Joseph M. Siegel

Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel, 54, was born in Joliet Ill., on July 18, 1963, and was raised on a farm in Lockport Township. He is the youngest of nine children of Francis and Marie (Wallace) Siegel. He received his sacraments and attended grammar school at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.

After graduating from St. Charles Borromeo High School Seminary, he studied at Joliet Junior College and then completed his college education at St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad. He was then sent to the North American College in Rome for his theological studies, attending the Gregorian and the Angelicum Universities.

He was ordained a priest for the Joliet Diocese on June 4, 1988, and was assigned to St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale. While serving at St. Isidore, he completed his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. Other parochial assignments in the Joliet Diocese include St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield, St. Mary Nativity in Joliet and the Cathedral of St. Raymond, where he also served as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies. In 2004, he was named pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst.

Bishop Siegel was a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council for nine years, including three years as chairman, and was appointed to the Diocesan Board of Consultors. He also served as Director of Continuing Formation for Priests, a member of the Diocesan Vocation Board, the Priest Personnel Board and Dean of Eastern Will County.