I was born and raised in Illiopolis, IL and after high school attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I majored in Biology. After I graduated, I worked for two years as a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary in Lincoln, Nebraska and then spent six years studying at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago. Through the Goodness and Grace of God, I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for our Diocese of Springfield in Illinois on May 26, 2018. Along with serving as the regional vocation director for the Alton Deanery, I have served as pastor here at MPH since July of 2020 and chaplain at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since July of 2018.

My loyalties are with the Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals (but I also love the Cubs…ask me about it sometime!). I love to read, watch sports and movies.  I especially love to hunt and fish and spend time with friends and family. I love being a priest and helping each other become Saints by following Jesus and His Church.

Please pray for me and know you are in my prayer. God bless you!

-Fr. Rob Johnson