Generation to Generation: Rick Battistoni on Faith, Family, and St. Cletus

Rick Battistoni and his family have called St. Cletus Parish home for nearly four decades. The parish has been the spiritual and social center of their lives, from baptisms to weddings, from joyful celebrations to moments of deep sorrow. Now, through his involvement in the Generation to Generation Campaign, Battistoni is helping to ensure that legacy continues for future generations.

The Battistonis first joined the parish when they moved into the neighborhood, guided by a close friend already involved at St. Cletus. "St. Cletus truly became the center of our spiritual and social universe," Battistoni says. "We got to know other families through school, got involved in ministries, and kept growing. You get out of something what you put into it—it snowballs in the best way."

Battistoni served on the School Board and Finance Committee and, along with his wife Grace, helped run the Baptism Committee. Their family's parish connection deepened as the years went by—through all the milestones: baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, weddings, and even the funeral of their beloved 22-year-old son. "The parish came together for us during the worst time in our lives," Battistoni recalls. "Everyone came and pulled us in and held us tight, and we don't know what we would have done without them. On the day of the funeral, the whole school came out and lined the blocks we had to drive. That's the kind of community this is."

As a lay witness speaker and testimony writer for the Generation to Generation Campaign, Battistoni brings both passion and perspective to his role. Generation to Generation is the fourth major fundraising effort he and his wife Grace have supported at St. Cletus. He's seen firsthand how past campaigns have transformed the parish physically and strengthened it spiritually.

"When we first arrived the parking lot would flood and look like a lake," he remembers. "Now we've got curbs and sewers, a lit and paved parking lot, a new roof, and a phenomenal parish center with a real stage."

But for Battistoni, the campaign is about more than buildings—it's about mission.

“Our outreach has grown. We now have one of the biggest food programs in the western suburbs. We're reaching people in new ways. And I wanted to be part of this campaign because I see a risk that young people are drifting away from the Church,” he says. “This campaign—and our parish leaders have great ideas on how to reach them, and that's vital for our future.”

The campaign's theme, Generation to Generation, resonates profoundly with Battistoni. "I hope people see this as an investment in our children and grandchildren, in the spiritual heart of this community," he says. "Even if we don't see the final result, it's still worth it. If the ball is rolling in the right direction, who cares if you don't see it go to the end of the court?"

And to those who might be hesitant to participate, Battistoni offers this encouragement: "We're all one community. We have to do what we can to support the Church—not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. St. Cletus has given so much to my family. Now it's our turn to give back."

With faithful leaders like Rick Battistoni at the helm, the spirit of St. Cletus is sure to carry on—from generation to generation.