Wayne A. Svida, 45

First assignment: St. Christina, Chicago

Education: Sheridan School, Bowen High School, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wis., Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wis.

Parents: Helen and the late Alex Svida

First Mass: 11:30 a.m. May 19 at Immaculate Conception Church, 88th Street

Although his grandfather predicted he would be a priest many years ago, the idea didn’t come to Wayne Svida until he was in high school. He intended to discuss it with one of the parish priests, but the priest died before he had the opportunity, so he just “pushed the thought off.”

Instead, he followed a career in the printing business and eventually operated his own company in the Loop. But he still found time to help out at his parish, especially as a minister of care. He became so close to one of the parishioners he visited that she started calling him “Father” and when she was taken to critical care, the family called him instead of calling a priest. Later, when she was dying in hospice, he was again called to make arrangements for her to receive the sacrament of anointing. The incident got him thinking about the priesthood again.

Finally, when his pastor, Father Michael Enright, questioned him about becoming a permanent deacon, he thought, “I’m not married, why not go all the way and become a priest?” Since he did not have a college degree, Svida studied at Sacred Heart School of Theology and Cardinal Stritch University, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in six and a half years.

During his years in Wisconsin, he also taught religious education classes for the physically challenged at St. Veronica Parish in Milwaukee. He hopes to do more work with the mentally and physically challenged after ordination, perhaps through the SPRED program at St. Christina Parish, his first assignment. “I’ve seen how much ministry they need and how they’re often disconnected from the rest of the parish,” he said.

Despite the negative headlines about the priesthood in recent weeks, Svida is looking forward to ministry in a parish. “I see myself as being accessible to people,” he said, and that accessibility, through time, will allow parishioners “to know and trust me more.”

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