Emilio Alvarez joined the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs staff team in 2022. He currently serves as Campus Minister at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.
Fr. John was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was trained at Archbishop Ryan High School (staffed by the Franciscans of the Assumption BVM Province), Marquette University, LaSalle University, Aquinas Institute, Catholic University of America and the Pontifico Atheo Antonianum (Rome). He holds advanced degrees in Business Administration, Theology and Canon Law. He made solemn vows in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1978. John has taught at Christ the King Seminary (East Aurora, NY), St. Bonaventure University (Alleghany, NY) and Mundelein Seminary (Chicago, IL); he was Vicar for Religious in Chicago; he was the Director of Development for the Franciscan Order in Rome, and served on various Archdiocesan Tribunals over the years. John is currently the Treasurer of the Assumption Province. He assumed the duties of Director of Franciscan Pilgrimages in January of 2005.
Office: 414.427.0570 x231
E-mail:jcella@franciscanpilgrimages.com *New email address as of 9/1/2023*
Jenell started in the FFP Office in September of 2019. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, IA with a degree in Radio/TV Production/Communications and her professional background includes time as an elementary teacher and 22 years as a legal videographer in the Milwaukee area. She is a member of St. Leonard parish in Muskego where she loves to sing in the choir and lend an occasional hand to the Religious Education program. Jenell and her husband, Bob, have two children, ages 14 and 12, and spend free time taking motorcycle trips as well as vacations with the kids.
Nancy Celaschi, OSF, is a member of the Rome-based School Sisters of St. Francis. A graduate of the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, Nancy has lived for more than twenty years in Rome, where she now serves as general councilor and general secretary of her congregation.
Sister Nancy has published several articles and numerous translations of Franciscan works. A former staff member of the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano, she also served as Secretary General of the International Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (IFC-TOR) and was the first director of its Spirit and Life Department. In that capacity she founded the Itinerant School of Third Order Regular Franciscan Spirituality and the conference’s bulletin, Propositum.
She brings to the pilgrimage program a fluency in Italian and other European languages, a deep knowledge of and appreciation for Italian culture and a familiarity with Franciscan places throughout Italy.
