Father Slattery passed Wednesday July 17, 2019. He joined the Knights in 1982 and became a 4th Degree Knight in 1983. The following is a write-up from his 2016 Augustinian Religious Honor which is a great story of Father Mike.
Michael Slattery first encountered the Augustinians at his baptism in 1949 at St. Mary Church in Rockford, where the Augustinians previously served. He was also confirmed at the church in 1959 and graduated from the school in 1963. He then entered the Augustinian formation program at Saint Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he later received his high school diploma in 1967.
Following high school graduation, he entered the Augustinian Novitiate in 1967 and professed his first vows on September 4, 1968. He continued his formation studies at Tolentine College in Olympia Fields, Illinois, having later earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1972.
After teaching one academic year at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, he then began his theological studies at Catholic Theological Union, also in Chicago, in 1973. He then proceeded to profess his solemn vows in the Augustinian Order on March 6, 1976. He was ordained a priest on May 7, 1977.
Following his priestly ordination, Father Slattery first was assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 1977 to 1979. He then received assignments to serve as Director of Vocations and the Director of Pre-Novices. He returned to Holy Rosary in 1983 to continue serving as Associate Pastor. In 1987, he was assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Chicago. It was there that he received his first assignment as Pastor in 1991.
In 1995, Father Slattery began both teaching at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago and ministering as the Chaplain at the Little Company of Mary Sisters Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He held these positions until 1999 when he was named Pastor of Saint Jude Parish in New Lenox, Illinois. He served there until 2006, having been instrumental in building the parish's new worship space.
He has also served a combined 15 years on the Provincial Council of the Midwest Augustinians, having completed his last term in 2014. He also simultaneously served as the Province Treasurer for six years.
In 2012, Father Slattery was assigned to serve as Pastor of Philadelphia's "Old St. Augustine's" in Philadelphia, the first foundation of the Augustinians in the United States dating back to 1796. Two years later, he was assigned to serve as the Prior of St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago, as well as the Chaplain at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana. |