HCA Welcomes Father Mike Esswein

HCA Welcomes Father Mike Esswein

Holy Cross Academy welcomes Father Mike Esswein to our community. Father Esswein is the recently appointed parochial administrator of Annunciation Catholic Church.

One of seven siblings, Father Esswein grew up in St. Stephen Protomartyr parish in Holly Hills. His parents are still members of the church.

He started thinking about becoming a priest by second grade. “I had a nun as a teacher who put on a ‘play’ Mass for the parents. I was the priest. From that moment forward I talked about pursuing a vocation.”

Father Esswein attended Prep South High School Seminary. After graduation he studied at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary where he earned a Masters in Divinity.

Ordained in 1998, his first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Clare of Assisi in Ellisville. From 2005 to mid-June he served as associate pastor at St. Peter in Kirkwood.

Oddly enough, Father Esswein began his 10 years at St. Peter right when Msgr. Brennell was leaving after being Pastor there for nearly ten years. Their paths had previously crossed during Father Esswein’s high school and college years when Msgr. Brennell served as a parish priest at St. Stephen. Now the two actually get to “work together” at Holy Cross Academy, where Father Esswein is parochial administrator of Annunciation and Msgr. Brennel is pastor of Seven Holy Founders!

Father Esswein suffered a spinal cord injury during his senior year in college. Although he has limited movement in his arms, he is paralyzed from the shoulders down. He gets around in a wheelchair and drives his own car. Occasionally he may need help getting into a building, but he’s had a lot of practice living his life. “Everything works well,” he said.  

He is excited to be part of Holy Cross Academy. “I am looking forward to meeting the students and the parents. I love the opportunity to be in the classrooms teaching the kids,” he said.  

HCA is the only school model of its kind in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “It is and is going to be a leader in Catholic education going forward. I’m excited to be part of it,” he added.

Father Esswein’s hobbies include spending time outdoors, especially in summer. He enjoys riding on bike paths. An avid reader, he likes history and biographies. His favorite vacation spot is Ft. Myers, Florida.

Welcome to Holy Cross Academy Father Esswein. May God continue to Bless you and your vocation as you spread His kingdom here on earth!