Reverend Robert Caruso, Pastor

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Born in 1942 in the small up-state New York town of Olean, Father Caruso, attended St. Mary of the Angels grade school and graduated from Olean High School.  On July 21, 1959 he and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona.  He enrolled in Phoenix Junior College, now known as Phoenix Community College, and majored in Business Law for two years.  Not sure that this was his vocation, he put his education on hold.

Father started working at Bashas' in August of 1959 as a clean-up boy, earning $0.80 per hour.  In 1962, he took a leave of absence and went to St. Benedicts' Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin for a year to participate in an intensive Latin course in preparation for priesthood.  In 1963, Father Caruso came back to Phoenix and Bashas'.  He was part of management from 1966 through 1974.

In September of 1974, Father entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado and finished he college degree in Liberal Arts and Philosophy.  He graduated in 1976 and made the Dean's List.  In Father's word, "both lists, one not so good".  He then entered St. Thomas Seminary School of Theology and obtained a Masters of Theology degree. 

Father Caruso was ordained a deacon in 1979 and completed Deaconate Internship at St. Theresa Parish until ordination to Priesthood in 1980.  He was then assigned to St. Theresa's as Associate Pastor until 1983.  He was named Director of Vocations in 1983 to 1986 and then reassigned to St. Theresa Parish to help the Pastor, who was in charge of the Papal Visit.  During the Papal Visit, Father Caruso served as Co-Chair for the Hospitality Committee, with special care for the Bishops and Cardinals who would be in Phoenix.

Afterward, Father Caruso held the following assignments:
December 1987: Pastor of Ascension Parish in Fountain Hills
July 1990 - July 1992: Pastor of St. Daniel's Parish in Scottsdale
July 1992 - July 1995: Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in West Phoenix
July 1995 to present: Pastor of All Saints Parish in East Mesa

In addition, Father Caruso held the following Diocesan positions:
Marriage Tribunal - Judge, Defender of the Bond and Advocate
Marriage Tribunal for Archdiocese of Santa Fe - Judge and Defender of the Bond
Priest Placement Board
Priestly Life and Ministry Committee
Catholic Sun Board
Priest Assurance Committee
Mentor Program for Transitional Deaconates
Mentor Program for newly ordained Priests
Short time on Board of Malta Center and caregiver for AIDS ministry

At a celebration of his 20th anniversary in the Priesthood, Father Caruso demonstrated his love of western music.  He was presented with his very own black cowboy hat.  Apart from the obvious, that is why he is affectionately referred to as "the man in black".