Churches throughout the Catholic Diocese of Peoria – including here in the area – are about to undergo a multitude of cuts, changes, and pastor reassignments.
It’s the end result of a number of years of study and feedback led by Diocesan Bishop Louis Tylka. He says the need to reinvigorate the church is only part of the reason.
“There are, at present, 145 active priests. However, our priests are aging; and the projection is, within the next ten years, we will have fewer than 100 active priests,” said Tylka, in a video posted Sunday. “The demographics of our diocese continue to change overall, with 49 percent fewer people in our parishes over the last decade. Furthermore, the trends show that more people are leaving the practice of their faith.”
Among the changes in the immediate area:
- Galesburg/Williamsfield/Wataga: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Corpus Christi, St. Patrick, St. James, and St. Aloysius becoming one parish, based at Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Patrick, St. James, and St. Aloysius will not be used. Fr. Lee Brokaw reassigned to St. John’s Newman Center at University of Illinois. Fr. Nathan Hopper reassigned to Champaign and Seymour. Fr. John Verrier reassigned to parishes in Rantoul, Thomasboro, Penfield, and Homer.
- St. Augustine/Abingdon/Bushnell: Parishes will be merged into one based in St. Augustine. Sacred Heart in Abingdon will no longer be used. Frs. Hopper and Verrier reassigned as indicated above.
- Canton/Farmington/St. David: St. Matthew and St. Mary will be merged. St. Matthew and St. Michael (St. David) will not be used.
- Monmouth/Raritan/Alexis: St. Patrick to merge with Immaculate Conception. St. Theresa (Alexis) will not be used. Msgr. Thomas Mack has been granted “senior status.”
All changes will begin to take effect July 1, and in many cases, masses will take place as normal as the process of mergers begins. The complete transition is expected to be complete within three years. Tylka says in the areas that will see no impact, parishes are being asked to review things like mass schedules and make changes as necessary.
It’s all part of a process called “Growing Disciples,” with, Tylka says, the announcements being made to time with Pentecost, traditionally held the 49th day after Easter Sunday.
“I am convinced we are moving in the right direction, to a more vibrant, mission-driven, and sustainable church, to grow disciples for generations to come,” said Tylka, in the video. “These difficult and, yet, necessary changes will create greater freedom to engage in this new apostolic age.”
In total, the 156 parishes in the 26 counties of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, are expected to be cut to 75, or, more than half.
CLICK HERE for more parish-specific details. The changes, Tylka says, are the result of two years of research, feedback from consultants, feedback from parishioners, and more.
