rev. rob Yaksich

Fr. Rob was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on May 23, 2015, at the age of 46. As a “second career vocation,” Fr. Rob spent most of his working career with New Mexico State Parks and Pima County Parks in Tucson, AZ, as a Park Ranger specializing in outdoor education and interpretive programs. It was literally in the desert in Tucson where Fr. Rob first discerned a call to the priesthood. After several years of discerning (and running away), he entered seminary in 2010, studying at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. His first assignment after ordination was as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and Cristo Rey parish in Santa Fe. He was assigned pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in Las Vegas on June 16, 2017.

Fr. Rob is a New Mexico native, born and raised in Raton, where his parents and many extended families still reside. In 1993, he graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, emphasizing habitat conservation, especially of birds (a life-long love). Straight out of college, instead of working in that field, he ended up at KGNC Radio in Amarillo, Texas, as a news writer and reporter. But not wanting to give up on a career outdoors chasing critters, he ended up in Seattle, and later Alaska, working as a tour guide near Denali National Park. He eventually found his way back home to New Mexico, and after a few detours (including working as a field research assistant on an elephant project in southern Africa, and as a science educator at the Explora Science Center in Albuquerque), God finally let him enter his working career in outdoor education before eventually directing him toward his true vocation.

When he is not working in the Lord’s vineyard, and not spending time with his family or friends, Fr. Rob is probably out hiking, goofing off in his garden or garage, or running around looking for cool birds and plants.