A Note from Father Carl Morello - WELCOME Father Mike!

The Ascension and Saint Edmund Community will welcome Father Michael (Mike) Novick this weekend as Moderator of Pastoral Care for the community. He will assist me as needed, and celebrate Mass on Sunday evenings for the Catholic Communities of Oak Park. On behalf of all of us, WELCOME Father Mike!

We also offer our thanks for the six years of pastoral care and service of Father Rex. We will hold him in our prayers during this time of transition.

Father Carl Morello
Pastor 
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish

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A Message from Father Mike Novick

Good day (or evening if that is when you are reading this),

I want to introduce myself to this great community officially. My name is Fr. Michael Novick. I go by Fr. Mike (or just plain Mike – I answer to most names along those lines).

I was ordained in 2001 – 25 years ago. It seems a lifetime ago. I will be 59 in a couple of months, so yes, I was a late vocation. My undergraduate studies were at Lewis University in Romeoville majoring in mathematics. I graduated from Lewis in 1990, worked in two warehouses after that, but then God helped me figure out that I was being called to the priesthood. I knew it was a bit of a stretch to go from warehouses to the altar, but I still like to use my math in creative ways. For example, my favorite equation that I try to explain is 1+1+1=1. It’s my best way to explain the Trinity. I have other things like that too.

Other interests include the Cubs (although I am a South Sider by birth), any music I can sing with, golf, and when I want quiet time for prayer, I will simply go to my rectory suite. I know so many people that can sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament for hours. I take some time for that too, but I converse with God – often verbally. So I don’t like to do that at church unless it’s a really bad day.

We live in a world that needs to focus on God more than ever. Pope Leo XIV is doing a good job of assisting that process, I believe. Incidentally, the man formerly known as Robert Prevost, grew up just 5 miles from where I grew up. I didn’t know him as he has about 12 years on me in age, but it’s still cool.

That’s all for now. Happy to be a part of this vibrant community in Oak Park.

Fr. Mike Novick