He is: Father Matthew (Matt) Foley, pastor of St. James Parish, Arlington Heights. Former pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia in Little Village; former pastor of Santiago Apostol in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Former U.S. Army military chaplain serving four combat deployments to Afghanistan. Ordained at Mundelein in 1989.
Family life: “I was born in Milwaukee and in eighth grade we moved to St. Joe’s in Libertyville. There were seven of us; I’m one of six brothers and sisters. Dad worked for the Federal government. My mom taught nursing. I went to public grammar school, Libertyville High School and Marquette University. Then I transferred to Niles Seminary and went on to Mundelein.”
Call to Priesthood: “I had good role models. I have an uncle who’s a priest and who was a good example of preaching the Gospel, ‘using words only when necessary.’ I had a wonderful family where prayer and Sunday Mass were important.”
Ministry: His first assignment was on the West Side at St. Agatha’s. “We put together a gang alternative program back then, called ‘S.A.F.E.’ (St. Agatha Family Empowerment), and it’s still around.”
Does he have a gift for handling large ministries – like the military and big rural and urban parishes? He says, “I don’t know if I have a gift – I’ve just been blessed. I enjoy different challenges.
I go where they send me. You go to serve. And you serve by listening. I think priesthood is a vocation not a profession. If you think it’s a ‘job’ you’re in the wrong ‘business.’ I approach it much like the other sacrament of service -- marriage. You serve as often and as graciously as possible. It’s a great adventure. You need to be humble ‘cause you’ve got a lot to learn, that’s for sure.”
Prayer life: “I pray morning prayer with our three priests here at St. James, which is great. I celebrate daily Mass, try to keep a yearly silent retreat, often at New Mallory with the Trappists. I have a spiritual director. I try to do two weeks of mission service back where I began in Mexico 20 years ago, and enjoy that.”
About friendship: Comedian Chris Farley from “Saturday Night Live” was on his rugby team at Marquette University. Farley named one of his characters “Matt Foley” out of their friendship. “Yes, Chris and I kept in touch over the years. I did his funeral, and his two brothers’ weddings. Chris loved the priesthood and was very passionate about Eucharist and the church.”
Downtime: “I work out in the mornings at least four days a week at a gym. But I usually spend my day off here at the rectory. I’ll take a couple days sometimes and go up to visit my uncle who’s a retired priest or see my family.
My favorite leisure author used to be Tony Morrison, but I read mostly nonfiction — biographies and history. I really liked a book on St. Francis, by Augustine Thompson, OP. Lately I’ve read one of Rick Atkinson’s books on World War II, from his ‘The Liberation Trilogy.’”
Favorite Scripture verse: “Psalm 118, verse 24, ‘This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.’”
Favorite saint: “I like St. Francis of Assisi and St. John the Baptist.”