A Message from the Bishop
ST. ANTHONY IN HOOPESTON
May 18, 2024
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, As we celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost, we recall the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Church. This gift of the Holy Spirit continues to be poured out upon the Church and upon us. I chose Pentecost intentionally as the day when we reach an important milestone in our two-year Growing Disciples planning process with the announcement about our parishes and churches. Thank you for your participation, your feedback, and your advice which have helped me make the decisions that are announced today. I spent time in further prayer, study and discernment over the recommendations that were made to me by the extensive process of consultation which occurred. I have reached the following decision regarding Holy Family, St. Paul, St. Anthony, St. Mary, and St. Isaac Jogues. Holy Family and St. Paul in Danville, St. Anthony in Hoopeston, St. Mary in Westville, and St. Isaac Jogues in Georgetown will be merged to become one parish, with a primary worship site at Holy Family in Danville. St. Isaac Jogues in Georgetown will not be in use. Masses will continue during the process of implementing this change which is expected to be completed over the next 36 months. In the meantime, Fr. John Cyr will remain pastor of St. Paul in Danville. Fr. Timothy Sauppé will remain pastor of St. Mary in Westville and St. Isaac Jogues in Georgetown. Fr. Ignatius Mulenda will remain administrator at St. Anthony in Hoopeston. I have decided to assign Fr. Steven Loftus as pastor of Holy Trinity and Historic St. Patrick in Bloomington, effective July 1. I invite the parishioners at Holy Family to express your gratitude to him for his dedicated service to your parish community. I have appointed Fr. Peter Pilon as pastor of Holy Family in Danville. Please welcome him warmly. The implementation phase will begin in all parishes on July 1, 2024. I ask Fr. Pilon to lead the implementation effort in cooperation with Fr. Cyr, Fr. Sauppé, and Fr. Ignatius. In order to adapt to this merger of parishes, it will be necessary to determine the new Mass schedule. I ask you to work with your priests to arrange a weekend schedule of eight English Masses and an appropriate number of Spanish Masses between the four churches of the parish. It will also be necessary to study the facilities at St. Paul and Holy Family in Danville to determine in the next 36 months how best to consolidate your resources as part of a common parish. I am asking every parish to engage in a process of renewal. Every parish is asked to evaluate its schedule of Masses, its programs of pastoral care and evangelization. I challenge every parish to be more intense in cultivating disciples. More information about this call to become a more vibrant parish will be released in the coming months. I ask for your continued prayers and continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen and renew our Diocese in this new apostolic age. Know that I pray for you daily. May the Holy Spirit bless all our efforts to Grow Disciples.
Venerable Archbishop Sheen - pray for us!