We are very excited to welcome our new pastor, Father Carlos Florez. Father Carlos comes to us from St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Kenosha. He is equally excited to get to know all of us at St. Benedict. Don’t hesitate to say hello and welcome him!

Dear Beloved Community of St. Benedict,

As your new Pastor, Father Carlos Florez, I wanted to take this opportunity to
share a little about myself, so that we may begin to know one another.
I am Carlos Florez, a citizen of both the United States and Colombia. I was born
in Colombia, where I first worked as a school teacher and later as a police
officer. My path then led me to the seminary, where I completed my studies in
philosophy and part of my theology in Colombia. Later, I moved to Milwaukee
and continued my seminary formation, earning a Master’s degree in Theology. I
was ordained a priest on May 24, 2003, at Saint Francis Seminary in Milwaukee
by Archbishop Dolan, making me a priest of 22 years. Subsequently, I pursued
further academic growth and obtained a Doctorate in Pastoral Ministries from
Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.

Regarding my service within the Archdiocese, I have had the privilege of serving
as an associate pastor at St. Mark Parish in Kenosha and Saint Katherine Drexel
Parish in Beaver Dam. I then served as pastor of Prince of Peace Parish,
Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, and St. Hyacinth Parish in Milwaukee, before
returning to Kenosha as pastor of St. Mark.

On a more personal note, my mother and father are now in God’s loving
embrace. I have a sister and a brother who reside in Colombia, as do the rest of
my extended family.

In my free time, I cherish being with people and also enjoy quieter pursuits such
as reading, listening to music, and writing poems. I find joy in cycling, walking,
and immersing myself in the beauty of nature. I am also keenly interested in
exploring how technology can serve the Church in its mission, and I deeply value
being part of a vibrant community. Celebrating the sacraments and walking
alongside you in both joyful and challenging times are profound aspects of my
priesthood. I am passionate about justice and dedicated to serving others.
Recognizing the importance of balance, I am mindful of taking my day off and
resting when needed. Above all, I strive to be a man of prayer, working daily to
allow God to grow within me.

I offer this glimpse into my life as a starting point. We will have many more
opportunities to get to know each other in the days and weeks ahead. As I
prepare to serve you to the best of my ability here at St. Benedict, I would be
grateful for your insights. I invite you to reflect on this question: What areas do
you think I, as your new pastor, need to pay particular attention to as I begin
my ministry at St. Benedict?

Please feel free to share your thoughts, whether you wish to include your name or
remain anonymous. Your honest feedback is invaluable to me, as my deepest
desire is to serve you well. You can write to me at:
Fr. Carlos Florez 137 Dewey Ave, Fontana, WI 53125

I look forward to hearing from you and embarking on this new chapter together.

In Christ,
Father Carlos Florez Your New Pastor