Rev. Frank A. Pavone of New York, national director of Priests for Life, will conduct a mission at St. William's Catholic Church, 4300 Stuart, beginning Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and continuing through Dec. 7.
Sunday services will be at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and Monday and Tuesday services will begin at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The mission will conclude Dec. 7 with a morning service at 7.
"What Catholics call a 'mission' is called a 'revival' among other denominations," explained Rev. Robert Cox, pastor of St. William's. "This mission is taking place in Advent which is the four weeks preceding Christmas and a period of spiritual reevaluation for many Christians. It will focus on the need for inner spiritual preparation for celebrating Christmas and preparing for the second coming of Christ at the end of time."
Pavone graduated from Don Bosco College Seminary and studied at St. Joseph's Seminary where he received a master of divinity degree and an M.A. in theology with particular concentration on sacred scripture. He was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of New York by Cardinal John O'Connor in 1988.
In 1993 he became national director of Priests for Life and now serves full-time in this position. Priests for Life is an association of Catholic priests who give special emphasis to promoting and defending the sanctity of human life. In joining, a priest does not in any way leave his diocese or religious order. The organization's goal is to encourage priests to fight the culture of death, particularly abortion and euthanasia.
Pavone has appeared on the Eternal Word Television Network teaching on moral theology and has also been asked by Mother Teresa to address the clergy of India on life issues.
All interested persons are invited to the mission.