Former St. Rita President Named To Papal Council

CHICAGO, IL - Father Tom McCarthy, the former president and principal at St. Rita High School and a popular priest at several South Side parishes, has been appointed to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization by Pope Francis. McCarthy, a 1983 St. Rita grad, will move to Vatican City to become the next English-language Official of the Council, according to a news release from St. Rita.

“It was with great humility and shock that I received the news of my appointment,” McCarthy said. “I feel blessed that my preaching ministry over the past 19 years has opened this door for me. I believe wholeheartedly in the approach Pope Francis is taking in reaching out everyone and helping them encounter Christ.”

St. Rita describes McCarthy, an Augustinian priest, as one who reached "rock-star" status among local parishes for his Sunday masses and for hosting various parish missions.

McCarthy currently lives on the campus of Villanova University in Philadelphia, where he works in the Student Life Office for First and Second Year Initiatives.

Photo: Father Tom McCarthy meets with Pope Francis. Via Midwest Augustinians