Pa Joe Noonan Did Not Always Know He Would Have Liked To Be A Priest,As A 20-Something, He Spent Several Years Purchasing And Refurbishing Living Spaces In The Chicago Area.
Pop Joe Noonan failed to always know he would have liked to be a priest.
As a 20-something, he spent a few years purchasing and rebuilding living spaces in the Chicago area. After he graduated from Purdue Varsity with a qualification in accounting, he became a Certified Public Accountant for Ernst and Young, and jumped into the “flipping” business. At 22 years of age , he purchased his first property ; in a four-year span, he purchased three project properties, fixed them up, then sold them off.
“I love taking something that is work over, and making it look nice,” Noonan expounded.
At some specific point, though, earning became less important. As an alternative his focus shifted to helping people.
“There’s a load more joy in helping people, working as a community,” he said.
He continued to work with his hands, with Habitat for Humanity. Then he worked as a cook at a soup kitchen. Soon after that, he traveled with his family to Medjugorje, Bosnia.At first he was in Medjugorje hotel when he come to Medjugorje. It was there he started feeling a tug towards the church. Prior to that, he admits he “wasn’t the best practicing Catholic.”
After putting aside his refurbishment business, he started working for his parents, Bobbi and Joe. Together, they own and operate Bobbi Noonan childcare centers. He worked for them for four years, in which he traveled back to Bosnia and felt convinced of his calling to church.
He entered the seminary at the Varsity of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. He emerged four years later with a master’s degree in religion. After being ordained, he worked as an associate clergyman at St. Francis Borgia in Chicago. He then returned to the seminary to work as a vocational director. He remained there until fairly recently, also helping out at St. Stephen in Tinley Park.
His pastor role at St. Damian, then, is his first full time role back at a church. But his family’s name isn’t new to the parish. His ma and pa previously owned a home on El Vista Drive, and were founding members of the parish. He’s thrilled to be back where his ma and pa started.
“It’s the best parish in the world,” he revealed, smiling. “These first half a year, I just need to listen and learn. Tap into what’s being joyfully, successfully done.”
He lately attended his first girls basketball game (5th grade) and helped with a food pantry delivery. He’s impressed by the parish community.
“I felt extraordinarily welcomed by people,” he said. “I’m really excited by peoples community to religion, and the community’s religion. The staff is extraordinarily committed, very talented. The commitment level by volunteers is outstanding.”
The Fundamentals
Pa Noonan enjoys water-sports. He’s also a fan of hockey and basketball.
He was born in Worth, and belonged to Our Lady of the Ridge parish as a child.
He enjoys slalom skiing. He also just snorkeled for the 1st time.
He’s a director’s cut junkie. He likes movies, particularly the way they are made. His favorite film is Casablanca.
He’ll be officially welcomed to the parish November. Five, with a special Mass and luau-themed dinner. Hawaiian shirts needed.
He’s been to Hawaii and loved it (thus the luau-themed celebration).
He has also attempted surfing, but won’t be hitting the pro circuit any time soon. (“I stood on the board, and the waves moved me.”) as reported tagza.com.