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Like any true Roman Catholic, Rev. Joseph Kelley possesses a modest mentality. The ninth-year pastor at St. Monica, 1714 Ritner St., credits predecessors Monsignor Aloysius F.X. Farrell and Bishop Louis A. DeSimone with making his Girard Estate haunt such a devout locale, but readers decided that despite his believing he is just “following their outline,” he deserves top priest distinction.
“This neighborhood has an incredible vibe that few places in the world can rival,” the native of the 900 block of Pierce Street said of his parish, the area’s largest with nearly 9,000 members.
Kelley will celebrate his 25th anniversary as a priest May 17, with only his four-year tenure as president of Warminster’s Archbishop Wood High School taking him away from his beloved South Philly. In addition to his first pastoral assignment, the half-Irish, half-Italian religious ministered at Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1404 S. Third St., and resided at St. Edmond, 2100 S. 21st St., when teaching at Hunting Park’s Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, with the local tasks delighting his allegiance to bonding with various flocks.
“I am South Philly through and through,” Kelley, who had never imagined he would land St. Monica, which he tabbed “a huge component of South Philly’s identity,” as his initial congregation, said.
As the spiritual leader for more than 3,300 families, he has experienced happiness and tragedy with the believers, developing a definite sense of his home at large.
“South Philadelphians never forget a kindness,” he said, “and I won’t forget this one.”
St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s Nick Martorano beatified second place, while Epiphany of Our Lord’s John Pidgeon sanctified third.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Birra: New restaurant
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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