Father Michael McGovern, pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Old Mill Creek and Dean of Deanery 1-A, has been named interim Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate I effective Feb. 10, 2020. Fr. Mike's term of service in this role will continue until the appointment of a successor.
A native of Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, Fr. Mike is from a large Catholic family in which Catholic education was emphasized. A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Loyola University, Fr. Mike entered Mundelein Seminary in 1990. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained him to the priesthood on May 21, 1994. 
Fr. Mike has served as an Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe, St Mary in Lake Forest and St. Juliana. He served for several years in the Office of the Chancellor, working with international priests who were studying or working in Chicago parishes. 
From 2004-2016, Fr. Mike was the Pastor of St. Mary in Lake Forest. He became the Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel on July 1, 2016.
Father Mike has been a Member of the Board of Trustees of St. Ignatius College Prep. He has also served as a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors in the Archdiocese of Chicago.  
The region of Vicariate I includes 51 parishes, one chaplaincy, two shrines, and two ethnic missions in northwest suburban Cook County and Lake County.