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Though change challenges everyone, Rev. Joseph Kelley contends certain matters within South Philly remain resolute among many residents, with faith in God a chief stabilizing blessing. Having helmed St. Monica parish for 12 years, he has interacted with thousands of believers who have flocked to its spiritual center, 17th and Ritner streets, to express their devotion. Their commitment to its conveyance of Gospel values led to its anointing as South Philly’s top church.
“It’s such a beautiful space,” Kelley said of the Girard Estate haven for heaven seekers. “I cherish expressing our shared love for our creator with our parishioners. They make my job that much more fulfilling.”
The worship site, which this year marks its 120th anniversary, welcomes members of South Philly’s largest parish, with approximately 10,000 souls from more than 3,600 families. Numerous occasions, especially the Lenten season’s Stations of the Cross adoration and the August triduum to celebrate saints Monica and Augustine, rejuvenate the reverence that congregants have for the massive structure, with Kelley smiling when noting that former registrants love to book the church for their weddings.
“We are a tight-knit community with many achievements to tout,” the priest said, adding the parish schools’ receipt of a perfect score from the recent Philadelphia School Partnership/Great Philly Schools study. “This church is where we give thanks for those gifts and where we petition for continued opportunities to grow.”
Epiphany of Our Lord looked venerable in second place, while Our Lady of Mount Carmel had the “rite” stuff in third.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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