Providence Names Fr. Merkelis New Permanent Leader

NEW LENOX, IL - In late December, Father Richard McGrath was forced into retirement and fellow Augustinian, Fr. John Merkelis, was installed as interim president of Providence Catholic High School. In recent months, the Augustinian Order has been gearing up for a highly publicized fund-raiser gala in Chicago at The Drake Hotel. The event aims to rally the Providence Catholic community around Merkelis, who will be the recipient of honor. Individual reservations are $300 and preferred tables start at $3,500. The event goes from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. About 400 people are anticipated to attend, according to an article published in the Providence alumni magazine.

"Fr. Merk has been a very pastoral person in all of his ministries, most especially at Providence Catholic high School over these many years," stated Fr. Bernie Scianna, prior Provincial for the Order of Saint Augustine, in the alumni article.

Now, just days before the Augustinians hold their The Drake Hotel fund-raiser, an announcement was posted on the Providence website revealing that Merkelis has been named as president of Providence Catholic effective Friday, April 20.

“We are overjoyed that Fr. Merkelis has been named President of Providence Catholic,” stated Providence principal John Harper. “He has been the school’s spiritual leader for many years and he stepped up to fill the leadership position of acting President for the past few months and has done a wonderful job in that role.”

Merkelis began at Providence in 1988 as director of pastoral ministry. He became principal in 1994 and stayed in that role for five years. Next, he spent five years as director of vocations for Midwest Augustinians. He came back to Providence in 2004 as pastoral director.

“I am blessed by the opportunity to serve as the President of Providence, and am humbled by the love and support I have felt from the Providence family over the years,” Fr. Merkelis said in a statement . “I am grateful to God to continue such a beautiful ministry; I am now meeting current students who are the children of students I taught 25 years ago. Together with their families, we will proudly celebrate our 100th anniversary next year.”

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Image via Providence Catholic High School