Masses at St. Carlo Acutis Church in Crest Hill will continue as scheduled following the death of the church’s pastor over the weekend, according to the parish.

“When these things happen, it is in the diocese’s hands,” Deacon Dick McCowan said. “They guide us.”

Details of who will say the Masses are still being worked out, he said.

The Diocese of Joliet as of 5 p.m. Monday had not issued a statement on Nyamai’s passing or announced who will be leading Masses.

St. Carlo Acutis parish in Crest Hill on Sunday announced the death of parish priest the Rev. Anthony Nyamai.

In a statement on the Catholic parish’s Facebook page parish staff said “we regret to inform you of the passing of Fr. Anthony Nyamai. On Saturday morning, June 13, Fr. Anthony, beloved pastor of our St. Carlo Acutis Parish was found collapsed on the floor and was deceased when found ... Please remember Fr. Anthony and his family in your prayers.”

The Diocese of Joliet is handling the funeral arrangements and will be announced at a later time, according to the parish.

Nyamai’s cause of death has not been disclosed.

McCowan said the parish “thanks everyone for their prayers at this time.”

Nyamai, 50, was ordained in 2015 and had been serving in Crest Hill as a pastor since July 2021. At the time of his appointment he served as pastor of St. Anne and St. Ambrose combined parish, which was renamed for the first millennial saint last October following the closure of the St. Anne site.

Upon the announcement of Nyamai’s death, dozens of comments in English and Spanish poured onto the parish’s Facebook page, mourning his loss.

“It hurts my heart to know we won’t see him every week anymore,” wrote John Sanchez. “He was a motivational guide in my life and his absence will be deeply felt. It hurts to see him go, but it comforts us to know he is beginning a new chapter next to our Lord. Thank you, Father, for being a constant light in my weeks.”

“Rest in peace Father Anthony,” wrote Lupe Rodriguez Gomez. “My prayers are with him and his entire family and our community on his passing. May his memory live forever.”

“This is very sad,” commented Ken McCafferty. “Fr. Anthony was a great human and a wonderful preist. Rest easy, Father.”

“He was a wonderful and kind person and an amazing priest,” recalled Teri Sullivan Talarico. “Rest in peace, Father Anthony. You will be missed.”

Nyamai was the only priest at St. Carlo Acutis. According to the parish website, McCowan and Arturo Chacon, also serve at the parish as deacons.

Nyamai had previously been slated to be assigned as parochial vicar at St. Mary Nativity parish in Joliet while the Rev. Nestor Lopez is listed as being appointed as the new pastor at St. Carlo Acutis.

These changes were scheduled to take effect July 1. It is unclear if Lopez will make the move sooner to fill the vacancy left by Nyamai’s death, or if an interim pastor will be appointed to fill the role for the rest of the month.

It is also unknown who will be assigned to St. Mary Nativity.