50th First Profession
Father Charles Bouchard
Birthplace: Superior, Wisconsin
Entrance: 1974
First profession: 1975
Final profession: 1978
Ordination: 1979
Education: Bachelor’s in French, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1974
Master’s in divinity, Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, 1980
Licenciate in sacred theology, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. 1984
Doctorate in sacred theology, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. 1987
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant professor, Aquinas Institute, 1986-91
President, Aquinas Institute, 1989-2008
Vice president, Theological Education, Ascension Health, 2008-11
Senior director of theology and ethics, Catholic Health Association, 2015-23
About Father Charles Bouchard: I spent most of my life as a professor and an administrator in higher education and Catholic health care. However, my life has been greatly enriched by my parish experience in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, especially at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, St. Pius V, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Margaret of Scotland and many other parishes on an occasional basis. My favorite pastimes are gardening and biking in Forest Park. When I entered the order, the Dominicans didn’t even have a house in St. Louis. I never thought I’d be spending 39 years here!
50th Ordination
Father Gregory John Heille
Birthplace: Northfield, Minnesota
Entrance: 1969
First profession: 1971
Final profession: 1973
Ordination: 1975
Education: Bachelor’s in mathematics, St. John’s University, 1969
Master’s in divinity, Aquinas Institute of Theology, 1975
Doctorate in ministry, Western Theological Seminary, 1991
Service in the archdiocese: Professor of preaching and evangelization, Aquinas Institute of Theology, 1994-2025
Academic dean and vice president, Aquinas Institute of Theology, 2007-17
Director, Doctor of Ministry in Preaching, Aquinas Institute of Theology, 2000-07 and 2018-25
Service outside the archdiocese: Catholic Campus Parish, Brookings, South Dakota, 1973-74
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, Wisconsin, 1975-76
Vocation director, Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, Chicago, 1976-80 and St. Giles Parish, Oak Park, Illinois, 1979-85
Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters, Michigan,1985-94
About Father Gregory John Heille: Father Heille is the author of “The Preaching of Pope Francis,” “A Year of Vincentian Preaching,” “Preaching Racial Justice” and “Lay Eucharistic Preaching in a Synodal Catholic Church.” His favorite Scripture verse is Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” In St. Louis, he preaches for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and at St. Cronan Parish. He grew up and has family in Minnesota and loves Michigan, New Mexico and national parks. He has been 6 feet, 6 inches tall since the age of 13.
