Deacon Neil Crispo

Deacon Neil Crispo was born and raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Swissvale where he married his high school sweetheart, Victoria.  Shortly after they were married, Neil accepted a manager position with a casket company in Hartford, Connecticut.  He was always involved in church as lector, choir member, catechist, and while in Connecticut learned that the Permanent Diaconate was restored by Vatican II.  He knew he was called but God had an amazing plan to accept the call 25 years later.  In the meantime Neil and Vicki raised three sons and a daughter and lived in Boston, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rochester and Utica, N.Y. before moving to York in 1989 where Neil became CEO of a company. They were later blessed with 4 grandchildren.

The doors always seemed to be closed for Neil to pursue the diaconate until 2003 when he was accepted to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore with the understanding he would be ordained for the Baltimore Archdiocese after formation.  God had still other plans as Bishop Rhoades arrived and ordained Neil for the Harrisburg Diocese in 2007.  After 3 years serving at St. Joseph Church, Dallastown, he was transferred to St. Joseph’s York in 2010 and became Director of Adult Faith Formation.  Upon ordination Deacon Neil was employed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Tribunal and in 2012 he became a member of Holy Spirit Hospital’s Pastoral Care Team where he works each day. In the afternoon and evening he may be found  at the parish where he coordinates RCIA, Bible Studies such as Great Adventure and outreach groups such as Covenant of Love Marriage Enrichment, Grief Share, Divorce Survival Group. He also meets with individuals and couples for spiritual direction and counseling. He assists the priests at Mass each weekend,  and officiates at Baptisms, Funerals and Marriages.   

Deacon Neil feels very blessed by God’s goodness in allowing him to experience the fullness of marriage and family life and in  affirming his call to ordination as a member of the clergy.  “To whom much has been given, much will be asked.”