Deacon Greg Gehred

I am a midwestener, born in Cincinnati, raised in a Chicago suburb and also Wisconsin. I attended Notre Dame studying engineering then went a somewhat circuitous route to medical school. I did my residency in Family Medicine in Albuquerque, NM, and Rochester NY, and spent much of my career as Commissioned Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service providing medical care to Native Americans in and around Santa Fe, NM, and then in inner city Milwaukee,WI.

I practiced family medicine in Wisconsin for 16 years, starting a free clinic on the side in '03. 

I was called to the Permanent Diaconate in '99, ordained for the Diocese of Madison in '04 as a group of 20.  Retired in 2010 and moved to South Bend at the urging of our daughter Catherine, who sadly died of cancer in July, 2020.

Family: From two families of German Catholic immigrants, one of 4 kids.  I married Pat in 1967. We moved to Albuquerque, then Santa Fe, designed and built a Solar heated house, and raised our 6 children, the oldest being adopted.  All 6 by no small miracle graduated from Notre Dame, and with our 15 grandchildren are mostly dispersed from Washington, DC to Portland OR. Now, Pat and I try to help our son-in-law, Mike Griffin, raise our 3 lively grandchildren. 

Faith: Deep faith roots on both sides. Married a woman of wonderfully beautiful and tenacious faith.  Pat showed me the notice from the Diocese of Madison calling the first class of deacons ever in that Diocese.  In 2010, Pat and I moved to South Bend and to Little Flower.  Bishop D'Arcy asked me to do county jail ministry, which I have been blessed to participate in for the past 10 years. I also have been glad to assist at Sunday Masses alongside several exceptional pastors.  I have helped with our Parish Outreach program, RCIA, Direct Assistance and several other ministries over the years.