Biography of Ray East
Monsignor Ray East is the son of the late Thomas and Gwendolyn East and grandson of Baptist missionaries to South Africa. He was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in San Diego where he graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business Administration.
His position with the National Association of Minority Contractors brought him to Washington, DC where he later experienced a call to the priesthood and was ordained in 1981 by Cardinal Hickey. He is a nationally known inspirational speaker and revivalist, is Executive Director of the Office of Black Catholics and Vicar for Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He is also pastor of St. Therese of Avila parish in South-West Washington, a vibrant African American Catholic community deeply engaged in a plethora of ministries for its members and for its surrounding neighborhoods. He has worked in the areas of Liturgy, Youth Ministry, Initiation and Evangelization.