Interview with Marc W. Reszel

Reverend Marc W. Reszel became pastor of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church on July 1, 2018. SJC has a vibrant presence in Western Springs; there are 4200 registered families and 630 children in its school.

Reverend Reszel was born in Chicago in 1962 and moved to Western Springs with his parents, Ron and Phyllis, his brother Barry, and his sisters Amy and Kelly in 1976. He attended LaGrange Highlands Middle School, and graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1980. He obtained a degree in Theology from the College Seminary of Loyola University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He taught at Notre Dame High School in Niles, then earned his Masters of Divinity from Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin on May 21, 1988 and his first Mass was at Saint John of the Cross the following day. He has served as associate pastor at both Our Lady of Victory in Chicago and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview, and pastor at both St. Mary in Buffalo Grove and St. Hugh in Lyons.

You’ve certainly got roots in Western Springs; what’s it like to be back here?

I have been made to feel welcome and for that I am grateful. While changes are always stressful (new work responsibilities, new residence, and new people at both), familiarity with the community has made the transitions easier.

How changed are the schools and community from what you knew growing up?

Regarding education, I continue to be impressed by the advancements in technology. I used to go to the Thomas Ford Memorial Library to request a magazine or search an encyclopedia, now I do that on my phone. The speed with which we communicate is wonderful. Regarding the village, the Western Springs of my youth had few restaurants. What a welcome change.

What are your priorities for SJC School?

STREAM learning emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math without ignoring the importance of reading, religion, and the arts.

Speaking of school, what are you currently reading?

I just finished and returned to TFML, Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

Do you like to read in print or digital format?

Given the choice, I prefer print.

What books or movies would you recommend?

I recently saw Green Book and would give it at least 3 stars

What Library programs or materials are of particular interest to you?

In addition to borrowing books, anything that builds community

It’s always fun to know about people’s hobbies; what are yours?

Travel: In June I went to Uganda with the Comboni Missionaries & Baseball: White Sox

Is there anything you’d like to use this “pulpit” to tell Thomas Ford members?

Be kind to your neighbors

“The Ford Member Connection” spotlights Western Springs residents with interesting stories and relationships to the Library. Please let us know whom you’d like to read about.