The longtime pastor at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish, the Rev. Thomas Hurley, will be stepping away from his duties, he announced Sunday.
Hurley, who has served as pastor of the parish since 2007, said he is leaving his position to focus on his health.
“I love old St. Pat’s and its mission with all my heart, I give every ounce of energy to this ministry and I believe that I served it well,” he told parishioners Sunday. “I have done my best to keep a joyful, strong, positive exterior and to keep us all connected, especially during this year of the pandemic, but it has come at the cost of my own health and my well-being.”
Hurley was ordained at St. Mary’s of the Lake Seminary in May 1993, according to the parish. He spent the early part of his career at Most Holy Redeemer in Evergreen Park and then served as associate pastor of St. Cajetan until 1997.
Hurley went on to work as the director of vocations and dean of admissions for St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University and became an associate pastor at Old St. Pat’s in 2003 before becoming the pastor in 2007.
“Old St. Pat’s has been blessed by Fr. Hurley’s compassionate leadership as together we strive to fulfill our community’s mission and vision. The staff and leadership of Old St. Pat’s remain committed to carrying these forward,” the parish said in a statement.
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The Rev. Kenneth Simpson has been named administrator of the church, according to the archdiocese. Simpson is currently the vicar for professional and pastoral development of priests and a former pastor of St. Clement Parish in Lincoln Park.
“When a priest steps away from ministry, there is a support system to help him,” the archdiocese said in a statement. “We pray for Fr. Hurley’s healing and for the continued good work of the parish leadership and staff.”