Reverend Manuel “Manny” Gerardo Gómez Reza died at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, Thursday December 26.
Father Gomez was born on December 2, 1983 in Súchil, Durango, México to Manuel Gómez Fernández and Julia Reza Serrato. He attended Minor Seminary in Durango, México from 1998-2001 and Major Seminary in Durango, México from 2001-2008 where he received a BA in Philosophy in 2008. Father Gomez came to the United States in 2010. He then attended St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota from 2010-2013.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop David J. Malloy on June 22, 2013 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. He served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Mary in Huntley, St. Rita of Cascia in Aurora, and most recently at St. Monica in Carpentersville. Father Gomez was also Associate Vocation Director and Assistant Diocesan Master of Ceremonies for the Rockford Diocese. In addition, he served as Spiritual Director for the Hispanic Catholic Cursillo movement for the diocese.
Father Gomez is survived by his parents Manuel Gómez Fernandez and Julia Reza Serrato and siblings, Rosa Guadalupe Gómez Reza, Socorro Gómez Reza, Ana María Gómez Reza, Angélica María Gómez Reza and brother Jesús Javier Gómez Reza and many relatives in México and in Chicago.
Father Manny was well loved by his family, his brother priests, and the people he served in his parish assignments. He will be missed by all.
Visitation will take place at St. Monica Parish in Carpentersville on Thursday, January 2nd from 3:00-9:00 p.m. in the church. The visitation will continue on Friday, January 3rd in church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. There will be a private burial at a later date in Súchil, Durango, México. Arrangements are being made by Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Service in Algonquin.
