Chicago Archdiocesan priests celebrate jubilee milestones
Father Thaddeus Bojczuk, 75, attended St. Fidelis School, Quigley North, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
He served as a deacon at St. Bernadette Parish, Evergreen Park (1972), and associate pastor at St. William (1973-1978); St. Joseph, Summit (1978-1983); St. Turibius (1983-1989); St. Frances of Rome, Cicero (1989-1993) and St. Priscilla (1993). He was also administrator of St. Turibius (1986).
He was pastor of St. Joseph, Summit (1994-2007), and St.
Symphorosa (2007-2013). He was also dean of Deanery V-B.
He will celebrate his anniversary June 10 at 2:30 p.m. at
St. Joseph Parish, Summit.
Father Michael J. Cronin, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Monica School, Quigley North, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he has a master’s degree in applied spirituality from the University of San Francisco.
He served as deacon at St. Martha, Morton Grove
(1972-1973); and as associate pastor of St. Cyprian, River Grove (1973-1978);
St. James, Sauk Village (1978-1980); and St. Ferdinand (1980-1985). He was
administrator of St. Alphonsus, Lemont (2003), and Our Lady of the Snows, and
pastor of St. Patrick, Lemont (2004-2010), and St. Edward (2010-2018). He now
residents at Queen of All Saints Basilica.
He also was a faculty member at Quigley North (1985-1990),
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (1991-1992), Niles College Seminary
(1992-1994) and St. Joseph College Seminary (1994-1998), and he was executive
director of the National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman
Catholic Clergy (1998-2003).
He celebrated his anniversary at Queen of All Saints.
Father Peter Cyscon, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Joseph School (48th Street), Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
He was deacon at St. Justin Martyr Parish (1972-1973) and
associate pastor of St. Christina (1973-1975); St. Genevieve (1975-1981); St.
John Vianney, Northlake (1981-1986); St. Gerard Majella, Markham (1986-1988);
and St. Patricia, Hickory Hills (1988-1991). He was pastor of St. Odilo, Berwyn
(1991-2005), and St. Fabian, Bridgeview (2005-2018). Since 2018, he has resided
at Our Lady of the Ridge, now part of Our Lady of the Ridge-St. Linus, in
Chicago Ridge, where he celebrated his anniversary.
Father Dominic Grassi was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (Belmont Avenue); Quigley North; Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in literature and a master’s in divinity.
Grassi served as associate pastor of St. John de la Salle
Parish (1973-1974); as pastor of St. Josaphat Parish (1987-2005) and as pastor
of St. Gertrude Parish (2006-2017). He is pastor emeritus of St. Josaphat.
From 1974-1987, he taught at Quigley South. He is the
author of “Do You Love Me: Ministry in Today’s Church” (1991); “Bumping into
God: 35 Stories of Finding Grace in Unexpected Places” (1999); “Bumping into
God Again: 35 More Stories of Finding Grace in Unexpected Places”; “Bumping into
God in the Kitchen: Savory Stories of Food, Family and Faith”; “Still Called by
Name: Why I Love Being a Priest” (2003); co-author with Joe Paprocki “Living
the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life”; and “Death in Chicago:
Winter.”
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, 75, attended St. Carthage School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he earned a doctorate in sacred liturgy at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome.
He ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview and
Mary, Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge, and he served as a master of ceremonies for
Cardinal John Cody and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
In 1983, he was appointed as an auxiliary bishop for the
Archdiocese of Chicago, and in 1993, he was appointed the bishop of Belleville.
While there, he served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
(2001-2004).
He was appointed archbishop of Atlanta at the end of 2004,
and in 2019, he was appointed archbishop of Washington, D.C. He became a
cardinal the following year.
Father Dan Jankowksi, 75, attended St. Joseph School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he has a doctorate in psychology from the Chicago School.
He was assigned to St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn,
before becoming a military chaplain. He served with the 82nd Airborne Divion at
Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea; Airborne
Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia; the 3rd Infantry Division in
Wurzburg, Germany; and with NATO in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After returning to Chicago, he ministered at Catholic
Charities and at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Father James W. Joslyn, 75, was born in Evergreen Park and attended St. Thomas More School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he has a master’s degree in modern European history from the University of Notre Dame.
He was associate pastor of Maternity BVM before serving as
a history teacher at Quigley North (1975-1988). During his time at Quigley, he
resided at St. Thecla (1975-1976), St. Mary of the Lake (1976-1978), Our Lady
of Mercy (1978-1983) and St. Margaret Mary (1983-1988).
He then served as a U.S. Navy chaplain (1988-2020). After
retiring from the navy, he served as coordinator of civilian clergy for the
Archdiocese for Military Services (2011-2012).
Since retiring in 2012, he has provided sacramental support
at St. Mary of the Woods (2012-2021); St. John Brebeuf, Niles (2012-2018); and
Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont (2014-present). He will celebrate his anniversary at
Our Lady of Hope May 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Msgr. James T. Kaczorowski, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Mary of Perpetual Help and St. Turibius schools, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
He served as a transitional deacon at St. Ann (South
Leavitt Street) (1972-1973); as associate pastor of St. Michael (South Shore
Drive) (1973-1981); as pastor of St. Adalbert (1981-2000); as vicar for priests
while living at Our Lady of Lourdes (2009-2005); as pastor of Queen of Angels
(2005-2020) and as pastor of Queen of Apostles (2020-present). He plans to
retire in July.
In addition to his other assignments, Kaczorowski has been
dean of Deanery III-C and Deanery II-C, served as chair of the Presbyteral
Council (1992-1996); was a professor of medical ethics, DeLourdes College of
Nursing/St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (1984-1987); and co-founded the
Resurrection Project.
He will celebrate his anniversary with a bilingual (English
and Spanish) Mass June 11, 11:30 a.m., at Queen of Apostles Parish, Queen of
Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave., followed by a reception in the gym.
Father John G. Lodge, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Catherine of Siena School in Oak Park, Quigley North and Loyola University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
He also has a licentiates in sacred theology from Mundelein
and the Biblical Institute in Rome, and a doctorate in sacred theology from the
Gregorian University in Rome.
He was associate pastor of St. Edna, Arlington Heights
(1973-1976) and resided at St. Denis while teaching at Quigley South
(1976-1978).
He was on the faculty of the University of St. Mary of the
Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1981-2017) and has been professor emeritus there
(2017-present).
He celebrated his anniversary at Mundelein.
Father Edward Mikolajczyk, 76, was born in Chicago and attended Immaculate Conception School (88th Street); Quigley South; Niles College of Loyola University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein University. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he earned a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University Chicago.
He was associate pastor of St. Walter, and then resided at
St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1978-1985); Assumption (1985-1990) and Our Lady of Victory
(1990-1998) while serving on the faculty of Quigley South (1978-1990) and
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary (1990-1998). He was associate pastor
and then pastor of Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (1998-2018). He has resided
at Our Lady of the Woods, Orland Park, since then.
He served on the Presbyteral Council (2004-present),
including as vice chair (2004-2007) and chair (2007-2010); as a member of the
College of Consultors (2006-present); and as a member of the Priest Placement
Board (2011-2015).
He will celebrate his anniversary at Our Lady of the Woods
May 28 at 11 a.m. Mass, with a reception to follow.
Father Dennis B. O’Neill, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he earned a licentiate in sacred theology at Mundelein.
He was associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle
(1973-1980), Christ the King (1980-1986) and St. Benedict (Irving Park Road)
(1993-2001). He was pastor of St. Clotilde (1986-1993), St. Martha, Morton
Grove (2001-2021) and St. Martha and St. Isaac Jogues Parish (2021-2022). He
has resided at St. Mary of the Woods since his retirement.
In 1993, O’Neill co-founded the Living Circle, an
interfaith spirituality center for gender minorities, and in 2015, founded the
Shrine of All Saints at St. Martha.
He will celebrate his anniversary June 25 at 11 a.m. at St.
Martha Church of All Saints Parish.
Father Frank M. Sasso, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Charles Borromeo School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein University.
He was a deacon at Queen of the Universe (1972-1973) and
associate pastor of Holy Rosary (1972-1975), St. Ambrose (1975-1980), St.
Philip Neri (1980-1983) and St. Margaret of Scotland (2016-2017). He was pastor
of St. Joachim (1983-1998) and St. Thaddeus (1998-2016).
He celebrated his anniversary April 29 at Divine Providence
Church, Westchester.
Father Daniel Siwek, 75, was born in Chicago and attended
St. Hyacinth School, Quigley North, Niles College of
Loyo-la University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein
Seminary. He has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a licentiate in
sacred theology in addition to his master’s degree in divinity.
He was associate pastor of St. John Fisher (1973-1979) and
Sacred Heart (1973-1985). He has been a faculty member at Mundelein Seminary
since 1985, teaching homiletics and pre-theology.
He celebrated his anniversary at Mundelein.
Father Daniel Smilanic, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Giles School in Oak Park, Quigley North, Xavier University in Cincinnati, Loyola University Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he has a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law from the Gregorian University in Rome.
He was associate pastor of St. Gall (1973-1977); Mary, Seat
of Wisdom, Park Ridge (1977-1984) and St. Wenceslaus (1984-1989). He resided at
St. Maurice (1989-1994) and St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge (1994-2017),
while working in various archdiocesan offices, most recently as judicial vicar
and episcopal vicar for canonical services. He was also president of the Canon
Law Society.
He will celebrate his anniversary Oct. 15 at St. Paul of
the Cross.
Father Robert Tuzik, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Tarcissus School, Quigley North, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition to his master’s degree in divinity, he earned a licentiate in sacred theology from Mundelein and a doctorate in theology from Loyola University.
He served as associate pastor of St. Mary, Lake Forest (1973-1975),
and St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1975-1980). He was a student and spiritual director at
Loyola University (1980-1985) and a professor and spiritual director at
Mundelein and at the Pastoral Center (1985-1989). He was a professor and a
consultant for the Congregation for Divine Worship (1989-1991) and the Office
for Divine Worship (1991-1999), and he has continued to serve as a consultant
since his formal retirement in 1999.
He was also a special consultant to Cardinal Francis George
and chaplain to retired Holy Cross sisters.
Msgr. Kenneth Velo, 76, was born in Evergreen Park and attended St. Barnabas School, Quigley South, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
He served as associate pastor of St. Angela (1973-1980) and
Queen of All Saints Basilica (1980-1985), and from 1981 to 1994 served in
various archdiocesan roles, including vice chancellor of the archdiocese and
executive assistant to Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. He was president of the
Catholic Church Extension Society (1993-2001).
He is senior executive of Catholic collaboration for DePaul
University and co-chairman of the Big Shoulders Fund, of which he has also been
president.
Velo was a member of the Priests’ Personnel Board of the
archdiocese for more than 22 years, is a member of the board of Lurie
Children’s Hospital and serves on the public policy committee, is a trustee of
St. Mary’s College, South Bend, Indiana, and is a life trustee of Fenwick
College Preparatory School as well as other civic and community efforts.
Velo participates in pastoral ministry at Old Saint Patrick Parish and is chaplain at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
