SYLVA — Deacon John Szarek has been assigned as a permanent deacon to St. Mary, Mother of God Parish effective Feb. 3.
Deacon Szarek and his wife Susan recently retired and moved to Franklin from the Chicago area. A Chicago native, he grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood on the city’s west side, a community of families with Polish, Lithuanian and Latino backgrounds, and attended Catholic school there. He and his wife married in 1993, and in 2006 he was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal Francis George at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Deacon Szarek served for 13 years at St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park, Ill., where his main areas of ministry were to the homebound and parishioners in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He was also the deacon representative for his deanery and served as a member of the diaconate council for the Chicago archdiocese.
Deacon Szarek said he is looking forward to serving St. Mary, Mother of God Parish. He and Susan are excited about being part of their new parish family as Deacon Szarek begins a new chapter of diaconal ministry.
— Deacon John Martino