Letter from Fr. William De Salvo

Dear Parish Family,

I look forward to my arrival as the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish on July 1. As we begin the celebration of this beautiful Easter Season, a time of new life, new hope, and renewed faith I want to assure all of you of my prayers and blessings in the Risen Lord. I’m thankful to Father Brad for allowing me to extend this Easter greeting to you.

I am coming to Naperville after a few months as pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst. After serving twelve years as pastor of Saint Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale, I was appointed Pastor of Visitation on July 1, 2022. With Father Brad’s appointment in Shorewood, a pastor had to be found for Saints Peter and Paul. Bishop Hicks asked me to accept the pastorate. I have always done as our bishops asked, and so I willingly accepted his appointment.

I grew up in Lombard, in Sacred Heart Parish, having attended the parish school. I graduated from Saint Charles Borromeo High School Seminary, our diocesan seminary at the time. Then went on to college in Minnesota, and did my graduate work at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. I was ordained a priest June 4, 1988. As a priest I served as parochial vicar at Saint Mary Nativity Church in Joliet and Visitation Church in Elmhurst. Then I served as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Westmont for 9 years, Saint Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale for 12 years, and returned to Visitation as pastor for the past 9 months. In addition to my parish assignments, I have served in a number of positions in the diocese as well; I served as a master of ceremonies to our bishops, taught in the Permanent Diaconate Program, served on the Presbyteral Council, the Priest Placement Personnel Board, and served 12 years as Dean of the Eastern DuPage Deanery of the Diocese of Joliet.

I am grateful to God for our Catholic Faith, for having called me to the Priesthood, and for the various assignments and duties I have been able to be part of in our wonderful Diocese. I want to thank Father Brad for the warm welcome he is showing me, and express my appreciation to Bishop Hicks for the confidence he has placed in me by naming me pastor of this wonderful parish. As the Bishop assigns us to various parishes, he does have an over-all view of how he hopes the life of the parish will continue and develop. I hope we will all continue to grow in holiness, in love for our Catholic Faith, for one another, and in fidelity to Christ and to His Church.

I look forward to coming to Saints Peter and Paul in July. From what I have seen, ours is a large, vibrant, active, involved and energized parish. I look forward to being part of it all. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to you, and to extend to you, and all those you love, the blessings of this beautiful Easter Season!

Happy and Holy Easter!

Father William De Salvo