+ Fr. Jerome (John) Kucan
Fr. Jerome was born in Steelton, Pa. on July 5, 1924 where he completed grade school. He graduated from high school and junior college at St. Joseph's Seminary in Westmont, Il. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1944. After completing his philosophy studies in Cleveland, Ohio and his theological studies in Teutopolis, Il. he was ordained a priest on June 24, 1951. His first taste of pastoral work was as assistant pastor at St. Anthony's in Sharon, Pa (1952-1954). He served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph's in Bethlehem (1954-1961). He was pastor St. Mary's in Steelton for eleven years (1961-1972). He was then appointed as superior and Director of Spiritual Activities at Our Lady of Peace Friary in Beaver Falls. In 1973 he became the pastor in Sharon where he stayed for 4 years. He spent one year as assistant pastor in Milwaukee at Sacred Heart and in 1978 returned to the friary in Beaver Falls. He returned to St. Mary's in Steelton in 1979 as pastor and held that position until 1982 when he was appointed as pastor at St. Jerome's in Chicago. In 1985 he again was appointed assistant pastor at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee and one year later was appointed guardian at St. Anthony's Friary in Chicago. Then he was pastor at St. Augustine's in West Allis (1988-1994) and at Sacred Heart in Chicago (1994-1995). Since then until 2004, he was guardian of St. Anthony's Friary in Chicago.  Fr. Jerome had been on Custodial Board twice (1961-1964; 1994-1997). Fr. Jerome Kucan died Dec. 31, 2010. The Funeral Mass was held Jan. 6th, 2011 at St. Jerome’s Church, and he was buried with his Franciscan brothers in Holy Sepulcher cemetery.