his entire life. As he celebrates the 40th...

In city, suburban and rural parishes, Father David Russell’s greatest joy has been bringing sacraments to people

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination this year, Father David Russell describes his priestly ministry as one of “leading the people to holiness.” “My job is to...

After spending 39 years in other roles, Father Moran finds himself at a U.S. parish for the first time

In his 40th year as a priest, U.S.-born Father Michael Moran is serving for the first time at a U.S. parish, having taken over as administrator at St. Margaret of Scotland in Seat...

Serving as a parish priest is ‘my heart and my soul,’ says St. Thomas More’s pastor

The inspiring parish life he witnessed growing up helped draw Father Raymond Moore to the priesthood, and in his 40 years as a priest, the faith he’s witnessed at his parishes has...