On behalf of our Pastor, Fr. Dyer, and our parish family, we extend a heartfelt welcome to Fr. Michael Kelly as he begins a new chapter in his priestly ministry with the good people of St. Thomas à Becket Parish!
Father Michael J.R. Kelly, born in Berkeley, CA in 1977, grew up around Allentown, PA and attended Central Catholic High School. He enrolled at Franciscan University of Steubenville and graduated with a degree in Biology in 2000. After college, Father spent a year on the road with NET Ministries, St. Paul, MN. During that year, Father did 109 retreats over 19,000 miles for more than 6,000 high school and junior high youth. He reenrolled in Franciscan University after NET and obtained a Master of Arts in Philosophy in 2004.
Father Kelly entered seminary for the Diocese of Arlington and attended Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. During seminary, Father was sent to the Spirituality Year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Father graduated from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in 2010 with a Master of Divinity. and Master of Arts in Systematic Theology. Fr. Kelly was ordained to the priesthood June 12, 2010, and was assigned as parochial vicar to St. Mary’s in Old Town Alexandria. In July 2012, Father became the 4th diocesan chaplain to Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax. Since that time, he has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg and St. John the Apostle in Leesburg.
We are grateful for his generous response to God’s call and for the gifts and experiences he brings to our community. As he settles into his new home, we invite all parishioners to greet him warmly, keep him in your prayers, and help him feel at home at our parish.