SAINTS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL

KEVIN NEIS '81 NAMED

NCEA DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE

 

Kevin Neis is a hunter. As such it was not unusual to see him with a compass on his wristwatch.  What was surprising, however, was that it didn't work as intended.  "I use it as a moral compass," the 2017 NCEA Distinguished Graduate recipient revealed. "I know I'm a sinner and glancing at the compass always reminds me how God wants and expects me to live my life."

 

From the time he transferred to Saints Peter and Paul School in fifth grade, Kevin's life was its own version of Groundhog Day.  Every time his mother brought him to Parent/Teacher conferences over the next four years, Kevin could anticipate, almost word for word, what the teachers would say. "It was as if they used the same talking points," he said.  Their comments were nearly identical as they would tell my mom "he doesn't work up to his ability; or he lacks focus; or he is easily distracted; or he could do much better if he would apply himself."

 

It's not that Kevin lacked ability but rather lacked consistent effort. "Simply said," he added, "I was not a good student especially with those subjects that I didn't see would benefit me in my adult life."

Kevin matriculated to Naperville North where he fared much better academically but a well being job with Sportmart during those years convinced him that he did not need to attend college.  Eventually he would enroll at Joliet Jr. College, College of DuPage, the University of Wisconsin, and take online courses at Hillsdale.  His focus was business and he now works as a paralegal and compliance specialist for Quad Graphics, a company headquartered in Wisconsin.

He readily acknowledges that none of his teachers, especially his Jr. High Religion instructors (Maureen McDonagh (gr. 6), Mary O'Keefe (gr. 7), or Lori McCarthy (gr. 8) would have projected Kevin one day becoming a deacon in the church, an achievement he accomplished when he was ordained on August 17, 2013.  "Kevin had good values and was a caring person," offered Maureen McDonagh. "However, he was not as committed to learning some of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith." 

Kevin credits his wife, Jean, whom he married six months after their first date, and his mother for deepening his faith life.  Jean and he are the parents of three SSPP graduates......Emily '10, Elizabeth '12, and Patrick '15.  "I grew up going to church each week because that was the rule in my home, but I admit to not getting much out of it.  But it was Jean who opened my eyes to the beauty and significance of the sacrifice of the Mass," noted the class of 1981 alum.  "As for my mom , she taught me about service as she helped start the Mother Teresa Soup Kitchen in Chicago and often took me with her on Saturday's where I saw first-hand the impact that ministry had on the neglected, downtrodden, and oft-forgotten."

Although several friends and parishioners would often tell him he had the makings of being a very effective deacon, and encouraged him to look into the program, Kevin wasn't so sure.  After speaking with his pastor, Fr. Milota, he felt open to having a calling from God and prayed on it.  He began writing a weekly column for the church bulletin highlighting a different saint.  He continued this project for two years until he officially declared for the deaconate.

Fr. Milota is thrilled that Kevin answered the call to the deaconate program.  "Because he was not a straight A student who sailed through school without so much as a demerit," Kevin has the ability to connect with people where they are in their faith journey and challenge them to grow closer to the Lord.  God uses his past to give him credibility with those who otherwise would never encounter a clergyman...perhaps never come to Church and people listen to him whether friends falling away from the Church, teenagers going through Confirmation prep, or our daily Mass crowd listening to his homily.  The examples that Kevin can provide to our present body of students and today's young people is that faithfulness, generosity, honesty, humility and love are those things which are the most admirable qualities of a Catholic man."

His deaconate duties include being the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts. He also teaches sacramental prep to second and eighth graders, continues working at the Mother Teresa soup kitchen, leads a Pre-Cana group, and is always willing to bless and lead prayer at various school-related functions.

Kevin's honor will take place at the 8:00 a.m. all-school Catholic Schools Week liturgy on Thursday, February 2.