Archdiocesan priests celebrate jubilee milestones

Every year, Chicago Catholic honors the archdiocesan priests celebrating jubilees who have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord through the Catholic Church. They often wear many hats, such as pastor, administrator, maintenance man, cook, accountant, friend. They have served mostly as parish priests, with some also serving as teachers, chaplains and counselors. Chicago Catholic congratulates and thanks them.

50 years

Father Frank J. Burek, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Adalbert School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary (North and South), Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He ministered at Five Holy Martyrs; St. Bernardine, Forest Park; St. Bede, Ingleside; St. Hugh, Lyons; Our Lady of Charity, Cicero; St. Francis Borgia: St. Patricia, Hickory Hills; St. Francis Xavier, La Grange; St. Robert Bellarmine; and St. Louis de Montfort.

Father Mark P. Canavan, 75, was born in Evergreen Park and attended Sacred Heart School (May Street), Quigley Preparatory Seminary (North and South); Niles College; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of Queen of Angels (1971-1977); Our Lady of Mercy (1977-1983), St. Bartholomew (1983-1987) and St. Emily, Mount Prospect (2000-2005). He was pastor of St. Frances of Rome, Cicero (1987-1999), and St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn (2005-2016).

Father Robert Ebrom, 75, was born in Chicago and attended Queen of All Saints School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Cletus, La Grange (1971-1977); St. Maurice (1977-1982); and All Saints/St. Anthony Parish (1982-1987). He was associate pastor (1987-1988) and administrator (1988) of St. Luke, River Forest. He resided at St. Benedict, Blue Island (1989-1992); St. Pascal (1992-1995); All Saints/St. Anthony (1995-1997); and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village, beginning in 1997.

He earned a master’s degree in education from Boston College and served on the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary South (1977-1980); St. Rita of Cascia High School (1980-1987, 1989-1992); Fenwick High School, Oak Park (1988-1989); and St. Patrick High School (1992-1994).

He also worked in the archdiocese’s Office of Research and Planning (1996-1998). He retired in 2015.

Father Charles Fanelli, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Rita School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Loyola University, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He was associate pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1971-1978); director of the archdiocesan Pro-Life Office (1978-1985); resident at St. Bonaventure (1978-1985); pastor of St. John Vianney, Northlake (1985-2004); and pastor of St. Thomas More (2004-2015).

He also has been chaplain of the Italian Catholic Federation and the Blue Army of Chicago and a member of the board of the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Father Kenneth J. Fischer, 75, was born in Berwyn and attended Our Lady of Lourdes School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Loyola University Chicago and North American College, Rome.

He was associate pastor of St. Bride (1971-1977) and St. Joseph, Libertyville (1977-1980). He was pastor of Our Lady, Help of Christians (1980-1992), St. Dorothy (1992-2000) and St. Luke, River Forest (2000-2015). He also was a member of the priests’ senate, a dean in Vicariate III and an archdiocesan consultor. He resides at Holy Cross, Deerfield.

Father Erwin J. Friedl, 76, was associate pastor of St. Cajetan (1971-1978); Presentation BVM (1978-1984); St. Andrew (1984-1989); Immaculate Heart of Mary (1989-1994); St. Cornelius (1995-2000); Sacred Heart, Melrose Park (2000-2006), where he also served as administrator (2004); and St. Edward (2006-2009). He was pastor of Sacred Heart, Melrose Park (2009-2014).

Father Lawrence Hennessey, 76, was born in Chicago and attended Ascension and St. Giles schools in Oak Park; Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Father Judge Mission Seminary in Monroe, Virginia; and Catholic University of America, where he earned degrees in theology, classical Greek, classical philology and early Christian literature.

He was associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Norfolk, Virginia (1971-1972). Since then, he has been in seminary ministry, 19 years in Washington, D.C., and the last 30 years at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He will celebrate his anniversary May 23 at St. Patrick Parish, Lake Forest.

Father Daniel F. Jarosewic, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. John of God School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary (North and South), Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Constance (1971-1976); St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1976-1981); St. Camillus (1981-1986); St. Albert the Great, Burbank (1986-1991); St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn (1991-1998); St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1998-2006); and St. Joseph, Homewood (2006-present).

Bishop John R. Manz, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Martha School, Morton Grove; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; Niles College; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of Providence of God Church (1971-1978) and St. Roman (1978-1983). He was pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia (1983-1996) and served as a dean.

In 1996, he was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He has served as episcopal vicar for Vicariates III and IV, and has served as chairman of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers and as a member of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church and Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America.

Father Lawrence P. McBrady, 76, was born in Washington, D.C., and attended St. Jerome School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Patricia (1971-1973), Hickory Hills; a member of the team ministry at St. James (Wabash Avenue) (1973-1983); and a resident at St. Mel (1983-1984); St. Thomas Aquinas (1984-1987); St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1988-1991); Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue) (1996-2002); and St. Joseph (Orleans Street) (2013-present). He was pastor of St. Celestine (1991-1996) and St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills (2003-2009).

He also was executive secretary of the Priest Placement Board (1983-1987), director of the Office of Conciliation (1988-1991) and vicar for priests (1996-2002).

Father James E. Merold, 75, was born in Wadsworth and attended St. Patrick School there before entering Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of St. Gilbert, Grayslake (1971-1977), and Prince of Peace, Lake Villa (1977-1985). He was director of pastoral care at St. Therese Hospital, Waukegan (1985-1991), before being named pastor of Queen of Peace, North Chicago (1991-2006). He was then administrator of St. Philomena (2006-2007) and pastor of St. Gabriel (2007-2011). He has served as administrator of St. Patrick, Wadsworth, since 2016.

He also taught liturgy and homiletics in the formation program for permanent deacons.

He plans to celebrate his anniversary at St. Patrick in the fall.

Father Michael S. Michelini, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. John Bosco School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Aloysius (1971-1976) and St. Agnes of Bohemia (1976-1981). He was pastor of St. Aloysius (1981-2000) and St. Adalbert (2000-2012).

He was a spiritual director to English- and Spanish-speakers for the Chicago Catholic Cursillo, was treasurer of the Presbyteral Council and was a board member of St. Elizabeth Hospital. In 2016, he received the St. John XXIII Award at Noche de Gala for his 40 years in Hispanic ministry.

Father Thomas Moran, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Mary of the Lake School, Quigley North, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling (1971-1976); St. Bonaventure (1976-1977); St. Ita (1977-1982); St. Thecla (1982-1988); St. John Brebeuf, Niles (1988-1993); and St. Marcelline, Schaumburg (1993-1995). He was pastor of St. Hugh, Lyons (1995-2005), and Our Lady of the Brook, Northbrook (2005-2015).

Father Joseph Mulcrone, 75, was born in Evanston and attended Resurrection School (Jackson Boulevard), Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Nicholas, Evanston (1971-1976); resident at Christ the King Parish (1976-1978) and pastor of St. Hedwig Mission (1978-1983). He has resided at St. Francis Borgia Parish since 1983.

Since 1977, he has been the director of the Catholic Office of the Deaf.

He plans to celebrate his anniversary later this year.

Father Ronald Navoy, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Helen and Sts. Cyril & Methodius schools, Quigley Preparatory Seminary; Niles College; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Pascal (1971-1976); St. Cajetan (1976-1981); St. Bernadine, Forest Park (1981-1987) and St. Marcelline, Schaumburg (1987-1993). He was pastor of St. Cyprian, River Grove (1993-2005) and St. Emily, Mount Prospect (2005-2016). 

He also was a planning unit facilitator, a Knights of Columbus chaplain and a member of the Presbyteral Council, principal interview team and pastors’ review board.

25 years

Father Timothy Fiala, 62, was associate pastor of St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield (1996-1997); St. Cletus, La Grange (1997-2000); and Divine Providence, Westchester (2000-2002), where he also served as administrator (2002).

He studied at Catholic University of America (2004-2006), returned to the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (2004-2006), then served as associate director of the John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2006-2009) and director of the Sheil Catholic Center (2007-2009) while on the faculty at St. Joseph College Seminary (2006-2009).

He was pastor of St. Domitilla Parish, Hillside (2009-2014), dean of Deanery IV-B, and pastor of Divine Providence (2014-2019).

Father Michael Knotek, 64, was born in Chicago and attended St. Simeon School, Bellwood; St. Joseph, Downers Grove; Benet Academy, Lisle; Holy Redeemer College, Waterford, Wisconsin; Catholic Theological Union; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Damian, Oak Forest (1996-1998); St. Clement (1998-2001); and St. Denis (2001-2003). He was pastor of St. John de la Salle (2003-2011), administrator of St. Helena of the Cross (2010-2011), pastor of St. Columbanus (2011-2013), and administrator of St. Stephen, King of Hungary (2016-2019).

He also has been executive secretary of the Priest Placement Board (2013-2019), director of the Office for Extern and International Priests (2013-2015) and vicar for priests (2019-present).

Father John Szmyd, 61, was born in Chicago and attended St. Thecla School, Weber High School and Marquette University, Milwaukee, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering, before attending the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Joseph, Wilmette (1996-2001) and associate pastor of St. Luke, River Forest (2014-2015). He has been pastor of St. Luke since 2015.

He was a member of the faculty at University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (2001-2014), where he served as associate dean of formation, spiritual director and director of liturgy.

He will celebrate his anniversary May 23 at the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Luke.

Father Joseph Tito, 68, was born in Evanston and attended St. Mary of the Woods School; Loyola Academy, Wilmette; and St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, where he earned a degree in business administration, before attending the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He also has a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.

He was associate pastor (1996-2001) and administrator (1999-2000) of St. Sylvester; administrator of St. Mary and St. Stephen, Des Plaines (2001-2002); and pastor of Our Lady of Mercy (2002-2014); pastor of Holy Innocents (2014-2016). He has been pastor of St. Nicholas, Evanston, since 2016, and he also served as administrator of St. Ignatius (2017-2018) and dean of Deanery III-A (2015-2016).

He will celebrate his anniversary May 23 at St. Nicholas.

Bishop Louis Tylka, 50, was born in Harvey and grew up in Hazel Crest, attending St. Joseph School, Homewood; Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights; Purdue University for one year; Niles College Seminary; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Michael, Orland Park (1996-2003), and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity (2003-2004). He was pastor of Mater Christi, North Riverside (2004-2014) and St. Julie Billiart, Tinley Park (2014-2020). He also served on and was the chairman of the Presbyteral Council.

In 2020, he was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Peoria.

Father Tirso Villaverde, 50, was born in Caloocan City, Philippines. He attended Haugan Elementary School and Roosevelt High School in Chicago, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Pascal (1996-2000); St. Isaac Jogues, Niles (2000-2004); and St. Bartholomew (2007-2012). He was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi-Our Lady of the Angels and St. Peter Canisius (2004-2007), St. Thomas of Canterbury (2012-2016) and St. Margaret Mary (2016-2020), and he has been pastor of St. Julie Billiart, Tinley Park, since 2020.

He is a member of the Asian Catholic Initiative of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the leadership council of the National Association of Filipino Priests.