​Fernando Cartagena – Director of Youth Ministry

Fernando has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from DeSales University in Allentown, Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Charles Borromeo Graduate School of Theology in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.  

During graduate school, Fernando spent time as a public speaker and retreat facilitator for high schools and parishes through out the Northeast. He was also a part-time parish youth minister in the city of Philadelphia. After graduate school, it was time to enter into full-time parish ministry. He spent eight years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore; the first two years at a small parish in Laurel, Maryland, then another six years in Ellicott City, Maryland.  He is very excited to have been called to South Carolina to continue his work in ministry. Since coming to our parish in the summer of 2016, Fernando has grown the Edge (middle school) and LifeTeen (high school) programs to now include more than 120 participants and adult volunteers.

Fernando's call to parish ministry results from encountering the love of God in his life and feeling compelled to share His love with others.

Fernando was born in Puerto Rico and moved with his family to Maryland when he was just a year old.  He and his wife, Kacie, have been married for 10 years and have six children (one is a saint in Heaven and five are in training).

His hobbies include snowboarding, being outdoors, good music, good food, good hammocks, and going on crazy spontaneous adventures with his wife. He likes the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Orioles. He also plays the guitar, sings, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. In addition, Fernando enjoys limited visits to Taco Bell.

You may email Fernando here.
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Direct Line: 843.471.2676

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