Your Diocese

Carmelite Father Raymond Corkery smiles as he ponders the opportunities for welcoming immigrants to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Joliet, IL.

Carmelite Father Raymond Corkery, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Joliet, was ordained into the priesthood 48 years ago. Yet, he has rarely heard the phrase “Father Raymond Corkery” from his congregants, instead the one-time Iowa farm boy most often responds to “Padre Ramon Corkery.” The 76-year-old clergyman has spent almost five decades ministering to Hispanic communities in the United States and South America.

During his latest assignment as a pastor in Joliet, Father Corkery has mobilized the Hispanic community and welcomed immigrants with outstretched arms. Since 1995, he has created an environment that spurs personal growth, economic development and refuge for immigrants through a network of community service providers that offer a multitude of services at the parish. In addition to making the parish a hub of activity, Father Corkery also headed the renovation of a building completed in 2002 on Jackson Street that increased the seating capacity from 200 to 900 worshipers in order to better serve the growing faith community. “The only credit I can take is that you don’t put the brakes on it too much,” explained Father Corkery during a recent conversation with Your Diocese.

There are 2,800 registered families in the parish, but he estimated that is only one-third of those that he actually serves. In a faith community that celebrates 500 baptisms a year, the pastor acknowledged that his goals are to create a family spirit, educate his flock on the faith and present a liturgy attractive to the youth. He also advocates for empowerment through personal enrichment and fighting for justice, especially for immigrants. He said, “It’s an attitude of being welcoming and making them aware we’re here for them.”

The seventh of 13 children in his family, Father Corkery has applied his family’s hard work ethic to every setting of his ministry. Initially, the newly ordained priest ministered at the small Irving Street chapel that served the Hispanic immigrant community of Joliet. After ministering in Joliet for one year, Father Corkery went on to serve in Peru for 17 years. The white-haired man chuckled and said, “I left my youth in Peru.”

In reality, it served as a great training ground for his future ministry when he returned stateside in 1978. He served in New Jersey and Arizona, before finally returning to Joliet.

The admirer of St. Thérèse of Lisieux reflected about his ministry of empowerment and said, “You listen to people and try to respond to it.”

Father Corkery’s impressive response to the entire community of Joliet and the surrounding area was summarized Nov. 12 as Alfredo Melesio, parish council president, introduced Father Corkery during the 2007 Project Pride of Joliet and Will County Hall of Pride Induction Banquet. Melesio stated, “He’s been a great CEO, if you will, and a great friend.”

The director of neighborhood services for the City of Joliet credited the clergyman with planting seeds of faith and paving a path to a successful future for the parish. Melesio recalled, “The biggest idea we had at the time was maybe we should pave the parking lot. … He has given us dignity. He’s really shown us what we can be and he’s made us stand a little taller and a little prouder.”

Now, the parish serves the faithful in countless ways and spans two campuses, on Irving Street and Jackson Street. Melesio added, “He is a priest that knows how to handle church finances, but he also carries drywall. He knows how to work with people and prepare couples wanting to get married, but he also sweeps the floor.”

The priest was among five community leaders honored during the event held at Republic Avenue Banquet Hall in Joliet. Since the Hall of Pride was established in 1987, 98 inductees include men and women who have made a mark on Will County in such areas as banking, business, citizenship, community service, construction, education, history, journalism, medicine, military, music, philanthropy, publishing, radio, religion, science, social agency commitments, sports, theater and volunteerism.

This year’s honorees—who will have their names and biographical information on plaques mounted on a wall in the Joliet Main Branch Library—have exhibited accomplishments in community service, immigration, education, politics and business. Sandra Cowgill of Plainfield is the executive director of the newly-formed Will County Community Foundation and active in other community initiatives. David Evans is a senior board member of the Joliet grade school District No. 86 and continues to break ground as an African-American community leader. Since 1996, Russ Slinkard has been Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Pat Sullivan, University of St. Francis athletic chairman and head basketball coach, has surpassed 400 wins at the collegiate level and stressed academics as nearly all of the 161 seniors, who played under his tenure, received their bachelor’s degrees.

“Project Pride’s mission is to promote a positive image of Joliet and Will County area and its people, engage residents and organizations to make their neighborhood better and partner with anyone or any organization working toward the same end,” commented John Zalanka, president of Project Pride, during a telephone conversation with Your Diocese.

The bridge of communication Father Corkery created at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish established a network of empowerment and resources for the Spanish-speaking immigrant community, noted Zalanka, who nominated Father Corkery for the award after working with the priest on several initiatives. The unit educator for the University of Illinois Extension office in Joliet said, “He’s really been a door opener.”