Meet Fr. Bob Barko, OFM

Please join us in welcoming Fr. Bob Barko, OFM, as the new Sacramental Minister at Our Lady of the Angels (OLA).

Fr. Bob will serve as the new Chaplain at St. Francis High School beginning in January 2024 and assist here at OLA.

Fr. Bob grew up in a large family in what he describes as a “very healthy, safe and lively neighborhood on the south side of Chicago.” Fr. Bob entered the Franciscan Order later in life. He has two adult children who are the “lights” of his life. Bob is also the proud grandfather of two, with one on the way! 

His Solemn Profession in the Order of Friars Minor was at St. John the Baptist in Joliet, and he was ordained to the Presbyterate at St. Peter’s In-the-Loop in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He received a Masters in Divinity from the Chicago Catholic Theological Union in 2017.

Before entering religious life, his career path included working as a chemist in the food industry and office administration for professional firms. From 2015 to 2020, he served as the Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy, IL. Most recently, he has served as the Secretary of the Province of the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis. On October 17, 2023, the Sacred Heart province merged with other Franciscan provinces in the U.S., and his position as Secretary ended, creating this opportunity with the Wheaton Franciscans and St. Francis High School.

When he is not working, Fr. Bob enjoys music, gardening, textile crafting, and working with local theater groups.

Fr. Tony Taschetta will also continue to say Mass at Our Lady of the Angels.

Please join us in welcoming Fr. Bob to our vibrant Our Lady of the Angels faith community!