Fr. Michael – Saint Michael's CEC

Father Michael Pacella III

Parish Priest, Rector, PhD,

Current Achievements and Ministries

Father Michael Pacella III
celebrated 45 years of active ministry in 2019, including twenty years as senior pastor in New London, CT and military chaplaincy. He is also a distinguished academic who completed his PhD degree in Philosophy of Religion in 2021 with the Saint Gregory Nazianzen Institute for Eastern Christian Studies.

Fr. Michael directs MindFaith Ministry and F.I.R.E on the campus of William & Mary College, where he also serves as Campus Police Chaplain.

Fr. Michael also serves as adjunct faculty at William and Mary College and at Christopher Newport University for ROTC classes in Ethics and Leadership.

Father Michael Pacella was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. The only son of a 100% disabled veteran and a very hard working mother. The Pacella's lived in the housing projects that were initially designated for Veteran's, but then were extended to the poorer class of society at large.

Michael served as an altar boy from a very young age. His local priest acknowledged his call to the priesthood and expressed it to his father. The church wanted him to attend parochial school, but the family could not afford it.

Michael lost his way during his teen age years and was involved in gang activity, drinking, and in irresponsible behavior which effected his school work. At age 17 he volunteered (with his parent's permission), for United States Navy. Michael served in the Navigation Division on the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), and was stationed off of the coast of Vietnam in 1971-1972.

During this time he had a dramatic experience with the Holy Spirit. He was converted and felt a call of God on his life for full time service.

Needing a miracle due to his educational deficiency, he sought out a former Superintendent of school's who was a neighbor, for his guidance. This proved to be very successful. He also received assistance from the President of St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey, who gave him a chance to attend after Michael shared his conversion testimony with him by letter.

This began his theological training which lead him to Holy Apostles College and Seminary (BA), Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.) and to Harvard University Divinity School (Th.M.). Michael also pastored an Evangelical Charismatic church for twenty years in New England.

Michael married his wife Doreen in 1976. They adopted 5 children.

They also have 6 grandchildren.

Michael has done research with the Cambridge Theological Federation in Cambridge, England and has published articles in an academic theology book.

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From Valor To Virtue

A recently published book entitled, From Valor to Virtue: "The Moral Development of the Brave". This book was born out of his work as a US Army chaplain and as a Police chaplain. Michael resides with his wife Doreen in Williamsburg, VA, where he leads the CEC mission Saint Michael and All Angels.

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From Valor To Virtue

Fr. Michael's latest book, written with Dr.. John Stanko, addresses the debate regarding the removal of original canonical books from the Bible during the Reformation.

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Father Michael's Seminars

Fr. Michael Pacella III provides seminars in ethics, morals Christian Apologetics, world religions, evangelizing, bio-medical ethics, ethics of speech and ministerial ethics in the pastoral setting.

Seminar Purpose and Goals

Provide ethical training and seminars for Police Personnel.
Provide ethical training and seminars for Military Personnel.
Provide Moral Leadership seminars for leaders of all sectors.
Moral consultation for those struggling with Moral opaqueness who need Moral Clarity.
Teaching provided for leadership in Christian Apologetics.
Teaching provided on World Religions especially Islam.
Seminar on Evangelizing the Intellectual.
Seminar on Bio-medical ethics and issues that clergy are facing today.
Seminar on the Ethics of Speech.
Seminar on Ministerial Ethics in the pastoral setting.

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Simply fill out the form to request a seminar date!

Click to view Fr. Michael's Resume