Meet Our Community
Abbot Michael Calhoun
In his duties as prior, Fr. Michael describes his position as “chief officer of daily operations”, arranging weekly in-house appointments and scheduling weekend missions. As head sacristan and master of ceremonies, he keeps good order in the abbey worship services, which does not prevent him from taking the occasional weekend parish assignment. He currently teaches religion in the academy. In addition to teaching students at the academy, Fr. Michael also teaches postulants and novice in his role as postulant and novice master. In the spring and summer, Fr. Michael can be found outdoors cutting grass and waging a never-ending battle with weeds.
Born: Belvidere, Illinois, December 7, 1970
Professed: December 8, 1994
Ordained: June 1, 2002 | Elected Abbot: July 13, 2022
Direct Dial: 815-250-0702 Ext. 237
Abbot Emeritus Philip Davey (Mission Advancement)
In addition to serving as the community’s abbot, Abbot Philip also directs Abbey and academy development. A licensed counselor, he works with both couples and individuals in need of personal and spiritual guidance, a ministry which he enjoys very much. In spite of his position, the abbot maintains a weekly housekeeping assignment and also takes on occasional weekend missions. His favorite outdoor spot for prayer and reflection is the patio near the pond on the west side of the monastery.
Born: Oglesby, Illinois, April 3, 1947
Professed: August 15, 1968 | Ordained: May 3, 1975
Elected Abbot: June 7, 2011 | Blessed: September 14, 2011 | Resigned: July 13, 2022
Direct Dial: 815-250-0341 Ext. 298
Subprior Dominic Garramone
For the last number of years, Fr. Dominic has served as subprior keeping the minutes of monastic meetings and assisting the prior as needed. As choir master, he oversees chanters and organists for abbey liturgies, in addition to assisting with weekend missions. In the academy, he is the head of the religion department, director of dramatics and stage manager. From 1999-2001, he was the host of the PBS cooking show Breaking Bread with Father Dominic. He is the author of several cookbooks and is in great demand as a public speaker. He is an avid photographer whose images are often used for greeting cards at the Saint Bede Abbey Press. During the baseball season he can often be found in the TV room making rosaries while watching the St. Louis Cardinals. If you would like to follow his baking adventures in the abbey kitchen, then visit www.breadmonk.com.
Born: Peoria, Illinois, October 25, 1960
Professed: November 1, 1984
Ordained: June 6, 1992
frdom@st-bede.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0708 Ext. 246
Father Ronald Margherio
Fr. Ronald serves the academy students as their chaplain, organizing and celebrating all-school liturgies and prayer services as well as coordinating a wide variety of service projects, and student trips throughout the year. In addition to weekend parish assignments, he is often asked to preside at weddings and funerals. Having studied in Rome and visited Italy many times himself, Fr. Ronald is an enthusiastic student of Italian cuisine and culture.
Born: Ladd, Illinois, February 11, 1950
Professed: August 15, 1971
Ordained: June 16, 1978
Direct Dial: 815-250-0286 Ext. 238
Brother Nathaniel Grossmann (Oblate Director)
For many years Br. Nathaniel shared his love of the English language and its literature with students in the academy. At various times, Br. Nathaniel has served the monastic community as the choir master, postulant master, novice master, junior master, subprior, and prior. Currently, his efforts are concentrated on improving the life of the monastic community in ways both large and small. His meticulous work as assistant sacristan includes beautiful floral arrangements for the sanctuary and the choir chapel. He composes music and lyrics for the daily liturgy, and spends time caring for the dozens of houseplants that enhance both the abbey church and the monastery. Br. Nathaniel is also oblate director, helping laypeople access the spiritual riches of the Benedictine tradition. An avid reader, he is rarely found without a book in hand, with subjects ranging from fine art to sacred scripture to poetry.
Born: Cleveland, Ohio, November 28, 1949
Professed: September 1, 1969
bronat@st-bede.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0709 Ext. 233
Father Patrick Fennell (Candle maker & Guest master)
Fr. Patrick’s primary work is as abbey infirmarian, which includes driving monks to medical appointments, coordinating medications, and keeping the dispensary stocked with aspirin, band-aids, and other everyday supplies. In addition to tending the medical needs of the community, Fr. Patrick also goes to town three times a week for the community to pick up prescriptions and to run other errands for the business office. He is well-known as our abbey candle-maker and does a brisk business at our annual Christmas Monks’ Market. Fr. Patrick comes from a large family which keeps him busy with weddings, baptisms, and other family celebrations.
Born: Wyoming, Illinois, December 17, 1944
Professed: December 8, 1975
Ordained: June 3, 1989
frpatrick@st-bede.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0705 Ext. 207
Brother Luke McLachlan
Br. Luke has served on the academy faculty as the chair of the science department, teaching classes AP Physics and Environmental Science. His technical background serves him well in maintaining the abbey’s telephone system. As the abbey garden manager he keeps a fresh supply of lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables in the monastery refectory throughout the spring and summer. Br. Luke obtained a medical degree from the local junior college to serve as a Registered Nurse. Br. Luke is an avid Chicago White Sox fan.
Born: LaSalle, Illinois, January 23, 1970
Professed: December 8, 1993
brluke@st-bede.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0280 Ext. 245
Father Gregory Jarzombek
Since his ordination in 2012, Fr. Gregory has focused his apostolic ministry on local nursing homes where he regularly celebrates Mass for the residents. He is often assigned to priestly ministry at St. Margaret’s Hospital in addition to other weekend parish missions. Fr. Gregory is especially devoted to Eucharistic adoration.
Born: Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1953
Professed: January 1, 2007
Ordained: January 16, 2012
gregoryjarzombek@yahoo.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0277 Ext. 235
Brother David Freeman
Br. David serves the community in a variety of ways. He primarily works in the maintenance department learning the how the infrastructure of both the abbey and academy works. Before joining the monastery, Br. David had diverse job experiences which included manufacturing, food service, working for Tyson poultry immunizing chickens, and as a licensed (commercial) journeyman electrician.
Born: Carlsbad, New Mexico, May 29, 1970
Professed: June 24, 2011
davekfreeman2000@yahoo.com
Direct Dial: 815-250-0706 Ext. 278
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