The Hildens: Faith, Family and Service

Resident Feature by Liz Burnett

Photographs courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

When Chris Hilden was five, his family moved from Havertown to Newtown Square. He had been legally blind for a year, after an illness permanently damaged the optic nerve in his right eye. He started attending St. Lucy’s Day School for the Blind in Philadelphia, but in 4th grade, switched to St. Anastasia School.

Chris graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School, then earned his B.S. in Management Information Systems from Penn State. In 2012, he received his M.B.A. from The University of Massachusetts. Such impressive academic achievements and his career success have been due to high-magnification glasses, large-print reading materials, a supportive large family (nine siblings!), and a remarkably positive attitude about it all.

Chris and Karen Hilden

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

Karen Hilden also grew up in Newtown Square, and played softball from age six through high school. In her middle school band, she was a Feature Majorette, which prepared her well for the Color Guard of Marple Newtown High School’s Marching Tigers Band. During high school, Karen was also in the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and one of the founding members of West Chester University’s Field of View (indoor Winter Guard).

After high school, Karen started working as an LPN. She enjoyed it, and decided to earn an Associate Degree from Delaware County Community College and become a licensed Registered Nurse. Ever willing to serve, she was also a volunteer Firefighter and EMT.

One night in 1996, when Chris was bowling with his league at Sproul Lanes, a medical emergency arose. One of the EMTs who arrived to help was Karen. Chris noticed her right away. He introduced himself, they exchanged emails, and started getting to know each other. Soon thereafter, Chris invited Karen to go to church with him one Sunday, and “it took off from there."

They got married in October 1998 at St. Pius X Church in Broomall, and had a fun honeymoon in Disney World. Karen then went back to school for her BSN from West Chester University.

When Chris and Karen’s family started growing, they moved into their current home in Broomall. Karen works as a Nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital because it holds a very special place in her and Chris’ hearts: All four of their children were “preemies” born there. Due to a pregnancy complication, their first child was born at 32 weeks and given only two hours to live. Chris and Karen believe their prayers, combined with God’s grace and prayers by their large family and church community, helped their baby survive with no health issues. The doctor shockingly said this was “a one-in-a-million miracle baby!” The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses were so attentive and caring during the baby’s two-month stay there that Karen felt called to give back, and since 2002, she has worked in several different departments at that hospital.

(top to bottom) Tom, Jon, Josh and Amanda Hilden

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

That miracle baby, Tom, now 19, attended St. Anastasia School, and in June, graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School, where he played percussion instruments in the Marching and Concert Bands. He also participated in several Kairos retreats, and then as a Leader, he helped Father Speziale (“Fr. Spez”) run some retreats. Tom achieved the ultimate Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout, and is now a freshman at Penn State, majoring in Cybersecurity. He’s in the Pep Band, and looks forward to activities and events planned by the Cybersecurity Club and a local community service club he recently joined.

Jon, age 16, also attended St. Anastasia. Now a junior at The Vanguard School, he’s an avid reader who gets excellent grades. On Wednesday afternoons, he volunteers at the Marple Public Library, where he runs a highly interactive tabletop gaming group for kids. Jon also serves as a St. Anastasia Church Sacristan, ensuring the readiness of all items required for each Saturday evening Mass, and locking the church doors afterwards.

Josh, 15, attended Paxon Hollow Middle School, and is now a sophomore at Marple Newtown High School. He plays soprano saxophone in the Marching Tigers Band, and clarinet in the Concert Band. Josh is training to be a Sacristan after having assisted the priests for several years as an Altar Server at Sunday Masses.

When Amanda, now 13, finished 5th grade at Worrall Elementary, she received the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Now an 8th-grader at Paxon Hollow Middle School, she plays flute in the middle school band and piccolo in the MNHS Marching Band. Amanda has enjoyed working with others in some Paxon plays. She also enjoyed playing on a youth basketball team this summer, and expects to sign up for that again next year.

Rounding out the Hilden Family are Alex and Andy, two 10-year-old cats, brothers adopted as kittens from the SPCA.

Since 2003, Chris has worked as a Systems Analyst in the IT Department at Wawa’s corporate headquarters. He doesn’t drive, so Chris rides to work every day with his brother-in-law, who also works there. The Hildens purposely bought their Evergreen Avenue home because it’s within walking distance to their church, the grocery store, and public transportation.

Deacon Chris Hilden

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

In 2012, Chris felt called to be ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. As a married man, Chris’ lifetime commitment to a parish-based ministry would require the full support of Karen and their children. Their faith and prayer led them to all agree. Chris applied, was accepted, and started the program at St. Charles Seminary. As he took the required courses over the next seven years, Chris opted to do the extra work to also earn an M.A. in Theology. In June, he was ordained a Deacon and assigned to his home parish, St. Anastasia. Chris will serve his church community by proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, and as needed, will preach a homily, visit the sick, and baptize babies. He can also officiate at weddings and wake services.

Chris is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and Karen serves St. Anastasia Church by singing in the Sunday Mass guitar group.

One of the things I’ve always loved about Chris is his spirituality and that he’s a man of faith,” Karen said. “When we met, I had never been baptized. Sharing our faith and seeing God’s work so often in our lives, such as helping us meet and the miracle of Tom’s life, have made Chris’ journey and vocation as a Deacon also be my vocation.

The Hilden Family (left to right): Amanda, Tom, Karen, Chris, Josh and Jon

Photo courtesy of Annie Whittington Photography www.AnnieWhittington.com

The Hildens’ holiday and family celebrations are always big events because all but one of Chris’ 9 siblings live in Delaware County, plus he has 21 nieces and nephews. Karen’s mom passed away in 2013, and her dad, brother and sister live in Florida and South Carolina, so get-togethers are rare. The catchup chats, good food, and fun at Chris’ large family gatherings help Karen miss her relatives a little less.

Chris and Karen Hilden know without a doubt that God brought them together to share their love and faith with their children Tom, Jon, Josh and Amanda, and also to serve their parish and Bryn Mawr Hospital communities. The Hilden Family manifests their faith in a loving God through their many daily loving acts of service to so many.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues. Contact us at LBurnett@BestVersionMedia.com.