When Andrew Corona was five years old, he knew he wanted to become a priest. The path was long and winding, but the Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church and School pastor will be celebrating 20 years of priesthood next month.
“Back in the day, the mass was still in Latin, and there was just something about it,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed church. I always thought about priesthood, but I never thought I could do it.”
After dabbling in the restaurant business and learning how to cook at some of the finer establishments in the area, the 1974 Lew Wallace graduate entered the seminary at age 30. Seven years later, he was ordained and delivered his first preaching, which ironically took place at Nativity.
“My parents were members of the parish; they still are,” Corona said. “I did my first preaching here; I had my first mass; I heard my first confession. There’s a lot of firsts for me, and for me to come back here 20 years later, as the pastor, was really kind of cool.”
After bouncing around various churches across Northwest Indiana, Corona made his return to Nativity four years ago.
“We’ve accomplished so much; we’re financially sound, we’re renovating areas in the church that have been neglected, the attendance has increased, we changed our music venue and we changed our festival,” Corona said. “We’ve put some more time and thought into it and we’ve expanded it.”
Corona said he has aided many people who are lost, lonely and confused about religion during his time in priesthood.
“Although I don’t believe Catholicism is the end all of religions, I do what I can to support what this church stands for,” he said. “The challenge for me is trying to find what the operative theology is. Where are they in their life journey? I can think of several people who have taken up the invitation and are, maybe, better Catholics than me.”
The most difficult task of Corona’s career was the funeral for 19-year old Portage High School graduate Amanda Bach, who was tragically murdered in September 2011.
“That was the toughest thing in my ministry that I had to witness and go through,” he said. “The scrutiny of the press, all the Chicago press was here, it was so profoundly sad that even with the trial and the outcome of that, although there was some relief, Amanda will never come back. That makes me really sad.”
Corona was moved and inspired by the strength that Bach’s parents showed through the tragedy.
“Her parents are the most amazing people I know,” he said. “I cannot believe the courage and strength that they have shown. Not to say they didn’t grieve; they did, not to say that they weren’t angry; they were, but the one positive thing that came out of that was the love of the community. So many people came forward and wanted to do something.”
After burying his own brother and sister, Corona developed a soft spot for people that lose a loved one.
“It was very hard to keep my emotions in check,” he said.
Corona’s kindness and sensitivity for others extends beyond just human beings. He treats animals with that same kindness and his rectory is always filled with those that he rescues. He currently has five dogs and three cats.
“I can’t stand when people mistreat each other,” Corona said. “For animals, I guess I feel the same way. This is something I can do. This is something I can control. I live here by myself; I deal with people all day. I deal with the daily joys and sorrows. When I come home, I just know that my pets are waiting for me and what they have for me is constant. It’s unconditional love.”
Growing up, Corona’s inspirations came from his grandfather, who helped build a Hispanic community in East Chicago, and his father.
“My dad absolutely was the one who was inspiring me, although I didn’t know he was inspiring, I thought he was just being mean by making us go to church every Sunday,” Corona said. “I think that discipline that he instilled in us stayed with me. I can’t speak for my brothers and sisters, but I’ve always loved church, even when I didn’t want to go.”
Nativity of Our Savior places an emphasis on Catholics who have left the faith. According to Corona, they are always welcome to “come back home.”
“I think you’ll find us friendly and inviting,” he said. “People who are looking for a spiritual home are more than welcome to come and see what we’re all about.”