Rev. Frank Desiderio

 

Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, C.S.P., former radio producer, homiletics teacher, seminary rector, parish priest and campus minister, brings a variety of experiences to the work of making faith visible on television. Fr. Frank produced religious and public affairs radio programs for Paulist Communications, including Religion and the News and Paulist Communications Newsmagazine.

Ordained in 1982, he spent ten years in Los Angeles working first as a parish priest and then a director of campus ministry at the UCLA University Catholic Center.

During seven years in Washington, D.C. he served as recor of St. Paul's College and taught at the Catholic University of America and Washington Theological Union. In both cities where he ministered, he has been a community activist. In Washington, D.C., he was a founder of the Metropolis View Neighborhood Association, a group that banded together to take back the streets in one of the most crime ridden, drug infested neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. He was also founding Vice President of People Assisting the Homeless, an ecumenical coalition of churches brought together to serve the homeless in West Los Angeles.

In addition to his parish work at Corpus Christi, Fr. Desiderio, is currently the President of Paulist Productions where he executive produces movies and documentaries for television. His current credits include the ABC/Paramount movie entitled “Judas” which aired on ABC Television in 2004. He is currently working with Hallmark Hall of Fame on an upcoming movie of the week project. He is also in production on a feature film documentary on the positive physical and mental health effects of forgiveness.

In addition, Fr. Desiderio serves as President of the Human Family Educational and Cultural Institute, which awards the HUMANITAS Prize to writers whose work in film and television, not only entertains, but also enriches the viewing public. Throughout the year, the Institute offers Master Writers Workshops given by some of Hollywood's most notable writers.

Besides being a priest and producer, he is also a poet. His poetry has appeared in The National Catholic Reporter, Prairie Messenger, The Bread of Life and Spring Hill Review.