Learning More About (Fr.) Marty

This year, Sacred Heart-Griffin has its very own chaplain, Fr. Marty Smith. Smith is here for the students and has done a lot to get where he is now.

Known simply as Fr. Marty to the students, he was ordained a priest in May 2015. Before becoming a priest, Fr. Marty had many experiences.

Marty Smith in uniform when he served as an Army paratrooper. Photo courtesy of Fr. Marty.

After graduating in 2001, he became an Army paratrooper for four years. He spent one year in Iraq and the other three in North Carolina. After the Army, he studied history and economics at Illinois State University while working as a part-time police officer for two years. Then, Fr. Marty worked at a wildlife hospital for two years. In such a short period of time, he had done so much already, but his journey was not over yet.

Six years ago, in 2009, Fr. Marty entered the seminary to become a priest. When he was a kid, he played Mass with his six siblings. He really thought about becoming a priest in eighth grade after watching a funeral for the Cardinal of Chicago, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.  “I remember watching it and thinking, ‘What was it about this man this person’s life that was so powerful that all these people were gathered there?’” Fr. Marty said. “It was just a striking moment.”

After high school and his time in Iraq, Fr. Marty started thinking about becoming a priest again. God’s plan brought Fr. Marty to the seminary, and to SHG.

Fr. Marty holding an owl when he worked at a wildlife hospital. Photo courtesy of Fr. Marty.

After being ordained a priest, Fr. Marty was assigned to be SHG’s and Catholic Athletes For Christ’s chaplain by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, as well as being the assistant priest at Cathedral. In grade schools, chaplains can come into the classrooms and sometimes teach classes. As SHG’s chaplain, Fr. Marty’s job is different. He is here to talk with students if they need to see him or if they need reconciliation. He is here to be a supportive leader of the school.

If students want to get a hold of Fr. Marty, because he also helps at the Cathedral, it is easiest if they can just email him.

So far, Fr. Marty has enjoyed getting to know the students of SHG. He enjoys performing Mass for the students and hopes to meet new faces each day. “Getting to experience Kairos with the girls was really fun,” said Fr. Marty. He especially enjoyed “just really sitting and getting to know them.”

He is looking forward to getting to know more about the students and learning about them. He hopes to have the opportunity to grow with SHG and become more involved with the school.