St. Bede Pastor Leaving; Named Rector of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines

Archbishop Blase J. Cupich has announced the appointment of the Rev. Esequiel Sanchez,

The Rev. Esequiel Sanchez

pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Parish, as rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. The appointment is effective immediately.

The Rev. Robert W. "Bobby" Krueger, associate pastor of St. Bede, was named administrator, effective immediately.

“Father Sanchez comes to this important assignment with 20 years ofpriestly experience and great dedication,” Archbishop Cupich said. “The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe enjoys a special significance, not only for the Mexican people, but for all of us in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is a holy place with a vibrant future, and I know that Father
Sanchez will continue to enhance and grow its mission of worship and inspiration.” 

The Rev. Sanchez’s first assignment as a priest was as associate pastor at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Chicago (1995-98). In 1998, he was named director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics and served in that capacity until 2004. As director, he organized the first Noche de Gala in 1999, which serves to acknowledge leadership for their dedication to
Hispanic Ministry in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Rev. Sanchez was appointed administrator of St. Mark Parish in Chicago in 2000, and the following year was named pastor of Holy Trinity Croatian Parish. After four years, he became pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish, serving there until 2011.

His most recent appointment was as pastor of St. Bede the Venerable, 83rd and Kostner. In addition, he served on Cardinal George’s Administrative Council, the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and from 2006 to 2010 he served as a member and
vice-chair of the Archdiocesan Priest Placement Board.

The Rev. Sanchez was born in Chicago to Mexican immigrant parents from Durango. He attended Eli Whitney School, Curie High School and Niles College of Loyola University Chicago before going on to the University of St. Mary of Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1995 and celebrated his first Mass at St. Agnes of Bohemia, his home parish.

The Rev. Robert W. "Bobby" Krueger (center)

Archbishop Cupich thanked the Rev. Adan Sandoval for assuming administrative duties at the shrine during the search for a permanent rector. “He will continue to assist me in a special way through his work as the director of the Consejo Hispano, while remaining as pastor of Our Lady of the Mount Parish in Cicero,” the Archbishop noted. 

The Rev. Krueger was born in Hoffman Estates. He was ordained in 2012, “Father Krueger has won the admiration of many in the short time he has served at St. Bede’s, and I thank him for his generosity in stepping forward now to take on these temporary duties as administrator,” Archbishop Cupich said. 

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