Memorial Lecture in Memory of David Thorp, by Reverend Frank DeSiano, CSP

Holy Family Parish in Concord, MA is pleased to present Reverend Frank DeSiano, CSP in a memorial lecture on Friday November 11 at 7:30 PM in Holy Family/Saint Bernard’s Church in Concord Center [12 Monument Square].  The lecture is in memory of David Thorp who served Holy Family parish for slightly less than a year as its first Director of Faith Formation. His untimely death last January touched the hearts of thousands of people locally, not only in Holy Family parish, but throughout the Archdiocese of Boston where David labored for more thirty years in many capacities. When he died this past winter, he was the Director of the archdiocese’s Catholics Come Home Evangelization program. The ongoing success of this initiative can largely be attributed to David’s deep faith, compelling witness and extraordinary organizational skills. We are honored that David’s widow, Barbara, family members and archdiocesan colleagues will be joining us for this tribute and memorial.

The speaker, Reverend Frank DeSiano, CSP, is one of the leading figures in the field of Evangelization in the Catholic Church over the past 30 years.  Ordained a Paulist priest in 1972, he has served as pastor of downtown parishes in  both New York and Chicago.  In 1990 he earned a D. Min. degree from Boston University after completing a thesis on parish-based evangelization.  From 1988-1992 he served in Washington, DC, forming many parish evangelization teams and also serving on the US Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization.  He also served as president of the Paulist Fathers and as first consultor.  He has written numerous books and articles on evangelization and discipleship, the latest entitled, “Mission America: Challenges and Opportunities for Catholics Today.”  He serves as President of Paulist Evangelization Ministries in Washington, DC. Fr. DeSiano’s talk is entitled Reconciliation In Service To The Kingdom of God. Re this talk, Father DeSiano writes: “Reconciliation, the restoration of people with God and with each other, was at the heart of the ministry of Jesus.  This gave powerful witness to the Kingdom of God.  How can we, Jesus' followers, continue that powerful witness today?”

A reception will follow this talk, which is free and open to the public.