A Publication of Malvern Retreat House
Prosit \proh-sit, -zit\ A Latin word praising God that means: “May it be for your benefit.” Traditionally used as a closing prayer during retreats at Malvern Retreat House.
May it be for your benefit Summer 2013
A New Rector for Malvern Retreat House: We Welcome Monsignor Joseph T. Marino
A
rchbishop Charles Chaput, OFM, Cap, has appointed a new Rector for Malvern Retreat House. We welcome Reverend Monsignor Joseph T. Marino, MA, MDiv, who comes to Malvern after serving as Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption in Strafford, Pennsylvania. “I enjoyed my work as a parish priest very much, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve those who attend retreats at Malvern Retreat House,” said Monsignor Marino upon learning of his appointment as Rector of Malvern. Monsignor Marino, who began his new assignment on July 1, 2013, previously served as regional Vicar for Chester County for five years. He said, “A priest’s first mission is to assist people on their faith journey, and I am very much looking forward to doing that as rector at Malvern Retreat House.”
Background Monsignor Marino attended first and second grade at St. Matthew Parish Elementary School
in Philadelphia, and graduated in 1962 from St. Pius X Parish Elementary School in Broomall. He attended Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, in ninth grade, and in 1966 was a member of the first graduating class of Cardinal O’Hara Catholic High School, Springfield, Delaware County. Monsignor entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1966 and graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree; he was ordained a priest by John Cardinal Krol at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on May 17, 1975. He also attended St. Joseph’s University for undergraduate studies in Sociology, and received a Masters Degree in Sociology from Temple University in 1975. From 1975 to 1979, Monsignor Marino served as assistant pastor at St. Monica Parish, South Philadelphia, and as a Regional Coordinator for the Cardinal’s Commission on Human Relations. As regional coordinator, he founded a neighbor corporation, The Institute for Community Issues, which had as its primary program the South Philadelphia Employment Project. He was a faculty member of Lansdale Catholic High School from 1979-1988, where he taught theology and social studies, and from 1984-1988 he also served as Director of Guidance. He served as principal of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls from 1988-1990.
Inside the Issue President’s Letter 2 Monsignor Marino! 3 Development News 4 In the News 5 Behind the Scenes 6 Farewells & Honors 7 Upcoming Retreats 8 New Evangelization 9 In Memoriam 10 Men & Women of Malvern Retreats 11 Upcoming Events 12
After 11 years of service to the secondary school system of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Monsignor was appointed in 1990 as the first Director of the newly-created Office for the Renewal of Pastoral Life, where he served until 1992. His primary responsibility in this position was the coordination of the nine-year Spiritual Renewal efforts Catholic Faith & Life 2000 of Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua. From 1992 to 1997 he served as the Director of the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, and in 1996 also acted as Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Ambler. In 1997, Monsignor Marino was appointed as Pastor of St. Denis Parish in
Havertown, the first diocesan priest to replace the Augustinian priests who served Saint Denis Parish for 145 years. In 2006, Monsignor Marino was appointed as Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Strafford, and served as Regional Vicar for Chester County from 2006 to 2011. After serving for 10 years as a member of the Archdiocesan School Board, Monsignor now serves as a member of the Archdiocesan Executive Board for Elementary Education. He is also the current president for The Foundation for Catholic Education in Chester County.
Spiritual Direction: Chief among the things that bring Monsignor Marino great fulfillment is the privilege of providing spiritual direction to those seeking to strengthen and deepen their relationship with the Lord. Following are Monsignor’s reflections on spiritual direction, what it is and how it can be helpful for those on their faith journey.
Who Seeks Spiritual Direction? Common Characteristics: People often wonder what spiritual direction entails, and whether they should seek it out. When I think of those seeking spiritual direction, I envision the Magi—they are seekers, just as the three wise men were seekers of Jesus. They are inquisitive, searching not only for the answers to life, but also for understanding the relationship between the human condition and God in the spiritual realm.
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