Father Joel Haug

A little bit about me…

I was born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, son of James and Aleda Haug. My dad grew up in Seneca, and when I was little, my four older siblings and I often came to visit grandma and grandpa’s (Dorothy and Donald Haug) little farm just off 36 and J4 road.

I was baptized and raised in St. Benedict’s Parish and attended the Catholic school there. I graduated from Maur Hill-Mount Academy and attended KU to pursue a degree in Spanish with aspirations to enter med school like my dad and brother Aaron.

While I was at KU, I had a deeper conversion of heart in my relationship with Jesus through the vibrant Catholic community at the St. Lawrence Center. A sister of the Apostles of the Interior Life became my spiritual guide and taught me how to spend time with God in prayer every day, which would lead to me discerning a calling to the priesthood.

Immediately after my graduation from KU, I spent 2 years of studying philosophy in Rome and finished my last four years of seminary Theology courses at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

I was ordained a priest on May 25th, 2019, and spent my first year as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of St. Peter in downtown Kansas City Kansas. From 2020 to the summer of 2023, I served as the associate pastor at St. Joseph in Shawnee as well as the chaplain of Bishop Ward High School in KCK.

I have a passion for Jesus, especially His Eucharistic Presence, Mary, our mother, and growing deeper in my relationship with many saints who have spiritually adopted me over the years. A few of my favorites are Saints John Paul II, Thérèse, Joseph, Padre Pio, John Vianney, and Francis, among many others!

I enjoy faith-filled conversation over dinner with friends, reading, running, swimming, and playing catch and shooting a basketball around.   

I’m thrilled to be a pastor for the first time here between the parishes of Sacred Heart, St. James, and St. Augustine!