Please extend a warm welcome this weekend, January 10/11, to Deacon Andrew Bogusz. He will be ordained as a priest in June as a classmate of our former seminarian Deacon Christopher “Topher” Otieno. The Diocesan Vocations Office asked for Deacon Andrew to speak at our parish about vocations at all the Masses. Thank you for your generous response to the Seminarian Endowment Fund last November. Our seminarians, like Deacons Andrew and Topher, are the future of our presbyterate. The most important support we can offer them is our prayers for their good character, personal holiness, and virtuous integrity of life.

Deacon Andrew’s Biography

Hello, St. James the Apostle Catholic Church! I want to take this opportunity to share my story. I am the eldest of three children born to Joseph and Sarah Bogusz and raised in Naperville. I attended daily Mass with my family, and as I participated my heart was captured both by the beauty of the liturgy and joy of the priests at my home parish, Saints Peter and Paul. Through altar serving, especially with the Knights of the Holy Temple, I began to fall more deeply in love with the Eucharist and made weekly visits to the perpetual adoration chapel where Our Lord was always present. I first heard the call to priesthood through the voices of those who I encountered, both parishioners and even people who I did not know well, encouraging me to consider Christ’s call. While I was still nervous about priesthood, I visited the college seminary and experienced a heartfelt peace and joy there. Immediately after high school I entered college seminary, where I have grown in my relationship with God. It is in silent prayer that I received a profound call from Our Lord to follow Him in the priesthood. During my seminary journey, I have continued to fall more deeply in love with the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and grown in my desire to serve His flock. Please pray for me as I begin my ministry as a deacon and prepare for ordination to the priesthood!