"The overwhelming support we had from each and every place we went, the joy that each place had and the excitement that they maintained really invigorated me and gave me an incredible hope for our diocese," said Father Adam Cesarek, seen with the trio at St. Mark School in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Father Michael Pica, Father Adam Cesarek and Father Tom Otto scheduled 15 stops as they rode their bicycles across the Diocese of Peoria to raise prayers for and awareness of vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and good, holy marriages, “from which all vocations come.”

At the schools they shared their vocation stories, told the students why priesthood was “the greatest thing that ever happened to us,” and explained why prayer is so important. They also had plenty of fun, giving away t-shirts for correct answers to a variety of questions about the Diocese of Peoria, the priesthood and the Catholic faith and sacraments.

When they arrived at their destinations ahead of time, they were able to add stops, such as at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Peoria, where they prayed at the mausoleum of the deceased bishops of the Diocese of Peoria.

Following is a list of the places they spoke, celebrated Mass and prayed during the inaugural “Priests Pedaling for Prayers”:

Monday, April 24 — Quad Cities to Monmouth

• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, East Moline (rally)
• Seton Catholic School, Moline (rally)
• Jordan Catholic School, Rock Island (rally and lunch)
• Immaculate Conception Church, Monmouth (Mass and potluck)

Tuesday, April 25 — Galesburg to Peoria

• Costa Catholic Academy, Galesburg (rally)
• St. Mark School, Peoria (rally)
• St. Jude Church, Peoria (Mass and spaghetti dinner)

Wednesday, April 26 — Morton to Bloomington, via Pontiac

• Blessed Sacrament School, Morton (Mass and rally)
• St. Mary School, Pontiac (rally)
• Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington (reception and Holy Hour)

Thursday, April 27 — Bloomington to Champaign

• Corpus Christi School, Bloomington (rally)
• The High School of Saint Thomas More, Champaign (rally)
• St. Matthew Church, Champaign (Mass and reception)

Friday, April 28 — Champaign to Danville

• Holy Cross Church, Champaign (talk and Mass)
• Schlarman Academy, Danville (rally)