Permanent Deacons:
Frank Hesson
Mark M. Mueller
Bradley D. Taylor
COORDINATOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Father James Nash was chosen by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, in June 2014, to be the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish and School.
Father Nash was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1962 and is a graduate of St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware and the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He went on to study theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland and was ordained on October 29, 1995.
Father Nash’s first experience in Easton was 25 years ago when he was in his first year at seminary and came to speak at the Knights of Columbus, Regina Coeli Council 2274. The Knights of Columbus helped support him through his five years at St. Mary’s Seminary, sending funding yearly.
Father Nash has served as director of vocations for the Diocese of Wilmington for 6 years and then as associate pastor of Holy Family Parish in Newark, Delaware. He then became pastor of Christ Our King Parish in Wilmington, Delaware before going back to Holy Family Parish, this time as pastor.
Father Nash grew up in a large Catholic family and he always made attending church a priority in his life, particularly upon graduation from university when he got his first job as an accountant. Father Nash says he attended many churches in his quest for religious truth and meaning and believes he was called to become a priest.
Father Nash’s ministry has included acting as a chaplain for the Nemours Foundation’s Alfred I. Dupont Children’s Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. He began as a volunteer with two others ten years ago and now is one among many at the hospital. He also works for Cross Catholic Outreach, an organization that is based in the United States but goes all over the world to help the poorest of the poor.
Father Nash is a believer in many things that are important, but he emphasizes two things: Good Liturgy and Good Preaching, with an emphasis on the Mass as the first step in achieving that. “You need to make sure you are putting your energy and your time with the people.” Nash states. The second is feeding the poor. Father Nash is greatly influenced by Pope Francis and he means a great deal to him.
With his new position as pastor of Saints Peter & Paul parish and schools, Father Nash looks forward to continuing the work he was called to do and work toward fostering an energetic and engaged parish and school for years to come.
Father Michael was born and raised in Philadelphia, attending Our Lady of Pompeii School and Northeast Catholic High School. He applied for and was accepted to the Diocese of Wilmington and attended St. Mary’s College and Seminary in St. Mary, Kentucky where he finished a part of seminary formation. He then went on to complete his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore Maryland and was ordained to the Priesthood in May of 1975.
His assignments began as associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Newark DE. He served at St. Paul in Wilmington and St. Mary of the Assumption in Hockessin. In 1989, he was named Pastor of St. John’s / St Bernadette in Milford/Harrington, DE and ten years later returned to Holy Family in Newark as Pastor. In 2007 he served as associate pastor of the Church of the Holy Child in Wilmington, DE. His diocesan work included an appointment as Vocation Director and Director of Permanent Diaconate.
In 2012, he began his ministry among the poor and the homeless with the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington. He assisted those in need with employment opportunities, resume writing and job searches. At that time, he lived at the Friary of St. Felix with the Capuchin Brothers who served the Ministry of Caring.
Throughout all his assignments, Father has ministered to those who share much more of the crucifixion and so little of the Resurrection. Namely those who are hungry for food…hungry for acceptance…hungry for love.
Father knows that this ministry and outreach to those in need finds its roots in the Eucharist that gathers us each week. At the Liturgy we are called to be Christ to one another. Father Michael prays that this Eucharist continue to feed us…lead us…bless us.
Father Michael looks forward to ministering with us here at Saints Peter & Paul, St. Michael, and St. Joseph and working side by side with Fr. Nash, so that together…and with all of us…that we may make our parish communities welcoming communities of faith.
E-mail: [email protected]
Priest in Residence, Hispanic Community
Pedro Manuel Chalacán Guerrero was born on May 16th, 1984 in Los Andes, Bolívar, province of Carchi, Ecuador. He completed his primary education at Pedro Fermín Cevallos and Martín Puntal Public Schools between 1991 and 1997. He continued his secondary studies at Colegio Nacional El Ángel and later at Colegio Técnico Nacional Los Andes, where in 2004 he obtained the title of Technical Baccalaureate in Commerce and Administration with a specialization in Informatics. That same year, he enrolled at the “Universidad Technólogica América” where he studied for 1 year.
In 2005 he began his priestly formation at the Major Seminary of “Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza”, Our Lady of Hope. During his years in the seminary he participated in pastoral service, including catechesis at the Parish of “Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza” from 2005-2006, Vocational accompaniment and organization of vocational retreats from 2007-2011 and 2007-2009, as well as serving as the seminary librarian from 2007-2011.
Father Pedro Chalacán was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Ibarra on June 25th, 2011 at the Cathedral of “San Miguel” in Ibarra, Ecuador by The Most Reverend Monsignor Valter Dario Maggi, who was the recently appointed Bishop of Ibarra. After his ordination, Fr Pedro was sent to the Afro-Ecuadorian Pastoral Mission in August of 2011. One month later, in September of 2011, he was appointed Pastor of the Parish of “San Luis Gonzaga” in Imbaya. 5 months later he was transferred to the Parish of “Nuestra Señora del Carmen” in Pablo Arenas, Ecuador where he also served as pastor. During this same time he also taught religion in the diocesan network at “Unidad Educativa Pedro de Arobe”.
In August of 2013 he was sent to the Ad Gentes Mission that the Diocese of Ibarra has in Cuba, where he served as Pastor of the Parish of St John Bosco, in Torriente. There, he developed educational and vocational workshop projects, in addition to pastoral care for small communities. In 2015 he was transferred to the parish of “San José de los Ramos” where he served as pastor. While he was there he began different projects promoting early childhood education and supporting rural communities. In 2018 he was transferred to the Parish of “Nuestra Señora de Altagracia” in Jagüey Grande where he served as pastor. During this time he was also appointed Administrator of the Parish “Nuestra Señora Reina de La Paz” in Agramonte, and Pastoral Minister of the parish of St John Bosco in Torriente and of the Mission in Playa Larga.
In August of 2023 he concluded his missionary service in Cuba and returned to his native Diocese of Ibarra, Ecuador.
On September 11th, 2024 His Excellency, the Most Reverend William E. Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington, Appointed Fr Pedro Chalacán as Priest in Residence at Saints Peter & Paul Parish, in Easton, MD, and Pastoral Minister to the Hispanic Communities of St. Dennis, Galena, and St. Mary Refuge of Sinners, Cambridge, effective September 20, 2024, With the Consent of the Most Reverend Segundo Rene Coba Galarza, Bishop of Ibarra, Ecuador.
Fr. Pedro looks forward to continuing his ministry here, and is eager to serve our community with faith.
