Fr. Chris Stanish

Fr. Chris was born in South Chicago (Go White Sox!), but was raised in Hammond. He is the fifth of nine children. As his family continued to grow they moved to Portage where his parents and younger siblings still reside. 

Fr. Chris graduated from Andrean High School and started studying Math Education at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio. After a year, he transferred to Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He spent three years there studying Philosophy and Spanish. After graduation, Bishop Melczek sent him to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. He spent four years there studying Theology. By the time he finished, he completed three different Master’s Degrees, one of which has a concentration in spirituality. 

When he finished all of his studies, he came back to the Diocese of Gary and was ordained a priest on June 7, 2014. For his first two years of priesthood he was assigned to Queen of All Saints Parish in Michigan City. He taught two classes while he was there – one on Scripture and one on Prayer. He was named the temporary administrator there while the pastor took a three month research sabbatical

As for some of his hobbies, he loves to be outdoors. He likes to cycle, run, swim, kayak, etc… He used to be really big into racquetball when He was in the seminary. He is an avid reader, coffee drinker, and health food fanatic… He works hard, he prays hard, and he loves every minute of it.