“The spiritual children which the Lord gives each priest, the children he has baptized, the families he has blessed and helped on their way, the sick he has comforted, the young people he catechizes and helps to grow, the poor he assists… all these are the 'Bride' whom he rejoices to treat as his supreme and only love and to whom he is constantly faithful. It is the living Church, with a first name and a last name, which the priest shepherds in his parish or in the mission entrusted to him.”
Pope Francis, Chrism Mass, April 2014

Our priests are, first and foremost, priests of Jesus Christ, signed with a special character at Ordination so they can preach and offer the Holy Sacraments to the parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua in His name.

Pastor
Rev. Frederick J. Close 
The pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church grew up in Washington DC and worked for 25 years in the Justice Department before he was called to explore the priest hood.  He had an injury which led to an adult conversion "which reoriented my life entirely."  Fr Fred was ordained a priest in 2001 and came to St. Anthony in 2006 and is proud of his long connections to this area.  "I've got deep roots in this neighborhood.  My Mother and my Aunts all went to Trinity College. St. Anthony has been at the heart of Brookland, the parish has anchored the neighborhood in significant ways right from the beginning."  He is also part of the Catholic Charismatic Service Committe as the Renewal liason to the Archbishop for English speakers and on the Board of Directors for the Consortium of Catholic Academies.  In 2020 he was named the Catholic Business Network DC's Clergyman of the Year!  As has been said by many parishioners  "Fr Fred is a great gift to all, in Brookland and beyond!"
 

Priests in Residence
Fr. John Shi
Fr. Alexander Turpin (Rockville Ctr NY)
Fr. Ji-Woon Yoon
Fr. Corey Close

Permanent Deacons:
Rev. Mr. John Feeley