Episode 1: The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades – What Made Him the Person That He is Today
Posted by mfalvey on February 24, 2009 · 4 Comments
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In this Episode, Bishop Rhoades discusses what made him the person that he is today. He shares with us what went into to making the decision to become a priest and the challenges that he faced in doing so. Finally, he lets us know what motivates him and who his role models and mentors have been.
Bishop Rhoades was born November 26, 1957, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, located in Schuylkill County in the Diocese of Allentown, and was baptized at Saint Canicus Church. He grew up in Lebanon, PA and graduated from Lebanon Catholic High School in 1975.
He enrolled at Mount Saint Mary’s College (now University) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the fall of 1975, and studied there for two years. In 1977, he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelors degree in philosophy in 1979. He did his theological studies at the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University, both in Rome, from 1979-1983. He also studied Spanish at the University of Salamanca in Spain during the summer of 1982.
Cardinal Terence Cooke ordained Bishop Rhoades a deacon at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City in 1982. He was ordained a priest of the Harrisburg Diocese on July 9, 1983, by then-Auxiliary Bishop William Keeler. The ceremony took place at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lebanon, and was the first ordination to take place in the county.
He was ordained a Bishop on December 9, 2004, by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. On that date, he began his ministry as Bishop of Harrisburg, a diocese which encompasses 15 counties of south-central Pennsylvania and which includes over 250,000 Catholics.
To find out more about Bishop Rhoades, see his full bio here.
Matt,
I think you are a natural.
Bishop Rhoades also sounds like a great leader.
From start to finish you facilitate great conversation.
Matt,
Great job, really recieved a better understanding of who Bishop Rhoades is. Thanks for your service
Hi Sean:
Thanks for the kind words man. Glad you enjoyed. Bishop Rhoades is such a neat person. I think he was really able to articulate all aspects of who he is…from being very dedicated to his faith to being a student of leadership to enjoying sports and competition.
Be well bro,
Matt
Sorry for the delayed response…Terrific questions – very engaging. I’ve just finished listening to episode 1. You know what’s amazing…The similarities between Bishop Rhodes answers and the responses that Dad was trying so hard to convey. Especially when Bishop Rhodes said that Faith is what motivates him. Dad truly believed in the power of faith and prayer and obedience to God. I found it enlightening when Bishop Rhodes characterized obedience as being liberating. At first I was thinking whatever, but then when he explained himself it made sense. Believing in one’s faith and trusting in that faith and that God does lead us if we ‘get out of our own way’ does in fact alleviate the anxiety and insecurity that one faces in society today. I love the phrase “pause point”. What a great phrase to encapsulate that time in people’s lives when they are at the crossroads. Looking forward to the other podcasts.