ABOUT US: Bishop Bob
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Bishop Bob Lombardo came to Chicago in 2005, at the special request of Cardinal George, to set up a mission outreach to the poor on Chicago’s west side. Since then, he has guided the miraculous creation of the Mission ofOur Lady of the Angels & the $15+ million worth of renovation work that has been done on its buildings. He now also serves as the Vicar (Bishop) for Vicariate III, a region in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Over the years, Bishop Bob has put his talents to good use for building up the mission of the Church, not only as a priest and, now, bishop, but also as a construction manager, fund raiser, counselor, accountant, and friend to all: the poor, volunteers, and countless others. Bishop Bob graduated from Notre Dame in 1979 with an accounting degree and worked for Price Waterhouse. Soon, however, the call to become a Franciscan and a priest could not be denied.
As a young religious, he did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras with orphaned street kids, organized youth programs on Manhattan's lower east side, and directed the Padre Pio Shelter for the Homeless in the Bronx. He is a founding member of his community, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He received a Masters of Divinity from Maryknoll School of Theology and a M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Iona College. In 1991, he was named the Notre Dame Club of New York's Man of the Year.
Before coming to Chicago, Bishop Bob held the following positions: Director, Saint Anthony Residence; Director of the Lay Associate Program of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Local Servant (Guardian) of Saint Crispin’s Friary, Director of Saint Anthony’s Free Medical/Dental Clinic, an
d Vicar General of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
In Chicago, Bishop Bob has functioned as the founder/ director of Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, founder/ superior of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, and has played many important roles in the Archdiocese, such as serving as the dean of the parishes that surround the Mission and serving on many advisory boards.
In September 2020, Pope Francis appointed then Fr. Bob to the episcopacy. He was ordained a bishop on 11/13/2020 as highlighted HERE. He is currently in charge of Vicariate III, the grouping of parishes and Catholic institutions surrounding the Mission. He continues to be the director of the Mission and the superior of the Franciscans of the Eucharist even after his appointment to the episcopacy.
Bishop Bob is extraordinarily grateful for the generosity of so many who have helped him and the Mission get to this point & asks for your prayers for the Mission and for the Archdiocese of Chicago.