Clergy & Staff Directory

Fr. Rex Pillai Administrator

Fr. Rex Pillai is originally from Sri Lanka, an island that is located off the Southern coast of India. He was ordained as a member of a religious order known as the "Redemptorists." After his ordination he was engaged in preaching parish missions, retreats and parish ministry in Sri Lanka.

He arrived in Chicago in 2005 to attend graduate school at Loyola University to obtain a degree in Psychology and Counseling. It was during his time at Loyola University that he began to discern a calling to the diocesan priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After prayer and guidance he made a decision to transition to the Archdiocese of Chicago, a process known as "Incardination." The Incardination process consists of two phases in two different parishes. He began the first phase of his incardination process in November 2009 at St. Benedict Parish on W. Irving Park Road. The time he spent at St. Benedict Parish gave him an insight into parish ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was able to learn much at St. Benedict Parish and feels blessed to have been part of a vibrant faith community.

While taking classes at Loyola University, Fr. Rex was a resident at St. Michael Parish in Old Town, where he first heard of Saint Clement Parish in Lincoln Park. He joined the pastoral staff of Saint Clement Parish in July 2013. This marks the beginning of the second phase of his Incardination process.

Fr. Rex is honored and humbled to be part of a parish that has served God’s people in Chicago for over a century, and share in the vision of this great parish. His job duties include preaching, celebrating the sacraments, sacramental preparation, pastoral visits to the sick and homebound, counseling and spiritual direction, marriage preparation, married couples group, working with teens/youth group (the God Squad), and Ministry of Care.

Michael Bayer Director of Evangelization and Adult Formation

Michael Bayer joined the staff of Saint Clement in January of 2018 after serving as Senior Director for Youth and Young Adults in the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, he attended Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before receiving degrees in theology and philosophy from Georgetown University and the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. He has served as Campus Minister at the University of San Francisco, the University of Michigan, and the University of Iowa, as well as working with youth ministry and faith formation at two parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Michael is a huge fan of college football, craft beer, Pope Francis, and The West Wing. 

Gabriel Mayhugh Director of Liturgy

Gabe serves on the Saint Clement staff as Director of Liturgy, where he works with the pastor in overseeing liturgy and music as well as the liturgy staff. He also serves as one of the parish organists and works with the Jubilate children’s choir. He studied sacred music and organ performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and graduated with a B.M. in organ performance and sacred music. Following undergraduate work at Duquesne, Gabe studied liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, and graduated with a M.A. in theology, concentrating in liturgical studies.

Gabe grew up in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, a small town located on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. He had a fascination with organ at church and had a great love of the liturgy. Gabe began playing organ for Stations of the Cross and Masses in eighth grade and has since dedicated his life to liturgy and music in the church. In 2002, Gabe began work on the Saint Clement staff as Director of Liturgy. He departed Saint Clement in 2006 to work at Loyola University Chicago. Gabe spent three years working at Loyola University Chicago before returning to Saint Clement in 2009 to serve in this current position. Gabe lives in on the Northside with his wife and their two Wire Fox Terriers, Buster and Stewie.

Mary Ellen Blanchard Database Mgr & Financial Stewardship Assistant

Mary Ellen joined Saint Clement Parish staff in August 2008 as Database Manager and Financial Stewardship assistant. As Database Manager she is responsible for keeping parishioner information up to date. This includes adding new parishioner information and changes in parishioner status. In addition, she enters all contributions, prepares various mailing lists and reports. She also provides computer support to the staff.

She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications and a master’s degree from National Lewis University as a Reading Specialist. Before joining Saint Clement, Mary Ellen was a Real Estate Broker and owner/broker of a residential mortgage company. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she is proud mother of two children and Grandmother of a delightful granddaughter.

David Erwin Maintenance

Dave joined Saint Clement Maintenance staff in July 2005. He is responsible for the cleanliness and orderliness of the church, chapel, and parish grounds. In addition, Dave works with staff and parishioners to ensure that the various meetings and activities have the proper set-up. Strong and kind, you will often find Dave helping parishioners and staff by carrying a “heavy load” for our outreach programs. Dave was born in Oak Park and has lived in the Chicago area his entire life. He enjoys music, movies and bike riding.