This year, Father Peter has become our official chaplain. A chaplain is clergy who is attached to a private chapel. Father Peter has done our masses and Kairos services in the past, but he will now lead the Regina Community on its spiritual journey.

Father Peter  was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Poland taught him the power of social justice.

He said, “Being born in Poland I bring with me the experience of a country who had to fight to stay on the political map of Europe three different times. This part of my country’s history taught me a sense of appreciation for others, especially those who stand up against injustice and persecution.”

Father Peter  started on his religious journey when he was very young. However, Father Peter has also studied business and medical ethics.

Regina Dominican has not been the only place he has practiced mass. He has said mass at many different  schools, communities, and parishes.

Father Peter says, “I do a lot of masses for many different communities. In my present function in the Archdioceses, I am part of something we call a leadership team. This title has nothing to do with power but a lot to do with service. It means that I am called to help the Archbishop of Chicago in his ministry of governance of the Archdiocese and I do it by visiting and celebrating Masses in many different parishes and schools.”

Currently, he is the chaplain only for Regina Dominican. Father Peter was extremely happy to become our official Chaplain because we are considered his “spiritual parish.”

He said, “It is a special blessing to accompany anyone on a journey of faith. Priests, religious and lay leaders do it everyday in their parishes but because of my responsibilities in the Archdiocese I have no official parish so Regina is my “spiritual parish.” I find most enjoyable to visit the classrooms, speak to our students, and celebrate the sacraments with them.”

Regina Dominican has always been a special place to him because of occurrences that remind him of  previous and current students.

Father Peter said, ” I still get Christmas cards from young women who graduated 4-5 years ago saying “what you said a few years back helped me now to make a good decision or… challenges me to be part of a faith community.”‘ Christ sent us on a mission to accompany each other in learning who He is and I am very grateful to accompany Regina community on that journey.”

Father Peter is grateful to be a part of Regina Dominican and to celebrate mass with the community.

Father Peter’s parishes include St. Clement, “I live and celebrate Masses at St. Clement Parish, which is a wonderful community in Lincoln Park.” He used to belong to St. Francis Xavier in Wilmette, which was also his first parish.

“That community is very special to me as it shaped me as a priest and helped me to understand what priesthood is truly about,” said Father Peter.

Every now and then, he goes back to St. Francis to celebrate mass. He also offers mass St. Thomas Becket in Mt. Prospect, and at the The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University in Evanston.

His favorite place that he ever celebrated mass was at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy.

“I did mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, right by the tomb of St. Peter. Everything started there and 2,000 years later, we still gather there to offer the same prayer he offered,” said Father Peter.

Father Peter makes Regina Dominican truly a special place and the entire community is grateful he is our official chaplain.