Meet the Vocations Director
Father Steven Borello
A: I was born and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and my home parish was St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: I am the oldest of four children. My parents are both dentists in Glen Ellyn who sought to give back to the community and the Church. My three sisters are each married to great men and I am blessed to be the uncle to 10 nephews and nieces. Our childhood was spent giving back to the community whether at church, the public school, the YMCA or through Rotary. On the weekends, we’d spend our time at my grandparents for family dinners which continue today.
Q: Was your family devout?
A: I wouldn’t say that my family was particularly devout, but we were consistent. We prayed grace before dinner every night, went to Sunday Mass, said our prayers before bed, and faithfully attended religious education. When I got to college, I fell in love with the Eucharist and began to attend daily Mass.
Q: Tell us about your call to the priesthood.
A: My journey to the priesthood began when I was younger, though I didn’t know it at the time. When I made my First Communion, I had a powerful experience of God’s presence and knew there was something special about the Eucharist. Then in fourth grade, I began to pray more regularly and experienced a lot of peace when I placed myself in God’s presence. It was truly a gift to taste a little bit of God’s love for me at a young age. However, we moved and as I grew older and went to high school, I doubted what I experienced. It wasn’t until my junior year of college—while on retreat—that I had a powerful experience of God which opened my heart to the Sacrament of Confession in a new way. I experienced the power of love, healing, and forgiveness, and I knew in my heart that I wanted to help share that with others. From there I sought a spiritual director and began walking more and more closely with Jesus until he invited me to go to seminary and begin my studies for the priesthood.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I really like to read books, play board games, and—when I have the time—play golf. I also really enjoy cooking and hosting priests at my rectory when time permits.
Q: What did you do before becoming the Director of Vocations?
A: I was an associate priest first at Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills and then at Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville. I then spent three years serving on staff at St. John Vianney College Seminary, on the campus of the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minnesota. While there, I served as a spiritual director, a formator, and I taught a class to the seminarians.
Q: Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
A: I have two degrees, in chemistry and chemical engineering, from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I really enjoyed organic chemistry.
I also like to sit outside during the summer and enjoy the birds singing and simply be present to God’s creation.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about the priesthood?
A: Take the chance to explore what God has placed on your heart. You’ll grow in your freedom and joy—and I can assure you that it’s the greatest adventure you’ll ever know to follow Jesus with your whole heart, mind, and soul.
