Ss Peter & Paul – 2023

Father Jim is the Son of Eddie and Mary McGuinn, both of whom were born in Ireland.  He has one brother, three sisters, and lots of nieces and nephews.  He grew up in Philadelphia, went to college in Massachusetts, and lived for a year in a monastery in Pittsburgh.  He attended St. Charles Borromeo seminary in Wynnewood, PA. and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1988.  He has been a parochial vicar, a high school teacher and chaplain, the director of the Newman ministries at two universities and a pastor.  He is the author and founder of CONNECTIONS, which is a new process that inspires and equips Catholics to grow in their faith and be fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.  He loves Catholic evangelization, helping parishes achieve their redemptive potential,and forming leaders.

Father Francis Berna is a member of the secular institute Voluntas Dei. He currently serves as the director of graduate programs in Theology and Ministry at La Salle University. He received his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and prior to coming to La Salle he taught Theology at St. Bonaventure University for eight years.  On weekends Fr. Berna assists at different parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as well as the Diocese of Trenton. He was ordained while a member of the Franciscan Friars in 1980. He has been a frequent presenter for adult faith formation and retreats.

Deacon Bob was ordained in 2013 and is currently assigned to Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill, NJ. He is an adoptive father and grandfather. He has worked in Information Technology for the vast majority of his career. He has spent 35 years with one company and is delighted in his current position as “Captain Communicator” for the IT organization which has a lot of overlap with diaconal ministry. His responsibilities include connecting people, promoting fairness, confronting biases and creating a fun environment.

He volunteers in pastoral care at Cooper Hospital. At his parish, he is deeply involved in evangelization. He gets great joy from performing Baptisms.

He lives in Audubon, NJ with his 20 year-old grandson, which also benefits his ministry – confirming the deep need for humility, patience and a sense of humor.