Name: Mark Grobner
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Stage of formation: Prenovice

Mark Grobner, 42, of Chicago, Ill., is the son of Frank and Joan Grobner. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Union. Prior to joining Glenmary, he worked for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare System as the chaplain. He rediscovered Glenmary while on discernment retreat with the son of Craig Digmann, a second-year novice with Glenmary. Mark is pursuing missionary priesthood.

More about Mark Grobner

Mark Grobner, a member of Glenmary’s 2007 prenovitiate class, worked as a chaplain with the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare System in Oelwein, Iowa, before moving to the House of Studies in Hartford, Ky. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Xavier University in Chicago and a master’s of divinity from Catholic Theological Union (CTU).

Mark, 42, says he has thought of entering the priesthood at various times in his life and has also given serious thought to married life, as well. As he was working on his master’s at CTU, Mark looked at several religious orders, including Glenmary, “But I decided to remain a layman and work toward becoming a hospital chaplain.”

After pursuing his CPE (clinical pastoral education), Mark decided to further explore the possibility of religious life, including investigation of Glenmary. “I respect Glenmary because of their mission statement and because of their commitment to social justice,” Mark says.

The first time Mark visited Glenmary’s headquarters in Cincinnati, he had the opportunity to meet many priests and brothers who had gathered for a funeral. The fact that they were engaged in a number of different activities made an impression on him. He was also drawn to Glenmary’s ecumenical outreach, and says, “I want to reach out to all people and I like Glenmary openness and flexibility of different ministries.”

Although Mark is a native of Chicago, he has lived in small towns and looks forward to serving small communities in the U.S.

Mark is currently taking classes at Brescia University in Owensboro, including the additional philosophy courses that he needs for admission to the seminary. Anticipating that he will be in service to the Hispanic community, Mark is also enrolled in Spanish 101.

During a long period of rehabilitation after an industrial accident, Mark realized the importance of music in the healing process and incorporated the hammer dulcimer into his ministry “It’s a big part of my life, now,” Mark says. His instrument sits in the corner of the chapel at the Glenmary House of Studies and Mark plays it often for prayer and worship with the prenovitiate community and he carries it with him to the nursing home at nearby Beaver Dam when he visits patients.

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