Serving These Communities
Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983
Father Jack Wehman is no stranger to the Valley. He has spent a large portion of his life here, even though he grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati.
His educational years began at Our Lady of the Visitation in Mack. His eight years there began the journey into the Catholic faith as well as his start on education. He graduated and then attended St. Xavier High School on North Bend Road. He graduated from there in 1970.
After high school Father Jack went to Thomas More College and earned a degree in history when he left in 1974. He waited a few years before heading into the seminary. He received his religious instructions at Mt. St. Mary in Norwood. Father Jack was ordained on June 14, 1980.
Father Jack took his first assignment soon after. He went to St. Peter in Chains in Hamilton. While there, he also served as part-time hospital chaplain. Afterwards, he went to St. Frances DeSales and also served
as a part-time hospital chaplain too. Next assignment was St. Vincent Ferrer in Kenwood. Again, he was also a hospital chaplain. Then it was St. Aloysuis in Bridgetown before heading to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Reading in 1993. He stayed until 2006 when he left for Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Roselawn. Now his home is at St. James of the Valley Church where he hopes to retire from.
As stated earlier, Father Jack grew up on the West Side. He has an older brother, Hank, who is 15 years older. They grew up in a rural setting. There were a lot of kids in their neighborhood. Sports were a large part of the fun afternoons. Father Jack played basketball and baseball when he was young. When asked if he was any good, Father Jack responded, “If I knew what the players make now, I’d played much better.” In fact, he played baseball until way into his 40s.
His time in the Valley has served him and it well. He still runs into people from OLSH, who still love him. He is very highly regarded as their former pastor. One other thing he is remembered for too… his quick sermons. Not over three minutes, I believe I was told from a parishioner of OLSH. I asked Father Jack why the quick sermons. He feels that the people will start making grocery lists or what to do after church or even fall asleep if sermons are long. He feels that a quick jolt of knowledge is enough to keep the parishioners awake and leaving with a sermon that they will remember.
One thing Father Jack wants to impart. He is very happy to be at St. James of the Valley. He knows that he will be compared to former reverends who served there. As part of the process of moving from an assignment, you must request a place that you would like to serve. Father Jack requested St. James of the Valley as his first choice. We are glad he did.