Fr. Matthew Ruyechan

Fr. Mate, as he is known by the majority of his Franciscan brothers, was born on April 4, 1954 in Braddock, Pa. He finished his grammar school education in Rankin, Pa. and high school in Herman, Pa. Fr. Mate attended Duquesne University and entered the Franciscan Order in 1976 at Oak Brook, Il. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. He was ordained on May 21, 1980 in Rankin, Pa. After his ordination he was associate pastor at St. Augustine's Parish in West Allis (1980-1982) and Sacred Heart Parish in Chicago (1982-1985). He was named pastor of St. Jerome's Parish in Chicago in 1985. Ten years later he was appointed pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Sharon where he served until 2003. He served on Custodial Board four terms (1982-1985, 1991-2000).