St. Mary Magdalen Parish is beginning an exciting new chapter as the community welcomes Rev. Kenneth L. Cavara as its eighth pastor. Father Cavara officially began his new assignment in July, as part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s annual pastoral transitions, and was formally installed on October 11th by the Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Most Rev. John J. McIntyre. With deep roots in the surrounding area, Father Cavara is looking forward to becoming an active part of the St. Mary Magdalen community.
Although his path to the priesthood took him across the country and around the world, Father Cavara grew up close to home in West Chester. He was raised in St. Agnes Parish as one of seven children in a busy, active household where faith was a natural part of everyday life and prayer remained at the center of the family.
At age 16, while playing in an international soccer tournament in the Netherlands, Father Cavara learned he needed to return home. He soon learned of the sudden death of his father. His mother was left to raise seven children, with the youngest just six years old. Despite the challenge, her faith remained steadfast.
Father Cavara remembers her saying, “I knew the Lord would take care of us, as He always had.”
After college, Father Cavara traveled extensively, backpacking through Europe, teaching English in Taiwan and traveling throughout Southeast Asia. After returning to the United States, he became increasingly involved in his local parish. During this time, his pas- tor asked him a question that would help shape the next chapter of his life: “Have you ever thought of becoming a priest?”
The question led Father Cavara into deeper discernment. His younger brother, Mark, was also preparing for the priesthood, and the two brothers spent several years together in formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Mark was ordained in 2016, while Father Cavara was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2021.
Before his ordination, Father Cavara shared what drew him to parish ministry and the priest’s role in today’s world. “To be a witness, a reminder of the Lord who sustains us and who we’re going to behold face-to-face through His goodness and mercy and enjoy everlasting life, to be able to talk about that with people sounds to me like a great life,” he said.
Since his ordination, Father Cavara has served in several parishes, most recently as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Manayunk. His new assignment also brings him closer to family, including his sister Teresa and her family, who are active members of St. Mary Magdalen Parish.
As Father Cavara settles into his new role, St. Mary Magdalen Parish warmly welcomes him and looks forward to the leadership, faith and pastoral care he will bring to the community. His journey, rooted in family, faith, service and a genuine love for people, makes his arrival a wonderful opportunity for parishioners and neighbors to come together, grow in faith and begin an exciting new chapter in the life of St. Mary Magdalen Parish.