Meet our New Pastor!

Dear brothers and sisters of SS. Mathew and Hubert Parish,
 
‘Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’. In borrowing these words from St. Paul, I would like to greet you and introduce myself. I have been appointed your new Pastor of SS. Mathew and Hubert parishes. I thank my Almighty God, Cardinal Cupich, and the placement board for placing their trust and confidence in me and I consider it a privilege. I received this appointment with both joy and sadness. I will be leaving my beloved St. Edna Parish hardly two years after my appointment, but I know and believe it is what our Lord wills, and I am only his humble servant. I joyfully look forward to being your new pastor.
 
I was ordained a priest on May 5^th, 2001, at my home parish in Kerala, India. I came to Chicago in 2006 after working as a Missionary priest for five years in Northern India. I began my journey in Chicagoland as a hospital chaplain with Resurrection Health Care for almost three years while residing at St. Viator Parish, Chicago. Right before and during my chaplain work, I completed seven units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, and UIC Chicago. In October 2009, at the invitation of Vicar, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, I began working as an Associate Pastor at St. Edward’s Parish on the north side of Chicago. I moved from
St. Edward in 2012 to St. George Parish, Tinley Park, where I served as an Associate for five years. From there, I was transferred to Mary, Seat of Wisdom (MSW) Parish, Park Ridge, as an Associate. Then in March 2019, I was incardinated as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I was named Pastor of St. Terrence Parish, Alsip in July 2019 the same year.
 
In 2020, COVID-19 arrived, the Archdiocese continued to move forward with the Renew My Church process, and as a result, St. Terrence in Alsip and Incarnation Parish in Crestwood were unified to become one Parish in 2022. The Pastor of Incarnation was named the Pastor of the combined Parishes. I moved to St. Edna Parish, Arlington Heights, in July 2022 as an Associate. With a need for Pastors, I entered the Pastor pool for 2024 and subsequently was named the Pastor of your parish. I enjoyed my assignment at St. Edna and gained many friends, as I undoubtedly will here at SS. Mathew and Hubert. I continue to grow and learn as a priest and a Pastor with every new assignment. God has continued to bless me and those around me.
 
I realize that the parishioners at SS. Mathew and Hubert have gone through some tough times during the last couple of years. I can relate to losing a parish's independence as part of the Renew My Church initiative. The unexpected death of your beloved former Pastor, Fr. Mike Scherschel, was a loss to our community. These challenges are very tough for a parish. I sympathize and share with everyone’s loss. I thank Fr. Tim Fairman, Fr. Matt Jamesson, and the Parish staff for leading the community subject to the appointment of a new Pastor.
 
As with every Parish, some challenges lie ahead for us, and these will be opportunities for growth. Together with God’s help, we shall meet these tasks with the confidence that this beautiful community is capable of. This Parish was founded by the early Catholics living in and around Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg, supported by the Archdiocese, and spearheaded by many hardworking Pastors, Priests, Deacons, and parishioners. We will continue to honor their legacy for many more years to come. I look forward to joining you in less than a month. I ask for your valuable prayers that I may imitate the Good Shepherd who came to seek what was lost.
 
May God’s blessings be upon each of you.
 
Fr. Tomy Abraham