Father Joe has provided spiritual support to Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, formerly Eagles Head Coach. Pictured above (L-R) are Brian Westbrook, former Eagles player, Andy Reid, Father Joe and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Before the Superbowl match-up of Chiefs versus the Eagles, Father Joe told Andy Reid, “You’re a great buddy but I’m rooting for the Birds this Sunday!”
Father Joe Campellone, OSFS, Provincial Councilor, brings a great perspective and interesting experiences when he collaborates with his fellow councilors in advising Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial, Wilmington-Philadelphia Province.
A proud product of Northeast Philadelphia, Father Joe was raised in a home centered on faith and shared with his five siblings. He recalls his late mother, who worked for many years with Oblates at St. Joachim Parish, as one who loved to smile and always laugh. Father Joe considers his parents and grandparents influential role models of the servant model of Christ.
He says he couldn’t get into Father Judge High School, so he attended Ashburn High and played football for St. Timothy’s Parish. He had some learning disabilities disguised as behavior problems and graduated from DeSales University (DSU) with the help of the ACT101 Program.
When he was at DSU, he remembers thinking that he wasn’t going to make it through. “At DSU, a lot of awesome people saw something in me,” he recalls. “They didn’t just look at the score on paper; they saw who the person was in their heart and in their spirit.”
After he graduated, Father Joe worked in Student Life at the University, living in the dorms and dealing with all different types of student situations. After he became an Oblate, he first came to Father Judge High School to serve as Chaplain and created a large ministry team and a variety of community-oriented programs. As Chaplain, he relished the opportunity to engage with others and encourage self-reflection.
Father Joe, center, is flanked by former Philadelphia Eagles Head Coaches Doug Peterson, on his right and Andy Reid, on his left. Reid is now Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“As an Oblate, our way of life causes us to be internal and reflective. This gives you the ability to help others do this…as a chaplain I worked with students who have now become my very good friends. It was such a privilege to be a chaplain as an early priest as I have been able to walk with so many people,” Father Joe said.
In addition to countless Judge students and families, Father Campellone has supported and coached businesspeople, athletes and coaches including Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Philadelphia Flyers players and other business leaders. Working with people from all walks of life is particularly gratifying for Father Joe. The words of Saint Francis de Sales that he had printed on his ordination prayer card remain the center of Father Joe’s spirituality, “Strive to seek God in all things, without exception.”
At Judge, Father Joe served as President for 15 years. Today, he ministers as an Advancement Consultant. He has helped raise millions of dollars to support the growth of the Father Brisson Center for Academic Excellence, which provides a supportive environment for the completion of academic work and ensures that each student has the opportunity to be as successful as possible. The Center offers educational support for students with learning differences.
In addition to raising funds for the Career Pathways Academy at Father Judge, Father Joe also helped create the model for this program where students graduate with more than just a high school diploma; they earn certification in a trade. Thus far, the program offers welding and automotive training but future plans include HVAC, building trades and CNC machining.
“This is such a great program; I am so happy to be able to work with alumni to be part of the mission as we continue to provide a Salesian education at Judge,” said Father Joe.
Another uniqueness of Father Judge is “Judge 27” a reference to the 27 Judge alumni who lost their lives in Vietnam, more than any other private/parochial school in the nation. These men and their families are always remembered and Father Joe has had the privilege of working with many of them. Most recently, he collaborated with other veterans in establishing Fort Freedom Foundation, which hosts a 24-hour hotline and a 90-day in-patient program in Jupiter, FL for vets experiencing PTSD and other issues. The free program offers spiritual, psychological and medical programs for vets across the country. Father Joe is passionate about this work and comments, “They (vets) gave us freedom but they don’t have freedom – we thank them but they are not having mental freedom to live their lives.”
Father Joe’s main focus of his advancement talents is raising funds for Father Judge High School but he also supports Beacon Pointe (an addiction recovery center in Philadelphia), the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Saint Basil Academy Alumni (Philadelphia) and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. In addition to this work, Father Joe also served on the DeSales University Board of Trustees and currently serves on an urban city board, Visitation BVM, as well as many others.
Father Joe is honored to be serving as Councilor and so happy to be part of Father Jack Kolodziej’s administration. “(Father) Jack has a great vision to be creative and to continue to make Salesian Spirituality vibrant in all we do. He really cares about the men, is so optimistic and inspires us (Oblates) to do great things.” Father Joe continues, “I love serving on the Council. We have such a great team…we bring four very different views. I’m very excited to be working with them and all my brother Oblates.”
