Photo Caption: Msgr. Willliam Watson guided St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights for 34 years.

Members of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights aren’t letting Msgr. William Watson get away without thanking him for the 34 years he has served as their pastor. There will be an open house after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 27, and after the 6:30, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Masses and 5 p.m. LifeTeen Mass on Sunday, June 28.

Light refreshments will be served at the open houses, which will be held in the lower level of the church at 904 E. Lake Ave.

Msgr. Watson will become pastor emeritus of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish on July 8 and has announced plans to return to his hometown of Odell. A story on his long ministry in the Diocese of Peoria appeared in the May 24, 2015, issue of The Catholic Post.