Deacon John Gomez, ordained May 2018, focuses his ministry on God’s unmerited love, compassion, and mercy expressed in Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and through social justice. CST has been the foundation of his spiritual growth for the last 15 years and provides him a concrete approach for living his faith. He has been a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Global Fellow since Spring 2020. In this role, he regularly preaches across the Diocese of Belleville and meets with Congressional delegates to advocate for international aid. He leads our Catholic in Recovery ministry helping individuals afflicted with unnatural attachments to deepen their relationship with Christ while working through a 12-step recovery process. An Air Force pilot who retired after 27 years in service, he and his wife Mary have three grown sons. He practices devotions to the Holy Spirit and St. Joseph.