Which parish won the top prize at the ADA drawing?

A month ago Marilyn and Ted Holland celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Now, because of Marilyn, their parish of St. Peter’s in Peoria has 10,000 reasons to celebrate.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Marilyn recalling the moment she heard her name read by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, as the top prize winner in the Annual Diocesan Appeal drawing last Saturday at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. The door prize gave St. Peter’s, a parish of about 100 families north of downtown Peoria, a $10,000 advance toward their 2010 appeal goal.

“I know it’s for a good cause and I’m so excited,” said Marilyn.
She and Ted know a few things about good causes. He helps run the parish’s food pantry. She’s in charge of funeral lunches.

St. Peter’s is one of three parishes under the spiritual care of Msgr. Paul Showalter, who is also the Diocese of Peoria’s vicar general. When Marilyn came forward to receive the winning certificate from Bishop Jenky, Msgr. Showalter intercepted her midway with a shout of “Marilyn!” and a hug.

“We’re small in numbers,” said Msgr. Showalter of St. Peter’s Parish, and the “blessing” of the top prize will come in handy.

The second prize of a $5,000 advance went to St. Michael’s, Bement, with the winning ticket belonging to Father Bruce Lopez, pastor.

Other parish winners were Immaculate Heart of Mary, Galesburg, $3,000 (Kathy Devlin); Sacre Coeur, Creve Coeur, $2,000 (Greg Totten); Historic St. Patrick, Bloomington, $1,000 (Peg McGuire); and St. Joseph’s, Peoria, $1,000 (Jill McCaughey).

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