ESCANABA — As chaplain of OSF St. Francis Hospital, a typical day in Father Robb Jurkovich’s life involves ministering to the sick and dying. This August, his days will also be spent teaching Holy Name School students about the Catholic faith.

Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, recently announced that Jurkovich will serve as part-time chaplain at HNCS’s middle school and Holy Name High School starting in the 2025-26 school year. He will continue serving as part-time chaplain at OSF St. Francis Hospital.

Jurkovich has had extensive experience in different location and parishes across the Diocese of Marquette. Before serving as Chaplain of OSF St. Francis Hospital, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood from 2012 through 2019. While in Ironwood, he taught Catholic faith classes to students at All Saints Catholic Academy until 2017, when the school closed. Prior to that, he served for six years in Menominee as pastor of Resurrection Parish and as an administrator of Holy Spirit Parish. Before this appointment, he was associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Escanaba, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wells.

Jurkovich will celebrate his 21st year as a priest in June. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 2004 by Bishop James H. Garland at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.

Born in Marquette, Jurkovich said he had a calling to the priesthood in high school, but played three years of football at Northern Michigan University before answering that call. His six years in seminary included studying at the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities, a semester in Rome, and four years at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

“I am looking forward to working with young people and teaching them about the beauty of the Catholic faith,” Fr. Jurkovich said. “One of the great gifts God has given me is being able to teach the faith.”

Nathan Vande Hey, principal of Holy Name Catholic School, said he is thrilled that Jurkovich will be joining the school staff. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong love for Jesus. Our students will have the opportunity to grow through the sacraments that he can provide.”

Jurkovich feels that God will continue guiding him in using his experience in leading people toward knowing and serving God at the school in his new position as school chaplain.

“God calls us to use our talents and gifts in various ways,” he said. “Having the ability to recognize and answer that call is important. Though my role as school chaplain is a bit different, it will allow me to use the gifts that God has given me to the benefit of the students. The rest will be in God’s hands.”