THE RECTORY
patio before
volunteers led by
Father Bob gave
it a makeover
(left).
THE POST-
makeover patio
(below, left).
presence in inner-city neighborhoods
where parishes and schools had been
closed. This particular school on the
West side was especially important
because it was the site of a terrible
fire in 1958 that killed 95 students
and religious sisters. our Lady of the
Angels Parish closed in 1990; the
school is now a public charter school.
Lombardo never thought twice
about leaving new york, though he
had served in ministry to homeless
people there for almost two decades.
such a long-term assignment is rare,
he concedes.
Lombardo admits he loves a challenge, but it’s hard to imagine him
getting too upset about anything. “i
don’t have time to worry; that’s above
my pay grade,” he says. “The older
you get, the more you realize it’s not
my problem, it’s God’s problem.”
instead, he focuses on the work
ahead of him. “i’m here to take care
of people in need and to faithfully
preach the gospel,” Lombardo says.
“When i’m done with that at the end
of the day, my head hits the pillow
and i sleep well knowing God is in
charge.” =
Priests of the
Sacred Heart
We are the
Present in the city
After his ordination in 1990 Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia
and Honduras with orphaned street
kids, organized youth programs on
Manhattan’s Lower East side, and
directed the Padre Pio shelter for the
Homeless for 18 years.
in 2006 Lombardo moved to the
Midwest at the invitation of Chicago
Cardinal Francis George, o.M.i.,
who wanted to maintain a Catholic
Serving in the United States
and around the world, we are
priests and brothers nourished
by the Eucharist and called to
live, pray and work together,
sharing the love of the Sacred
Heart in our lives and ministry.
Learn how you can join us as a priest or brother: 800-609-5559 www.scjvocation.org
VISION 2013
For more features go to VocationNetwork.org
