Fr. Collins was born in Philadelphia in 1946. After grammar and high school education, he entered Saint Charles Seminary in 1963. He taught U.S. History at the Seminary for the two years preceding his ordination in 1972. After two years in parish work, Fr. Colins taught in Archdiocesan high schools for 26 years. Returning to parish work, he served as a pastor in two parishes 2002-2013. He was an adjunct faculty member teaching Church history from 1998 – 2000. Also, he served as an auditor for the Metropolitan Tribunal for 16 years. Fr. Collins is now the retired Pastor Emeritus of St. Louis Parish in Yeadon, Pennsylvania and is teaching courses in both secular and Church history and public speaking in the Seminary College, The School of Diaconal Formation and the School of Theological Studies and acts as a Moderator of Human Formation Conferences for Pre-theologians. Father Collins assists in the evaluation of the theology students on the Thursday apostolate.
EDUCATION
M.A. - Villanova University (1970)
M.Div. - St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (1972)
B.A. - St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (1968)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Parochial Vicar, Archdiocese of Philadelphia (1972-74; 2000-2002)
Pastor, Archdiocese of Philadelphia (2002-2013)
Faculty Member, Office of Catholic Education (1974-2000)
Adjunct Faculty, St. Charles Seminary (1970-72;1998-2000;2013)
Acting Registar, St. Charles Seminary (1995)
Auditor, Metropolitan Tribunal (1992-2008)
PUBLICATIONS
History of the Catholic Church – A Survey, Philadelphia, PA (1984)
Preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony, Catholic Family Life Bureau (1983)
Our Catholic Heritage, Catholic Standard and Times (1983-84)
Our Faith Filled Heritage, Strasbourg, France (2007)
Parish Histories of St. George, Cardinal O’Hara High School (1973 and 1987)
Our Holy Visitors, The Brook, December 2016
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Historical Association, Washington, D.C. (1970-2000)
American Catholic History Society, Philadelphia, PA (1970-2000)
American Mensa LTD., Dallas, TX (1980- )
Smithsonian Associates, Washington, DC (1974- )
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Keynote speaker at the Eastern Regional Canon Law Convention Philadelphia, PA (May 2003)
Lectures for parish Adult Education Programs (2004-2008)
History of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary to the Board of Trustees (March 3, 2017)