Deacon James Friend — Permanent Deacon at the Cathedral Church

Deacon James Friend serves as a Permanent Deacon at the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena, having been ordained for the Diocese of Allentown by The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert in 2024. Deacon Friend has devoted more than three decades to the Catholic Church in roles spanning parish ministry, philanthropic leadership, and Catholic education.

Deacon Friend was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Central Florida. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from West Chester University and a Master’s Degree in English and Publishing from Rosemont College. He completed his diaconal formation at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, fulfilling the academic component of his journey toward ordination and earning a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. Alongside his parish responsibilities, Deacon Friend serves as Executive Director for the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, where he leads an organization devoted to bringing others to Christ through the life and example of one of the world’s most beloved saints.

Throughout his career, Deacon Friend has guided fundraising initiatives for the Diocese of Allentown, the Faith in the Future Foundation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and, most recently, the Saint John Vianney Center, a national behavioral health center dedicated to serving clergy and religious. He has also consulted extensively with Catholic organizations, sharing best practices in leadership and development. In 2017, he founded the Advancing Our Church podcast, fostering discussions on Catholic stewardship, evangelization, and innovation within the Church.

Deacon Friend and his wife, Kristin, have three grown children. Together, they share a ministry on Kristin’s YouTube channel, Kristin’s Crosses, where Deacon Friend offers prayers and daily reflections on the Catholic faith.

Deacon Jim also has personal accounts where you can connect with him on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).