Dear Parish Family,

It is with a heart full of gratitude and mixed emotions that I write this letter to you today. Since December 2024, it has been my deepest privilege and joy to serve as your pastor. Together, we have shared moments of profound faith, celebrated sacred milestones, and built a vibrant and diverse community grounded in the love of Christ.

As many of you know, I was recently appointed as Vicar for Priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago. This role requires an immense amount of time, care, and presence as I support and walk alongside the 600+ priests across our entire diocese. Over the past few months, it has become increasingly clear that the demands of serving as Vicar for Priests are so extensive that it is simply no longer feasible for me to fulfill both jobs with the standard of care and dedication that you deserve.

To ensure our parish continues to thrive and receive the full-time attention it needs, I am pleased to introduce Father Francisco Pagán, who will assume leadership as your Parish Administrator beginning December 1. Father Francisco brings a deep devotion to ministry and a warm heart for community. I know you will extend to him the same immense warmth, kindness, and support that you have shown me during my time here.

Please know that you will remain in my daily prayers as Fr. Francisco begins leadership at our parish. I ask for your continued prayers as well, for me, for Father Francisco, and for the continued flourishing of our beloved parish family.

Continue below for more information about Fr. Francisco.

May God bless you all abundantly,

Fr. Sergio Rivas-Tamayo

Querida familia parroquial:

Es con el corazón lleno de gratitud y con sentimientos encontrados que les escribo hoy esta carta. Desde diciembre de 2024, ha sido para mí un gran privilegio y una gran alegría servir como vuestro párroco. Juntos hemos compartido momentos de profunda fe, hemos celebrado hitos sagrados y hemos construido una comunidad vibrante y diversa, basada en el amor de Cristo.

Como muchos de ustedes saben, recientemente he sido nombrado vicario de los sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago. Esta función requiere una enorme cantidad de tiempo, atención y presencia, ya que debo apoyar y acompañar a los más de 600 sacerdotes de toda nuestra diócesis. En los últimos meses, se ha hecho cada vez más evidente que las exigencias del cargo de vicario para los sacerdotes son tan amplias que ya no me resulta viable desempeñar ambas funciones con el nivel de atención y dedicación que os merecen

Para garantizar que nuestra parroquia siga prosperando y reciba la atención a tiempo completo que necesita, me complace presentarles al padre Francisco Pagán, quien asumirá el liderazgo como administrador parroquial a partir del 1 de diciembre. El padre Francisco aporta una profunda devoción al ministerio y un gran cariño por la comunidad. Sé que le brindaran la misma inmensa calidez, amabilidad y apoyo que me mostraron durante mi estancia aquí.

Tengan por seguro que seguiran presentes en mis oraciones diarias ahora que el padre Francisco asume el liderazgo de nuestra parroquia. Les pido también que siguan rezando por mí, por el padre Francisco y por el continuo florecimiento de nuestra querida familia parroquial.

Sigue leyendo a continuación para obtener más información sobre el P. Francisco.

Que Dios los bendiga a todos abundantemente,

P. Sergio Rivas-Tamayo

Welcome Father Francisco Javier Pagán Portalatín!

¡Bienvenido, Padre Francisco Javier Pagán Portalatín!

Fr. Francisco Pagán has been appointed by Cardinal Blase Cupich as administrator of Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, effective December 1, 2026. Because this is Fr. Francisco’s first leadership assignment, he will serve as administrator for an initial period before being named pastor.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Father Francisco came to Chicago more than 12 years ago to continue his studies and answer the call to the priesthood. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Information Security Management (Universidad Ana G. Méndez, PR), as well as two Masters from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, one in Philosophy and other in Sacred Theology.

During his formation, he served at Rosa Mística (Cicero), Mary Seat of Wisdom (Park Ridge), Saint Leonard (Berwyn), and Our Lady of the Woods (Orland Park), where he spent four years with a largely English-speaking community. He was ordained a priest on May 20, 2023, and has since served as associate pastor  at St. José Sánchez del Río in West Humboldt Park.

In his own words: "I am here to serve you, to listen to you, and to walk together so we may draw closer to Christ."

Please join us in giving Father Francisco a warm welcome to our parish family!

Parish-wide opportunities to say goodbye to Fr. Sergio and to welcome Fr. Francisco will be announced in the coming weeks.

Keep Informed | Mantente Informado

Stay informed of all the happenings at Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes by subscribing to our weekly e-newsletter.

Mantente al día de todo lo que ocurre en Saint Mary of the Lake y Our Lady of Lourdes suscribiéndote a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal.