Pastor's Page

Fr. William J. Sheridan, Pastor
In 2001, Fr. Sheridan joined the St. Francis Xavier staff as Pastor. Fr Sheridan holds a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary where he also received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL). He received the MA in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco and the Masters of Art in Philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago.

Prior to coming to St. Francis Fr. Sheridan served as Associate Pastor at St. Anne parish in Barrington, and was a member of the Academic and Formation faculty at Niles College Seminary. For seven years he served as Associate Pastor at Holy Name Cathedral. He has served as part time Spiritual Director at St. Joseph College Seminary since 1994.

Fr. Sheridan’s life and ministry at St. Francis includes caring for the Catholic Community in the Parish and overseeing the sacramental and spiritual needs of the parish. He attends to the religious education and formation of the parish community and supervises the material needs of the parish and the maintenance of the parish campus. He works to foster the involvement of the laity in the life of the parish.

"My motivation for the work that I do is captured by the word fidelity. I strive to be faithful to the Lord Jesus, His gospel, and what He has called me to be and do as a priest. I also strive to be faithful to the Roman Catholic Church of which I am a priest. The Lord has called me to do many things in the past and I hope to be open to all that the Lord continues to ask of me."

Father Mariusz Manka, Associate Pastor
Fr. Mariusz Manka joined St. Francis as a traditional deacon in February of 2012. Fr. Mariusz is our new Associate Pastor effective July 1, 2012.

As Associate Pastor Fr. Mariusz will work closely with Fr. Sheridan providing spiritual and educational service to God’s people in Wilmette.