Deacon Carl Gregorich grew up in downstate Belleville, Illinois, the oldest of six children - four brothers and one sister. He has had an affiliation with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) for all of his life, beginning with reception of the Sacrament of Baptism. Carl has a great love for our Blessed Mother that can be traced back to his childhood, attending the annual nine-evening novenas at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, that culminates with the August 5 celebration of the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

Carl receved is BA in Business from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, the oldest chartered college in the State of Illinois. After completing his degree, Carl began working in a marketing/sales capacity with the Frisco Railway in St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, prior to moving to the Chicago area in 1983. Thirty-five plus years later, he is still with the railway, although it is now known as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF).

Carl was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Joliet on August 27, 2011, by Bishop R. Daniel Conlon. He will continue to be active in many ministries at St. Joan of Arc including: Spirit and Truth (Young Adult Ministry); St. Vincent de Paul; Work and Pray Days at Hopkins Park (outreach ministry for the poor); Brothers in Christ (men's weekly prayer group); and various other ministries - including a long-standing relationship with the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer leader at the unit, district, and executive board level.

Carl follows his brother deacons in assisting at Sunday Mass, proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed, administering the Sacrament of Baptism, taking the Holy Eucharist to shut-ins and those in care facilities, and assisting in other ministries as needed.