Born in Joliet to Dick and Babe Baker. Fr. Brad attended Troy Public Schools and Joliet Catholic High School, graduating in the Class of 1982, and he received a B.A. in Marketing from Loras College in 1986. After college, Fr. Brad joined the staff of the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. He served as director of marketing for more than five years.

In 1995, he entered the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary. He completed his studies there and received a Masters of Divinity degree in 2000. On June 3, 2000 he was ordained in the Cathedral by Bishop Joseph Imesch.

Fr. Brad’s first assignment was to Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst, where he served as Parochial Vicar. In 2005, he came to St. Raymond to serve first as parochial vicar, then temporary administrator and now rector.

As rector, Fr. Brad has focused on creating a warm and welcoming environment for the current parish community and those looking for a parish home.

Under his leadership, the choir was relocated to the balcony, a strategic planning process, Vision 2017, was begun and the Heritage of Faith project was initiated to capture the history and traditions of St. Raymond Parish.