Dear Parishioners,

By now most of you have learned that I will be leaving the position as pastor of St. Joan of Arc at the end of this coming June. As of July 1, a diocesan priest(s) of Joliet will assume this role. As with any transition of this sort, there is a good deal of curiosity and speculation regarding the rationale behind the decision for such a change. While I believe this is a normal, even healthy reaction, in the end most people look for clarity to help assimilate the change. To this end, I hope to offer some clarity by means of the following explanation. I also hope to dispel some of the rumors that have been circulating since the announcement of my departure was made.

In the afternoon of February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday, I received a phone call from the Vicar General of the Joliet Diocese informing me that Bishop Spies, following the advice of the diocesan personnel board, decided that as of July 1, 2026 the Benedictines monks of St. Procopius Abbey would no longer be responsible for the pastoral care of St. Joan of Arc Parish. Instead, priests from the diocese would undertake this task.

The main reason I was given for this ministerial transition was that in adherence to the three year strategic study initiated by Bishop Hicks, this was a logical time for such a transition to occur given that there will be more available priests this spring given the six upcoming ordinations. There have been similar re- arrangements of parishes and parish staffs throughout the diocese that have resulted from this study. Some parishes were closed. Some others were consolidated. Some others that may have been staffed by religious order were also taken over by diocesan clergy. These are inevitable realities in the history of all Catholic institutions. Change happens. Abbot Dismas Kalcic from our community was fond of declaring, Little change, little opposition. Big change, big opposition. Always opposition. There is great wisdom in this observation.

It was also noted that I have been pastor of St. Joan of Arc parish for eighteen years. Typically pastors serve for eight to twelve years at a parish. There are very good reasons why pastorates have limits. The leadership style of each pastor is unique and varied, and parishes benefit from this variety. Also, diocesan priests may retire when they turn seventy years of age. Next month I will turn sixty-eight. While I am not a diocesan priest, nor was I anticipating retirement, such a possibility existed. No bishop would want to search for a pastor's replacement given short notice. Hence his decision at this time.

It is important to recognize that although the Benedictines of St. Procopius Abbey founded St. Joan of Arc parish in 1924, this was at the request of the Archbishop of Chicago. (The Joliet diocese had not yet been established.) While staffed by the monks of St. Procopius, St. Joan of Arc Parish was technically not a "Benedictine" parish in terms of ownership. The parish was always the property of the diocesan bishop who possessed full jurisdiction and not the abbot of St. Procopius who simply allowed his monks to serve here. That having been the case, the monks of St. Procopius Abbey joyfully accepted the bishop's initial request to staff this parish and considered it a great honor and privilege to minister here. The Czech heritage of many of the monks made for a lovely cultural rapport with the Eastern European immigrants who were settling in the Lisle area during this time.

Other significant clarifications and/or information regarding this upcoming transfer of ministry are:

Neither I nor the abbey requested this transition of leadership.

To my knowledge, this transition is not due to any dissatisfaction on the part of the diocese.

I will return to St. Procopius Abbey after I leave St. Joan of Arc parish.

I have NO aspirations whatsoever to be the next abbot of St. Procopius Abbey.

Although I did not anticipate leaving St. Joan of Arc this particular summer, I knew I was nearing the end of my tenure here. Learning to accept the changes that happen to us, as opposed to the changes that we ourselves effect, is an indispensable feature in that ongoing process of conversion. This is required of all Christians. I am ever so grateful for the eighteen years I was able to serve as pastor of this parish as well as the four years I served as a parochial along with Fr. Kenneth under the leadership of Fr. Roman. The members of this faith community will always be fondly remembered in my thoughts and prayers. The inestimable blessings with which I was graced during these twenty-two years were a precious gift that will keep giving. I can say with humble confidence that I gladly ministered to the parishioners of this parish. But I must also gratefully acknowledge that I was far more ministered to becoming a better Christian and a better priest because of all of you.

Thank you and God bless you.

BACK TO LIST