Rev. Daniel F. X. Powell, Jr. was born in Philadelphia and moved to King of Prussia, PA when he was eight years old. He attended St. Raymond and Mother of Divine Providence Catholic elementary schools and Archbishop John Carroll High School. He subsequently graduated from Shippensburg University. He entered Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, PA in August, 1986 and then St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1992.
In his priesthood, Fr. Dan was assigned to several parishes and also served as campus minister at Millersville University and Franklin and Marshall College and Susquehanna University where he honed his skills working with youth. He is a strong proponent of Catholic education and, most recently, was involved in relocating a Catholic Elementary School from the city of Lancaster to the Lancaster suburban parish of St. John Neumann where he now serves as Pastor. For his tireless work on this relocation and the establishment of this school, he was recently awarded a 2021 National Catholic Education Association Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award. This award recognizes outstanding efforts, contributions, and achievements on behalf of Catholic school education. The completion of this Religious Education Center took place during the Covid Pandemic—God’s Hand at work.
Fr. Dan has been taking mission trips to the Dominican Republic for the last twenty years where he has established relationships with many people in the town of El Factor. He loves that he has been able to facilitate a mission experience to so many who have accompanied him over the years.
For relaxation, Fr. Dan and his Boston terrier, Maggie, like to hike in the State Parks of PA. He also enjoys relaxing at the beach, kayaking, biking, and skiing.
