Senior was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Cardinal John Krol on May 18, 1985. He earned Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in pastoral theology degrees from St. Charles Seminary in 1988.[2] After his ordination, Senior was appointed parochial vicar at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, serving there until 1988.[2]
Senior briefly taught religion at Archbishop Kennedy High School in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, (1988–89) before pursuing full-time graduate studies at Boston College. He received a Master of Social Work degree and Master of Business Administration in 1992. During his studies, Senior also worked as executive assistant to the secretary for social services in the Archdiocese of Boston (1991–92).[2]
On returning to Philadelphia, Senior worked as deputy secretary for Catholic Human Services from 1992 to 1997, when he became secretary.[2] In this position, he oversaw the governance and operation of the network of Catholic health care and social services ministries sponsored by the archdiocese. Senior was raised to the rank of chaplain to his holiness by Pope John Paul II in 1998, and prelate of honor in 2005.[1]In 2004, Senior was named archdiocesan vicar for clergy by Cardinal Justin Rigali.[2] In addition to his duties as vicar, he resided at and served as chaplain at Divine Providence Village, a facility for people with intellectual disabilities, in Springfield, Pennsylvania.[1]
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