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Please join Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., President of The University of Scranton, as the University honors Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, V.E., M.S.W., as this year’s recipient of the Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry.  The award ceremony will take place Thursday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. in Brennan Hall’s Rose Room. 

Msgr. Kelly is deeply respected for his contributions to our community through his work with Catholic Social Services where he serves as its executive director.  Msgr. Kelly is also Episcopal Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Scranton, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services, and the executive director of both the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton and the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.  Msgr. Kelly has been a priest in the Diocese for over 45 years.

During his decades of service to the people of our region, Msgr. Kelly has distinguished himself in a long succession of positions within the Diocese. He was procurator and professor at St. Pius X Seminary; Diocesan director of Catholic Men, Women and Youth; executive director at St. Michael’s School for Boys; pastor at regional churches including St. Catherine’s in Moscow, Holy Rosary in Scranton, St. Ann’s in Tobyhanna and Nativity of Our Lord in Scranton. Formerly the director of Boys Town USA in Omaha, Nebraska, Msgr. Kelly taught eighth grade religion for 25 years and senior religion at Scranton Preparatory School for 13 years. He is a 1971 graduate of The University of Scranton.

The Arrupe Award is named in honor of the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983. The University instituted the award in 1995 to further its namesake’s vision by recognizing men and women for outstanding contributions in a wide variety of Ignatian-inspired ministries.

It is especially fitting that the University celebrates Msgr. Kelly’s accomplishments in the Diocese of Scranton this academic year, the 125^th anniversary of our founding by Bishop William O’Hara.  We hope you will join us.