Parish Staff

Rev. Vincent F. Welsh, J.C.L., M.A., M.Div., Pastor

       Father Vincent Welsh grew up in the Norristown area.  He attended Bishop Kenrick High School , St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and the Catholic University of America.  He was ordained on May 20, 1989.  Father Welsh has served as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish since March 30, 2007 .  

Rev. Patrick J. Welsh, S.L.L., M.A., M.Div., Weekend Assistant

        Father Patrick Welsh is Fr. Vincent Welsh’s brother.  He attended Bishop Kenrick High School , St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and The University of Sant Anselmo in Rome .  Fr. Welsh was ordained on May 20, 2000.  He serves as the Dean of Men of the Theology Division and Director of Liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.  He resides at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood.

Rev. Joseph K. Horvath, O.de M., Weekend Assistant

       Father Horvath is a member of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy.  He resides at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Philadelphia .  

Miss Bridget Tigue, Principal  

Miss Tigue earned a BS in Elementary Education with minors in Special Education and English from Marywood University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Citation in Honors.  Miss Tigue earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy College.  She has worked as an educator in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for eight years before coming to St. Francis of Assisi Parish.  Currently, Miss Tigue is a member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Mathematics Curriculum Committee and serves as a Safe Environment Trainer for the Office of Children & Youth Protection.  In addition, Miss Tigue serves as a Visiting Team Chairperson for the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools.  St. Francis of Assisi School is a Middle States accredited institution which serves children in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Mrs. Erica Gonzalez, Director of the St. Francis Early Learning Center

     Mrs. Gonzales earned a BS in Education from Temple University and an MBA from Arcadia University. She has worked in the child care field since 1996 and served as a director of a Philadelphia Archdiocesan child care center for nine years before coming to St. Francis Parish.  St. Francis Early Learning Center offers full and part-time care for children who are 6 weeks to 4 years old.

Mrs. Katherine Pugh, Director of Religious Education  

     In 1991, Mrs. Kathy Pugh received a Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.  She then led the “Sunday school” program at another parish for nearly six years.  She has also taught as an adjunct professor of theology/religion at St. Joseph’s University and Gwynedd-Mercy College for a total of 5 years.  While taking a break from professional work to devote herself to raising three children, Kathy has volunteered with the RCIA program, Pre-Jordan classes, charismatic prayer group, and helped with the Evangelization and Respect Life committees at her home parish.  Serving the Church through prayer and action has always been a real source of blessing for her.

Mrs. Dolores Landis, Office Manager

        Mrs. Landis held management positions for two oil companies over a period of 17 years while simultaneously working in a part time capacity at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.  She has worked under four pastors in numerous capacities, which included domestic responsibilities, maintaining parish sacramental records, inputting all parishioner files onto the parish data software program, which is currently in use, and has served as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister.  She assumed full time responsibilities at the rectory office in January of 2005.  Having fulfilled the responsibilities of raising and educating her two sons, she now owns and trains two therapy dogs and enjoys ministering to the sick, elderly, and infirm with them at several local institutions, including the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Joseph ’s Villa.  

Mrs. Elizabeth Nacarelli, Parish Secretary and Receptionist

        Mrs. Nacarelli, a life-long parishioner, attended the St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School , graduated from Bishop Kenrick High School , married an SFA alumnus, and raised three children who also attended St. Francis of Assisi school.  Mrs. Nacarelli has been a parish employee since 1991.

Mr. David Minnick, Business Manager, Business Manager