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Phoenixville Today
By the People, for the People
Phoenixville Native Leads Missionary Hub to Revive Local Faith Community
Lauren Joyce brings 'startup energy' to evangelize and build community at St. Ann Parish.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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Lauren Joyce, a Chester County native, has taken on the role of Missionary Hub director at St. Ann Parish in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Her mission is to reach the 83% of area Catholics no longer attending Mass and to bring a renewed sense of hope, community, and encounter with Jesus Christ to the vibrant and diverse Phoenixville community.
Why it matters
The Phoenixville Missionary Hub is one of the first five launched across the Catholic Church of Philadelphia, as part of Archbishop Nelson Pérez's vision to revitalize local faith communities. Joyce sees Phoenixville, with its blend of cultures, generations, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as an extraordinary place for this kind of evangelizing work.
The details
In her new role, Joyce has been meeting with parishioners, volunteers, and ministry leaders to observe the work the Holy Spirit is already accomplishing in the community. She brings a rich background in communications, evangelization, and ministry, having previously served in roles such as Director of Religious Education, middle school theology teacher, and PR manager for a Catholic content producer.
- Joyce began serving as the Missionary Hub director at St. Ann Parish in Phoenixville in September 2025.
- Joyce previously spent five years with Catholic content producer Ascension in Exton, where she coordinated press relations and worked closely with Father Mike Schmitz.
The players
Lauren Joyce
The director of the Missionary Hub at St. Ann Parish in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, who is leading the effort to reach the 83% of area Catholics no longer attending Mass and to bring a renewed sense of hope, community, and encounter with Jesus Christ to the local community.
Archbishop Nelson Pérez
The Archbishop of Philadelphia who has launched the Missionary Hub initiative across the Catholic Church of Philadelphia to revitalize local faith communities.
Father Stephen DeLacy
A mentor to Joyce who is now the Vicar for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
What they’re saying
“Our first job is to be here and be receptive.”
— Lauren Joyce, Missionary Hub Director (catholicphilly.com)
“There's so much joy and fruit in it. I love being in community. I love being with the people of God.”
— Lauren Joyce, Missionary Hub Director (catholicphilly.com)
What’s next
Joyce hopes the Phoenixville Missionary Hub will become a source of consolation, hope, strength, and renewal that shifts the conversation from parish closures and past wounds to the heart of the Gospel message: an encounter with the love of Jesus Christ.
The takeaway
The launch of the Phoenixville Missionary Hub is part of a broader effort by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to revitalize local faith communities and reach Catholics who have drifted away from the Church. Joyce's 'startup energy' and focus on building community, deepening prayer, and reigniting a sense of belonging could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the region.
