25 Years: Father Burt H. Absalon
SPRING GROVE—Father Burt Absalon was born in the Philippines, attending Xavier University there (1982-1987) and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (1996-2000).
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas G. Doran on May 19, 2001, at the Cathedral of
St. Peter, Rockford.
He served as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles, also teaching at St. Edward Central Catholic High School (2001-2004). He was as the parochial administrator at St. Mary Parish in Freeport (2004-2007) and assistant principal for Aquin Central Catholic High School (2004-2008). He was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Freeport (2006-2008) and pastor at St. Mary Parish in Freeport (2007-2008).
He was pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Loves Park (2008-2013). He was pastor at St. Mary Parish in Woodstock (2013-2024) and at St. Patrick Parish in Hartland (2017-2024). After a leave of absence, Father Absalon was parochial vicar of St. Peter Parish in Spring Grove for a few months in 2025. He then became administrator of St. Peter Parish in Spring Grove from August 2025 to the present.
25 Years: Father James C. Canova
BELVIDERE—Born in Chicago, Father James Canova attended Northeastern University, Wilbur Wright Jr. College, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb (MBA) and as a seminarian, he graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. In 2001.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2001, by Bishop Thomas G. Doran at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford.
His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Bridget Parish in Loves Park (2001-2003), also teaching religion at Boylan Central Catholic High School. After a few months’ health leave of absence, Father Canova served as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Elgin (2004-2007). He was administrator of St. Mary Parish in Elizabeth and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Hanover (2007-2008) and also was chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council there.
Between two health leaves, he served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Freeport (2009-2010), then became parochial vicar for St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Dundee and St. Mary Parish in Gilberts (2010-2014). He also served as the spiritual advisor for the Elgin Deanery Conference of Catholic Women (2012-2015).
He was parochial vicar at Holy Angels Parish in Aurora (2014-2018) and parochial vicar for St. John Neuman Parish in St. Charles (2018-2019). After assisting at parishes for a few months, Father Canova served as parochial vicar at St. Peter Parish, South Beloit, and Church of the Holy Spirit, Roscoe (2019-2020). He was parochial vicar at St. Rita Parish in Rockford (2020-2023). He
retired on June 30, 2023.
25 Years: Father Reynante P. Talento
ROCKFORD—Born in the Philippines, Father Rey Talento attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary High School in Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines and St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Lipa City, Philippines.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez on Sept. 3, 2001, at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Calauag, Quezon, Philippines.
After several years of service in the Philippines, Father Talento came to the Rockford Diocese, beginning his service here as parochial vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in West Dundee and St. Mary Parish in Gilberts (2022-2023).
He served as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Huntley (2023-2024), then as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Woodstock and St. Patrick Parish in Hartland (2024-2025).
He began service as parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Rockford in June 2025 and continues his service there.
25 Years: Father Dennis L. Vargas
DURAND/IRISH GROVE—Born in Atimonan, Quezon, Philippines, Father Dennis Vargas attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School Seminary, St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary and St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary in the Philippines.
He was ordained to the priesthood on Sept. 8, 2001, by Bishop Ruben T. Profugo at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Atimonan, Quezon. He served his home diocese as a priest for several years before coming to the Rockford Diocese.
In the Diocese of Rockford, Father Vargas first served as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles (2018-2021). He then served as administrator at St. Mary Parish in East Dubuque and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Menominee (2021-2024).
He served as parochial vicar for three months in 2024 at St. Mary Parish in Huntley, then as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles (2024-2025).
Since March of 2025, Father Vargas has served as administrator at St. Mary Parish in Durand and St. Patrick Parish in Irish Grove. He becomes pastor at those two parishes on June 22
