Catholic Diocese plan changes, Holy Family now proposed to remain open

Mar. 11—DANVILLE — It was announced in October that a proposed merger to form one parish by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria for the Danville area could close Holy Family Catholic Church on East Main Street in Danville and have St. Paul's Catholic Church on Walnut Street in Danville the recommended primary site.

But Holy Family is now proposed to remain open.

Initially, Holy Family and St. Isaac Jogues in Georgetown were recommended to not be in use in the future. Also under the previous and current plan, St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hoopeston and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westville were recommended secondary sites.

Bishop Louis Tylka has released the Round 3 Parish Models proposals.

For the Danville planning area, the new recommendation is that Holy Family and St. Paul's are the primary locations. St. Anthony's and St. Mary's would be secondary locations and St. Isaac Jogues will not be in use.

Plans still call for a merger of parishes, three priests assigned (one Spanish speaking) and it's recommended that within three years, pastor discern a plan for the future of the Danville Parish. The plan will include building usage, consolidation of staff and administrative site, priest living arrangements, plans for ministry and evangelization and Schlarman Academy school.

Priest assignments are based on the current available priests. Final decisions will be made by the Bishop.

According to a social media post from Holy Family Pastor Fr. Steven P. Loftus, "At present, the Danville area is not a clear-cut decision for the Growing Disciples core team that is advisory to Bishop Tylka. Our vicariate has a number of moving parts, as can be seen with the core team's recommendation.

"This reminds me of my algebra classes at Decatur MacArthur High School: in order to solve five unknown variables, you must have five equations. Presently, I think we have only three or four equations. Time is needed so that things can play out, and we will get a better 'lay of the land' in a few years," Loftus said.

Loftus continued, "Keep in mind that we are in this situation because the majority of us baptized Catholics have abandoned our love for Jesus Christ and the Holy Eucharist and Sunday Mass; we have become unfaithful, and we have drifted away from the Church of our Catholic fathers and mothers. 'Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?' Jesus says to us. (Luke 6:46) This is our sin, and the only real answer is personal repentance, confession of our sins, and real conversion. 'Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.'" (Revelation 3:2)

According to the Round 3 Parish Models announcement, from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, "We are now in the final stages of the Growing Disciples process. The Growing Disciples Core Team has met with the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission (comprised of the Core Team and parishioners from each planning area) and the Presbyteral Council (comprised of priests from each vicariate) to review the Round Three models it created based on the feedback from the Round Two models.

"All the feedback from both meetings has been submitted to the Bishop to consider as part of his discernment. The Bishop wanted to make public the recommendations (Round Three models) he will be discerning. He is committed to transparency in the Growing Disciples process. There are changes from the Round Two models based on the feedback the Core Team received from priests and parishioners. Publicly announcing the models will help all of us begin to work within our parish community and nearby parishes to prepare hearts and minds for change. Regardless of what may happen to our parish, everyone will experience a change, whether it is a new structure for our parish or the parish we grew up in, a new priest, or a renewed commitment and focus to evangelization and growing disciples.

"The time for the Bishop's discernment has begun. He will take everything he has heard and seen, revisit notes and letters, and bring it all to prayer. Please pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide him and the Growing Disciples process. Please email growingdisciples@cdop.org with any questions or concerns you may have."