Rev. John Abulag: Parochial Vicar
Praise be to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Now and forever! Amen!
I am Father John Ronaldo Gabutan Abulag, known to my family and friends as John-John. I am the only one in my immediate family currently living in the United States. My brothers and sisters are all in the Philippines. However, I do have cousins in Texas, Missouri, and Seattle, Washington, as well as a few aunts on my mother’s side who reside in California. Some of you may already know me, as I have previously visited Saint Raphael’s for confessions and Holy Mass for the Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped (REACH Program) with Jeanne McDonald.
I completed my Theology studies in the Philippines at the University of Santo Tomas/Recoletos School of Theology. My vocation journey has been both humbling and deeply formative. My mother passed away on the first day of my final exams in Theology. I was ordained to the priesthood here in the Diocese of Joliet by Bishop Ronald Hicks on May 22, 2021, on the feast day of Saint Rita of Cascia, who happens to be the patron saint of our city in the Philippines. That same day, my father also passed away. Despite these profound losses, I never questioned God. By His grace, I celebrated my fourth year as a priest this past May.
My first assignment was at the Cathedral of Saint Raymond in Joliet, followed by Saint Joseph Parish in Downers Grove. I then served at Saint John the Baptist in Winfield, where I worked alongside our pastor, Fr. Chris, and our furry friend, Cal. I was overjoyed when I learned that I would be joining them here at Saint Raphael. Saint Raphael is my fourth assignment as a Parochial Vicar. Here, you may not see me on Wednesdays and Thursdays as I will be serving at the Blanchette Catholic Center in Joliet, where I have a small office for my work in the Deaf Ministry. This means that 50% of my time is dedicated to being your Parochial Vicar here at Saint Raphael, and the other 50% is spent as Chaplain for the Deaf Ministry. In this ministry, the Deaf Community fondly calls me Fr. John Maria, which is also my religious name.
On the second Saturday of each month, I serve at the Cathedral of Saint Raymond for the Deaf Faith Formation Program, which includes Deaf Confession and Holy Mass. On the third Sunday of each month, I serve at Saint Margaret Mary in Naperville for the same program. Many people have asked me how I came to work with the Deaf Community. Some wonder if I have a family member who is Deaf. The answer is no. I became involved in this ministry through my religious community, the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate. I also serve as the Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary Joliet Curia.
In my spare time, when the weather is nice and my schedule allows, I enjoy walking around the neighborhood near the rectory with my buddy, Cal.