On Sunday, Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet installed Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, as Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Kankakee, IL.
Bishop Hicks’ homily drew on the “here comes everybody” image of the Church, encouraging parishioners to gather people and make disciples.
“As I’ve gotten to know Bishop Glancy, I’ve found he has that Catholic desire to serve everyone, as a Viatorian, as a priest, as a bishop,” Bishop Hicks said in his homily. “From Chicago to Belize to Kankakee, he’ll go where he is sent and try to serve everybody.”
Bishop Hicks concelebrated Mass with Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, Fr. John Peeters, CSV, Pastor Emeritus, and Bishop Glancy. Br. John Alexander Avellaneda, CSV, assisted as deacon, and young people from the parish ministered as altar servers. Bishop Hicks’ prayers and homily and the readings and music of the liturgy utilized a mix of English and Spanish, including Br. John’s proclamation of the Gospel in English and then again in Spanish.
“I want to share as bishop of the Diocese of Joliet my gratitude to you to serve as pastor here, to take part of a larger Viatorian team bringing vitality to this part of the diocese, and for your love of Jesus and how you express it,” Bishop Hicks said.
Bishop Hicks celebrated Mass for the installation, with (left to right) Fr. Peeters concelebrating, Br. John assisting as deacon, and Fr. Francis and Bishop Glancy concelebrating.
Bishop Glancy, who professed first vows as a Viatorian religious in 1983, was ordained a bishop in 2012 in Belize. He served as Auxiliary Bishop of Belize City-Belmopan until 2018, when a Belizean priest was appointed as auxiliary. After returning to the US, Bishop Glancy has assisted in a variety of ministries, including time as a case manager for Viator House of Hospitality. Now, he serves as parochial administrator for Sacred Heart Church in Pembroke Township, IL (since March), and as pastor for St. Patrick (since July, now formalized).
“Thank you for your presence, your leadership, and your encouragement to make disciples. I can guarantee you that will take place here at St. Pat’s,” Bishop Glancy said to Bishop Hicks.
And then, ever the pastor, Bishop Glancy turned his attention to his parish and the ministry and service of the community. “Thank you to our youth group for serving and for handing out bags for Harvest Sunday. With SNAP benefits in question, it’s important we do what we can to contribute to this collection next week.”
Fr. Peeters and Bishop Glancy together during Fr. Peeters’ retirement weekend in June
He now succeeds Fr. Peeters, who retired this summer after 18 years as pastor. Bishop Glancy steps into a role at a parish with a long Viatorian history and a reputation for serving the community and forming young people in the faith. Already, he has worked with area Viatorians and the local community to begin a weekly Mass in Spanish at St. Patrick.
In a nod to the reach of the parish and the breadth of the Church, Bishop Hicks referenced the old James Joyce quote: “Here comes everybody! It means we’re universal. It means everyone is welcome. And it means we’re all called to be disciples who go out to make disciples.”
Congratulations, Bishop Glancy!
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Bishop Hicks and Bishop Glancy greeted people outside church following Mass.