A letter from Konnor Damery

by Konnor Damery  |  05/26/2024  |  A Message from Our Pastor

Dear beloved SJA parishioners,

It is with bitter-sweet emotion that I write to inform you that I will be stepping away from my position as Director of Adult Faith Formation, after only 1 year. It feels as though I have only gotten my feet on the ground in Lisle and just began to form meaningful relationships with many of you, and now I am moving on at the Lord’s call. If you are reading this, you are likely asking the obvious next question… WHY?

I must answer by first assuring you that my experience here was nothing short of pleasant. In fact, I greatly enjoyed the peace, stability, and sense of belonging I found here. I most enjoyed coming to know your stories, rejoicing with you at your blessings and praying with you in your sorrows. I benefited greatly from encountering so many devoted, beautiful souls whose charity reminded me often that I was surrounded by “living saints” – a true cloud of witnesses.

You deserve to know that I am leaving solely to pursue another mission which my heart burns for – the building up of young, virtuous men. Following this desire, I have taken a new position with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which has just launched a new initiative called “The Bosco Project.” My role will be to oversee the training and formation of young male missionaries who will be sent out to bring the Gospel to those most desperate for it – college university students. The Bosco Project, named after St. John Bosco, aims to establish “Men’s Formation Houses” in Dioceses across the U.S. that can both advance the mission of FOCUS and that of the diocese, as we will also welcome young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I look forward to remaining in the Joliet Diocese and continuing to do what I love most – walk with others in their pursuit of Christ.

If I can make one last exhortation, I would encourage everyone to embrace this time of Eucharistic Revival and Centennial Celebration here at St. Joan of Arc. My prayer is that it not only be the Church building that is TRANSFORMED, but the heart of every parishioner and the very spirit of the Parish itself. BE BOLD, TAKE RISKS, and ALLOW the Holy Spirit to take you outside your comfort zone. May the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who has begun a good work in us, continue it, and bring it to completion.

Ite ad Ioseph,
Konnor Damery