Rev. Peter J. Heidenrich, 64, of Chicago, died unexpectedly on February 11, 2015. Born on July 5, 1950, he was ordained into the priesthood on October 22, 1976, in the Diocese of Joliet. Fr. Heidenrich was a member of the Diocese of Joliet until 1980. He was a member of the Order of Preachers and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1999.
Rev. Richard Lo Bianco, pastor of Divine Savior Parish in Norridge, who gave the homily at Fr. Heidenrich’s funeral Mass, said, “Fr. Peter was a former Dominican, who then joined the Archdiocese and brought his Dominican charisma to the diocese; his great gift of preaching and teaching.”
He taught at Fenwick High School from 1983 to 1990.
Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of St. Giles Parish in Oak Park, was a longtime friend of Fr. Heidenrich. “Fr. Peter was a very private person,” he recalled. “He had a very deep spirituality and was very focused on his thoughts and what he wanted to say. He was well-respected by people who knew him and heard him speak.”
Fr. Heidenrich is survived by his sisters, Rose Bosau and Mary Ann Rygiel.
A wake service was held on Feb. 16 at St. John Parish, 301 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Glenwood. A funeral Mass were celebrated on Feb. 17. Archbishop Blase J. Cupich was the main celebrant. Interment was at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood.