Every year we honor the men celebrating jubilees who have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord through the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago. They often wear many hats, such as administrator, maintenance man, cook, accountant, friend. They have served mostly as parish priests, with some also serving as teachers, chaplains and counselors. The Chicago Catholic congratulates and thanks them. 70 years Father John Rochford, 95, was born in Chicago and attended St. Joachim School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was an assistant pastor at St. Mark (1947-1956); St. Bartholomew (1956-1965) and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect (1965-1966); chaplain at Alexian Brothers Medical Center (1966-1972); and pastor of St. Emeric, Country Club Hills (1972-1991), where he has been pastor emeritus since his retirement. 50 years Father Richard Bulwith, 76, was born in Melrose Park and attended St. Bernardine School in Forest Park, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also earned master’s degrees in health science at Governor’s State University and in spirituality at Loyola University Chicago. He served as associate pastor at St. Emeric, Country Club Hills (1967-1974); St. Michael, Orland Park (1974-1978); Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue) (1978); St. Nicholas, Evanston (1978-1982); and St. Hilary (1986-1987). He was pastor of St. George (Lituanica St.) (1982-1986). He has ministered at Catholic Charities for the past 30 years. Father Thomas Cima, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Edmund School in Oak Park, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor at St. Terrence, Alsip, and St. Ethelreda. He has served as pastor at Our Lady Gate of Heaven (1976-1986); St. Victor, Calumet City (1986-2004); and St. Michael the Archangel (2006-present). He also has been president of the Presbyteral Senate; a dean in Vicariates III, V and VI; chairman of the Conciliation Board; chairman of the Southwest Local Church Cluster; deacon supervisor and seminarian supervisor. Father James Flynn, 75, was born in Chicago and attended Resurrection School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor at Our Lady of the Mount, Cicero (1967-1972); Resurrection (1972-1980); St. Angela (1980-1982); and Holy Name of Mary (1995-1997). He was pastor of St. Angela Parish (1982-1994) and Holy Name of Mary (1997-2012) as well as director of Sacred Heart Mission (1997-2012). He has resided at Ascension-St. Susanna Parish since 2013. He also served as dean in Vicariates III and VI. Father Edward Grace, 74, was born in Chicago and attended St. Angela School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also has a law degree from DePaul University. He served at St. Edna, Arlington Heights (1967-1974); St. Peter, Skokie (1974-1981); St. Gregory (1981-1986) and St. Francis Borgia (1986-1992). He was pastor of St. Peter, Skokie (1992-2004) and has resided at Queen of All Saints Basilica since 2004. He served as Vicar for Priests (2004-2009) and Vicar for Senior Priests (2009-2014). He is now pastor emeritus of St. Peter. Father Eugene Gratkowski, 76, was born in Chicago and attended Holy Innocents School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor at St. Mark (1967-1970), St. Sylvester (1970-1972), St. Gregory (1986-1991), and St. Hilary (1998). He was administrator of St. John Bosco (1997) and pastor of St. Boniface (1972-1985), St. John Berchmans (1999-2006) and St. Cyprian, River Grove (2006-2013). Father Martin Hebda, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Salomea School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a doctorate in pastoral care and counseling from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He served as an associate pastor at St. Constance (1967-1969) and St. Marcelline, Schaumburg (1969-1974); a member of the formation and theology faculty at Niles College of Loyola University (1974- 1984); pastor of St. John Berchmans (1984-1985); and director of spiritual care and vice president, spirituality and mission, at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center Chicago (1985-2014). He is a certified chaplain and supervisor in the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (1986-2017) and a clinical member and supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (1978-2017). Father John Hennessey, 75, was born in Queens, New York, and attended Ascension School in Oak Park, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also has master’s degrees in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame and administration from Xavier University. He was associate pastor at St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park (1967-1973); a resident at St. Christina (1973-1977) and St. Hedwig (1980-1986); and pastor of St. Isaac Jogues, Niles (1986- 1997), and St. Joseph, Libertyville (1997-2012). He is pastor emeritus at St. Joseph. He also was on the faculty at Quigley South (1973-1977) and Niles College (1977-1980), and he served as the archdiocese’s vocation director (1980-1986). Father Peter Hung, 77, was born and raised in Vietnam. He was educated there and ordained for the Diocese of Nha Trang. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as associate pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish (Nelson Avenue) (1977-1978), on the faculty of Divine Word College (1978-1983) and, after being incardinated into the archdiocese in 1986, as associate pastor of St. Thomas of Canterbury Parish (1986-2008). He resided there until 2009. He also served as director of Indo-Chinese ministry and chaplain for Vietnamese Catholics in Chicago. Bishop Gerald Kicanas, 75, attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary. He also holds a doctorate in educational psychology from Loyola University Chicago. He served as associate pastor of St. Joseph, Libertyville (1967-1969). He then served on the faculty of Quigley South (1969-1978, rector from 1978-1984). During those years, he also served at St. Clotilde (1969- 1973) and as chaplain at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (1973-1977). He served as rector of Mundelein Seminary of the University of St. Mary of the Lake (1984-1995) before being named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago, where he served as episcopal vicar for Vicariate I. He was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona, in 2001 and installed in January 2002. He became bishop of Tucson in 2003. Father Richard Kozak, 75, was born in Chicago and attended Holy Rosary School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He served as associate pastor at St. Felicitas (1967-1975); St. Simeon, Bellwood (1975-1984); St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park (1984-1990); and Sacred Heart, Melrose Park (1990- 1998). He was pastor of St. Joseph, Homewood (1998- 2015) and now serves as senior priest at St. Teresa of Avila Parish and Catholic Student Center, Valparaiso, Indiana. Father Daniel McCarthy, 75, was born in Chicago and attended Holy Cross (East 63rd Street) and St. Joachim schools, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary. He served as a deacon intern at Maryville Academy (1966-1967); as assistant director of Angel Guardian Orphanage (1967-1974); associate pastor and administrator of Our Lady of Victory (1974- 1981); associate pastor of St. Matthias (1981-1983); pastor of St. Timothy (1983-1986); pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish (1986-1998); and associate pastor (1998- 2000) and pastor (2000-2011) of St. Tarcissus. He also served as associate director of the CYO (1978-1981), on the Priest Placement Board (1999-2004); on the incardination committee (2006-present); and as chaplain at Notre Dame College Prep High School (2012-present) and Resurrection College Prep High School (2014-present). Monsignor Wayne Prist, 75, was born in Chicago Heights and attended St. Agnes in Chicago Heights, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He earned a doctorate in ministry from Mundelein and a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago. He was associate pastor at St. Giles, Oak Park (1967-1975). He then was associate pastor and resident of St. John Berchmans (1975-1982) and resident of St. Anne, Barrington (1982-1984), and St. Clement (1984-1986), and Mundelein Seminary (1986-1996) while serving as a television producer for the Catholic Television Network and NBC Chicago (1975-1983) and director of the Center for Pastoral Ministry and Center for Development in Ministry at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1983-1996). He was the chairman of the archdiocese’s Millennium Committee (1997-2001). He served as pastor of Queen of All Saints Basilica (1996-2010), and has been pastor emeritus since retiring. He also served as the cardinal’s delegate for priestly development (2011-2014). Father Raymond Webb, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Columbanus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also has master’s degree in curriculum development from DePaul University and a master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate in educational psychology from Loyola University Chicago. He was associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales (South Ewing Avenue) (1967-1970 before serving on the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary South (1970-1974), Niles College of Loyola University (1974-1990) and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1990-present). He served as USML’s academic dean (2003-2011) and is chairman of the Department of Pastoral Theology and Canon Law. 25 years Father Simon Braganza, 53, was born and raised in Raichur, India. He attended St. Mary’s elementary and secondary schools before going to the papal Seminary in Pune, India. In India, he served as vice principal at St. Mary’s School, Secunderabad (1992-1995); secretary to the archbishop of Hyderabad (1995); assistant pastor of Holy Family Parish, Trimulgherry (1996-1996); pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (1996-1997); and at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore (1997-1999). In Chicago, he served as associate pastor at St. Henry (1992-2002); St. Tarcissus (2002-2009) and Queen of All Saints Basilica (2009-present). He was incardinated into the archdiocese in 2012. Father Alejandro Garrido, 57, was born and raised in Mexico City. He attended elementary and secondary school and undergraduate university in Mexico before attending the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor at St. Agnes (1992-1997) and St. Adalbert (1997-2003), director of Casa Jesus (2003-2009) and pastor of Providence of God (2009-2013). Since 2014, he has served as a psychologist at the marriage tribunal and resided at St. Anthony, Cicero. Father Jeffrey Grob, 56, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended St. Francis Xavier School in Cross Plaines, Wisconsin; Holy Name High School Seminary in Madison, Wisconsin; Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also holds doctorates in philosophy from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, and canon law from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario. He was a resident and associate pastor at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1992-1998) and served as assistant to the chancellor of the archdiocese (1994-1998). He has served as associate vicar for canonical services (2003-2008) and a judge in the tribunal court of appeals (2003-2013); pastor of St. Celestine Parish (2008-2013); a dean in Vicariate IV (2008-2009); archbishop’s delegate to the Archdiocesan Review Board (2010-present); judicial vicar (2013-2015); archbishop’s liaison to lay ecclesial movements (2015-present); and chancellor of the archdiocese (2015-present). He will celebrate his anniversary June 11 at the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Celestine Parish, Elmwood Park.Father Jerome Jacob, 56, was born in Chicago and attended Indian Ridge School and Shabonee Junior High in Northbrook, Glenbrook North High School, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor of St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1992-1996), and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect (1996-2002). He has served as pastor of St. Edna, Arlington Heights (2001-2014) and St. Mary of the Annunciation, Fremont Center (2014-present). He also has served as spiritual adviser for the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Vicariate I), member of the Priest Placement Board (2012-2016); member of the Presbyteral Council (2016-present) and member of the College of Consultors (2016-present). He will celebrate his anniversary May 21 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation. Father Jerome Jacob, 56, was born in Chicago and attended Indian Ridge School and Shabonee Junior High in Northbrook, Glenbrook North High School, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor of St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1992-1996), and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect (1996-2002). He has served as pastor of St. Edna, Arlington Heights (2001-2014) and St. Mary of the Annunciation, Fremont Center (2014-present). He also has served as spiritual advisor for the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Vicariate I), member of the Priest Placement Board (2012-2016); member of the Presbyteral Council (2016-present) and member of the College of Consultors (2016-present). He will celebrate his anniversary May 21 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation. Father Michael Shanahan, 54, was born in Chicago and attended St. Germaine School, Brother Rice High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, before attending the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He has served as associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier, La Grange, (1992-1997); Maternity B.V.M. (1997-1999); and St. Josaphat (2005-2008); and pastor at St. Mark (1999-2005) and Our Lady of Lourdes (2008-present). He has also served on the Priest Placement Board and the sabbatical board. Father Lawrence Sullivan, 51, was born in Chicago and attended Queen of the Universe School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He has been associate pastor at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1992-1999), pastor of St. Celestine (1999-2008); pastor of St. Christina (2008-2014) and pastor of Christ the King (2004-present). He has been associate director of Catholic Cemeteries since 2013, and serves as a member of the Archdiocesan School Board and the Archdiocesan Review Board. He has served as vice-chair of the Presbyteral Council and a member of the College of Consultors. Father Jeremy Thomas, 51, was born in Cardiff, Wales, where he attended St. Joseph School and Lady Mary High School. He joined the Augustinians and was educated in Spain. He served as an associate pastor for six years and a pastor for one year in Wales before coming to Chicago in 2001. He earned a master’s degree in liturgy at Catholic Theological Union and served as associate pastor (2001-2002) and administrator (2002-2005) at St. Jerome. He was named pastor of St. Jerome in 2005, after being incardinated into the archdiocese. He also served on the executive council of the Presbyteral Council (2007-2013), chairman of the Presbyteral Council (2010-2013) and on the Priest Placement Board (2016-present). He will celebrate his anniversary June 3 at St. Jerome. Father Daniel Whiteside, 55, was born in Arlington Heights, where he attended St. James School and St. Viator High School before Niles College of Loyola University and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was associate pastor at St. Josaphat (1992-1998) and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1998-2000), and pastor of St. Catherine-St. Lucy, Oak Park (2000-2012) and St. Mary, Buffalo Grove (2012-present). He also was chairman of the Association of Chicago Priests (1996-1998).
Providing parents of seminarians support on the journey When Martha Mehringer’s son Michael told her and her husband that he wanted to enter the seminary and discern priesthood, she was worried. She also felt alone because she and her husband didn’t know anyone who had become a priest and didn’t know about the process or what her son’s life would be like as a priest.
Message from the archdiocese about weekday Masses June 17-20 Priests serving in the Archdiocese of Chicago will gather for their triennial convocation from June 17 to 20. This gathering is an important and necessary time of spiritual renewal for the priests, so that they can better serve the people of God.