Pastor of
St Andrew Parish
July 9, 2001 - present

Date of Birth - June 20, 1949
Date of Ordination - 1975

Father Rob writes:

September 2006

I am a Christian, a Catholic, a priest.

Since 1949 I am son of Isabelle (went to God in '06) and Roy Waller (went to God in ’97), born on June 20 (hospital bill was $28.77), baptized on July 3, made the first of many communions on October 28, confirmed on December 8, often reconciled and always needing to be forgiven, ordained on May 31, never anointed with the oil of the sick and never married. My oldest brother I have buried; my second brother, stillborn, I never knew; my older brother I have buried; my two younger sisters live in Cheviot and Bright. I am uncle to Debbie, Doug, Kim, Brian, Tom, Amanda and my favorite, Cody. (He would like if I said that about him, so I did.) Susan, Paul, Matthew, Erin and David are my vacation buddies and my refuge in Loveland.

I was taught by the Oldenburg Sisters in Bridgetown, the Sisters of Charity in Mack, and the diocesan priests at Elder, all on the western side of Cincinnati. At 16 years old I entered the seminary. After 12 years of Catholic education in an all male environment I was sent to teach for three years at McAuley High School - all girls! (It was delightful.) After a two year stint in the Archdiocesan Vocation Office, I found my place in parish ministry, where I have been ever since.

At the time of my ordination (1975) my goal was to be a “happy” priest. On my 25th anniversary my goal shifted to “finish life” as a priest. Now I figure that, if I were to die as a happy priest, which would be the case if I were to die today, that would be an added bonus.

In the 25th year of my priesthood - the Jubilee Year 2000 - I made pilgrimage to Rome and to Jerusalem. My first visit to the Holy Land was in 1994. My next visit to Jerusalem will be my tenth. I have a great affection for the Christians of the Holy Land, especially for the Palestinian Christians.

I arrived at Saint Andrew on July 9, 2001, after 12 years as pastor at Saint John Neumann, in the northwest corner of the Cincinnati area. If St. Andrew is thought to be at 4 o’clock on the I-275 circle, St. John Neumann would be at 11 o’clock. I can’t believe that the diocese sent me here, and that they allow me to stay. It is just too good. I hope that no one at the diocesan offices remembers where I am.

What brings me the most energy in life is my connection with the Christians of Beit Jala and Bethlehem, yes, the real Bethlehem where Jesus was born. As a parish, we have welcomed children from Beit Jala to visit with us, and we have made pilgrimage to Beit Jala to visit with them. We are in partnership with the Catholic parish of the Annunciation in Beit Jala, and work to keep our bonds of solidarity and friendship strong. What I see coming together in this venture is my affection for Saint Andrew parish and my affection for the Palestinian Christians: the little town of Bethlehem and the little town of Milford.

The prayers I pray most often are for peace in the Middle East and for more priests and good priests.

God, bless my pastor. (That was my tricky way of getting you to pray for me. Thanks for your prayer.)

Salaam, Shalom, Peace!
Father Rob Waller