The pastoral care of a parish is primarily entrusted by the bishop to the pastor with the cooperation of parochial vicars and deacons. The Pastoral Council assists the pastor in fostering pastoral activity, especially by writing pastoral plans. These plans explain what we hope to accomplish in terms of pastoral activity. The pastoral plan is to the Pastoral Council what the parish budget is to the Finance Council.
The council is governed by guidelines issued by the diocese as well as its own guidelines.
Members
John Kearney
Acting Chair • Term ends 2025 • Serves on the Social Justice Committee
John B. Kearney has been a member of Christ the King Parish since 1978. He and his wife Ann live in Cherry Hill after raising five children in Haddonfield, all of whom graduated from Christ the King School. John is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He was a trial lawyer in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania for 40 years and was selected in 2020 as Professional Lawyer of the Year by the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Bar Association. John is a volunteer professor at Esperanza College in North Philadelphia, where he teaches courses in public speaking and restorative justice. He is a member of the board of the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice and active in the Delaware Valley/South Jersey chapter of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
Karena Rosa
Secretary • Term ends 2024 • Serves on the Faith Formation Committee
Karena Rosa became a member of Christ the King Church after moving to Haddonfield in August 2013. She relocated from Philadelphia with her husband, Anthony, and two children, Zachary and Evangeline. She is a New Jersey native, growing up in northern Burlington County. She received her Bachelor Degree at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where she earned her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. She did her residency training in emergency medicine at Cooper University Hospital in Camden and works as a physician in the Emergency Department at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA.
Jennifer McHugh-Barker
Term ends 2024 • Serves on the Faith Formation Committee
Jennifer McHugh-Barker joined Christ the King Church when she moved to Haddonfield with her husband Bruce in 2003. She is a mom to three children and serves as a lector for the parish as well as an evening co-coordinator of the women’s Bible study group Walking With Purpose. She grew up in Philadelphia where she attended Nazareth Academy and La Salle University. She received her medical doctorate from Penn State University and did her pediatric residency at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Jennifer is a pediatrician at Advocare Laurel Pediatrics in Washington Township, NJ.
Theresa-Rose Woodward
Trustee • Term ends 2024 • Serves on the Liturgy Committee
Theresa-Rose Woodward is a lifelong member of Christ the King Church who is honored to serve on the Pastoral Council. After graduating from Christ the King Regional School and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, she went on to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She also holds a bachelor of science degree in pharmaceutical and health care studies with a minor in humanities. Theresa-Rose works as a board certified geriatric clinical pharmacist for CareKinesis in Moorestown. She is most recognized as a member of the Christ the King music ministry serving as both cantor for Masses and special events and in the newly re-formed handbell ensemble. Theresa-Rose is a lover of books, the color pink and Phillies baseball.
Jennifer Coelho
Term ends 2025 • Liaison to the Haddonfield Council of Churches
Jennifer Coelho and her husband Chris joined Christ the King Parish in 2008 after moving from Philadelphia. She is a native beach lover from Monmouth County. After graduating from The College of New Jersey, she had a variety of jobs, including director of alumni relations at TCNJ and volunteer coordinator at the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank. A volunteer year with FrancisCorps in Syracuse, N.Y. helped form her spirituality. She is blessed with three sons and all the extracurriculars that presents. Currently, she is elbow-deep in her calling as a potter, teacher and studio manager at Markeim Arts Center.
Colleen Hirst
Term ends 2025 • Serves on the Faith Formation Committee
Colleen Hirst became a member of Christ the King Parish after moving to Haddonfield in 2014 with her husband and two daughters. Colleen graduated from Paul VI High School and received her bachelor degree from Rutgers University. Colleen is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law. After completing a judicial clerkship, Colleen began practice in the area of civil litigation and is an attorney for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in Philadelphia. Along with being a member of the Pastoral Council, Colleen serves as a small group leader for Walking with Purpose. Colleen also serves as president of the Women’s Board Committee of The Cooper Foundation.
Brandon Cooley
Term ends 2026
Brandon Cooley has attended Christ the King since he moved to Haddonfield in 2016. He and his 9-year-old daughter, along with their 2-year-old dog, love Haddonfield with its strong sense of community. Brandon earned his BA and MS from Bloomsburg University, his Principal Certification from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been in education his entire career and has worked in multiple states with varied educational systems. He has worked with students from kindergarten through high school and finds working with students very rewarding. He has served as principal at all levels — elementary, middle, and high school — and was the high school principal for the only school district in Pennsylvania that made both the 2015 Gaston Caperton and the AP District Honor Rolls. He currently works in the Central Office of a district outside Philadelphia, where he serves all nine schools in the district. Brandon is an avid runner and hiker but finds his greatest joy in spending time with family. Having grown up in New York, he is a diehard Yankees fan.
Peter D’Antonio
Term ends 2026
Peter joined Christ the King Parish in 2016 when he and his wife Megan moved to Haddonfield. Together they have three young children. Peter has served as a catechist since 2017 for 8th Grade religious education students and began to volunteer with OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) in 2022. He graduated from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University. Peter attended Villanova University where he received his MBA and currently works in the pharmaceutical industry. Peter enjoys making homemade wine and supporting the Phillies and Eagles.
Don Nigro
Term ends 2026 • Serves on the Liturgy Committee
Don Nigro is the newest member of the Pastoral Council. He and his wife, Patty, joined Christ the King Parish in 2013 with their two now adult daughters who served as a cantor and an altar server. Don did his undergraduate and graduate studies at Temple University studying music composition and theory. Today, he is a senior computer programmer in the insurance industry. Don hopes, in particular, to contribute in the areas of liturgy and technology. In the summer of 2022, he conducted the parish’s initial research for a new organ. Over the years, among other things, Don has been a web designer, Bible study coordinator, choir director, and liturgical music director. Perhaps, most out of the ordinary, he incorporated and for eleven years led a non-profit rail passenger advocacy group.