St Raymond Legacy – Deacon John Lorbach

For over 25 years, Deacon John was a parishioner, lay leader, staff member, and Deacon actively serving his community that extended well beyond the boundaries of St. Raymond Parish. Ordained to the Diaconate in 1996, John and his wife, Ingrid, have been members of the parish since 1976.

Deacon John gave his life to promoting ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, bringing unity among religions throughout Chicago. This was evident in the many local interfaith councils he served on during his tenure. He was our parish representative to St. Mark Lutheran Church, our covenant parish, and to the Archdiocese’s Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs. Deacon John was instrumental in developing the Union School for Interfaith Families. In conjunction with Jewish Rabbis, the ministry engages families of Jewish-Catholic backgrounds to learn about the history and beliefs of both faiths and to prepare children to celebrate the sacraments together. His passion and compassionate nature consistently earned him invitations to speak annually at various parishes and events. Everyone wanted to hear what Deacon John had to say.

As former Director of Worship, Deacon John shared his love for the liturgies by including liturgical ministers to help spread the word of God and offer the Eucharist, enriching our communal celebration of Mass. His ministry to the sacraments of baptism and marriage brought life and love into the homes and hearts of thousands over the years. Deacon John’s compassion never stopped; he helped countless families in their time of bereavement.

Deacon John always looked outward, trying to tap into the gifts and talents of those around him. He recognized the importance of each person playing their part in sharing our love of Jesus with others. He continually sought to create opportunities for parishioners’ development, as he knew the church’s succession lies in the hands of our lay leaders, who will continue to form, transform, and renew our ministries and Church for years to come.

As a staff and parish, we are grateful for the dedication, commitment, and unending love that he showed every individual he encountered. Let us offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the countless lives Deacon John has touched. And a prayer of peace to his family that he adored. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Raymond Backpack Ministry are appreciated. This ministry was created by Deacon John with a group of parishioners and is one part of his lasting legacy.