Holy hip-hop: Lombard priest dances his way into parishioners’ hearts

When it comes to dancing, the Rev. Matt Nathan is a bit of a late bloomer.

In high school, he played football. In college, like many classmates, he went club dancing. But it wasn't until seminary that the Lombard pastor embraced hip-hop.

“I was looking for a hobby,” said Nathan, pastor of Lombard's St. Pius X Catholic Church.

The 2004 film “You Got Served” piqued his interest. Watching it, the Woodridge native thought to himself, “that looks cool. I think I could do that.”

After his 2009 ordination, Nathan began taking dance lessons.

Fast forward to 2015. He and his siblings were selected for television's “Family Feud.” During his pre-competition chats with contestants, host Steve Harvey inquired about Nathan's hobbies. When Nathan responded that his favorite hobby is to dance, Harvey asked for a demonstration.

“Father, you were getting it,” exclaimed the visibly impressed Harvey. “You're the real deal.”

Before Nathan arrived at St. Pius X in July 2023, congregant and trained dancer Sarah Canciller received permission from the then-principal to establish a student dance team at the church’s school. As the school year commenced, Canciller reached out to Nathan and a local high school dance coach for help with practices. She subsequently invited Nathan to perform a solo during a team showcase.

Talking with Canciller last summer, it occurred to Nathan that she might enjoy performing again. Canciller had a similar thought. She asked the priest: “When are we going to dance?”

Soon after, they formed an adult dance troupe made up of parents of youth team members. The troupe debuted last fall with Nathan as choreographer.

Canciller said its benefits are twofold: Dancing is good exercise, and the group helps build community.

Becky Cozzi and her husband Greg joined the group, which they assumed was for couples, to support the parish. They stuck with it even after they realized that was not the case.

“It's something special,” said Becky Cozzi. “Father Matt encourages us to showcase our hidden talents.”

Dancers rehearse Tuesday evenings in St. Pius' auditorium. They perform at church events and during halftime at the school’s basketball games.

At the first rehearsal, one neophyte dancer approached Nathan to tell him she would understand if she didn't meet performance standards and wouldn't hold a grudge if she were cut.

Nathan assured her that wouldn't happen. Desire and enthusiasm, not experience, are the qualities he and Canciller look for in potential members.

“I love it,” Nathan said of his hobby, which he describes as “personal nourishment.”

He says the pairing of movement and music restores the soul. And it entertains the masses, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response of St. Pius X parishioners to the group’s recent performance at a church fundraiser.

“It's a great time,” said Greg Cozzi, who watched the troupe perform.

“Sarah and Father Matt are two of the most fantastic human beings on earth,” he said. “How do you say no to that?”