Father Jonathan McElhone, TOR was born and raised near Delhi, Ontario, Canada the middle of three children and grew up working on the family farm. After a three year college program in Electro-Mechanical Engineering - Robotics and Automation, he spent two years serving as a missionary with NET (National Evangelization Teams) Ministry located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Moving back to Ontario, he volunteered with parish youth groups and worked for three years as an industrial electrician in an automotive factory.

In 2002 he left his job to study at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio while immersed in the priestly discernment program. After completing a BA in philosophy and a minor in theology in 2005, he was accepted and started formation in Loreto, Pennsylvania with the Franciscan Friars Third Order Regular (TOR) – Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Two years later, on July 7, 2007 he professed first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and then started formal seminary studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He professed solemn vows in July 15, 2011.

On November 26, 2011 he was ordained a transitional deacon at which time he served at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cheverly, Maryland. After concluding studies with a Masters of Divinity (M-Div) and graduating in May of 2012 from CUA, he moved to Good Shepherd Catholic Community (GSCC) in Fort Worth, Texas to serve as a deacon until his priestly ordination by Bishop Kevin Vann which took place on November 3, 2012. Father Jonathan remained at GSCC as Parochial Vicar through June 2017 after which he returned to minister at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He currently serves the Franciscan University community through a variety of ministries hosted by the University's Office of Evangelization.