Women, men religious celebrate milestones

Editor's note: This article was updated July 2, 2024, with some jubilarians who were inadvertently omitted with some corrected names.

With this issue, Chicago Catholic thanks the religious women and men who have devoted their lives to serving the people of God.  In the following pages, we honor over 150 teachers, nurses, chaplains and parish priests who have given anywhere from 25 to 85 years in service of the Lord.

Women religious

Cenacle Sisters

60 Years

Sister Anelie G. Arao has served in elder care, hospice, spiritual ministry, retreats and ministry to women. She has ministered at Cenacle Retreat Center in Longwood and the Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center in Chicago.

Sister Lois Dideon resides at Ascension Living Resurrection Village. She served on retreats, as novice director and as provincial councilor. She ministered at Cenacle retreat houses in Longwood and Lincoln Park.

Sister Gloria Haagensen has served in retreats, spiritual direction and faith formation. The former member of the Chicago Cenacle leadership team has worked in social services, parish ministry, refugee mental health and support for bilingual and bicultural communities.

Sister Faith Hansen was born in Chicago, where she now resides at Ascension Living Resurrection Life Center. She has ministered in retreats, spiritual direction and enrichment and pastoral ministry. She has also served in Warrenville and in four other states.

Sister Mary Jane Laffan ministered in retreats, spiritual direction and community service. She was assigned to the Cenacle Retreat Center in Lincoln Park.

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

50 Years

Sister Katherine Kelly currently serves in New Orleans. Her ministries include health care, hospice and education. While in the archdiocese, she was a pastoral associate, local community superior, professor, hospice volunteer, spiritual adviser and formator and director of mission integration.

Sisters of Christian Charity

80 Years

Sister Pauline Schafer ministered in education and as director of lay associates. She taught at St. Aloysius School and at St. Theresa School in Palatine. She also taught in Michigan, Missouri and Minnesota.

75 Years

Sister Alice Mary Ortmann served in education and community leadership. She taught at St. Aloysius, St. Teresa of Avila and Holy Trinity and at St. Mary in Riverdale. She was also an admissions counselor at Mallinckrodt College in Wilmette.

70 Years

Sister Mary Cecilia Torborg worked in school administration, English as a second language instruction and literacy programs. She taught at schools in Morton Grove, Chicago, Prospect Heights, South Holland and Berwyn. She also taught in Minnesota and Louisiana.

60 Years

Sister Janice Boyer served as a primary teacher, a formation director and in community leadership.

Daughters of Divine Love

50 Years

Sister Mary Paul Asoegwu worked to open her order’s first mission in the archdiocese. She opened communities in Chicago, Highwood, Northlake and Waukegan. She was director of development at parishes in Highwood and Northlake and she also served at Loyola University Chicago.

25 Years

Sister Dr. Pamela Eke is a full-time chaplain at Swedish Hospital. She was also on residential support staff at Thresholds, a mothers’ project, and worked in the community’s development office in Compton, Illinois.

Sister Livina Chidimme Ezenagu has worked in her congregation’s development ministry and is in Compton, Illinois.

Adrian Dominican Sisters

70 Years

Sister Dorothy Dempsey served in education and pastoral ministry. Currently a literacy tutor, she taught at Our Lady of Knock, Calumet City, and was a hospital chaplain at St. James in Chicago.

Sister Marilyn Francoeur ministered in education and finance. She was treasurer at Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette, and served with the Parable Conference in River Forest.

Sister Gail Himrod was involved in music education, having taught at schools in Elmwood Park, Homewood and Elgin. Her music interests took her to Providence College as an associate professor and organist.

Sister Esther Kennedy served in education, pastoral care and spirituality. A former teacher and principal, she taught at schools in Homewood and Chicago. She also ministered at hospitals in Chicago and was a psychotherapist in private practice.

Sister Norlee McDonnell served in education and pastoral ministry. She taught at St. Joseph, Homewood and taught and worked in pastoral care and as pastoral associate at Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor.

Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling worked in education, religious education, and pottery and sculpture. She served in a number of roles at parishes and schools in Hanover Park and Wilmette, where she was a potter and sculptor in residence.

Sister Diane Weifenbach was an educator, coaching forensics and student congress teams. She taught in Chicago, Rockford and Wilmette. She was also a volunteer literacy tutor at Aquinas Literacy Center in Chicago.  

60 Years

Sister Mary Frances Fleischaker ministered in education, liturgy and music. She taught or ministered in music at several schools in Chicago. She also served in Michigan, and she was a pastoral associate and director of music, liturgy and worship.

Sister Adrienne Piennette was involved in education and health care administration. Having served at sites in California and Indiana, she was president of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette.

Sister Patricia Walter was active in education, congregation leadership and formation. Having served in California, Ohio, New Mexico and Missouri, she served as prioress and director of sisters in temporary profession. She currently serves as formation director for her community.

Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic

85 Years

Sister Lilla Marie Hull was born in Glencoe and her home parish was Our Lady Help of Christians. She devoted her religious life to contemplative ministry.

Sinsinawa Dominicans

75 Years

Sister Sigrid Simlik was a teacher and hospital chaplain. She taught Russian at Dominican University in River Forest. She was a chaplain at several hospitals.

70 Years

Sister Mary Louise Wieseler taught at St. Luke and St. Vincent Ferrer, both in River Forest, and at St. Mary, Evanston.

Sister Marily Schlosser was a teacher and hospital chaplain. Having served in several states, she taught at Queen of Peace, Burbank.

Sister Mary Marie was involved in pastoral ministry and liturgy. She taught at St. Barnabas, St. Sabina and Our Lady of Grace.

Sister Katherine Houtakker worked in teaching, religious education, peace and justice, farming and health services. She taught at Immaculate Conception.

Sister Elizabeth Fiorite was an educator and ministered to those with visual impairments. She was also a pastoral associate at Visitation Parish.

Sister Clara Blozis was on the administrative team and taught at Trinity High School in River Forest and guidance director at St. Thomas the Apostle and Unity High School.

60 Years

Sister Judith Mather taught at St. Basil, St. Barnabas and St. Sabina.

Sister Kathleen Hayes served in teaching, education administration and pastoral care. She taught at Trinity High School in River Forest and Immaculate Conception and St. Thomas the Apostle. She was also a tutor, house parent, principal and librarian.

Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois

75 Years

Sister M. Gabriella Luebbers ministered in education and service. She taught at Our Lady of Grace and Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, and was a principal in Aurora.

Sister M. Norma Somers was active in education and leadership. She taught at three schools in the archdiocese and was on the Dominican leadership team. She also taught in the Slovak Republic.

Sister Margaret Grueter served in education and pastoral ministry. She taught at three schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

60 Years

Sister Rita Marie Range is subprioress at Sacred Heart Convent. The former teacher also served in pastoral ministry. She was assistant principal at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, and principal at Our Lady of Grace.

Sister M. Santina DeLuca served in elementary education and pastoral ministry. She taught at schools in Chicago, Sauk Village and Chicago Heights.

Sister Patricia Burke has been involved in pastoral care, driving and working in the supply room at Sacred Heart Convent. She was also active in secondary education and pastoral ministry. She taught at several schools.

Sister Karen Marie Kvidera is a former principal, guidance counselor and teacher at several archdiocesan high schools. She is currently an administrative assistant at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights.

Sister Marie Michelle Hackett has been involved in elementary education and administration. She is completing her term in leadership for the Dominicans. She was vice principal and principal of St. Edward.

50 Years

Sister Kathleen Anne Tait is director of mission advancement for her order. She was a consultant and later assistant superintendent for the Chicago Archdiocesan Office of Education. The former Marian Catholic High School principal was director of the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools.

Sister Maira Barry is a hospital chaplain in Springfield. She served in elementary education and pastoral ministry, including at St. Edward and St. Gilbert, Grayslake.

Felician Sisters

75 Years

Sister Mary Barbara Cherek was a teacher at St. Helen, St. John of God and St. Joseph; Holy Rosary in North Chicago; and Our Lady of Ransom in Niles.

70 Years

Sister Mary Elizabeth Obrantz serves at St. Turibius. She has been a teacher, assistant principal and librarian at schools in Chicago and Niles. She directed religious education and ministered to the homebound at St. Richard.

Sister Doloria Birr taught at St. Bronislava; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Turibius; St. Bruno, and St. Isidore, Blue Island, as well as in Joliet. She also worked in administration at St. Mary’s/Good Samaritan Hospital in Centralia.

60 Years

Sister Mary Sheila Nicholson has ministered to the elderly, been as a teacher’s aide and done clerical work. She has served in Niles and Chicago, as well as Centralia, and she ministered with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and at the Women’s Center in Chicago.

Sister Mary Brendan Bogdan has served in teaching, provincial administration, mission integration, community outreach, corporate responsibility and volunteering. She taught in Chicago, Blue Island and Oak Lawn. She had served as provincial vicar and secretary.

Sister Mary Jo Ellen Tyranowski is a kindergarten aide at St. Christina School. A teacher and administrator, she has served at schools in Chicago, Blue Island, Oak Lawn, Lemont and Tinley Park.

50 Years

Sister Christina Marie Helding is a part-time registered nurse at Mother of Good Counsel. Her ministries have included nursing, pastoral care, pharmacy and health services. She has served at several facilities in Chicago.

Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton, Iowa

70 Years

Sister Ruth Cox served in nursing, nursing administration and education, and congregational administration. Having ministered at facilities in Iowa, Illinois and the Bahamas, she was a nursing instructor at Loyola University Chicago.

Sister Teresa Kunkel ministered in education, pastoral ministry and congregational administration. She taught at St. Gerald in Oak Lawn and St. Francis de Paula. 

Sister Joan Theiss worked in education, pastoral ministry and congregational administration. She taught at St. Kieran, Chicago Heights, and was general treasure of the congregation. She also directed her order’s Associate Partnership Program. 

60 Years

Sister Mary Lou Carlson served in education, pastoral ministry and spiritual direction. She taught at St. Gerald in Oak Lawn and in Joliet.

Sister Gael Gensler serves as pastoral associate at St. Julie Billiart in Tinley Park. Her ministries included education, pastoral ministry, vocations and congregational leadership. The author of books on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, she also has taught in the archdiocese.

Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque

70 Years

Sister Davida Loosbrock taught at Mater Christi School, North Riverside.

Sister Joan Meyer was a teacher and religious education consultant and worked in catechetical service. She taught at Sacred Heart, Melrose Park, and St. Anne, Hazel Crest. She also served the archdiocese as a religious education consultant.

Sister Ann Rubly taught at St. Mary of the Woods and Corpus Christi. She also served in pastoral ministry.

Sister Susan Seitz taught at Mater Christi, North Riverside.

60 Years

Sister Lois Erpelding was a teacher and pastoral minister at St. Christopher, Midlothian.

Sister Janet Hrubes was a teacher and counselor at St. Mary of the Woods and Lourdes High School, Cook County Jail and Trinity High School, River Forest. She also ministered at the Franciscan Resource Center in Melrose Park.

Sister Charlotte Klein worked in teaching and support ministry at Sacred Heart, Melrose Park; St. Christopher, Midlothian; and St. Mary of the Woods.

Sister Darcy Peletich served at St. John Brebeuf, Niles. Her roles included teacher, pastoral administrator, librarian, dean of students, and working in research and development.

Sister Donna Schmitt was a teacher, pastoral associate and director of religious education at St. John Brebeuf, Niles; St. Marcelline, Schaumburg; and St. Gilbert, Grayslake.

Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

60 Years

Sister S. Janice Kolesiak has worked in education for 57 years as a teacher, principal and librarian. She currently serves as librarian at St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights, where she’s been for 12 years.

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart

25 Years

Sister Lovina Francis Pammit is newly elected to her community’s leadership council. A spiritual guide and director, she is training to be an English-Portuguese translator. She served in the archdiocese as coordinator of religious vocations under the Office for Religious.

School Sisters of St. Francis

80 Years

Sister Frances Simanek taught at Blessed Agnes School, ministered in summer CYO programs at Sherman Park in Chicago and was principal at St. Anne School in Barrington. She also taught in the dioceses of Peoria and Joliet.

75 Years

Sister Mary Ray has ministered in education and Hispanic outreach. She taught at schools in Schiller Park, Glenview and Chicago. She also served in parish ministry and taught at Chicago City Colleges.

Sister Arlene Einwalter taught at St. William School. She also taught in the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, where she was also a religious education consultant.

Sister Jeannine Weidner served in education and pastoral care. She taught at St. Joseph School in Wilmette and also taught in Aurora and Rockford. She also ministered in formation, social justice and music therapy.

70 Years

Sister Carole LeClaire has served as a teacher, school principal and business manager. She taught at schools in Glenview and Chicago and also served in Des Plaines, Niles and Westchester.

Sister Jesse Marie Mortimer was an educator, teaching at St. Benedict High School. She also taught in the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Sister Louise Noesen was born in Chicago and taught at schools in River Grove, Chicago, Glenview and Schiller Park. She also served as a tutor and later receptionist in River Grove.

Sister Alice Feather was an administrator and assistant principal at Holy Angels School. She is currently serving in Milwaukee.

60 Years

Sister Christine Baker was born in Chicago and ministered in education and music. She taught or directed music at schools or parishes in Skokie, Chicago, Forest Park and Barrington.

Sister Dorothy Hofer was born in Steger and served as ministry director for her order. She also taught at schools in Rockford, Aurora and St. Charles.

Sister Kathleen McNulty is office assistant at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish. She served at several schools and facilities in the archdiocese. She was also associate director of the Office for Religious for the archdiocese.

School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King

70 Years

Sister Regina Maria Draznak taught primary grades and was a school administrator. She taught at St. Stephen and at Sacred Heart Croatian in South Chicago. Other assignments were in Joliet, Pennsylvania, Ohio and California.

Sister Maria Goretti Domovich taught upper and middle grades and was a school administrator. She taught at St. Stephen; St. George; Sacred Heart Croatian, South Chicago; and Mount Assisi Academy, Lemont. She also taught in Joliet and Bolingbrook.

Sisters of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis

70 Years

Sister Barb Koza is director of sisters’ services at the Oaks. Born in Chicago, she has taught and been a director of religious education. She taught at Immaculate Conception and St. Leo the Great in the archdiocese and was the coordinator at Lourdes Convent.

Sister Ruth Baggech was born in Chicago and serves at Volunteer Victory Center. Her ministries have included teacher, counselor, financial director, retreat director, provincial and religious coordinator.

50 Years

Sister Rosemary Morowczynski volunteers at St. Turibius in the archdiocese. Born in Chicago, she has been involved in financial administration, business and religious education. She has also served at Lourdes and De La Salle high schools.

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth

70 Years

Sister Virginia Zielinski was born in Chicago. She was an educator and director of religious education, having taught at schools in Chicago and Australia for 42 years.

65 Years

Sister Michele Collins served as provincial and treasurer general for the St. Joseph Province. She also served in administration. Her home parish in the archdiocese was St. Christopher.

Sister Kathleen Stadler left her position as executive director of Resurrection Retirement Community to become provincial secretary. She also served for 33 years at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital.

60 Years

Sister Catherine Marie Kawa is now in prayer ministry. She had served as a teacher and school principal.

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters

75 Years

Sister Mary Joseph Hofschulte served 45 years as a missionary in Ghana. She resides at the Convent of the Holy Spirit in Northfield.

60 Years

Sister Agatha Bramkamp is a community leader and spiritual director. Her ministries included education and formation. She served in Chicago and Grayslake.

Sister Carol Jean Welp has been involved in pastoral ministry, education and formation. The former missionary to Ghana served in Melrose Park and Waukegan. She also promoted peace education at St. Anastasia School, Waukegan.

Sister Margaret Anne Norris has ministered in education and formation. Having served in Mexico and the Caribbean, she has taught English as a second language at the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center in Chicago.

25 Years

Sister Margaret Kissani has taught at the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center in Chicago, serving the immigrant population.

Congregation of St. Joseph

75 Years

Sister Ann Therese Reznicek has been a teacher, reading consultant and school principal at two sites. She has been involved in congregational leadership and served at the La Grange Park Center. She was also a pastoral associate at St. Leonard in Berwyn.

70 Years

Sister Frankie Dutil has been an educator and graphic designer who joined the staff at St. Joseph Press and Ministry of the Arts in La Grange. A watercolor artist, she currently teaches retreat courses in La Grange Park.

60 Years

Sister Pat Bergen currently promotes vocations and formation. A past member of the La Grange Park leadership team, she has served in Catholic schools, adult faith formation, spiritual direction and retreats.

Sister Joanne Vallero taught at several archdiocesan schools and was principal at St. Hugh School in Lyons. She transferred to parish ministry, serving in Aurora and Lockport. She has also coordinated spiritual services at the La Grange Park Center.

25 Years

Sister Celeste Cotter resides in the Chicago area and serves on the board of Quinn Center in Maywood. Her previous service included faith formation, social ministry, disaster relief and juvenile detention ministry.

Sisters of Charity BVM

70 Years

Sister Marie (Dona) Corr was a teacher, pastoral minister, adult religious educator, counselor and chaplain. She served at St. Gertrude and currently serves on the congregational BVM Hunger Fund committee.

Sister Mary Lois Dolphin was an educator and administrator at multiple sites and also served as a parish care minister. She currently serves on congregational committees and volunteers as an IRIS Reader.

Sister Mary (Loras) Martens was an educator, administrator and congregation leader. She is active in social justice work and serves on the congregational BVM Continuity and Coordination Committee.

Sister Eileen (Robertrese) Powell was an educator, parish minister, director of religious education, formation director and BVM regional provincial in Illinois. She was also a volunteer English as a Second Language tutor at St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn.

Sister Mary (Mary de Porres) Sattgast was an educator at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein for almost 50 years, first as a teacher, then as registrar and assistant registrar. She also worked in California.

Servants of Mary

75 Years

Sister Doris Ann Samen, a retired educator, was ministry of care coordinator for St. Theresa Parish, Palatine. Her community’s former director of postulants and novices, she writes monthly bereavement notes to parents whose children died from sudden infant death syndrome.

Daughters of St. Mary of Providence

75 Years

Sister Theresa Tamboro was born in Chicago and has also worked at St. Mary of Providence in Chicago. She ministered to people with intellectual disabilities. She served as administrator at several residential facilities and community day service programs.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

75 Years

Sister Laurette Betz has served in nursing and hospital chaplaincy, including at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago and St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

Sister Dolores Boersma devoted her ministry to teaching, including at eight schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Sister Rosemary Connelly chairs the Misericordia Foundation, having been executive director of Misericordia Home for 50-plus years. She also taught at eight schools in the archdiocese and did psychiatric social work at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. 

Sister Mary Hanseder was involved in teaching and financial services. She taught at five schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Sister Mary Loftus devoted herself to teaching and religious education. She taught at 11 schools in the archdiocese, including Saint Xavier University.

70 Years

Sister Margaret Johnson was a counselor and teacher, having served in Palos Heights and Orland Park. A counselor at Mother McAuley High School, she also served with the Network for Mercy Education in Chicago.

60 Years

Sister M. Ruth Broz cofounded the Wellstream Center for Feminine Spiritualty. An author, she was also involved in retreats and religious education. She served in Park Ridge and Chicago. She taught at St. Justin Martyr.

School Sisters of Notre Dame

75 Years

Sister Jean Phelan was born in Chicago and has served in education, pastoral ministry and congregational leadership. She was a pastoral associate at St. Bernardine in Forest Park and Queen of Martyrs in Evergreen Park.

60 Years

Sister Emily Wollschlager was born in Evergreen Park and has served in education, as a finance/business manager and in congregational leadership. She was province treasurer in Berwyn and associate director of the Office for Religious in the archdiocese.

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

75 Years

Sister Kathleen Quinn has served in nursing, nursing supervision, health administration, provincial leadership and pastoral ministry and as a volunteer. She served at St. Anne Hospital.

60 Years

Sister Catherine Bobber has been involved in teaching, religious education, child care and campus ministry. She is a teaching assistant at St. Matthias School in Chicago. She taught at three archdiocesan schools and served at Angel Guardian Orphanage.

Sister Melanie Rauh has been active in liturgy and music, religious education, pastoral ministry and volunteering. She served at St. Augustine High School.

Sister Ann Linzmeyer has served in education, massage therapy, social justice and volunteering, and she was a jail chaplain and physical therapy assistant. She taught at St. Michael School.

Sister Christine Styka has worked in education, religious education, pastoral ministry and retreat hosting. She has served at parishes and schools in Chicago, Bartlett, Des Plaines, Oak Lawn and Bridgeview.

Sister Edith Schneider has been active in education, pastoral ministry, parish life, Hispanic and international ministries, vocation formation and community service. She has served in Mexico and at Angel Guardian Orphanage and St. Augustine Parish.

Sister Joellen Tumas has worked in education, child care, pastoral ministry, mitigating food insecurity and volunteering. She taught at several archdiocesan schools and served at Casa Catalina, Catholic Charities, and Casa de Esperanza.

50 Years

Sister Deborah Davis has been involved in education, international ministry, vocations, pastoral ministry, provincial leadership and religious education. She served at two archdiocesan schools and at Misericordia Home.

Sister Carole Langhauser has worked in nursing, international ministry, mission integration  and provincial leadership. She worked at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island and Bernard Mitchell Hospital.

Little Sisters of the Poor

25 Years

Sister Julie Horseman serves as provincial superior for the Chicago Province of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Having ministered to the elderly poor, she had also been mother superior at St. Mary’s Home and Jugan Terrace in Chicago.

Sisters of Providence of St.-Mary-of-the-Woods

70 Years

Sister Kathleen Dede taught at Our Lady of Mercy and St. Sylvester. She was also a social worker and social service director at Misericordia Home. She also ministered in Indiana, Missouri, California and Mississippi.

Sister Dorothy Larson taught at St. Angela; St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette; and St. Zachary, Des Plaines. She served in the extended day program and as a school volunteer and minister of care at St. Zachary. She also served in Indiana, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Sister Maria Smith taught at St. Sylvester, having also ministered in Indiana and Oklahoma.

75 Years

Sister Mildred Giesler taught at St. Sylvester. She also served in North Carolina, Massachusetts, California and Indiana.

Sister Marie Denis Lucey taught at Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Leo, Maternity BVM and St. Sylvester. She also ministered in Indiana; Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; and Maryland.

Sister Regina Marie McIntyre taught at Maternity BVM. Her ministries included sites in Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

Sister Margaret Norris taught at Immaculate Conception, Norwood Park; and Maternity BVM. She also ministered in Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina.

Sister Joann Quinkert ministered in volunteer service in the Chicago area during her time in the archdiocese. She has also served in Alabama, Kentucky, Iowa, North Carolina and Indiana.

Resurrection Sisters

70 Years

Sister Mary Dominic Russell volunteers in her retirement at Ascension Resurrection Village. She taught at several elementary schools and one high school in the archdiocese. She was chaplain at Resurrection Westlake Community Hospital in Norridge.

60 years

Sister Virginia Ann Wanzek has served in administration as provincial treasurer and councilor and as a local superior. Having taught and served as formation directress, she was supervisor of medical records at Resurrection Medical Center.

Men religious

Augustinians

50 Years

Father John Ohmer resides at St. Jude in New Lenox, having served in pastoral capacities in the U.S. and Canada. He was associate pastor of St. Joseph in Pekin and pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Homer Glen.

40 Years

Father Anthony Benedetto Pizzo is the prior Midwest provincial for his community. Born in Chicago, he served at St. Clare of Montefalco and St. Rita of Cascia, and also at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein.

Brother John M. Hibbard was born in Chicago and served at various Augustinian schools. These included multiple roles at Mendel Catholic and St. Rita high schools.

Benedictines

50 Years

Father Brendan Creeden currently serves as novice master in Chicago. He has ministered in formation, spiritual direction and on retreats. He is also chaplain for the Christian Brothers at Brother Rice High School in Chicago.

Society of Christ in America

25 Years

Father Mariusz Lis is associate pastor of St. Albert the Great in Burbank. He has done missionary work and priestly ministry, especially among Polish immigrants and Americans of Polish descent.

Conventual Franciscans

70 Years

Father Martin Schmitz resides in Palatine. He has served in shrine ministry and perpetual eucharistic adoration. He ministered at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville and at Holy Family Parish in Peoria.

50 Years

Father John Calgaro has served in parochial ministry to the Spanish-speaking community. He ministered at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, as well as in Rockford, Milwaukee, Mexico and Texas.

25 Years

Father Romert Morales Andara has served since 2023 as associate pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish. He has served in parochial and shrine ministries. He has also ministered in Assisi, Italy, and his native Venezuela.

Father Alejandro Lopez is pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish, having served in parochial ministry and leadership within his order. He has served in Milwaukee and Australia and was associate pastor of Holy Family Parish in Peoria.

Jesuits

75 Years

Father John J. O’Callaghan taught at Loyola Academy in Chicago and Wilmette and Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago. A rector at Loyola University Chicago, he was also vice president of mission and ministry at Loyola University Health System.

70 Years

Father John P. Foley was born in Winnetka. He was president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and was president and board chair of Cristo Rey Network.

Father William F. Gerut was born in Oak Park and was baptized at what is now St. Catherine of Siena–St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish in Oak Park.

60 Years

Father T. Jerome Overbeck is a chaplain and professor at Loyola University Chicago, where he has also served in campus ministry and as a student counselor.

Father James A. Stoeger taught at Loyola Academy in Wilmette. He also served in his order’s Chicago Province and in pastoral ministry.

50 Years

Father Peter E. Sharkey taught Latin and speech at St. Ignatius High School in Chicago.

Father Robert S. Flack was born in Chicago. He served at the province level and in victim advocacy. A retreat director, he ministered at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington.

Father Daniel F. Hartnett was born in Chicago and was an instructor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies. Other involvement included Kolbe House jail ministry, Ignatian Volunteer Corps, Loyola University Chicago, rector and pastoral ministry.

25 Years

Father Tuan Q. Le serves as pastoral care chaplain at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and with Loyola University Health System.

Father James F. Prehn was born in Rockford and is now a province consultor. He served at Loyola Academy and his province for pre-secondary and secondary education. The former vocations director was a rector and administrator at Loyola University Chicago.

Father Mark W. Luedtke teaches and is a pastoral minister at St. Ignatius College Prep, where he also worked in advancement. He also taught at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.

Father Thomas W. Neitzke is a college dean at Loyola University Chicago, where he was also vice president and special assistant to the president.

Father Thomas A. Simonds is director of secondary school engagement for the National Catholic Educational Association.

Father Sean A. O’Sullivan has served in his order’s Chicago Province. Other ministries include Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, DePaul University, St. Procopius Church and Ignatius House and Gonzaga House Jesuit communities.

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

60 Years

Father Thomas R. Egan resided in Chicago from 2017 to 2022. He also served in South Korea and China.

50 Years

Father John B. Northrop is currently serving in El Salvador. He served in initial formation in the archdiocese from 2001 to 2005 and served on the Catholic Theological Union Board of Trustees.

Father Edward J. Phillips served at Chicago Development House from 1974 to 1977, having also ministered in Tanzania, South Korea and Hong Kong.

40 Years

Father Brian Barrons is assigned to the initial formation team in Chicago. He has also served in Hong Kong.

25 Years

Father Joseph M. Everson III ministers in China. In the archdiocese, while a Catholic Theological Union student, he ministered at St. Thaddeus School and at homeless shelters and visited the homebound.

Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity

50 Years

Father Dennis M. Berry has served in vocation formation, team ministry and parish work. He resides at St. James in Chicago, where he celebrates Mass in Spanish, and assists at the St. James Missionary Cenacle, working with newly arrived immigrants.

Paulist Fathers

50 Years

Father Patrick D. Johnson served as associate pastor of Old St. Mary’s Parish and is currently in senior ministry there.

Redemptorists–Denver Province

60 Years

Father Joseph Morin was born in Chicago. His ministries included serving at St. Clement Health Center in Barnhart, Missouri.

30 years

Father John Steingraeber was vice treasurer of his province and resides at St. Michael in Old Town.

Father David Andree is judicial vicar for the archdiocese and resides at St. Michael in Old Town.

Society of the Divine Word

70 Years

Father Frank Drzaic did missionary work in Paraguay and pastoral ministry in the United States. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he was an associate pastor and served on the pastoral care staff at Oak Park Hospital.

60 Years

Father Raymond Lennon has served in education, administration and pastoral care. He was superior for the Chicago Province and worked in French- and Portuguese-language parishes.

Father Elmer Nadicksbernd has served as a missionary and in education and vocations.

Brother Gerard Raker has ministered in education and administration.

Brother Mathew Zemel has been a financial administrator, carpenter, electrician, plumber and winemaker. He serves at Techny House, where he has lived for more than 35 years.

50 Years

Father Gerald O’Doherty has served in pastoral care, education and administration.

Father Ryszard Kalinowski was a missionary in Papua New Guinea, and in the southern U.S. He has also ministered in the African American community.

Brother Jim Zabransky has been a missionary to the Philippines, Appalachia and the Caribbean. He has also been an educator.

40 Years

Brother Rodney Bower is director of ongoing education and immigration services. He ministered in the African American community and he directed formation of brothers in Chicago.

25 Years

Brother Vinh Ngoc Trinh has served in pastoral care, including pastoral ministry at St. Anselm.

Viatorians

60 Years

Father Lawrence D. Lentz is a former teacher and administrator at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights. He also served as pastor and parochial vicar at St. Viator Parish and is a former assistant provincial in his order.