The Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Father John Jasica to the position of Board Chaplain.  Father John has been appointed by Bishop Ronald Fabbro to a five-year term as Chaplain, effective September 1, 2023.  Father John replaces Father Chris Gillespie, who stepped down last June, when he was named by the Bishop as Pastor of the Windsor-Lake St. Clair Catholic Family of Parishes. 

“I am pleased that Father John has accepted the invitation to serve as our next Board Chaplain,” says John Van Heck, Chair of the Board.  “We are delighted that he will be joining the Board in this new role and look forward to his wisdom and spiritual guidance at our Board table.”

The Board of Trustees confirmed Father John’s appointment at its Regular Board meeting this evening.

Born and raised in London, Ontario, Father John attended Catholic Central High School and later King’s College, before entering St. Peter’s Seminary in 1996 to study for the priesthood.  He was ordained in 2001.  He has served as Associate Pastor of the former St. Pius X (now known as Holy Family) and St. Joseph parishes, London; Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart, Port Lambton and Holy Family and Our Lady Help of Christians, Wallaceburg; and Pastor of St. Peter’s, Goderich, St. Joseph, Kingsbridge and St. Mary’s, Lucknow.  In 2010 he accepted the position of full-time Director of Vocations for the Diocese of London.  In 2012, he returned to the role of parish priest and became pastor of St. George Parish, London.  He has been pastor of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes since 2021.

Father has also coached basketball and is a certified basketball referee, officiating at games in Chatham, Sarnia and London.

“I am very honoured and look forward to serving as the St. Clair Catholic District School Board Chaplain,” says Father John.  “Catholic education is a precious gift and, united with our parishes, the way to form disciples who love and follow Christ.”