Rev. Michael Simone, S.J., began his duties as pastor of the Church of the Gesu in July following stops throughout the Midwest and Northeast – and even as far as Dublin. He sat down with Marquette Today to discuss his experience in archeology, his love of fishing and hockey, and more.
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Tell us about your family:
Most of my family is from Sicily and live in the Cleveland area. My father spent most of his career running a small homebuilding/home improvement company. My mother worked in HR. I have two sisters, a bunch of nephews and a niece. I have a large extended family; many of them work in construction or public service. My most interesting relative is James Simone, a retired officer of the Cleveland Police force. He has been shot several times in the line of duty and is a recipient of the Cleveland Police medal of valor.
What are your favorite hobbies and interests?
I like to fish, often for bass and walleye. I’m a big hockey fan, especially of the Boston Bruins. I also like to read, especially short stories and collected essays. My favorite authors are Lorrie Moore, Barbara Kingsolver, David Sedaris, Hunter S. Thompson, Thomas Merton, Terry Southern, Kathleen Norris and Annie Dillard.
What are your favorite movies?
I like historical dramas like “The Last Emperor” or sci-fi. The best movies I’ve seen lately were episodes 1 and 2 of “Dune.”
Who are/is your hero(es)?
Greg Boyle. Greg’s a Jesuit priest in Los Angeles who runs a program to help get kids out of gangs. He’s had a lot of success and saved countless lives.
Any favorite quotes/mottos?
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” It’s a quote from the Bible, Book of Proverbs 27:17. It’s a reminder to have good friends who can call you to account – and to listen to them when they do.
What are you currently reading?
A.S. Byatt, “Medusa’s Ankles,” a collection of short stories. Byatt creates fascinating characters and narratives that just draw me in.
Any favorite vacation spots?
Cape May, New Jersey. White sand, warm water, sun. It’s heaven on earth.
What was your biggest career learning experience?
Learning how to trust other people to do their job, and not to be a control freak. It’s key to being a good leader but it’s a lesson I had to work hard to learn.
Any fun facts people should know about you?
I studied archaeology and worked on an excavation in Israel.
What most excites you about being at Marquette?
Gesu is a stunningly beautiful church with such a rich history of service and prayer. To be part of its story is humbling.
