new priest assignments 2023 chicago

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich to Ordain Five Priests

• Crusader Staff
• May 20, 2023

Photo caption: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will ordain five priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. The newly ordained priests, ranging in age from 30 to 35, hail from Barrington, Burr Ridge, Crystal Lake, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The ordination will be livestreamed on the archdiocese’s YouTube channel Catholic Chicago https://www.youtube.com/live/M-wVjJnBL0Q?feature=share.

“The Church in every age, and even more in our own, needs leaders who can inspire hope and bring Jesus’ message of mercy and compassion to the diverse communities of the archdiocese,” said Cardinal Cupich. “These fine young men are being ordained to serve the People of God and we look forward to see how their ministry unfolds in the years to come.”

Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve.

Each newly ordained priest has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the Church, and pastoral practice. As part of their seminary education, future priests are assigned to work at parishes, schools, and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people.

“This year’s ordinandi bring a wealth of prior life experience drawn from a broad range of backgrounds, such as social work, finance, teaching, and engineering but what they share is a priestly formation that has prepared them to be men of prayer, teaching and service for the people of God and God’s Church,” said Very Reverend John Kartje, rector/president of University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. “By the grace of God, their gifts will be a blessing to the archdiocese as we continue to journey together into the new reality of Renew My Church – which is not all that different from the ‘original new reality’ seen in the Acts of the Apostles.”

Kevin Gregus , 35, from Crystal Lake, will have his first assignment at Two Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake.

Daniel Korenchan , 30, from Burr Ridge, will have his first assignment at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Orland Hills. He will celebrate his first Masses on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 2 p.m. at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights and on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs.

Michael Mehringer , 33, from Barrington, will have his first assginment at Queen of Apostles Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 21 at 9 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago.

Francisco Javier Pagán Portalatín , 34, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will have his first assignment at San José Sánchez del Río Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass in English on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Orland Park. He will celebrate his first Mass in Spanish at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 at Santa Gema Galgani Sanctuary (Shrine of St. Gemma) in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Jesús Raya Custodio , 34, from Chicago, will have his first assignment at St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass in English and Spanish on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Nazareth Parish in Chicago.

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Vocation Office

Priesthood ordination.

Welcome our new priests!

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, will ordain candidates from Mundelein Seminary to the Priesthood at Holy Name Cathedral. “The new priests join a brotherhood which enhances their ability to bring renewal, joy and comfort to those in need of guidance, healing and mercy.”  Cardinal Blase J. Cupich

Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. At the center of ordination is the moment when Cardinal Cupich imposes his hands on the candidates’ heads and prays over them, asking that God grant them an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the ministry that they will undertake as priests. After the new priests are clothed in their vestments, Cardinal Cupich anoints their hands with oil, hand them the chalice and paten for the celebration of the Eucharist, and gives to each one the sign of peace.

By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination.

May the Lord guide them in their faithful service to our local Church.

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2024 Clergy Appointments

(as of April 22, 2024)

Pastors/Administrators

• Fr. J. Rodolphe Arty, CSC, in Solidum of Queen of Apostles, Joliet
• Fr. John Balluff as Pastor of St. Isidore, Bloomingdale
• Fr. Sunny Castillo as Pastor of St. Michael, Wheaton
• Fr. Mark Cote as Pastor of St. Scholastica, Woodridge
• Fr. Daniel Hoehn as Pastor of Sts. Joseph and St. Dennis, Lockport
• Fr. John Hornicak as Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Magdalene, Joliet, and St. Joseph, Joliet (campuses open), St. Anthony, Joliet, and St. Bernard, Joliet (campuses closed)
• Fr. Marek Herbut as Administrator Holy Ghost, Wood Dale
• Fr. Slawomir Ignasik as Pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven, Elmhurst
• Fr. Jerome Kish as Pastor of St. Petronille, Glen Ellyn
• Fr. Michael Lane as Moderator in Solidum of Queen of Apostles, Joliet
• Fr. Michael Magiera as Administrator of St. Joseph Mission, Rockdale
• Fr. Thomas Milota as Pastor of St. Paul, Peotone, and St. Boniface, Monee
• Fr. Clive Otieno as Pastor of St. Mary Nativity, Joliet, and the Mission of Holy Cross, Joliet

Parochial Vicars

• Fr. Ryan Adorjan at Visitation Parish, Elmhurst
• Fr. Greg Alberts at Queen of Apostles, Joliet
• Fr. Juan Jose Hernandez, part-time at St. Scholastica, Woodridge, while continuing part-time at Diocese of Joliet Tribunal
• Fr. Roger Kutzner at St. Mary Magdalene and St. Joseph, Joliet
• Fr. Thomas Logue at St. Joseph and St. Dennis, Lockport
• Fr. Ternan Monteiro, S.J., at St. Raphael, Naperville
• Fr. Luis Ron at St. Mary, West Chicago (will be ordained May 18, 2024)

Special Assignments

• Fr. Andrew Buchanan, part-time Chaplain at Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family, Lisle, and also part-time in the Diocese of Joliet Vocation Office while residing at St. Mary, West Chicago
• Fr. Dennis Spies as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of Diocese of Joliet

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New Pastoral Assignments

2023 Pastoral Assignments Announced

Bishop Edward M. Rice announced the following clergy assignments effective Saturday, July 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

“Please keep these priests in your prayers as they adjust to their new assignments,” said Bishop Rice. “Please pray too, for their former parishioners and new parishioners during this time of transition.”

New Pastoral Changes

Reverend Victor Anokwute

Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, in Caruthersville, and Immaculate Conception Parish, in New Madrid. Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Teresa Parish, in Glennonville, and St. Ann Parish, in Malden.

Reverend Charles Dunn

New Appointment:  Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Seneca. Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Canera Parish in Neosho and Nativity of Our Lord Mission Church in Noel.

Reverend Rick Jones

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Fredericktown. Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, in Cape Girardeau.

The Very Reverend Allan Saunders

Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of St. Denis Parish, in Benton, and St. Lawrence Parish, in New Hamburg. Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, in Cape Girardeau, and historical Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, in Cape Girardeau.

The Very Reverend Joseph Weidenbenner

Concluding: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, in Seneca. Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, in Joplin, and Chaplain at McAuley Catholic High School, in Joplin.

Named Pastor

Reverend Tuan Van Nguyen, CRM

New Appointment:  Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Tuan Nguyen, CRM, is now appointed Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, in El Dorado Springs, and St. Peter the Apostle Mission Church, in Stockton.

Reverend Brian Straus

New Appointment: Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Brian Straus is now appointed Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, in Joplin. Continuing: Role as Director/Chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry at Missouri Southern State University, in Joplin. Concluding: Role as Lead Chaplain of McAuley Catholic High School and as a diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter.

Reverend Tomasz Wilk, OSPPE

New Appointment: Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, OSPPE, is now appointed Pastor of St. Augustine Parish, in Kelso, and St. Joseph Parish, in Scott City.

Parochial Administrators

Reverend Daniel Belken

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Denis Parish, in Benton, and St. Lawrence Parish, in New Hamburg. Continuing: Role as diocesan Associate Director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy. Concluding: Assignments as a diocesan Associate Vocation Promoter and Lead Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau.

Reverend Suresh Samala

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, in New Madrid, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Caruthersville. Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, in Fredericktown.

Reverend Pompeyo Tan, Jr.

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield. Continuing: He remains Chaplain to the Filipino Community, in Springfield. Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of Holy Trinity Parish, in Springfield. He remains Chaplain to the Filipino Community.

Reverend Timothy Tran, CRM, JCL

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, in Ozark. Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Agnes Cathedral, in Springfield. Continuing: Role as the diocesan Coordinator of the Tribunal.

Parochial Vicars

Reverend Jesse Hiett

New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral Parish, in Cape Girardeau, Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, in Cape Girardeau, and Lead Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School, in Cape Girardeau.

Reverend Audrey Troya Toloza

New Appointment: Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, in Seneca. Continuing: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Canera Parish, in Neosho, and Nativity of Our Lord Mission Church, in Noel.

Leaving the Diocese

Reverend Karl Barrman, OSB

Concluding: Assignment as Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield, to return to his religious community, the Benedictine Fathers at Conception Abbey, in Conception, MO.

Thank you, Fr. Karl, for your service to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, at St. Joseph in Springfield.

Reverend José Marino Novoa, CMF

Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Parish, in Carthage, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City, to return to his religious community, the Claretian Missionaries United States-Canada Province, in Chicago.

Thank you, Fr. José, for your service to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Reverend Joji Vincent

Temporary Assignment

New Appointment: Due to health reasons, Rev. Joji Vincent will take on a three-year appointment in the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada. Concluding: Assignment as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, in Ozark.

Reverend Andrew Williams

New Appointment: Sacramental Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City; St. Ann Parish, in Carthage; faculty member and Lead Chaplain of McAuley Catholic High School, in Joplin, and as a diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter. Continuing: Role as Chaplain of Mercy Joplin. Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, in Joplin, and St. Mary Parish, in Seneca.

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News and Events

News releases, cardinal blase j. cupich to ordain two priests for the archdiocese of chicago on saturday, may 21, 2022 at holy name cathedral.

Chicago - (May 19, 2021) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will ordain two priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State St., Chicago. The ordination will be livestreamed on the archdiocese’s YouTube channel Catholic Chicago

[ https://youtu.be/AjsGtN8oCR4 ].

“I welcome these men into the priesthood as shepherds who love the Lord with all their hearts and who will bring different life experiences and talents to their ministries,” said Cardinal Cupich. “They answered a call to give their lives in service to God and His people. May the wisdom and fortitude of the Holy Spirit and the gift of the Lord’s grace guide them.”

Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve.

Each newly ordained priest has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the Church, and pastoral practice.  As part of their seminary education, future priests are assigned to work at parishes, schools, and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people.

“These men have spent the bulk of their seminary formation during some of the most challenging times

the Church has seen in recent years,” said Very Reverend John Kartje, rector/president of University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. “The flexibility and resilience they have displayed, while always remaining grounded in their relationship with Jesus Christ, will serve them and the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago extremely well. They have the hearts of true shepherds, disciples, and servants.”

Colm Mitchell , 32, from Chicago, will have his first assignment at St. Alexander Parish in Palos Heights. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary of Perpetual Help Church in Chicago.

Joseph Brom , SJC, 35, from Lisle, is a Canon Regular of St. John Cantius and will have his first assignment at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Cantius, 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago.       

Official — Three priests appointed to archdiocesan curia

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre announced March 27 new appointments to the Archdiocese of Louisville curia. In a letter to priests announcing the appointments, Archbishop Fabre expressed his gratitude to the priests for their service and their willingness to serve in their new positions.

The appointments are effective July 1

Reverend Jeffrey P. Shooner will assume the position of Vicar General. The Vicar General assists the diocesan bishop in the governance of the entire diocese. Father Shooner will continue to serve as the pastor of St. Patrick and St. Boniface churches. Father Shooner was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 11, 2004. He was born March 7, 1971, in Covington, Ky. In the Archdiocese of Louisville, he attended St. Helen and St. Polycarp schools and, Holy Cross High School. He then attended the United States Air Force Academy. Following graduation in 1993, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1998. He attended Theological College and the Catholic University of America for major seminary. He has served as pastor of St. Lawrence, St. Patrick and St. Boniface churches. He served as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in La Grange, Ky., St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Ky., and St. Ignatius Church in White Mills, Ky. He has also served as administrator pro-tempore at the following parishes: Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Albert the Great, Annunciation in Shelbyville, Ky., and St. John Chrysostom in Eminence, Ky. He served as presbyteral moderator for St. William Church and St. Thomas and St. Monica churches, both in Bardstown. He also served as sacramental moderator for St. Boniface.

Father Shooner has served the archdiocese as director of vocations and associate director of vocations, as vicar for priests and director of the Priest Personnel Office. He has served as a consultor and member of the Priests’ Council. He also served as chairman of the board at Holy Cross High School.

Very Reverend Anthony L. Chandler will assume the position of Vicar for Priests. In this role, he will direct the Office of Priest Personnel and assist in the administration of priest personnel matters, including proposing appointments, fostering continuing education, and providing support for priests.  He will also serve as rector of the Cathedral of the Assumption.  Father Chandler was ordained a priest of the archdiocese on May 27, 1989.He was born April 15, 1961, in Louisville and was baptized at St. Augustine Church. He attended St. George School and Bishop David High School. He attended Western Kentucky University and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology for college. He attended the Catholic University of America for major seminary. He also completed post-graduate studies, earning a master’s degree from the University of Louisville in 1985 and an MBA from the University of Maryland in 1993.

Father Chandler has served as pastor of Holy Family Church, St. Bartholomew Church, St. John the Apostle Church in Brandenburg, Ky., St. Martin of Tours Church in Flaherty, Ky., Immaculate Conception and St. Francis of Assisi Church.He served as associate pastor of St. Martha and as administrator pro-tempore at St. Martha, St. Raphael and St. Michael churches. He also served as co-chaplain for St. Xavier High School.Father Chandler has served the archdiocese as a consultor and president of the Priests’ Council. He has also served as director of the Vocation Office, defender of the bond, as a member of the Archdiocesan Planning Committee and the Catholic Schools Athletic Association.He has also served on several boards, including the One Church/One Child Adoption Board, the Holy Cross High School Board, the National Finance Committee-National Black and Indian Mission and the St. Meinrad Board of Overseers.

Outside the archdiocese, he has served as vice chancellor for the Archdiocese of Military Services and as president/CEO of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Fort Worth, Texas.

Very Reverend Martin A. Linebach will assume the position of Vicar for Vocations and director of the Vocation Office. This newly expanded position will be full-time, allowing for additional emphasis on the promotion and support of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. He will be in residence at St. Ignatius Martyr Church.

Father Linebach was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1987.He was born May 9, 1956, in Louisville and was baptized at St. Joseph Infirmary. He attended St. Margaret Mary and St. Edward schools and Eastern High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature with a minor in philosophy from Bellarmine University in 1978 and a Master of Divinity degree from the Theological College of the Catholic University of America in 1987. He was later assigned to graduate studies at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley — liturgical studies — from 1993-1994. He earned a Master of Science degree in organization development from Loyola University in Chicago in 2002.

Father Linebach has served as rector at the Cathedral of the Assumption and as pastor of St. Patrick, St. James, Elizabethtown, St. Ignatius, White Mills and St. Ambrose Church in Cecilia, Ky. He served as associate pastor of Mother of Good Counsel Church, Holy Trinity Church, St. Aloysius Church in Pewee Valley, Ky., the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Boniface. He served as administrator pro-tempore at Mother of Good Counsel and St. Ignatius Martyr. He was presbyteral moderator at Holy Family.

Father Linebach has served the archdiocese as director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, vicar general and interim vocation director. He has also served as spiritual director for Separated/Divorced Ministry, on the Peace and Justice Commission and as a member of the Priests’ Council and as a Consultor.

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Chicagoland

Meet the new archdiocesan priests, by chicago catholic wednesday, may 19, 2021.

To read this article in Spanish, click here .

Cardinal Cupich ordained nine men to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago May 15 at Holy Name Cathedral. The men range in age from 26 to 55 and hail from the Archdiocese of Chicago, other U.S. states, Colombia, Mexico and Poland. Eight are diocesan priests and one is a Canon Regular of St. John Cantius. They begin their new assignments July 1. Chicago Catholic congratulates all of them.

First assignment: Our Lady of the Ridge and St. Linus (Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn)

Born in: Evergreen Park

Education: Marist High School, Loyola University Chicago, University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Terrence and Sharon Brady

First Mass: May 16, 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Cathedral

Father Ryan Patrick Brady first felt called to the priesthood while a student at Marist High School, and he entered St. Joseph College Seminary right after he graduated.

Two years later, he left the seminary.

“I was too young and immature to properly discern priesthood,” Brady said. “I needed to grow up some.”

He finished his philosophy degree at Loyola University Chicago and began working in sales. His relationship with Christ grew distant at times, he said, but there was always something calling him in the back of his mind. When he turned 30, he began focusing more on his faith, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and eventually taking a weekend job at Holy Name Cathedral and working on the development team at Catholic Charities.

“I loved my work at Catholic Charities and wanted to work there for the rest of my life, but I knew the Lord was calling me to something else,” Brady said. “Jesus Christ was calling me to be his priest.

“Many parishioners at my home parish of St. Christina, at Holy Name and at Catholic Charities encouraged me to be a priest. It was these ‘little yesses’ which I finally understood as affirmation from Christ that I was truly called to be a priest.”

First assignment: St. John Cantius, 825 N. Carpenter St.

Born in: Coldwater, Michigan

Education: Washington Elementary School and Coldwater High School, Coldwater, Michigan; Rensselaer Central High School, Rensselaer, Indiana; Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Kelly and Jodi Ford

First Mass: May 16, 12:30 p.m., St. John Cantius

Canon Nathan Patrick Ford, who is the eldest of four children in his family, knew he wanted to be a priest from the time he was 6 or 7 years old, he said.

He joined the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in the summer of 2011, after completing high school.

“I was drawn to this new little order for a few reasons: the importance they place on living out the liturgical life and tradition, the close brotherhood that I encountered, and the joy that these men all had.”

On the bottom of his chalice is engraved “Nolite Timere” (“Do not be afraid.”).

“It’s a constant reminder for myself each day as I ascend the steps of the altar, or put on the violet stole in the confessional, or sing forth the ancient psalms of the church,” he said. “It’s a reminder for us all; a reminder for us to trust Him, despite our weaknesses, and to love with full hearts.”

First assignment: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, 6020 W. Ardmore Ave.

Born in: Fairfax, Virginia

Education: Wilson Elementary and Belvidere Elementary, JEB Stuart High School, all in Virginia; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: The late Harold Landfried and the late Wilma Stoute

First Mass: May 16, 1 p.m., Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines

Prior to entering the seminary, Father Christopher Landfried had careers in mortgage finance and income tax preparation and real estate property rehab and management. He also worked as a manufacturing account executive, production planner and scheduler and in purchasing; and as manager and corporate trainer for a restaurant chain.

His work took him from northern Virginia, where he was born, to Los Angeles; Zacatecas, Mexico; and then Chicago.

“My call was a gradual growth in the faith and discovery of the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood,” Landfried said. “I started asking God questions about discernment during time in eucharistic adoration at my parish. Dedication to discernment and prayer, seminary studies and formation and internships as a hospital chaplain and at a parish all helped to affirm and confirm that the call was real.”

First assignment: Holy Name Cathedral, 730 N. Wabash Ave.

Born in: Skokie

Education: St. Thomas of Villanova and Palatine High School, Palatine; St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University Chicago; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Michael and Elizabeth Matijevich

First Mass: May 16, 5 p.m., St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine

Father Andrew Matijevich has three brothers, one of them a fraternal twin. His whole family is service-oriented, he said.

Matijevich said he first felt called to the priesthood while preparing for his first Communion in 2003.

“On the day of my first Communion, May 10, 2003, after receiving the Eucharist for the first time, I felt Jesus say to me, ‘Andy, I want you to be a priest, come and follow me,’” Matijevich said.

He was the first suburban public high school participant in the Quigley Scholars Program, which was created after Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary closed to allow high school boys to discern priesthood in a supportive environment.

“One of the greatest blessings of my discernment journey was being in the Quigley Scholars as well as attending college seminary, knowing I was not alone in my discernment and there were other young men discerning with me.” Matijevich said. “Though I am the only member of my Quigley Scholar class that went on to Mundelein and am the first Quigley Scholar in the program to be ordained, the journey of discipleship was strengthened through this program.”

First assignment: Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein

Born in: San Jose, California

Education: Twin Oaks School, San Marcos, California; Rancho Verde High School; Moreno Valley, California; St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University Chicago; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Filiberto Ortiz and Aurea Juárez

First Mass: May 16, 11 a.m. English and 2:30 p.m. Spanish, Good Shepherd

Father Ritchie Ortiz-Juárez signed up to be an altar server on the day he made his first Communion. He had his first inkling that he might be called to the priesthood on a day he was scheduled to serve Mass.

“The priest that was assigned to preside at the Mass did not show up,” Ortiz-Juárez said. “The deacon celebrated the Liturgy of the Word and after I received Communion, I knelt to pray. Something inside my heart was moved and a question popped in my head: ‘What are you going to do about this?’ I thought, ‘I cannot be a priest, I am too young.’”

Now, he said, his favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 1:6-7: “I do not know how to speak, I am too young.”

Ortiz-Juárez graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary and then took two years to teach special education and work at Starbucks before entering the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He still enjoys meeting people over coffee, he said, and evangelizing through the Alpha program.

First assignment: St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Wilmette

Born in: Vincennes, Indiana

Education: Emmons School and Antioch Community High School, Antioch; Michigan State University; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Steven and Susan Ryan

First Mass: May 16, 1 p.m., St. Theresa, Palatine, and May 22, 9:30 a.m., Our Lady of the Lakes, St. Peter worship site, Antioch

Father Robert Ryan was born in Indiana and moved as a child to Antioch, where he received his sacraments of initiation at St. Peter Parish.

He earned a degree in advertising at Michigan State University and worked in sales at Dell Technologies in Austin, Texas, before returning to Antioch in 2012.

That was when he returned to the church after “a powerful experience of the Lord’s grace and mercy” in the sacrament of reconciliation. At the suggestion of several friends and parishioners, he began exploring the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood.

He felt called to the priesthood during eucharistic adoration, and he entered the seminary in 2015.

First assignment: Our Lady of Mercy, 4432 N. Troy St.

Born in: San Francisco de Asis, Jalisco, Mexico

Education: Colegio Loyola, Jalisco, Mexico; Thornton Township High School, Harvey; St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University Chicago; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Gabriel and Ana Sepulveda

First Mass: May 15, 6:30 p.m., St. John the Baptist Parish, Harvey

Father Leonel Sepulveda was born and raised in a small town in Jalisco, Mexico, a town where life revolved around the local parish. “For all intents and purposes, then, my family and everyone I knew inhabited a ‘Catholic bubble,’” Sepulveda said. “All the adults who influenced my early growth and development, therefore, inculcated in me a strong sense of Catholic sacredness, a feeling that one’s life must be directed to one person in specific, Jesus Christ.”

He began considering a vocation to the priesthood while preparing for first Communion, and the thought never left him, even though the only person he confided in was his childhood best friend.

His plans were upended when his whole family moved to the U.S. when he was 16.

“While moving to a new country appeared to be exciting to me as a teenager, I instantly wondered what would happen to my vocation in a foreign land,” Sepulveda said. “I knew absolutely nothing about the Catholic Church in the U.S. In fact, I used to think that seminaries did not exist here!”

He thought he would return to Mexico to enter seminary, but when he was a senior in high school, a teacher suggested that he look into St. Joseph College Seminary.

“From there, all is history,” he said. “I visited the [seminary] and became convinced that I could study for the priesthood in the U.S. My experience has been full of blessings. I cannot believe how fast it has gone by.”

First assignment: St. Michael, Orland Park

Born in: Bogata, Colombia

Education: Escuela La Virgen, Colegio Nacional Emilio Cifuentes, UNIMINUTO, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, all in Colombia; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Blanca Velasquez and the late Sady Villalobos

First Mass: May 16; 9:30 a.m. at St. Emily, Mount Prospect, in English; 12:30 p.m. at St. Bede the Venerable, 8200 S. Kostner Ave., in Spanish

Father Daniel Villalobos grew up in a Catholic family in a town near Bogata, Colombia, and had his first inkling of a call to priesthood in a children’s group at his parish.

He was afraid to go to seminary after high school, though, so he studied journalism. While in college, he was sent to a parish to help start a newspaper, and began discerning his vocation again. After earning his journalism degree, he entered a religious order, in which he earned a degree in philosophy and ministered and went through formation in Chile and Belize as well as Colombia. He went to Montreal to start his theology studies and then discerned that he was called to be a diocesan priest.

A priest friend suggested he look into formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“I am grateful with God and all the people in this great archdiocese who have been part of my formation journey,” he said.

First assignment: Immaculate Conception and Five Holy Martyrs Parish, 2745 W. 44th St.

Born in: Lukow, Poland

Education: Elementary school in Hermanow, gimnazjum in Wojcieszkow,  21st Liceum in Lublin, Major Seminary of Diocese of Siedlce, all in Poland; the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

Parents: Malgorzata Zebrowska and the late Zbigniew Zebrowski

First Mass: May 15; 5 p.m. at St. Norbert & Our Lady of the Brook, Northbrook

Father Sebastian Zebrowski is the oldest of three children of a teacher and a farmer. His father died in 2015. He became an altar server after his first Communion, attended a Catholic high school and afterwards entered the seminary in his home Diocese of Siedlce. He joined the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Bishop Abramowicz Seminary that prepared Polish seminarians to study for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago a couple of years later. After a year, he was admitted to Mundelein Seminary.

Nurses dedicated to improving the health, wellness of priests

For advanced practice nurses Mary Kay Gawne and Cathlin Poronsky, a typical day can include everything from health presentations at meetings to unexpected trips to the emergency room. Gawne and Poronsky work out of the Vicar for Priests office, and are tasked with supporting the health of active and retired priests in the archdiocese.

Longest serving and oldest priests look back on their ministry

Between them, Father George Kane and Bishop John Gorman have spent nearly 145 years in ordained ministry.

Retired priest scammed out of his life savings

Father Robert Banzin, 85, is sharing his cautionary tale of being scammed out of $61,000 — his life savings — in the hope of helping other people avoid being similarly victimized.

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Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Meet the new priests to be ordained in 2023

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain eight men to the priesthood June 24 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Feature profiles of the new priests will be added to the Catholic Review site daily on this page from June 15 to June 22. They will be displayed below.

Historic day: Archbishop Lori ordains largest class of priests in more than 40 years

Priest-to-be Sampson Onwumere keeps Nigerian ties strong, builds new ones to Baltimore

Deacon Mwai’s calling rooted in Benedictine foundation

Deacon Mmuoh’s journey goes from ‘playing Mass’ to celebrating the Eucharist

Deacon Koski looks forward to being ‘instrument of God’s mercy’

Deacon Paul Kongnyuy embraces ‘priestly heart’

Former NASA chemist Deacon Javier Fuentes finds faith in science and a more “satisfying” job

Deacon John Bilenki brings familial approach to ministry

Deacon Daniel Acquard finds what was missing while setting sail for priesthood

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Official clergy assignments for 2023

The following is a list of changes in assignments for priests in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, effective July 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

• Father Jim Fischler, CICM, as pastor of St. Louis Church in Castroville.
• Father Mike Horan as pastor of St. Dominic Church in San Antonio.
• Father Gustavo Montanez as pastor of St. Patrick Church in San Antonio.
• Father Jaime Paniagua as pastor of St. Dominic Church in San Antonio.
• Father Eduardo Morales as pastor of Divine Providence Church in San Antonio.
• Father Edvin Rodriguez as pastor of St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Del Rio.
• Father Jesus Camacho as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Macdona and Sacred Heart Church in Von Ormy.
• Father Oscar Tello as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Sabinal, St. Joseph Church in Knippa, and St. Mary Church in Vanderpool.
• Father Jesus Anguiano as pastor of St. Henry Church in San Antonio.
• Father Matthew De Leon as pastor of Sacred Heart Church and School in Uvalde.
• Father Mark Del Rosario, SSS, as pastor of St. Joseph Church Downtown in San Antonio.
• Father Phil Henning as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Stonewall.
• Father Archie Tacay, CICM, as pastor of St. Louis Church and School in Castroville and St. Francis Church in Mico.
• Father Marlee Abao, CICM, as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in San Antonio.

ADMINISTRATORS

• Father Binoj Jose, HGN, as administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Pearsall.
• Father Robert Rosales as administrator of St. Cecilia Church in San Antonio.
• Father Raja Alangaram, MSFS, as administrator of St. Paul Church and School in San Antonio.
• Father Naveen Thumma as administrator of St. Cornelius Church in Karnes City and St. Elizabeth Church in Fashing.
• Father Stan Marciniak as administrator of St. Joseph Church in Dilley.

PAROCHIAL VICARS

• Father Albert Toangutu Tomeka as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Del Rio.
• Father Chinnappan Arockiasamy (Samy), MSFS, as parochial vicar of St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in San Antonio.
• Father Ed Gonzalez as parochial vicar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in San Antonio.
• Father Roger Montecalvo, CICM, as parochial vicar of St. Louis Church in Castroville.
• Father Avula John Devadas from the Diocese of Kurnool, India, as parochial vicar of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in New Braunfels.
• Father Abraham Antony Karukaprambil from the Diocese of Rayagada, India, as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Church and St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Church in San Antonio, effective August 15.
• Father Mark Hriinii, MSFS, as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Church and School in Uvalde.
• Father Abraham Pendlikatla from the Diocese of Cuddapah, India, as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Church in Honey Creek.

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

• Father Tom Moonnanappillil, MSFS, director of the Propaedeutic Year Program at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, effective April 14, 2023, with residence in Lopez Hall, and as adjunct vicar for Clergy (part-time), effective July 1.
• Msgr. Rigoberto de Guzman from the Diocese of Antipolo, Philippines, requested by Father Jim Myers, PSS, for the Assumption Seminary formation team.

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