PREPPING FOR THE POPE: MAIN LINE COUPLES VISIT ST. CHARLES' FATHER WILLIAM DONOVAN IN ROME

Father William Donovan, PhD, a former professor at Saint Charles Seminary in Wynnewood and former weekend assistant in parish ministry at St. John Vianney Parish in Gladwyne, spent time with Bob and Judge Gene Pratter, of Gladwyne, and Chip and Patti Wilson of Rosemont, when each couple visited Italy earlier this year. Donovan is on special assignment in the Eternal City as liaison of the Archbishop of Philadelphia to the Pontifical Council for the Family, in preparation for the World Meeting of Families scheduled for Sept. 22 - 25 in Philadelphia. The Pratters, longtime friends of “Father Bill,” decided that a trip to Rome would be most enriching if it coincided with the eridite, Italian-speaking priest’s assignment there. “It was wonderful to go around the city with him because he is so conversant about the history, art and architecture, and seems to know everybody by name. He has become a citizen of the Vatican in a nice way,” said Gene, “but takes his job as liaison from Philadelphia very seriously.” The couple toured the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with the priest, but the highlight of the week was their Papal Audience on Wednesday morning, Feb. 18.

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