Catholic Priest Assigned To Take Over St. Mary Nativity Found Dead Over The Weekend By Crest Hill Parish

JOLIET, IL —Father Anthony Nyamai, who was just three weeks away from beginning his new assignment for the Diocese of Joliet as the parochial vicar for St. Mary Nativity on Joliet's North Broadway Street, was found dead unexpectedly over the weekend, officials at his current parish in Crest Hill have announced.

Crest Hill police officials told Joliet Patch that Fr. Nyamai's death is being treated as natural causes.

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Father Anthony Nyamai Saturday," Crest Hill's long-time Mayor Ray Soliman told Joliet Patch. "My family and I are long-time parishioners of St. Anne, St. Ambrose and now St. Carlo Acutis Parish. Fr. Anthony was a holy and humble man who will be sorely missed in Crest Hill and the surrounding communities. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in eternal peace."

For the past five years, Fr. Nyamai was assigned to Crest Hill, overseeing the parishes of St. Anne and Ambrose. Last year, after the two parishes were combined and St. Anne's was closed, the combined parish was renamed the St. Carlo Acutis Parish.

"With great sadness, we share the news that our pastor, Fr. Anthony Nyamai, has completed his salvation journey here on earth and has gone to be with the Lord. He passed away sometime during the night Friday into Saturday, June 13, 2026. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted when finalized. Please remember Fr. Anthony and his family in your prayers. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen," the St. Carlo Parish shared on its Facebook page.

According to the Diocese of Joliet website, Fr. Nestor Lopez has been named to take over as the new parochial administrator of St. Carlo Acutis effective July 1. Fr. Nyamai's death now means that interim bishop Dennis Spies will have to make a new assignment for St. Mary Nativity.

About 60 people have posted comments on the Facebook page for the St. Carlo Acutis Parish after it announced the death of their pastor. Here is a sampling of their remarks:

"Rest in peace Father Anthony a priest full of love for his ministry and with a humility always supporting everyone who came to him always with a smile he welcomed, has left us a great sadness in the heart his departure but with his show of service leaves us a great example united in prayer for his blood family and for this community of san carlo acutis that the Lord leaves us all strength."

"Father Antony was a very noble and loving priest to the whole community. This news leaves us all deeply saddened. May he rest in peace, and our prayers go out to his family."

"Father Anthony my heart breaks, may you rest in peace with our Precious Lord. I'm so glad I got to hug you Wednesday."

"Thank you father Anthony for all your ministry and all the love with which you offer your service to God, may God receive it in your heart."

"Ay it!! What a terrible news. I was going to his mass and I was always impressed by his enormous simplicity and kindness... always striving to give the sermon in Spanish even though it wasn't his native language... so kind always.... What sadness he has left us, God have him in his Holy Kingdom!!"