Assumption

Charles McCarthy, ofm conv

A native of Evergreen Park, IL (Chicago) Charles is a Conventual Franciscan Friar (1974) and an ordained presbyter (1979) of the Roman Catholic Church Professional Experience • Educational Background: Holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Studies (Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, 1973); has teacher certification in Illinois and Missouri; holds a Master of Divinity Degree (Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, 1979); received Spiritual Director formation at the Shalem Institute, Washington, DC (1994); is fluent in English, Spanish and Danish Administrative / Professional: Parish Experience: • Was associate pastor at la Parroquia de Sta. Ana, Campamento, Olancho, Honduras • Pastor at Skt. Laurentii Sogn, Roskilde, Denmark • Pastor Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, El Paso, Texas • Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Richfield, Minnesota (present) Youth Leadership • Director of alternative education program at Kirkwood High School (1973-1974), Kirkwood, MO • Was rector of Instituo San Buenaventura, Comyaguela, Honduras. • Was Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Copenhagen, Denmark; • As organized and implemented 6 World Youth Pilgrimages • Established Theology on Tap in the Diocese of El Paso, Texas Pastoral Leadership Experience • Established and administered the Hispanic Ministry Office in the DeKalb Deanery of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois and led that office for 8 years. In that capacity worked extensively with migrants and with the process of adjusting immigration status in response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. • Served 1 year as Interim Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Rockford • Established the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for the Catholic Conference of Scandinavia and in that Capacity served on the European Bureau for the Catechumenate. • Participated in ministry to the incarcerated at Rogelio Sanchez State Jail, El Paso County Jail Annex and the ICE Detention Center “Corralon,” all in El Paso, Texas. • Was a regular instructor at Instituo Tepeyac (Lay Ministry Institute), El Paso, Texas.