Curriculum Vitae

Biographical Information

James Andrew Joseph Dvorscak was born on April 5, 1951, to Andrew and Margaret (Barlo) Dvorscak, in East Chicago, Indiana. 

He is the oldest of seven children: Jerome (Susan) Dvorscak, Barbara (Stephen) Rains, Joseph (Kathy) Dvorscak, John (Rose) Dvorscak, Andrea Martin, and Andrew (Jane) Dvorscak, with numerous nephews and nieces.  

He grew up in Whiting and in Highland, Indiana, and moved to Illinois in 1976.  All four of his grandparents emigrated to the United States from Eastern Slovakia (Austria-Hungary) about 1900, and he has visited his relatives in their hometowns and celebrated Masses in eastern Slovakia several times.

Educational History

  • Our Lady of Grace Grade School: Highland, Indiana: 1957-1965
  • Brunnerdale Seminary High School: Canton, Ohio: 1965-1968 (junior graduate)
  • College Summer Work: Standard Oil Refinery and Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company
  • B.A. in Philosophy: Saint Joseph College, Rensselaer, Indiana: 1968-1972
  • B.S. in Music Education, Magna cum Laude: Saint Joseph College, Rensselaer, Indiana: 1968-1972
  • M.A. in Religious Studies: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana: 1973-1975
  • M.S. in Management and Organizational Behavior: Benedictine University, Lisle: 1994-1996
  • M.Div. in Theology: Saint Meinrad Seminary, Saint Meinrad, Indiana: 1972-1976
  • D.Min. in Pastoral Care and Counseling: Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago: 1984-1986
  • Diploma in Slovak Language and Culture: Univerzita Komenskeho, Bratislava, Slovakia: 1988
  • Sheptitsky Institute for Eastern Christian Studies: Transfiguration Monastery, Ukiah, California: 1989
  • Ph.D. in Pastoral Psychology: Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, Indiana: 1996-1999
  • Sabbatical: Institute for Continuing Theological Education, North American College, Rome: 2014
  • ChristLife National Training Conference for the New Evangelization, Baltimore, Maryland: 2018
  • Encounter Ministries / Encounter School of Ministry, Brighton, Michigan: 2022-2024

Ministerial History

  • Baptized in 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Whiting, Indiana, where his parents were married in 1948
    • First Communion in 1959 and Confirmation in 1960 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Highland, Indiana
  • Ordained a Deacon by Archbishop George Biskup at Saint Meinrad Archabbey: March 15, 1975
    • Deacon, Saint Dominic Church, Bolingbrook: Summer 1975
    • Deacon, Saint Edmund Church, Watseka: Summer 1976
    • Deacon, Saint Petronille Church, Glen Ellyn: Fall 1976
  • Ordained a Priest by Bishop Romeo Blanchette at Saint Petronille Church, Glen Ellyn: November 27, 1976
    • Associate Pastor, Saint Petronille Church, Glen Ellyn: 1976-1979
    • Diocesan Consultor and Presbyteral Council Member: 1978-1980
  • Advocate, Joliet Diocesan Tribunal: 1979-1983
    • Associate Pastor (part-time), Saint Dennis Church, Lockport: 1979-1980 / first assignment at Lockport
    • Associate Pastor (part-time), Saint Raymond Cathedral, Joliet: 1980-1983
    • Composer of the “Omnia Sancta Olea” Chrism Hymn for Holy Week: 1983
  • Associate Pastor, Saint Liborius Church, Steger: 1983-1987
  • Associate Pastor, Saint Mary Church, Mokena: 1987-1994 / first assignment at Mokena
    • General Editor for the Second Synod of the Diocese of Joliet: 1989
    • Bi-Ritual Faculties for the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma: 1992-present
  • Pastor, Christ the King Church, Lombard: 1994-2002
  • Pastor, Saint Mary Church, Mokena: 2002-2014 / second assignment at Mokena
    • School Expansion and Renovation: 2002-2006
    • New Rectory Building Project: 2012-2014
  • Pastor, Saint Daniel the Prophet Church, Wheaton: 2014-2022
  • Pastor, Saint Dennis Church, Lockport: 2022-2024 / second assignment at Lockport
  • In retirement, Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Counseling through CatholicChristian.org

Personal Website: www.CatholicChristian.org for the New Evangelization  ||  Contact Information: CatholicChristianOne@gmail.com