Fr. Gary Caster

Travels from: Peoria, IL

Fr. Gary C. Caster is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, IL ordained in 1992. He began his studies for the priesthood at the Catholic University of America as a Basselin Scholar, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor’s Degree and Licentiate in philosophy. He continued priestly formation at the North American College in Rome and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, earning a Master of Divinity as well as a Masters in Church History.

Fr. Caster began his priestly ministry as a high school chaplain and religion teacher (apologetics) at Peoria Notre Dame High School. He directed the religion department and helped put in place a prevention program for at risk students. At the same time he worked with the Office of Family Life to develop a consistent program of marriage preparation, and taught Church History and Ecclesiology to the men in formation for the permanent diaconate. During this time, he published a collection of poems, wrote and produced shows for EWTN, including the popular Angel Force, and numerous times presented papers on the contribution of Catholic authors, especially Ms. Berry Morgan. Throughout this time, Father continued to write articles on his favorite saint, Therese of Lisieux.

After Notre Dame High School, Fr. Caster became the Director of Campus Ministry at the St. Robert Bellarmine Newman Center, which serves Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University. He was also instrumental in bringing campus ministry to Eureka College. Together with another priest of the Diocese of Peoria, Fr. Stanley Deptula, he developed a pastoral program for students graduating from college who wanted to serve the local church as they continued their discernment. Students participating in the Sts. Titus and Timothy Pastoral Apostolate were placed in a variety of ministerial settings and have been an invaluable asset to the local Church. Quite a few have gone on to the priesthood and consecrated life.

After leaving St. Robert Bellarmine, Fr. Caster went to work for the Bishop of Peoria doing special projects which included traveling throughout the country leading parish missions and retreats. He completed work on his first religious themed book, Mary, In Her Own Words: The Mother of God in Scripture, published by Servant Books in October of 2006.

Currently Fr. Caster has returned to campus ministry in the Diocese of Springfield, MA. He is the Catholic Chaplain of Williams College. Fr. Caster has contributed articles to various publications including, Magnificat, and continues to assist with shows produced by EWTN, lead retreats and parish missions, paint, write poetry and preach the gospel.

Topics

Mary

St. Therese of Lisieux

Ecclesiology

Church History

Theology of the Body

Catholic Vision of Human Sexuality

Apologetics

New Evangelization

Communion of the Saints

Difficulties in the Spiritual Life

Difficulties in Ministry