Administrator

After high school, Spies pursued studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business economics in 1990. Following graduation, he spent time serving with the National Evangelization Team (NET Ministries), an experience that deepened his commitment to ministry. He then returned home to work on his family’s soybean farm, a period that ultimately led him to discern a call to the priesthood.

Responding to that call, Spies entered Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. In 2002, he completed both a Master of Divinity in Theology and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, preparing him for ordained ministry. On June 1, 2002, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet by Bishop Joseph L. Imesch at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus.

His early priestly assignments included service as associate pastor at St. Walter Parish in Roselle (2002–2005) and St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield (2005–2008). He later became pastor of several rural parishes—Our Lady of Lourdes in Gibson City, St. George in Melvin, and Immaculate Conception in Roberts—between 2008 and 2011. Spies also served on the diocesan presbyterial council, reflecting the trust placed in him by diocesan leadership.

From 2011 to 2016, he pastored St. Liborius Parish in Steger, Mother Teresa Catholic Academy in Crete, and St. Mary Parish in Park Forest. His leadership experience and pastoral insight led to his appointment in 2016 as director of pretheology and Internship on the formation faculty at Mundelein Seminary. He also served as dean of the Will County Deanery and as a spiritual director for the Institute of Priestly Formation. In 2024, Bishop Ronald A. Hicks appointed him vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Joliet.

On September 27, 2024, Pope Francis appointed Spies auxiliary bishop of Joliet and titular bishop of Cenculiana, recognizing his decades of pastoral service and leadership. He was consecrated bishop on November 6, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, joined by coconsecrators Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Bishop Joseph M. Siegel.

Today, Bishop Dennis Edward Spies continues to serve the Diocese of Joliet with the episcopal motto “I call you friends,” reflecting his commitment to relational ministry, priestly formation, and the pastoral care of the faithful.