Calling it “a great moment to renew our love for and loyalty to Jesus Christ and our holy priesthood,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, led applause and prayers of gratitude for priests celebrating jubilee years and those newly ordained during a Mass in their honor at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on June 25.

The Mass served to officially open the Diocese of Peoria’s observance of the worldwide Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

On behalf of the more than 100 priests present for the Mass and all clergy of the diocese, Bishop Jenky gave thanks for “the privilege of serving God’s people” through the ordained priesthood.

The homilist was Father Gerard Verhoye, a senior priest of the diocese observing his 60th anniversary of ordination. Father Verhoye, whose assignments included service as pastor of parishes in Galva, Sheffield, Atkinson, and Hooppole, drew laughter when he began his homily by saying “I don’t believe I have ever spoken in such a large edifice before.” In most of the churches where he was assigned, he added, “I could stand in the pulpit and blow out a candle in the back of the church.”

“But I enjoyed every one of them,” said Father Verhoye.

Acknowledging he had his own doubts when considering the priesthood, he urged those interested in a priestly vocation today to “give it a try, let the Lord in, and the Lord and God will always be there.”

In addition to Father Verhoye, priests recognized with applause at the conclusion of the Mass included 55-year jubilarians Father John Dietzen, Father J. Eugene Kane, Father Stanley Malinowski, Father Dale Maloy, and Father George Wuellner; 50-year jubilarians Father Robert Mann, Father Dennis O’Riley, Father William Ryan, Father Robert Schladen and Father Harold Schmitt; and 45-year jubilarians Father Patrick Collins, Father Duane LeClercq, and Msgr. Dale Wellman.

Also, 40-year jubilarians Father Ronald Enderlin, Father Edward Harkrader, Father Paul Meismer, and Father James Rickey; 30-year jubilarians Father Donald Levitt, Father Jerry Logan, and Msgr. Gerald Ward; 25-year jubilarians Father Terry Cassidy and Father Raymond Guthrie; 15-year jubilarian Msgr. Gregory Ketcham; 10-year jubilarians Father Thomas Holloway, Father Charles Klamut, and Father Robert Rayson; and newly ordained priests Father David Sabel and Father Adam Stimpson.