Rev. Zachary Wehr
Assistant Pastor
Father Zachary Wehr is the son of Dennis and Kathleen Wehr. He was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley area and most of his family still live there today. Father Zach has one younger sister, Emily, who just completed her journeyman apprenticeship and is now a licensed Master Plumber. Father Zach’s mom works for St. Luke’s Health Network as a Medical Biller and his sister and dad work together in the family plumbing business.
Father Zach graduated from Whitehall High School in 2009 and after graduation began his studies at East Stroudsburg University as a History and Secondary Education major. In the Fall of 2011, Father Zach transferred to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia where he began his priestly formation. He graduated from St. Charles Borromeo College Seminary in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He continued his priestly formation at St. Charles Borromeo Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and graduated in 2019 with a Master of Arts in Theology. Father Zach was ordained by His Excellency, Bishop Alfred Schlert on June 1, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown. His first priestly assignment was at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Father Zach served as an Altar Server for many years at his home parish and while in High School he assisted his mom in teaching CCD. He was a member of the Science Olympiad Team in both Middle School and High School and attended the Pennsylvania State Science Olympiad Tournament on a number of occasions. He was also very active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009.
In his free time, Father Zach enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also loves to cook and is always willing to try his hand at creating a new dish. Father Zach enjoys singing as well as listening to a wide array of musical genres. He loves the outdoors and enjoys camping, hiking, fishing and shooting as well as playing golf and skiing when the weather is right. While it is true that Father Zach is a better golfer than Father Maas, it is also true that Father Maas is a much better skier than Father Zach will ever be!
Father Zach had considered a vocation to the priesthood from an early age. Although he initially pursued a career in education, he quickly realized that the Lord was calling him to something different. Father Zach credits his growing up as a Catholic, serving as an altar server and great priestly examples from his childhood as inspirations for his decision to enter the Seminary. Father Zach is grateful that the Lord has called him to be a priest of Jesus Christ and is excited to continue his journey here at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish. He looks forward to meeting all of the wonderful people of St. Ignatius and serving as one of their new spiritual fathers. Fr. Zach truly believes the words of our patron St. Ignatius that, “Love consists in sharing what one has and what one is with those one loves.” He is moved by the great faith and devotion that he has seen here since arriving, and looks forward to sharing himself with those whom God has called him to love here at his new parish assignment.