“During my youthful years, our industrial community with all its surrounding chemical factories, bordering the Schuylkill River, would be listed by the local newspapers as the “Number One Cancer Zone” in the City of Brotherly Love. One could see along the river bank the gigantic smoke stacks pouring out waste that ascended and then descended upon the row houses, stores, and churches. Scores of people, young and old, died from cancer diseases. It seemed that no one complained about the plluted environment. Most residents were ignorant of the danger. Some were dealing with bigger life-issues. Many others were working for the chemical companies and didn’t want to lose their blue-collar jobs.
This suffering yet simple community is where I would grow up, and it’s where I would hear the Call to Priesthood, and it’s where Iwould hear the Call within the Call to serve at my home parish community with a Mission.” – Father Douglas McKay