Monsignor Heinz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1960. He attended Minor Seminary at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, graduating from the seminary and Marquette University with a B.A. in psychology and philosophy and a minor in theology. Upon college graduation, Monsignor took time off from his pursuit of the priesthood and worked for the next 8 years in several parishes as Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister. Monsignor Heinz then applied to the Diocese of Rockford to continue his studies for the priesthood and entered Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corner to complete his theological studies. He received his Master of Divinity degree and was ordained in 1994 by Bishop Arthur O'Neill. Monsignor was then assigned as Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish in Rockford for 2 years and was appointed the first full-time Director of Vocations for the Diocese by Bishop Thomas Doran. He served in that position for 6 years. In July 2000, he was appointed Pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Aurora, IL where he currently serves. In 2002, Monsignor was given the papal honor of a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and is now a Knight Commander. In April 2008, he was elevated to the rank of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.