32nd Annual Rector’s Classic
September 14, 2023
Our golf event will begin at Pine Meadow Golf Club and will include a BBQ lunch, a swag bag at registration and a special gift for each golfer.
The day of togetherness will continue into the evening with a reception, silent/online auction, raffle, dinner and award presentation at Mundelein Seminary.
We are proud to honor Fr. Wayne Watts, Pastor at Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish with the 2023 Cardinal Joseph Bernardin In Service of One Another Catholic Humanitarian Award.
Born and raised in Oak Park, IL., Fr. Wayne F. Watts is the sixth of nine children of James and Dorothy Watts. He is a graduate of St. Giles Elementary School (Class of ’78), Fenwick High School (Class of ’82), and Marquette University (Class of ’86). After Marquette, Fr. Wayne attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (Class of ’90) and was ordained on May 19th of that year. The class’ ordination theme was “Caritas Christi Urget Nos” which translates as, “The Love of Christ Impels Us.”
Fr. Wayne first served as Associate Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Wilmette (1990-96) where he was active in many parish ministries, especially ACTION, the parish youth group. In 1996, Fr. Wayne was named Resident at Queen of All Saints Parish, Sauganash (1996-2006) while he taught and served in leadership positions at Quigley Preparatory Seminary. In 2002, Cardinal George asked Fr. Wayne to become an Associate Administrator at Catholic Charities and, in 2006 Fr. Wayne was appointed Pastor of St. John Berchmans Parish in Logan Square (2006-2018). In December, 2018, Cardinal Cupich named Fr. Wayne as Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Wilmette which shortly thereafter combined with Saint Francis Xavier to become Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier (JFX) Parish, a new parish created as a result of the Renew My Church Initiative in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Since January, 2019 Fr. Wayne has led Saints JFX Parish and has been widely praised for his engaged, energetic presence in the parish and for the creative, unifying ways he led his parishioners through the pandemic, always working to build and sustain a vibrant, welcoming community of faith.
To read more about Fr. Wayne and all he has done and accomplished please click HERE.
For more information or to become a sponsor contact Jillian Mortillaro or click here for the event page.
