Fr. Christopher Uhl, OMV

Pastor

Email Fr. Chris
Office Extension: 223
 

Fr. Chris Uhl, OMV was born in Cleveland, OH and comes from a family of eight. He entered the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Seminary in 1994 and was ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Mary's in Alton in 2003. Immediately after his September ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Chris began serving St. Mary's as Parochial Vicar until 2010. He spent some time in Boston as Director of the St. Francis Chapel before his assignment to Holy Ghost Church in Denver, CO in 2011. Fr. Chris returned to St. Mary's as Pastor in July 2022.

Fr. Benjamin Unachukwu, OMV

Parochial Vicar

Office Extension: 224
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Fr. Benjamin was born in Nigeria, into a large and deeply Christian family. In 2005, he joined the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 13, 2014. He is committed to his pastoral ministry, and he has worked in different parishes in Nigeria before his transfer to the United States. He enjoys Soccer, Table tennis, listening to music, traveling, and meeting people.
 
He currently works here at St. Mary’s as one of the Parochial Vicars.

Fr. Leland Thorpe, OMV

Parochial Vicar

Office Extension: 225

Br. Jorge Sanchez, OMV

Seminarian on Pastoral Year

Office Extension: 225
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Br. Jorge was born in Fullerton, CA but lived in Long Beach most of his life. He earned his AA degree in Film from Cerritos College and continued his studies at California State University Long Beach. He first heard of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary through his godparents, who were married at our OMV parish of St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, CA. Br. Jorge counts Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, and Christopher Nolan among his favorite directors. He also films and edits most of our video posts on our Oblate pages! He entered the Oblates in September of 2016, entered the novitiate in August 2018, and professed his first vows in August 2019, and is in his Pastoral year here at St. Mary’s.

Fr. Paul Kallal, OMV

Priest in Residence & Campus Minister at Marquette Catholic High School

Assistant Vocations Director for OMV USA

frkallal@mymchs.org

"Blessed be God! Growing up in Jerseyville, Illinois, I never imagined God calling me to Religious Life and the Priesthood. But God did. Now as a Priest for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, I never imagined that God would give me the opportunity to return so close to home to serve His people. But God is. It is both a blessing and honor to be named Campus Minister at Marquette Catholic High School, as well as be able to now serve the people of St. Mary's as an Oblate Priest. Please keep the students, faculty, and staff of Marquette... and me, in your prayers as we "Begin Again" for another academic year. Blessed be God!" Fr. Paul Kallal, OMV. 

Fr. David Beauregard, OMV

Retired Priest in Residence

Please inquire with the parish office to contact Fr. David.

Fr. David was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is a big Packer and Patriots fan. He has one brother and two sisters. He professed his vows with the Oblates in 1975 and was ordained a priest on June 14th, 1980. He was a professor of English literature at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for six years and a professor of Church History at St. John's Seminary in Boston, MA for seven years. He has written two books and numerous articles on Shakespeare. He enjoys teaching classes right here at St. Mary's on a regular basis. Classes include such topics as Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Church History.

Deacon Jim Schwartzkopf

Permanent Deacon 

Please inquire with the parish office to contact Deacon Jim

Deacon Jim was born in the Alton area and has been involved in St. Mary's Parish most of his life. He has been married to Donna since December of 1979. They have two daughters, Monica and Laura, both of whom are married, and six grandchildren. Jim was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Springfield Illinois on June 16th, 2012, and is assigned to St. Mary's. Jim and Donna own their own printing business and also keep busy serving the needs of the parish.