A 1975 summa cum laude graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania (B.S., Speech Pathology and Audiology), Fr. Phillips completed his theological studies with an M.A. in Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1981, the year he was ordained to the priesthood for the Pallottines, a society of apostolic life. He furthered his education at Boston College, earning a M.Ed. in Educational Administration (1989) and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction and Administration (1992). Prior to arriving in Maine, Fr. Phillips was a theology teacher and principal at schools in New Jersey; an assistant professor of education at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio; a coordinator of faith development at Iona College in New York; and an assistant professor of education at Notre Dame of Maryland University. In 1999, Fr. Phillips, while serving as director of the St. Paul Center in Augusta, was named temporary administrator of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Augusta. A year later, he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Philip, St. Louis, and Sacred Heart Parishes in Auburn in 2000. In 2002, he was appointed administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth. In January 2003, Fr. Phillips was incardinated into the presbyterate of the Diocese of Portland. From 2004 to 2008, Fr. Phillips served as pastor of parishes in Augusta during which time he was also named administrator of St. Denis Parish, Whitefield, and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Winthrop. In 2009, he was appointed rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland and administrator of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes.