Over a recent weekend, it wasn’t exactly business as usual at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, IL. 
Oh sure, there were regular liturgies and all of the activities that go on at the busy parish of more than 2,000 families, but one thing was different: Bishop R. Daniel Conlon came calling and he immersed himself in nearly every aspect of parish life.
“He is seeking to visit every parish in the diocese over a seven year period,” says Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, associate pastor.
Over the course of the weekend, Bishop Conlon visited the 
school and offered a Mass for students and faculty. He also visited the sick, heard confessions, met with the parish council and other groups throughout the parish, and attended a ministry appreciation event. As a culmination, he celebrated all of the weekend Masses.
“It was such an exciting morning at church,” parishioner Rose Bailey said, “with a beautiful mass presided by our very own Bishop of the Joliet Diocese. 
“In my lifetime, I cannot remember a bishop ever doing that at just regular Masses,” Rose added. “It was very cool.”
At one point, Bishop Conlon stopped in on a parent meeting at Bishop McNamara High School, that was organized to share information and answer questions about the new school organization.
It brought his visit full circle, at least for the Viatorians. Just over 50 years ago, another bishop came calling at Maternity BVM: Bishop Martin D. McNamara, for whom the high school is named. His visit then marked 100 years of Viatorians serving in Bourbonnais.