My name is Fr. Jordan Berghouse, I’m 33 years old, and I’m a Roman Catholic priest. I’ve been a priest for about four years and I am the pastor of St. James Parish in Mukwonago and St. Theresa Parish in Eagle…and I’m also about to be pastor of St. Peter’s parish in East Troy. I moved to Mukwonago in June of last year and have fallen in love with this community. It’s great to be here!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the third child of six. I have an older brother who is married with four daughters, an older sister who is married with a son and two daughters, and three younger sisters. Thankfully, everyone is close by! My parents still live in the house that I grew up in, about five minutes north of the town of North Lake.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I majored in politics at Ave Maria University in Florida and after college I worked for my local congressman, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, in Washington D.C. as a staff assistant and then scheduler/office manager. I loved politics and thought maybe I’d run for a local office one day. However, while in D.C. my relationship with God grew significantly. I realized that life without the Lord as my focus made me sad. So, I started to make more of an effort to draw close to Him. Really, it was Him who was drawing close to me. As my faith grew, the idea of the priesthood came into my heart and wouldn’t leave, despite my best efforts. After a very powerful experience in prayer, I knew that God was inviting me to consider the priesthood. So, I quit my job, moved back to Wisconsin, and spent some time considering joining the seminary. I joined St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Fall of 2014, and I was ordained to the priesthood in May of 2019. I gotta say, I think I have the best job in the world. Sure, it is a lot different than the lives of most people, and it isn’t the life that I thought that I would have, but it is an extraordinary life nonetheless. Most of my days are surrounded by people who desire to love God with their whole heart, to serve Him, and to love their neighbor as their very selves. Because of this, my days are full of light. Also, I am invited into the darkest moments of people’s lives as well, their sin, their suffering, illness and death. And yet, as a priest, these moments are probably the most powerful. Somehow, amid the darkness of people’s lives, when they invite the Lord in, the faith that they display and the light that He brings will take your breath away. To be a witness to these events of God’s grace is truly humbling. Being a priest is unbelievable. For all you Catholic young men on there, you should consider it!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
This one is easy! Fork in the Road! Haven’t had a bad meal yet. Also, Culver’s and Kwik Trip…it’s a one-two punch. Has anyone had the maple waffle sausage egg and cheese from Kwik Trip? Not saying I have…just curious if anyone else has…
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved here in June. I live in the rectory…the “priest’s house”…on the campus of St. James.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I’m gonna say Craig Vertz. Vertzy has a very strong faith, a heart for evangelization, a passion for Mukwonago, and he has been able to help me make connections with important leaders in Mukwonago.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
The Holy Land! I was able to go once before…but I would love to return to the place where Jesus lived and breathed. His humanity really hits you in the face when you stand on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and realize…this is what He saw.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie is “A River Runs Through It.” Favorite TV show is “The Mandalorian.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
God loves you. Draw close to Him, and He will draw close to you. “Do not be afraid.” A life with the Lord is a life full of freedom, joy, and peace.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to do an Ignatian 30 day silent retreat. I’ve done a number of 8 day silent retreats which have truly changed my life. 30 days scares me a bit right now, but I hope to have the courage to do one before I die.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Coldplay. I’ve seen them in concert twice and they are unmatched.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I’m biased but I am going to say St. James. There is so much history at our parish. It was founded in 1896 and the land where we now sit was purchased in 1957. It has been very rewarding getting to know Mukwonago through the eyes of the history of the parish. Also, the plays by the Village Players have really made me nostalgic about Mukwonago.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Pope Francis. It is a dream of mine to meet Pope Francis. I think that I would have to take him to the nicest establishment in town, Fork in the Road!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Vernon Marsh! We are blessed in that our land just right up to the Marsh. A very unique feature! And absolutely beautiful land.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
Just trying to serve as best I can the Catholic community hear at St. James.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Right where I am right now. Pastor of St. James, St. Theresa, and St. Peter’s! A great place to be and hopefully a place a can be for the next 10+ years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I met Shaquille O’Neal once. I’ve never felt so small…
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Cinque Terre in Italy.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Honestly, I don’t have a favorite month. I love the four seasons, every single one of them. When you get tired of one, the next one comes around. There is an old church hymn with the line, “He gives us the seasons to take time’s heaviness away.” Favorite holiday is Easter because it is when we celebrate the crux of what it means to be a Christian, Jesus Christ has risen from the dead! Best single day on the calendar would be December 25th. Christmas is always a day to look forward to with anticipation and joy.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The maple waffle, sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich from Kwik Trip.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Pope Francis.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Orange blossoms and coffee.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Heaven. Farm fields. Family.
