For the past six years, Fr. Marlon Mateo taught sophomore theology at Mount Carmel in room 106.  Now he sits behind a desk, 2,000 miles away in California, serving in the administration of Crespi Carmelite High School as the Director of Mission Effectiveness.

Although Fr. Marlon is in a new state, his love for Mount Carmel is ongoing, and the students he taught continue to remember him fondly.  One junior, Emmanuel Reid, talked about Fr. Marlon as his friend. “He was genuinely understanding of teenage boy problems, thus he was very easy to connect with.” Other students also talked about the fun Fr. Marlon brought to the classroom, and many students referred to him as the funniest teacher on the staff.

Mount Carmel’s president, Fr. Tony Mazurkewicz, spoke of Fr. Marlon’s impact on Mount Carmel. “He (Fr. Marlon) was always smiling, he had great positive energy and everyone misses him dearly.”

Although students remember him as a great teacher,  Fr. Marlon now works mostly behind the scenes  to plan retreat programs for the students, faculty, and staff. He also helps out during Senior Kairos Retreat and the underclassmen Impact Weeks.  Fr. Marlon summed up his job in one sentence.  “Basically, I help to maintain the Catholicity of the school and implement Carmelite programs.”

In making the move to Los Angeles, California, Fr. Marlon now finds himself in a completely new culture. “California is easy going, not much to worry about.” Plus, “I love going to the beach; living in California is more accessible to the ocean. It takes only 30 minutes to drive to Malibu and two hours to San Diego. ” Obviously this time of the year visiting the beach in his old home would not be possible. 

Still, Fr. Marlon made it clear that Chicago is his home and that Mount Carmel has a special place in his heart, as it is where he “grew up as an educator and a Carmelite.”

“I matured at MCHS and had a chance to teach great students throughout the years.  I had the privilege to witness students grow and mature to be men with character. It was truly a gift.”