25th ordination
Msgr. C. Eugene Morris
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Education: Saint Louis University, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm, International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton, Ohio
Ordination: May 25, 1996, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Gabriel, St. Louis, 1996-98
Part-time associate pastor, St. George, and teacher at St. Mary’s High School 1998-99
Graduate studies in Rome, 1999-2001
Associate director, Cardinal Glennon College Seminary, and teacher at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 2001-05
Part-time director of liturgical formation, archdiocesan Office of Permanent Diaconate, 2001-05
Director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate, continuing on the faculty at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 2005-09
Director, St. Maximilian Kolbe House of Discernment, St. Louis, 2006-09
Pastor, St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood, 2009-10
Rector, Oratory of Sts. Gregory and Augustine, Richmond Heights, 2018-present
Service outside of the archdiocese: Faculty member at Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, 2010-14
Doctoral studies in Mariology at the International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton, Ohio, 2014-19
About Msgr. Morris: In 2008, he was elevated to rank of Chaplain of His Holiness, and given the title reverend monsignor. He is a knight commander with the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also has memberships with the Society for Catholic Liturgy, Mariological Society of America, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the Catholic Theological Society of America. Msgr. Morris gives retreats, talks and days of recollection across the country, especially to consecrated religious men and women.
50th ordination
Msgr. Vernon E. Gardin
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-South, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: May 29, 1971, by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, Little Flower, Richmond Heights, 1971-1977
Part-time associate pastor, Cathedral of St. Louis, 1977-1981
Part-time associate pastor, Annunziata, Ladue, 1981-92
Associate director, then later executive director, archdiocesan Department of Special Education, 1989-2008
Pastor, All Saints, University City, 1992-93
In residence, St. Mary’s Special School, 1993-96
In residence at St. Richard, Creve Coeur, 1996-2000
Pastor, St. Joseph, Clayton, 2000-02
Rector, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 2002-04
Vicar general for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, 2004-11
Interim president of Catholic Charities, 2009-10
Pastor, Immacolata. Richmond Heights, 2011-present
About Msgr. Gardin: In 1990, he was elevated to rank of Honorary Prelate, and given the title reverend monsignor. Msgr. Gardin serves as area chaplain for the Order of Malta and is a member of the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He also serves as executive director and trustee with the Msgr. Vernon Gardin Foundation for the Special Education of Children.
Father Edward Heim
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Our Lady of the Snows Scholasticate, Oblate College of the Southwest
Ordination: Aug. 25, 1971, by Bishop Albert Zuroweste in the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, All Saints, St. Peters, 1977-78
Associate pastor, St. Sebastian, Glen Owen, 1981-85
Associate pastor, Immaculate Conception, Union, 1986-90
Associate pastor, St. Joseph, Kimmswick, 1990-91
Pastor, St. John, Imperial, 1991-99
Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Augusta, 1999-2014
Administrator, St. Vincent de Paul, Dutzow, 2007
Retirement, 2014-present
Service outside of the archdiocese: Father Heim was a chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force, for 12 years. He was certified in air search rescue and communications.
About Father Heim: Father Heim was ordained with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1971. Several years later, he came to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where he was incardinated as an archdiocesan priest in 1982. He served as a fire chaplain for 24 years, volunteering with numerous departments. He is a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Father Heim also is an amateur radio operator.
Msgr. Joseph M. Simon
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Mercy High School, Saint Louis University, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 29, 1971, by Cardinal John J. Carberry
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Joseph, Manchester, 1971-77
Associate pastor, St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, 1977-81
Associate pastor, St. Andrew, Lemay, 1981-82
Associate pastor, Ste. Genevieve Du Bois, Warson Woods, 1982-87
Associate pastor, St. George, Gardenville, 1987-89
Pastor, St. Bridget, Pacific, 1989-95
Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Webster Groves, 1995-2004
Pastor, Queen of All Saints, Oakville, 2004-15
Rector, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 2015-19
Retirement, with residence at St. Gabriel the Archangel, St. Louis, 2019-present
About Msgr. Simon: In 2008, he was elevated to rank of Chaplain of His Holiness, and given the title reverend monsignor. He served as chaplain of the Archbishop’s Committee on Eucharistic Adoration from 2002-19, member of the Archdiocesan Finance Council from 2005-14, formation advisor at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary from 2014-18 and chaplain of the St. Louis chapter of Legatus from 2017-19. Msgr. Simon is a member of the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
60th ordination
Msgr. James E. Hanson
Birthplace: Old Mines
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: March 18, 1961, by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Associate pastor, St. Dismas, Florissant, 1961-69
Associate pastor St. Lucy, Jennings, 1969-71
Associate pastor, St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, 1971-79
Associate pastor, St. Luke the Evangelist, Richmond Heights, 1979-81
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Elsberry, 1981-86
Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Dardenne Prairie, 1986-94
Pastor, St. Joseph, Zell, 1994-2010
Retirement, 2010-present
About Msgr. Hanson: He was twice dean of the Ste. Genevieve Deanery. In 1995, he was elevated to rank of Honorary Prelate, and given the title reverend monsignor. Msgr. Hanson also was involved with the Legion of Mary.
Msgr. Robert P. Jovanovic
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: March 18, 1961, by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, Immaculate Conception, Arnold, 1961-63
Assistant pastor, St. Rose of Lima, De Soto, 1963-66
Assistant pastor, St. Martin of Tours, Lemay, 1966-70
Part-time associate pastor, St. Hedwig, St. Louis, 1970-71
Part-time associate pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Louis, 1971-73
Part-time associate pastor, Mary Queen of Peace, Webster Groves, 1973-75
Administrator, Duchesne High School, 1975-83
Part-time associate pastor, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles, 1975-76
Part-time associate pastor, St. Cletus, St. Charles, 1976-83
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Crystal City, 1983-91
Pastor, Queen of All Saints, Oakville, 1991-2004
Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Charles, 2004-16
Retirement, 2016-present
About Msgr. Jovanovic: He served on the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and the archdiocesan College of Consultors. He was dean of the Southeast County Deanery. In 1995, he was elevated to rank of Honorary Prelate, and given the title reverend monsignor.
Msgr. Gregory L. Schmidt
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: March 18, 1961, by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, St. Ferdinand, Florissant, 1961-67
Associate pastor, St. John the Baptist, St. Louis, 1967-72
Associate pastor, St. Sebastian, Glen Owen, 1972-77
Associate pastor, St. Paul, Fenton, 1977-79
Associate pastor, Epiphany, St. Louis, 1979-81
Pastor, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, 1981-87
Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Oakville, 1987-94
Educational sabbatical, 1994
Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Old Monroe, 1994-2011
Retirement, 2011-present
About Msgr. Schmidt: In 2003, he was elevated to rank of Honorary Prelate, and given the title reverend monsignor. Msgr. Schmidt served as priest moderator of the archdiocesan Pro-Life Office and was dean of the St. Charles Deanery.
Father Paul J. Spielman
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: March 18, 1961, by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, St. Dominic Savio, Affton, 1961-66
Assistant pastor, St. Clement of Rome, Des Peres, 1966-74
Teacher, Bishop DuBourg High School, 1961-77; Rosati-Kain High School, 1977-96
Associate pastor, Holy Family, St. Louis, 1977-83
Associate pastor, St. Rita, Vinita Park, 1983-96
Senior associate pastor, St. Andrew, Lemay, 1996-99
Pastor, St. John Nepomuk, and administrator, St. Mary of Victories, St. Louis, (transitioned to chaplain in 2005 when both parishes were suppressed and named chapels), 1999-2010
Retirement, 2010-present
About Father Spielman: At St. John Nepomuk and St. Mary of Victories, Father Spielman enjoyed learning the Czech and Hungarian languages, adding to his knowledge of German. He had been helping with Masses at Our Lady of Life Apartments and at St. Bernadette and Little Flower parishes until the pandemic began. He said he’s most proud of his master’s degree in sacred Scripture, which aided him as he taught the Old and New Testament to high school students.
Father Bernard J. Wilkins
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: March 18, 1961, by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, All Souls, Overland, 1961-69
Associate pastor, St. Gabriel, St. Louis, 1969-78
Associate pastor, St. Aloysius, Spanish Lake, 1978-80
Pastor, St. Gertrude, Krakow, 1980-87
Pastor, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Charles, 1987-94
Pastor, St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood, 1994-2009
Retirement, 2009-present
About Father Wilkins: Father Wilkins is a priest in residence at St. Gertrude, where he assists with celebrating Masses.
65th ordination
Bishop John J. Leibrecht
Birthplace: Overland
Education: Cathedral Latin School, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Kenrick Seminary, The Catholic University of America
Ordination: March 17, 1956, by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, St. Louis Cathedral, 1956-58
Post-graduate studies, 1958-61
Principal, Rosati-Kain High School, 1961-1963
Staff member, Office of Education, 1963-72
Superintendent of Catholic education, 1972-81
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Florissant, 1981-84
Service outside of the archdiocese: He was consecrated as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau at Immaculate Conception Church in Springfield, Missouri, on Dec. 12, 1984. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation on Jan. 24, 2008.
About Bishop Leibrecht: Bishop Leibrecht has the distinction of being the first and only bishop emeritus in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, where he continues to facilitate spiritual direction, lead retreats, and provide sacramental assistance as he is able for priests away from the parish. He turned 91 in August.
Father Albert A. Mattler
Birthplace: Lemay
Education: Cathedral Latin School, Passionist Preparatory Seminary, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: March 17, 1956, by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, Holy Cross, St. Louis 1956-57
Assistant pastor, Corpus Christi, Jennings, 1957-58
Teacher, Blessed Sacrament School, 1956-58
Teacher, De Andreis High School 1958-59
Teacher, Mercy High School, 1959-74
Part-time assistant pastor, St Philip Neri, St. Louis, 1958-63
Assistant pastor, St. Joseph, Clayton, 1963-68
Part-time associate pastor, St. Jude, Overland, 1968-74
Pastor, Holy Martyrs of Japan, Japan, 1974-81
Pastor, Immaculate Conception, St. Mary, 1981-87
Pastor, St. Clare, St. Clair, 1987-94
Sabbatical, 1994
Pastor, St. Theodore, Flint Hill, 1994-2006
Senior associate pastor, St. Simon, Green Park, 2006-10
Retired, 2010; in residence at St. Agnes Home, Kirkwood, since 2019
Msgr. Salvatore E. Polizzi
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Cathedral Latin School, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: March 17, 1956, by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, St. Ambrose, St. Louis, 1956-59
Assistant pastor, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverview Gardens, 1959-64
Assistant pastor, St. Ambrose, St. Louis, 1964-81
Pastor, St. Roch, St. Louis, 1981-present
About Msgr. Polizzi: In 1986, he was elevated to rank of Honorary Prelate and given the title, reverend monsignor. He received the Community Achievement Award from the Catholic Youth Apostolate in 2010. At 90 years old, he is one of the oldest active pastors in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Father James W. Schaefer
Birthplace: East St. Louis, Ill.
Education: St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Kenrick Seminary, Saint Louis University
Ordination: March 17, 1956, by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant pastor, Mount Carmel Parish, St. Louis, 1956-63
Teaching staff, Aquinas High School, 1958-70, St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-North, 1970-75
Part-time assistant pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Louis, 1963-69
Part-time associate pastor, St. Ferdinand, Florissant, 1969-70
Part-time associate pastor, St. Dismas, Florissant, 1970-75
Pastor, Holy Innocents, St. Louis, 1975-83
Pastor, St. Norbert, Florissant, 1983-97
Dean, Northeast County Deanery, 1985-91
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Ozora, 1997-present
Dean, Ste. Genevieve Deanery, 2003-05
About Father Schaefer: At 91 years old, he is one of the oldest active pastors in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Father Schaefer said enjoys being pastor of a country parish, where “you know the people and are close to the people.”
