Born: Peoria, Illinois, December 1, 1936
Convert to Roman Catholic Church: December 18, 1954
Ordained to Ministerial Priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria, May 31, 1964
Served as priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago 1993-2002: teaching, writing, preaching retreats and parish missions
Previous Positions:
Visiting Professor, St. Michael's College, VT: Summers of 2000-2001
Preaching for Food for the Poor, 1993-1999
Margaret and Thomas Murray Professor of Catholic Thought, University of Toledo, Spring Terms, 1996 - 1997 & - 1998
Visiting Scholar, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame and residing in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 1, 1990 - August 31, 1993.
Visiting Scholar, Graduate Theological Union, University of California, Berkeley CA - Spring 1992;
Summer School Professor: Duquesne University., Univrsity of Notre Dame, St. Joseph College and St. Meinrad Seminary , IN, Catholic Theological Union and St. Michael's College in VT.
Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral and Pastor of St. Peter's Church, Peoria, 1987-1990;
Director of The Office of Christian Worship and Music, Diocese of Peoria, 1979-1987;
Priest and Producer of "The Catholic Television Mass" on WMBD-TV, Peoria, 1979-1988 and on The Catholic Telecommunications Network of America, 1983-1988
Director of Campus Ministry and Adjunct Professor of Theology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1976-1979;
Campus Minister, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, 1972-1976;
Chair, Preparatory Commission, Peoria Sixth Diocesan Synod, 1972-1974;
Doctoral Studies, Fordham University, 1969-1972;
Adjunct Professor of Music, St. Joseph's Seminary, Archdiocese of New York, 1970-72
Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology, Maryknoll Seminary, N.Y, 1970-72;
Director of Music, Sacred Heart Church, Hartsdale, NY, 1971-72
Assistant Chancellor, Diocese of Peoria; Chair, Diocesan Music Commission, and Cathedral Music Director, 1967-1969;
Associate Pastor and Music Director, St. Mary's Cathedral, Peoria, 1964-1967.
Publications:
More Than Meets the Eye - a book on the art of ritual (Paulist Press, 1983)
Gustave Weigel: A Pioneer of Reform. Foreword by Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. (Liturgical Press, M. Glazier, 1992)
"The Wit and Wisdom of Bishop John Baptist Franz " (private publication, 1992)
Bodying Forth: Aesthetic Liturgy. Foreword by Archbishop Rembert Weakland)SB (Paulist, 1992)
Thomas Merton Uncensored (In process of publication)
Over 85 articles
Video and Recording:
Forty-five television programs using interviews and the arts to explore the U.S. culture in the light of the Judaeo-Christian Tradition entitled "More Than Meets the Eye" - 1983 - 85.
Four television programs on the 1985 Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome entitled "Catholic: Roman and American - 1986.
Educational video for Paulist Press entitled "Understanding the Mass" - 1987.
Spiritual Concert video at the U. Notre Dame entitled"The Meaning of Love" based upon M. Scott Peck's book, The Road Less Travelled - 1992.
Spiritual Concert video recorded at U. of Notre Dame TV studio: "Thomas Merton: Man, Monk, Myth with Music"
CD & Audiocassette recorded at U. of Notre Dame Sacred Heart Basilica entitled "Singing Sacred Seasons"
Education:
Shalem Institute, Washington, D.C., Certification
Program for Formation for Spiritual Directors, 1991-1995
Fordham University, Ph.D. in Historical Theology, 1972
Thesis: "The Ecclesiology and Ecumenism of Gustave Weigel"
Bradley University, Master's in Music Education (double major in voice and conducting) 1982
St. Paul Seminary, Master's in Church History, 1963
Thesis: History of The Cathedral of Peoria
St. Paul Seminary, Bachelor's in Philosophy and Latin, 1960
University of Illinois, Bachelor of Music (organ performance major, piano minor), 1959
Studied Choral Conducting with Robert Shaw, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, Summer 1980
Committees:
International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Music Subcommittee, 1973-77;
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, Music Committee, 1967-72, writing "Music in Catholic Worship" for the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, 1972;
Canon Law Society of America, chair of Continuing Education Committee, 1974-77
Catholic Campus Ministry Association, vice-president, Board of Directors, 1977-80
Mayor's Human Relations Commission, Peoria IL, 1965-68
Diocese of Peoria IL, chair, Diocesan Commision on Music, 1965-69
Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 1965-69 and 1972-76
Diocese of Peoria IL, chair of Commission on Missionary Activities, 1972-76