ALL THINGS NEW

Steadfast in Faith * Forward in Hope

        After two years of inventories and surveys, listening sessions and meetings, committee work and reports, proposals  and models, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski announced on Pentecost Sunday the results of our Archdiocesan Strategic Pastoral Planning Process: All Things New. 

⁕    St. Peter Parish will remain unchanged regarding its present structure. 

⁕    St. Francis of Assisi parish in Portage des Sioux will be amalgamated into St. Charles Borromeo Parish.

⁕    Regarding the assignment of priests:

1.   The new pastor of St. Peter Parish will be the Reverend James Theby. In addition, Fr. Theby is also appointed pastor of St. Charles Borromeo parish.

2.   The Reverend Christopher Schroeder is appointed as senior associate pastor of St. Peter Parish and of St. Charles Borromeo parish.

3.   The Reverend George Staley is appointed part-time associate pastor of St. Peter Parish, and of St. Charles Borromeo parish; as well as part-time priest-chaplain for the Newman Center at Lindenwood University in St. Charles.

Please pray with me for these men, who will begin their assignments, August 1, 2023.

Do you recall how these three parishes were staffed five years ago, (number of priests)?

The pastor at St. Francis of Assisi was Fr. Bob Banken (deceased).

The pastor at St. Charles Borromeo is Fr. William Dotson; associate pastor is Fr. Eddie Godefroid

The pastor at St. Peter is Fr. John Seper; senior associate pastor / retired, was Fr. Fred Meyer (deceased); in residence, serving Lindenwood U., Duchesne HS, & Vocation Office is Fr. Eddie Voltz.

 

Five years ago, there was:

•    One full-time priest at St. Francis,

•    Two full-time priests at St. Charles Borromeo,

•    Three at St. Peter: one full-time, one retired with    faculties, one in residence. 

 

Now, our parishes will be staffed by three priests: two full-time, and one part-time.  That will necessitate changes in our parish configuration / ministries / structure; and,  requiring that we think cohesively, work cooperatively and pray continually.

      Let us fervently seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to discern God’s grace-filled promptings, so that The Catholic Churches in Historic Downtown St. Charles might become ever more vibrant in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, drawing His people into the mercy, healing, love, joy and peace of the Holy Catholic Church.

 

        Sincerely yours in Jesus, Fr. John Seper