Vocations From Our Parish - Priests
The Stringtown Parish community had its first native sons ordained as priests on June 4, 2005. These two young men are Fr. Robert Zwilling and Fr. Matthew Elie.
Fr. Robert, son of Herman and Ethel Zwilling, graduated from Olney Central College in 1998 and St. Joseph College Seminary of Loyola University in 2001, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He received a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity in 2005 from the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. His first assignment was as a Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Parish, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Father Robert's Assignments:
2005 St. Mary The Immaculate Conception Parish - Mt. Vernon
2006-2010 St. Michael the Archangel Parish-Radom
2006-2010 St. Barbara Parish - Scheller
2010-2014 St. Theresa of Avila Parish - Salem
2010-2014 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish - Kinmundy
2014-Present St. Mary Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Mt. Carmel
2014-Present St. Sebastian - St. Sebastian
Fr. Matthew, son of Pat Elie and Karen Elie, attended Loyola University of Chicago, There he received his Bachelor of Science Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in clinical psychology. From 2000 to 2004, he attended graduate school at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. There he received his Master of Divinity Degree.
His first assignment was as an Associate Pastor at St. Peter Cathedral, Belleville, Illinois.
Father Matthew's Assignments:
2005-2007 Associate Pastor Cathedral of St. Peter - Belleville
2007-2023 Pastor Blessed Sacrament Parish - Belleville
2015-2023 Pastor Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish - Belleville
2023-Present Administrator St. Damian Parish - Damiansville
2023-Present Administrator St. Bernard Parish - Albers