Mom Part 2 (sibling #15)

My mom and I caught up again over the phone. Just as southern states are beginning to reopen the virus is reaching our family like never before but my mom believes that her faith and military experience will carry her...

Common Ground Tacony: Janice Monzo-Perry

This week I interview my cousin Janice Monzo who is originally from South Philadelphia 5th & Dudley Sts, but worked all over the city with the Salvation Army for 34 years. While working for the Salvation Army Janice's job was...

Journeying Together – Paulist Fr. Jerry Tully

In 2019, Paulist Fr. Gerard "Jerry" Tully is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a priest on May 14, 1994. Fr. Jerry, a Bronx native, serves as associate pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community in Los...

Aunt Cherry (sibling #12)

My Aunt Cherry is the 12th of my Grandma Classy's children. We talked for a bit about the coronavirus, the ways she is keeping up with there grandchildren and how her church has handled the transition. My favorite part of...

Harvest Already There – Paulist Fr. Bernard Campbell

In this conversation with Emanuele Sesta, Paulist Fr. Bernard Campbell discusses his life and ministry as an American priest in Italy. At the time of this interview in 2018, Fr. Bernie was the vice rector of St. Patrick's Catholic American...

Nell Schneider #3, 7/12/21

Nell Schneider (6/18/1930-) talks with her grandson, Matthew Harrison, and her daughter (Matthew's mother), Sue Harrison, at her Glendale Wisconsin home. During this interview, Nell discusses her graduation from high school, taking and teaching college courses at the University of...

In the Garden – Paulist Fr. Ted Vierra

In this interview with Emanuele Sesta, Paulist Fr. Ted Vierra discusses his life, vocation story and ministry. Paulist Fr. Ted Vierra, age 89, has been a priest for 59 years. He lives at the Paulist rectory next to St. Paul...

I Do Believe
January 16, 2020 App Interview

Amidst Thanksgiving preparations of 2019, Linda Pfeffer speaks with her grandson, Nico Joel, while his mother talks about teriyaki chicken in the background. Linda shares about her relationship with God, Catholicism, and spirituality in general that resonates with Nico as...

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: Rafaela

Rafaela is a long time resident of North East Philadelphia and frequently attends art classes at Mural Arts Philadelphia Tacony. Rafaela speaks about her experiences being born in Philadelphia and partially being raised in South Korea and Philadelphia and then...

Jenny and Emma talk about the jumper Jenny’s grandmother made her that she never wanted to wear.

“The jumper had a little bib on it…like overalls, but not like overalls.” When Jenny (on the right) is in middle school, her grandmother, a tailor, makes her an ill-fated jumper. Despite hiding it in the back of her closet,...

"A Journey of Surprises" -Heather Kinney, with The Paulist Fathers

The Paulist Fathers serve in campus and hospital ministries, administrative roles, evangelization, and other pursuits. Heather Kinney helps Paulist seminarians hone in on the direction God may be guiding them toward. She’s the community’s Associate Director of Formation for Academics...

A welcoming experience of the Church – Paulist Fr. Joe Scott

Paulist Fr. Joe Scott recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a #priest. Fr. Joe served in campus ministry for much of his first decades as priest. He was also an associate editor at Paulist Press from 1998...

Mike Hayes, Emily Peters and Scott Acord

Emily shares her experience of being the eldest of 4 children whose father died when she was 12, just 6 yrs after her mother died. Emily, had been the only mother her siblings knew and when they moved their aunt...

“It was a better use of my life.”

Father Frank DeSiano calls himself a "lifer." He entered the Paulist junior seminary as a teenager. That was more than 45 years ago. He's a noted leader in evangelization or sharing of the Catholic faith. Father Frank has been the...

Aunt Wanda (sibling number #8)

My Aunt wanda had a few choice words for the tourists flooding Floridas beaches, Governor DeSantis and Donald Trump. When it comes to the virus she refuses to go down without a fight. Aunt Wanda has entered "Walking Dead Mode"...

Auntie-Grandma Jewel (sibling #7)

In the midst of the pandemic my family has been blessed with new life. I spoke with my Aunt Jewel about the experience of becoming a great-grandma during the outbreak. I thought I knew my aunt pretty well but this...

Lillian Rojas and Donna Price

[Recorded: Friday, September 2nd, 2022] Lillian (20) and Donna (68) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lillian is a Third Year student at the University of Virginia studying public policy, leadership, and religious studies. Donna is the...

Breanna Espinoza and the life of Angelica Avalos, a wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt.

In this interview, which was conducted on April 19, 2020, in Orange, California, Breanna Espinoza (21) interviews her aunt Angelica Avalos (37), about her life and the events and emotions involved. Angelica shares (family) stories and memories that Breanna may...