St. Mary's is staffed by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Interested in a possible vocation with the Oblates? Find out more... here!

Scroll down for pictures of the OMV Diaconate Ordination

Fr. Jim Walther: Pastor

Fr. Jim is a native from Michigan, a big Wolverine fan. 1 of 10 brothers and sisters (he currently leads the uncle race with 48 nieces and nephews). He professed his vows with the Oblates in 1988 and was ordained a priest on June 10th, 1995. He was installed as pastor in 2002.

Click Here to go "The Pastor's Corner"

Fr. Chris Uhl: Parochial Vicar:

Fr. Chris is a native from Cleveland, Ohio, and has five brothers and sisters (and 22 nieces and nephews!). He enjoys the outdoors and you may see him jogging or biking around Alton. He works with the Parish School of Religion, the Youth Group, and wedding and marriage matters. Fr. Chris professed his vows with the Oblates in 1997 and was ordained a priest on Sept. 27, 2003.

Fr. Shawn Monahan: Parochial Vicar:

Fr. Shawn is a native from Boston, MA, a die hard Red Sox fan. He believes divine providence sent him here to St. Mary's in part so he could go watch his team win their 1st World Series in 86 years. He also is known as the paparazzi priest often seen with a camera in hand as well as the "Amen" priest. Fr. Shawn professed vows with the Oblates in 1997 and was ordained a priest on April 6, 2002.

Fr. Shawn's Corner

Br. John Luong, OMV

John was born on the Fourth of July to Chinese parents and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. How he became a die hard Yankee fan is still a mystery. He studied biology at Dominican University in Sienna Heights, Michigan and worked preparing chemotherapy drugs at the University of Colorado Hospital. He was introduced to the Oblates by the Archbishop of Denver, and after a "come and see" week in Boston, decided that it was with the Oblates that he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He entered in 2003 and made his first vows of obedience, chastity and poverty on August 15, 2006. Br. John will be spending this next year here at St. Mary's as part of his formation and preparation for the priesthood.

On May 16, 2009 Br. Mike became Deacon Mike along side of Deacon Nnamdi