Divine Savior Catholic Church
7740 W. Montrose Ave.
Norridge, IL 60706
708-456-9000
Letter from the Pastor:
Dear Family of Divine Savior,
Life is full of losses and gains…..
We are so sorry to see Father Pat Rugen, who has served us for so many years faithfully and generously, have to leave us to begin his new parish assignment at Saint Dismas Parish in Waukegan, now that he has concluded his ministry at Calvert House at the University of Chicago. Father Pat came to us fifteen years ago, at the invitation of his good friend Father Steve Tebes, and our Divine Savior community has been blessed by this gentle giant’s presence, priestly commitment, preaching and goodness all these years.
We can only wish him the best of God’s blessings and good fortune as he begins his new ministry for the diocese and his new parish. The people of Saint Dismas are lucky to have such a good and caring priest to lead them in prayer and service. Father Rugen, please know a part of you will always remain with us, and you will always have a home here, in our hearts and among our parish family.
As soon as Father Rugen is settled in his new assignment, he will return to celebrate Mass with us and we will host a farewell for him, to thank him and wish him only the best for all the ways he has been so good to us. Watch the bulletin for the date of his farewell liturgy and our good-bye to him.
In every loss God provides for us a gain. We welcome Father Terry McCarthy to celebrate weekend liturgies and become part of our parish family. Like Father Rugen, you will come to know and love Father McCarthy’s humor, gentle and caring presence, his kindness and dedicated preaching. Though he really doesn’t look it, he recently retired from his assignment as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Highland Park. Prior to that, as Father Rugen will be doing, he served the Waukegan community as Pastor of Saint Anastasia Parish. While he was there, all sorts of good things happened. He started ethnic Masses and outreach, created a food pantry, worked closely with other parishes on shared ministries, and built this parish into a vibrant and alive faith community. He is a skilled and effective preacher, a wonderful celebrant, but above all, a good priest, who loves people, and cares for them with a generous and willing spirit. And, he has a wicked and playful sense of humor. Please stop and say hello to him and welcome him to our parish family as he gets to know us. We are fortunate and blessed to have him among us.
