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June 8, 2008

South Side Cubs fan pastors two parishes

By Dolores Madlener

STAFF WRITER

Interviewee

Father Joe Altman, pastor of two East Side parishes, with the patron of parish priests, St. John Vianney. Catholic New World/Karen Callaway

He is: Father Joseph “Joe” Altman, pastor of Ascension-St. Susanna Parish in Harvey and of St. Gerard Magella Parish in Markham. Ordained 1976 at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein. Has served as secretary to the Presbyteral Council and is currently ACCW moderator for Vicariate VI.

Neighborhood of his youth: It was called Marynook. Like a suburb, with new construction, single family homes — on the East Side of the city in St. Felicitas Parish. “I was an only child. My parents taught me respect for people and things, and while I had the benefit of their sole attention I don’t think they spoiled me.” His dad worked for 40 years at U.S. Steel in its chemistry lab; Mom was with Illinois Bell for 35 years.

Games kids played: “Kids on the block would either play pickup street games — baseball or football, ‘follow the leader’ — or we’d ride bikes to Avalon Park.”

Parish school: “Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters taught at St. Felicitas. I was an altar boy but the nuns didn’t try to push us into priesthood. Right around eighth grade a buddy of mine was set to go to Quigley South Seminary. I hadn’t made up my mind about a high school.” His friend’s choice seemed like a good idea, so he enrolled at Quigley, too.

Free to choose: “It was funny, a year later my buddy quit and went to Mount Carmel. I stayed in. I felt it was the right place for me. I enjoyed Quigley and began to think about going on to the priesthood. My parents encouraged and supported me with their love, never pressured.”

Summer jobs: “The summer after high school graduation a neighbor got me a job in the States Attorney’s office, putting documents on microfilm. The summer after freshman year at Niles Seminary I got a job at U.S. Steel in the chem lab.”

Day off: “I was on the golf team when I was at Niles. Don’t have as much time now to play.” Any holes-in-one? “No, but I came close a couple times. I try to spend time these days with my dad, since my mom passed away five years ago. He’s at an independent living facility.”

Transition from associate to pastor: His assignments as an associate pastor at St. Daniel the Prophet and St. Juliana on opposite sides of the city, as well as St. Catherine Laboure in Glenview, were great experiences. “Things change when you’re pastor. People look to you to make decisions and run the operation; solve physical and financial problems. You also don’t have time to do what you used to do with people.”

People person: “One of my talents is talking … developed when I was very young … not stopped since!” A pastor juggling two parishes has to have a sense of humor and enjoy people. He does. One parish is predominantly African-American, with some Hispanics; the other is mostly white with many founding parishioners. What he finds in both are “sincere people who work so hard and are devoted to the church.” He’s grateful for the help of an associate pastor and two deacons.

Preparing his homily: “I read over the Scripture passage early in the week, maybe talk about it with Father Bob Gilbert, my associate. Ask myself ‘What do these words really say to my head and my heart? What do they say to me, as well as the people?’ When someone goes out of church saying, ‘You were talking to me today, Father.’ Or ‘That’s exactly what I needed to hear,’ you thank the Holy Spirit.”

Challenge of today: “Sometimes there are things you want to do in a parish, but you don’t have the resources — like hiring fulltime people for ministries. Or there’s not enough time in the day to be as effective as you’d like.”

Favorite vacation spots: “I like to head out to spring training in Arizona. I’m a Cubs fan like my father, and my father’s father before him!”

Favorite Scripture verse: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12).