Palm Sunday – 2026

Simeon Gallagher, OFM Cap., is a member of the Mid-America Province of the Capuchin Order. Fr. Gallagher is currently the Director of the Preaching Ministry Office of the Mid-America Province of the Capuchin Order. He conducts retreats, parish development programs, parish missions and religious education workshops. His association with the Emmaus Spirituality Program for Priests has gained him an international reputation in conducting retreats for priests.

His work has taken him to Central America (El Salvador). He was instrumental in founding Emmaus in Great Britain, and he has presented ecumenical lectures at the Jean XXIII Centre, Geneva, Switzerland. For the past several years, he has worked closely with the US Armed Forces at military bases around the world. He recently returned from engagements in Asia and Australia. In June, 2011 he was a featured speaker at the Society of University Neuro-Surgeons (SUN) International Symposium in Athens, Istanbul, and Ephesus.

Nicholas Pio Salkowski is the eldest grandchild of Vera and Harry Calandra, founders of the National Centre for Padre Pio, in Barto, Pennsylvania. As the nephew of Vera Marie Calandra, the child whose miraculous healing through Padre Pio’s intercession led to the Centre’s founding, Nicholas can attest firsthand to the power of Padre Pio, and share the family’s unique and intertwined history with the “Saint of the New Millennium.”

Mr. Salkowski currently serves as Director of Communications at the National Centre for Padre Pio, and has accepted many speaking engagements at conferences, parishes, and other events around the country to promote St. Pio and the National Centre. The happily married father of four resides with his family in Barto, PA.