Faces of Faith: The Rev. Joseph Cook

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Pastor Joseph Cook at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Chicago Heights. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times

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Updated: February 28, 2012 8:01AM

What does he do?

It was during his third year in college that Joseph Cook said he felt the call to ministry.

He answered that call, and since 2007, Cook has been the pastor of St. Kieran Catholic Church at 724 195th St. in Chicago Heights.

How did he get into his job?

Cook was born in Evergreen Park, grew up in Blue Island and attended Quigley South High School, which is now St. Rita High School, on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

“While at Quigley, I was exploring then if (ministry) would be a good fit for me,” Cook said.

After completing his high school studies, Cook enrolled at Niles College of Loyola in Niles, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 1982.

“About my third year of college I felt something definite the Lord wanted me to do,” and that was to pursue a life in ministry, Cook said.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Cook enrolled at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, where he earned his master of divinity degree in 1986. That same year, Cook was ordained a Catholic priest on May 24 at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral in a ceremony presided over by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

“At the time of my ordination, I was part of the largest class ordained in the previous 10 years,” Cook said.

Cook’s first assignment was as an associate pastor for four years at a church in Riverdale. He then went to Holy Ghost Catholic Church in South Holland as an associate pastor for the next six years and then returned to the Riverdale church as its pastor for four years.

In 2000, he was assigned to St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church in Matteson as the associate pastor where he served for seven years. In July 2007, he became the pastor of St. Kieran.

What’s the best part of the job?

“The best part of the job is working with the parishioners who are very generous and very giving,” Cook said. “I enjoy the day-to-day interaction with parishioners, and I have a wonderful staff, and that helps a lot.”

“Last year I celebrated my 25th anniversary as a priest, and it’s met all of my expectations. I never imagined my life as it is now, and I’ll stay until the Lord calls me home,” he said.

What’s the worst part of the job?

“The worst part of the job is asking for money. It never sat well with me,” Cook said.

“I understand I need to do that, and it goes with the job, but I hate it,” he said.

“The biggest challenge is the administration (part of the job) — taking care of the physical plant, paying for the heat and electricity and fundraising,” he said.

What does he do for fun?

“I like to read, get outside, take long walks and get away from the phones,” he said.

Cook lives in the rectory next to St. Kieran.