Chicago, IL (March 5, 2016) – Archbishop Blase J. Cupich today announced the appointment of Rev. Esequiel Sanchez as Rector of Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. The appointment is effective immediately. Fr. Sanchez was formerly pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Chicago. Rev. Robert W. Krueger, former Associate Pastor of St. Bede, was named Administrator, effective immediately.
“Fr. Sanchez comes to this important assignment with twenty years of priestly experience and great dedication,” said Archbishop Cupich.
“The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe enjoys a special significance not only for the Mexican people, but for all of us in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is a holy place with a vibrant future and I know that Fr. Sanchez will continue to enhance and grow its mission of worship and inspiration.”
Fr. Sanchez’s first assignment as a priest was as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Chicago (1995-98). In 1998, he was named Director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics and served in this capacity until 2004. As Director, he organized the first Noche de Gala in 1999, which serves to acknowledge leadership for their dedication to Hispanic Ministry in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Sanchez was appointed Administrator of St. Mark Parish in Chicago in 2000, and the following year was named Pastor of Holy Trinity Croatian Parish. After four years, he became Pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish, serving there until 2011. Fr. Sanchez’s most recent appointment was as Pastor of St. Bede the Venerable. In addition, he served on Cardinal George’s Administrative Council, the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and from 2006 to 2010 he served as a member and Vice-Chair of the Archdiocesan Priest Placement Board.
Fr. Sanchez was born in Chicago to Mexican immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico. He attended Eli Whitney grammar school, Curie High School and Niles College of Loyola University Chicago before going on to the University of St. Mary of Lake / Mundelein Seminary. Fr. Sanchez was ordained into the priesthood in 1995 and celebrated his first Mass at St. Agnes of Bohemia, his home parish.
Archbishop Cupich thanked Fr. Adan Sandoval for assuming administrative duties at the Shrine during the search for a permanent Rector. “He will continue to assist me in a special way through his work as the Director of the Consejo Hispano, while remaining as Pastor of Our Lady of the Mount Parish in Cicero,” the Archbishop noted.
The Archdiocese also announced that Fr. Robert (Bobby) W. Krueger, Associate Pastor of St. Bede, will serve as Administrator until a permanent pastor is named. This appointment is effective immediately.Fr. Krueger was born in Hoffman Estates. He was ordained in 2012, “Fr.Krueger has won the admiration of many in the short time he has servedat St. Bede’s and I thank him for his generosity in stepping forward now to take on these temporary duties as administrator,” said Archbishop Cupich.
About the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Located at 1170 North River Road in Des Plaines, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has attracted millions of people as a place of pilgrimage since its humble beginnings. In 1997, Msgr. Esteban Martinez, from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, blessed the grounds and poured soil from the Tepeyac of Mexico onto the New Tepeyac of America, which was authorized by the Basilica to be a site to satisfy mandas(promises) to Our Lady. In 2013, Francis Cardinal George, OMI, decreed it a Shrine. Each year, on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, thousands make the trip from parishes throughout the Archdiocese and the Midwest to pay their respects. Currently, a campaign is underway to raise funds to build an indoor worship space to accommodate over the more than 6,000 worshipers that visit on a weekly basis.