The University to Present Annual Award to Scranton Diocese Leader

The University of Scranton will present its annual Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry to Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, V.E., M.S.W. The presentation assembly will take place in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall on Thursday, April 3, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The executive director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Scranton, Msgr. Kelly has been a priest in the Diocese for over 45 years. He serves the Diocese as secretary for Catholic Human Services; Episcopal Vicar of Hispanic Ministry; and executive director of Camp St. Andrew, where he co-founded Project Hope. Msgr. Kelly is also the executive director of both the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton and the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.

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; and executive director at St. Michael’s School for Boys. He was also 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.