Father August (Gus) Belauskas, 83, died July 17. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Born in Chicago, Father Belauskas attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1968. He also received a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago after ordination.

He served as associate pastor of Sts. Faith, Hope, and Charity Parish, Winnetka, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Prospect Heights. He then joined the faculty of Niles College (1974), where he taught philosophy and was on the formation staff. He went to USML/Mundelein Seminary in 1986 to start the pre-theology program for candidates who were entering seminary for the first time. While on the faculty, he also served in various roles: vice-rector, formation adviser, spiritual director, adviser to seminarians in the residence halls where he lived and other duties. During his time at Mundelein Seminary, he also served as a weekend assistant priest for 40 years at St. Gilbert Parish, Grayslake. Father Belauskas retired in 2017 as the philosophy department chairman; he continued to teach and work in formation and spiritual direction part-time.

Father John Kartje, rector/president of USML/Mundelein Seminary, wrote about Father Belauskas in his Scripture column.

“Insofar as a priest is meant to be a ‘pontifex,’ a bridge to help lead others to Christ, Fr. Gus beautifully embraced that vocation,” Kartje wrote in part. “With a famously calm, steady demeanor, he could put the most anxious student or parishioner at ease with a self-effacing smile and a gentle word of encouragement.”

He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Phillips.

Deacon Faustino Santiago, 78, died July 11. He was ordained in 2012 and served at St. Bartholomew and Our Lady of the Rosary parishes.

Born in Puerto Rico, he worked in Chicago as a painter and wallpaper hanger.

He is survived by his wife, Jannett; his children Faustino Jr. and Taína; his mother, Maria; and his brothers Angelo, Damian and Manuel Jr.

Deacon Gregory Serratore, 96, died July 18. He was ordained in 1979 and served at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish and as a chaplain for the Chicago Police Department.

Deacon , a veteran of the U.S. Army, worked for the Santa Fe Railway and World’s Finest Chocolate and as business manager at St. Mary, Star of the Sea.

A fourth degree Knight of Columbus, he was married to his late wife, Rose Ann, for 74 years.

He is survived by his children Anthony Serratore, Gregory Serratore, Maria Coleman and Teresa Okrzesik; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Lea Cozzini, 88, died July 1.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 71st year of her religious life.

She was baptized in St. Callistus Parish and confirmed in St. Viator Parish. She received a master’s degree in curriculum/supervision from DePaul University and taught at St. Peter Canisius for 10 years and St. Robert Bellarmine for 14 years.

She also ministered in Ohio.

Sister of St. Joseph Janet Bolger, 97, died July 14. Sister Janet was celebrating 76 years of religious life.

She had bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Xavier, La Grange; St. Isaac Jogues, Niles; St. Margaret Mary; and St. Hugh, Lyons. She was an administrator at Nazareth Academy and The Well Spirituality Center, and co-director of Allium, an eco-spirituality center and meeting place.

Father John E. Hennessey, 84, died June 14. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of St. Joseph Parish, Libertyville.

Born on Long Island, New York, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1967. He later completed a master’s degree at the University of Notre Dame.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park, and St. Christina. He was associate pastor of St. Hilary Parish.

He served as director of the Vocations Office from 1980 to 1986 and was pastor of St. Isaac Jogues, Niles, from 1986 to 2003. He then became pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville and served at that parish until 2012, when he retired and was named pastor emeritus.

Resurrection Sister Rosemary Gira, 97, died June 10.

She was baptized at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. She entered the Sisters of the Resurrection, where her older sister was already a member, in 1950, and made her first vows in 1951.

Sister Rosemary graduated from Fordham University in 1955 and began a 50-year ministry of teaching first grade, including assignments at St. Casimir; St. Mary of the Angels; and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village, as well as in Indiana, Nebraska and Florida. She said she loved teaching little children “because their hearts are open and ready for the seeds of faith and the message of God’s love to be planted.”

She is survived by her nephew, Bishop Robert Kurtz, CR.

Sister of the Living Word Kathleen Heer, 75, died June 15 at Resurrection Life Center, where she lived for the past four years after suffering a stroke.

Sister Kathleen entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1969 and was called again to be a founding member of the Sisters of the Living Word in 1975. A gifted artist and educator, she taught junior high at St. Raphael in the Englewood neighborhood, and served as principal for 16 years. She participated in consolidation of the nine Englewood schools and was elected vice-president of the Archdiocesan Principals Association. She was also principal at St. Catherine Laboure, Glenview.

She later earned a master’s degree in art therapy and ministered as an art therapist in Ohio, and she served in the leadership of her religious community for five years.

She is survived by siblings Thomas Heer, Mary Heer, Betty Freeze Heer, John Heer, Daniel Heer, Michael Heer and Joseph Heer.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Maria (Josefita) Candelaria, 89, died June 18 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

She was born in New Mexico and made her first profession as a Discalced Carmelite in 1957, receiving the name Maria Isabel. She transferred her vows to the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1980.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and Spanish from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago; and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

She ministered as a teacher in New Mexico and Texas.

Daughter of Charity Sister Mary (Mary Margaret) Satala, 89, died June 23 in Evansville, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Good Counsel High School in 1953 and earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph School of Nursing before entering the Daughters of Charity in 1960.

She served at hospitals in Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana and Alabama, as well as at St. Joseph Hospital and Health Centers (1984-1991). She also served in Poland.

In addition to her nursing degree, Sister Mary earned a master’s degree in spirituality and counseling and a doctorate in pastoral counseling and clinical counseling.

She also served as postulant directress for the Daughters of Charity in Evansville, and as a mental health counselor in Indianapolis.

Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Sister Patricia (Brendan) Peters, 85, died June 27 in Donaldson, Indiana.

Born in Breese, Illinois, Sister Patricia entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1959 and professed her first vows in 1962.

She taught at elementary schools in Illinois and Indiana, including St. Henry.

After 10 years of teaching, Sister Patricia was appointed director of purchasing at the PHJC Ministry Center in Donaldson. She developed an interest in computer technology and took several computer courses at DeVry University in Chicago. She became the manager for computer services at PHJC Ministry Center. In 2016, Sister Patricia began using her computer skills to help develop a digitized system of tracking pictures and artifacts in the archives.

Sister Patricia retired to Catherine’s Cottage in Donaldson in 2023.

Sister Patricia is survived by her two sisters and five brothers.

Deacon Gregory Shumpert, 70, died June 4. He was ordained in 1999 and ministered at St. Agatha, St. Martin de Porres and St. Simon of Cyrene parishes.

Born in Chicago, he attended Holy Name Cathedral High School and Loyola University Chicago, as well as studying for the diaconate at the University of St. Mary of the Lake.

For more than three decades, Deacon Shumpert worked at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a mental health counselor and advocate for those in need. He later served in several capacities at Malcolm X College.

In his years as a deacon, he assisted at the altar and offered pastoral care and community outreach. He was active in the Men’s Club, was a lector and choir member, supported Community Renewal Society initiatives and was a board member of the Adult Education Learning Center.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn; his children Ericka Nicole Shumpert-Toliver and Erik Gregory Shumpert; and two grandchildren.

Father Kenneth S. Laske, 93, died March 20. He was a retired archdiocesan priest and former associate pastor of St. Leonard, Berwyn.

Born in Chicago, Father Laske attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Ferdinand; St. Gilbert, Grayslake; St. Joan of Arc, Evanston; and Divine Savior, Norridge. He served as associate pastor of St. Cornelius; St. William; St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park; and St. Leonard. He retired in 2002.

The late Father William T. O’Mara, retired archdiocesan priest and classmate, had remembered Father Laske as a very quiet person and a devoted priest with a great sense of humor.

Father William T. O’Mara, 94, died May 27. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills.

Born in Chicago, Father O’Mara attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, and later earned a postgraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago.

He was assistant pastor of Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor, and St. James, Sauk Village.

He was a faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and served as chaplain at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, celebrating school Masses, attending Kairos retreats with seniors and going to sports events, concerts and plays.

Father O’Mara served as pastor at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish until 2003, when he was named pastor emeritus.

Archdiocesan priest Father Roger
Caplis remembered his classmate as very outgoing and a good athlete. “He also shared a great sense of ministry, even after retirement,” Caplis said.

Providence Sister Mary Jeanine (Mary Catherine) Schubert, 84, died May 14 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she went to St. Mel School and Providence High School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1961 and professed final vows in 1970.

Of her 64 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois for 16 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Agnes (1967-1971), St. Francis Borgia (1971-1978) and Maternity BVM (1978-1982).

In 1983, she took a position at the American Medical Association in Chicago as a survey operations assistant and later as an employee contractor.

Retiring from this position in 2007, she gave much time to sewing and quilting for charities.

Sister Mary Jeanine is survived by a brother, Andrew J. Schubert Jr.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Ann Mueninghoff, 79, died May 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters in 1968. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English education from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; a certificate of theology from St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin; and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.

Sister Mary Ann’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, religious education and higher education. She taught in Minnesota and was a religious education director in Montana as well as at Epiphany Parish and St. Luke Parish, River Forest.

She then worked for the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as director of the Apostolic Volunteers program; was director of residence halls and a counselor and rector at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; and was promoter of mission integration at Dominican University.

She is survived by a sister, Janet Collins, and brothers David, Eric and Robert Mueninghoff.

Father Gerald E. Rogala, 85, died May 7. He was a retired archdiocesan priest and pastor emeritus of the former St. Thecla Parish, now part of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish.

Born in Waukegan, Father Rogala attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1966.

He also earned a master’s degree in New Testament studies from the University of Chicago.

Father Rogala was assistant pastor of St. John Brebeuf, Niles, and St. John Berchmans, now part of Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish. He also taught at Niles College of Loyola University.

He was associate pastor of St. Mary, Buffalo Grove, and pastor of St. Josaphat; Our Lady of the Brook, now part of St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook Parish, Northbrook; St. Stephen Protomartyr, now part of Mary, Mother of Martyrs, Des Plaines; and the former St. Thecla. He retired in 2010.

“He enjoyed teaching,” said Father Thomas J. Vitro, a classmate of Father Rogala. “He was a contemporary Catholic priest, very proud of the parishes he served in. He identified with those communities and met all expectations of a priest ordained 60 years ago.”

Vitro added that Father Rogala liked skiing and playing the guitar.

Father Richard J. Kozak, 84, died April 15. He was a retired archdiocesan priest and former pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Homewood, now St. John Neumann Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Kozak attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

He was assistant pastor of St. Felicitas Parish and associate pastor of St. Simeon, Bellwood; St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park; and Sacred Heart, Melrose Park. He was pastor of the former St. Joseph, Homewood, for nearly 17 years before retiring in 2015.

In a 2012 interview with the archdiocesan newspaper, Kozak mentioned that he lost sight in one eye a month before being ordained. He said, “I’m convinced it deepened my spiritual vision of the Lord even though I lost physical vision. It happened on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, 1967. I look back on my life and say, ‘Well Lord, I guess you had a plan for me.’”

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Joan (Ternan) McCann, 85, died April 9 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1961. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s in the teaching of mathematics and a master’s in education management and supervision.

Sister Joan’s ministry was dedicated to education, administration and consultancy. She taught at schools in Washington, D.C.; Freeport, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Baltimore Maryland; as well as at St. Mary School, Evanston, and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity School, Winnetka.

She was an assistant superintendent in the Office of Education of the Archdiocese of Atlanta before joining with Adrian Dominican Sister Mary-beth Beres to found Leadership Systems, a nonprofit consulting ministry serving religious congregations, social service organizations and schools.

Following that ministry, Sr. Joan served the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation as vicaress provincial of the Southern Province before becoming vicar for consecrated life for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Sister Joan retired in 2010 and volunteered in the Oak Lawn area until 2024, when she moved to Stair Crest, a senior living community in Muskego, Wisconsin.

She is survived by three sisters: Marjorie Kayser, Alice McCann, and Nancy Tegtmeyer.  

School Sister of Notre Dame Catherine (David Maureen) Sarther, 83, died April 10 at Ascension Resurrection Life Center.

A member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 63 years, she taught high school at Academy of Our Lady and taught in elementary schools in Chicago and Milwaukee. She also assisted international students at Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, was a researcher for Chicago Public Schools, and served her community as a provincial councilor in Chicago and a general councilor in Rome.

She is survived by her siblings: David Sarther, James Sarther, Margaret Fox and William Sarther.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jeanne Drea, 82, died April 28 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1972.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in upper elementary education, a certificate in theology and, later, a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.

She taught at schools in Illinois and Wisconsin, and ministered in parishes in Wisconsin and Florida. She also worked for Catholic Charities and in various outreach programs in Florida.

She is survived by her brother, Harry Drea.

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Catherine Marie (Barbara Ann) Kawa, 82, died Oct. 27, 2025, in Park Ridge.

She attended Holy Innocents Parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Holy Family Parish before entering religious life as a postulant in 1964.

She ministered in Texas as well as at St. Camillus School and at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Sister of the Holy Family Nazareth Phyllis (Emnilda) Siedlecka, 93, died Jan. 23.

She attended St. Adalbert Parish and St. Ann High School before entering religious life in 1952.

She taught primary school in Illinois, Indiana and Texas and served as a local superior. She also ministered at the provincialate and at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Bernadine (M. Norbertine) Wachowiak, 91, died Feb. 22.

She attended St. Hedwig parish and school and Holy Family Academy before entering  religious life in 1951.

She ministered as a teacher, principal and director of religious education with assignments at St. Hyacinth; St. Blase, Argo; St. Michael; St. Emily, Mount Prospect; Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Josaphat; St. Hedwig; St. Andrew; St. Ladislaus and the community’s provincialate at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

She is survived by a brother, Kenneth, and a sister, Rita.

School Sister of St. Francis Rita Mae Rabitoy, 92, died at Sacred Heart Convent in Milwaukee on March 26.

Born in Michigan, Sister Rita Mae was received into the community in 1950, made her first profession of vows in 1952 and made her final vows in 1958.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Rita Mae ministered at St. Benedict High School (1954-1956); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview (1956-1957); St. Mary, Buffalo Grove (1963-1967); St. William (1967-1971, 1972-1985); Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1985-2005); and St. Cyprian, River Grove (1971-1972 and 2005-2006), where she also volunteered in retirement from 2006-2018.

Providence Sister Mary Lois (Ollie Marie) Hennel, 98, died April 3 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954.

In her 79 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1970, she left teaching for administrative work, serving the St. Gabriel Province in Indianapolis and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. She also served in the business office at the motherhouse.

After retiring in 2002, she continued to serve as a volunteer in the business office and in the Providence Food Pantry.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Our Lady of Sorrows (1949-1953) and as secretary at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1990-1994).

Sister Mary Lois is survived by a brother, Joseph Hennel, and a sister, Maggie Hennel.

Dominican Sister Marie Anna (Rose de Lima) Stelmach, 80, died April 8 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Baltimore, she made profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1965.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in math and theology from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest. She also earned a master’s degree in divinity from Immaculate Conception Seminary in New Jersey; a master’s degree in theology from Seton Hall University in New Jersey; and certification as a registered nurse from Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing in Virginia.

Her ministry focused on teaching, pastoral care, missionary work and health care. She taught in California, Wisconsin and New York as well as at Visitation School in Chicago. She served as a missionary in the Diocese of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad; and as a director of religious education in Rockford, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; and Louisiana.

She worked in hospital chaplaincy and prison ministry before serving as a registered nurse in Virginia and for the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation.

She is survived by two sisters, Helen Wyczalek and Jean Huether.

Father Robert G. Mair, 86, died March 29. He was pastor emeritus of St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Glenview.

Born in Chicago, Father Mair attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

After ordination, Mair served as assistant pastor of St. Nicholas, Evanston, and St. Joseph, Wilmette. He was associate pastor of St. Peter, Skokie, and St. Mary of the Lake.

He became pastor of St. Catherine Labouré in 2000 and retired in 2009.

Father William E. Vanecko, one of Father Mair’s classmates, remembered him as a good pastor and athlete.

“He was a big fan of golf,” Vanecko said, as he recalled the days when they played basketball and softball together.

Deacon Hippolito Crespo, 83, died March 23 in Puerto Rico, where he had lived for several years. He was ordained in 1999 and ministered at St. Sylvester Parish. He moved to Puerto Rico in 2010.

Deacon James Revord, 91, died March 24. He was ordained in 1993 and ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he moved with his family to Minnesota and Ohio before settling in Chicago. He attended Loyola Academy and the University of Notre Dame, where he studied mechanical engineering.

He married his wife, Patricia, in 1957, before beginning a three-year stint as a damage control officer in the U.S. Navy. After returning to Chicago, he worked as a mechanical engineer in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry.

As a deacon, he led faith-sharing groups and baptismal preparation and did hospital visits and bereavement ministry with his wife. He also delivered countless homilies, baptized hundreds of babies, witnessed many marriages and offered many beautiful eulogies.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children Mary Eileen, Janie, John, Tom, Julie and Patrick; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Deacon William Engler, 84, died March 26. He was ordained in 1986.

He ministered at St. Mary, Riverside; St. John of the Cross, Western Springs; and St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, Tinley Park, accompanying people in need, in doubt and in joy. He loved officiating baptisms and marriages and held deep affection for his deacon family.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kate; his sons Vincent and Matthew; three grandchildren, and his sister, Marianne Lillie.

Deacon John Lorbach, 75, died March 26. He was ordained in 1996 and served at St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect.

Deacon Lorbach served as the parish’s director of worship, coordinated the baptism program and was the parish representative to St. Mark Lutheran Church, the parish’s covenant partner.

He is survived by his wife, Ingrid; his children Brian, Timothy and Mary Kate; three grandchildren; and siblings Diane Wilson, David Lorbach and Karen Schappert.

Deacon Feliks Pezowicz, 81, died March 31. He ministered at Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda.

Born in Poland, he loved serving the community and regularly provide comfort and ministry services to the elderly. He was a fixture in the rosary group Kolo zywego rózanca Swietej Tereski od Dzieciatka Jezus.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josette; his children Thomas Pezowicz and Donna Lesczynski; four grandchildren; and his sister Waclawa Krasowska.

Jesuit Brother James E. Small, 104, died March 19 in Clarkston, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, Brother Small was a postulant in the Jesuit novitiate in Milford, Ohio, for a few months when he was 18, but he went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked as a machinist and Chicago police officer before entering the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus in 1952. He made his final vows in 1963.

Brother Small served as the infirmarian at the Milford novitiate (1955-1958) and West Baden College, Indiana (1958-1963).

He returned to the novitiate a carpenter (1963-1969) before being missioned to Loyola Academy in Wilmette, where he spent over four decades ministering as a carpenter and an artist-in-residence. In 2013, he moved to Colombiere Center in Clarkston.

Throughout his life, Brother Small would copy famous paintings and sell them to support Loyola Academy. Later in life, he began painting original artwork that currently hangs on the walls of Colombiere Center.

According to the Loyola Academy website, his paintings raised over a million dollars for tuition assistance at the school, where he also taught Saturday art classes to students of all ages.

Providence Sister Mary Catherine (Marikay) Duffy, 90, died March 20 in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1953 and was given the name Sister Marie Michele. She professed final vows in 1960.

Of her 73 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in elementary schools in Illinois and California for nine years and then ministered in Arequipa, Peru, for nine years. Upon return, she served in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Hispanic apostolate, and in 1987 was part of founding the Hispanic Education Center. She continued working in Hispanic ministry and ministry to immigrants.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Athanasius, Evanston (1955-1956); Our Lady of Mercy (1956-1958); and St. Sylvester (1958-1961).

Redemptorist Father Albert Castellino, 91, died March 23 in Missouri. Father Albert preached the Good News in four languages on five continents for nearly six decades.

Born in Maharashtra, India, he professed temporary vows with the Province of Bangalore in 1954 and professed perpetual vows in 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

Father Albert met and worked with St. Teresa of Calcutta in India before becoming active in the Marriage Encounter program there. Couples from the United States who assisted in building the program in India asked the charismatic Father Albert to return to the United States to lead the program in the Diocese of Boise.

While in the United States, Father Albert became involved in other movements within the church: the Cursillo and charismatic movements, as well as Teens Encounter Christ and Engaged Couples Weekends. He began preaching missions throughout the West Coast in 1981.

He joined the former St. Louis Province in 1988, and was known as a creative, engaging and effective itinerant preacher. He maintained an extensive network of friends throughout the country.

As a member of the mission team, Father Albert was stationed at St. Alphonsus Parish from 1986 to 1993 and St. Michael Parish from 1993 until 1999.

Deacon John A. Henricks, 79, died March 6. He was ordained in 1993 and ministered at Sacred Heart Parish (Melrose Park) and St. Giles, Oak Park.

Born in Ohio, he moved with his family to Baltimore, then Indiana, before arriving in Oak Park, where he attended Fenwick High School. During his time there, he did service work with Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, which inspired a lifetime of social justice work and caring for others.

He earned a master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago and worked as a licensed clinical social worker at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center and Rush University Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois; three daughters, Rebecca, Jennifer and Elizabeth; and one grandchild.

Father John Paul Lucas, 85, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas died Feb. 4.

Born in Cleveland, Father Lucas attended Ohio State University, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and Notre Dame de Namur University. During his time in the seminary, he regularly wrote articles for the Byzantine Catholic World.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1966 and incardinated into the St. Nicholas Eparchy, based in Chicago, in 1985. Father Lucas served parishes in Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara, California, before coming to Chicago to serve at St. Michael Parish in the West Pullman neighborhood.

In 2002, Father John was appointed English-language editor of the eparchial newspaper New Star, and in 2007 he became its managing editor.

He is survived by his brother, Donald.

Deacon Manuel Rodriguez Torres, 99, died Feb. 15 in Chicago. He was ordained in 1972 and served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Roosevelt Road).

Born in Puerto Rico, Deacon Rodriguez Torres and his wife, Carmen, built a life in Chicago rooted in love for their family and commitment to serving others.

He was preceded in death by Carmen, his wife of 59 years; a daughter; and a grandson. He is survived by 13 children and dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Marie Alfred) Rathert, 82, died Jan. 20 in Muskego, Wisconsin.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1963. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; a master’s degree in math education from Ohio State University; and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Sister Mary’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care and social service work. She taught math at Visitation High School and at Trinity High School, River Forest, as well as in Milwaukee and in Omaha, Nebraska.

She then served her congregation on the formation team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Novitiate, as a provincial councilor for the Eastern Province, and as councilor on the Sinsinawa Dominican Leadership Council.

She worked in outreach and parish ministry in Florida, West Virginia and Virginia, and as a program director in Washington.

Sister of the Living Word Mary Ann Zrust, 96, died Jan. 22.

Born in Minnesota, Sister Mary Ann spent her first 18 years of ministry as an elementary teacher in Missouri, Minnesota and Louisiana, before serving as a principal in Minnesota.

She was one of the first in leadership for the Sisters of the Living Word, founded in 1975, and was again elected to leadership in 1993. 

From 1983 to 1993, Sister Mary Ann was pastoral associate at St. Mary of Celle Parish, Berwyn. From 1998 to 2005, she was the associate director for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of the Vicar for Priests.

She wrote two books on the history of her religious community and the writings of the foundress, Sister Annamarie Cook.

She spent the past eight years at Resurrection Life Center.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Sigrid (Lillian Agnes) Simlik, 97, died Jan. 23 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, and a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary University, San Antonio. 

She was a teacher in Maryland, Wisconsin and Illinois, where she taught various foreign languages in the role of lecturer at Rosary College.

She also ministered in Oklahoma, and was a hospital chaplain in Texas and Nebraska.

School Sister of Notre Dame Cabrini Ganz, 105, died Jan. 31 at Ascension Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Italy, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 84 years.

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan; as an artist, homemaker and community staff member in DeKalb, Illinois; Chicago; and Rome; and in prayer and presence at Marian Village, Homer Glen; and Advocate Resurrection Life Center.

Holy Cross Father Kenneth Michael Molinaro, 77, died Feb. 9 in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Patrick Elementary School in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1966 before enrolling in the Holy Cross candidate program at the University of Notre Dame.

He entered the Holy Cross novitiate in 1968 and made his first vows in 1969. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1971 with a degree in sociology and spent the next two years teaching at St. Catherine Laboure School in Glenview. During that time, he received a degree as a reading specialist from the National College of Education in 1973. He returned to Moreau Seminary and was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 1976.

After ordination, Father Molinaro served as principal at Sacred Heart Grade School in Winnetka until 1981. He ministered in South Bend before being assigned as principal (1986-1998) and then president (1998-2000) of Notre Dame High School in Niles.

He then served in leadership positions in his community until he retired in 2021.

He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Daniel, and his sisters, Anna Grace Riblet and Kathleen Carpenter.

Viatorian Father Donald J. Fitzsimmons, 93, died Feb. 13 in Arlington Heights.

Born in Pontiac, Illinois, he graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield before entering the community. He made his first vows in 1951 and was ordained in 1960.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in history from St. Louis University; a diplôme in religious studies from Lumen Vitae: Institut Science, Brussels; and a master’s degree in doctoral studies and religious education from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Father Fitzsimmons taught in Peoria before becoming a teacher and counselor at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1970-1988). From 1988 to 1997, he was a drug abuse counselor at Lutheran General Recovery Center, Vernon Hills. He also served as a substance abuse counselor in the Keys to Recovery Program at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines (1998-2001). In 2001, Father Fitzsimmons retired to the Viatorian Province Center, Arlington Heights.

He is survived by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Patricia Andreatta.

Notre Dame de Namur Sister Mary Lou Stoffel, 90, died Feb. 16 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 72nd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Lou’s ministry as educator and administrator took her to various communities in Ohio and to Chicago, where she ministered for many years at St. Robert Bellarmine School.

After her retirement, Sister Mary Lou served her community in her ministry of presence and prayer, and in cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs.

Viatorian Father Daniel J. Mirabelli, 94, died Feb. 21 in Moline.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park. He made his first vows in 1952 and was ordained in 1960.

Father Mirabelli earned a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa, and a master’s degree in American history from Loyola University Chicago. He taught in Peoria before serving as business manager and teacher at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1961-1966). After that, he ministered in Rock Island.

He is survived by his sister, Marianna Dituro.

Father James W. Kinn, 94, died Feb. 8. He was the pastor emeritus of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein.

Born in Chicago, Father Kinn attended Maternity BVM School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957. He also earned a master’s degree in math education from DePaul University.

After being ordained, he continued his studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake before serving as assistant pastor at St. Victor, Calumet City. He then resided at St. Bartholomew Parish, St. Bridget Parish and Our Lady of Charity Parish, Cicero, while teaching math, German and religion at Quigley North.

He then was associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle before being named pastor of St. Bride in 1978. In 1982, he was named pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, a post he held until he retired in 2002 and was named pastor emeritus.

Deacon Charles J. “Chuck” Woods Sr., 84, died Feb. 1 in Naperville, where he had lived since 1990. He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Odilo Parish, Berwyn. He was incardinated in the Diocese of Joliet in 1997, where he served at St. Raphael Parish.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Woods attended Kelly High School, the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn and the University of St. Francis in Joliet, and worked for Western Electric, AT&T and Lucent Technologies from 1962 to1996.

In 2000, he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago and was a social worker at Joliet Area Community Hospice until 2007. He also volunteered at Edward Hospital, Naperville, and Morton Arboretum, Lisle.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; his children Chuck Jr., Nancy, Dennis and Patrick; and five grandchildren.

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate Sister Mary (Mary Angelita) Remias, 85, died Dec. 28, 2025, in Warwick, New York.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Our Lady of Angels and St. Mary’s High School before entering the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in 1958 and professing perpetual vows in 1966.

Sr. Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Mundelein College and a master’s degree in religious education from the Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York.

During her early years of ministry, Sr. Mary served in catechetical missions and family missionary visitation in New York, Boston and Pennsylvania, and supervised sisters in formation in New York.

In 1974, Sister Mary became the apostolate director for the congregation, a post she held for many years. She was also a formation director for postulants and junior professed Sisters.

In 1990, she traveled to Nigeria to help ascertain the viability of a mission there. That mission was opened the following year.

For 20 years, Sister Mary served as a general councilor for  the congregation. She also served as a local superior in convents in New York City and New York state and in Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Remias.