Father Matthew O'Donnell

“The Parish: A Community Formed for Mission” is the theme of a presentation to follow the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Ann Parish in Peoria this Sunday, Nov. 12.

Leading the brief reflection and subsequent discussion will be Father Matthew O’Donnell, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The public is invited, and lunch is included during the post-Mass gathering in the parish hall.

Father O’Donnell, who will be present at the Mass, is pastor of St. Moses the Black Parish in Chicago and has served the archdiocese as chair of its Presbyteral Council. He has a master of divinity degree from Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union and a master of theology degree from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in Louisiana. Father O’Donnell has a “great love and passion” for ministering to the Black Catholic community, said Father Jeremy Freehill, pastor of St. Ann Parish.

“We have great hope to draw from his wisdom and pastoral experience both encouragement for ways our parish has already embarked on a path of self-renewal and mission,” said Father Freehill. “And at the same time, receive renewed inspiration to discern how we can keep moving forward as a parish.”

There is no charge for the presentation or lunch. St. Ann Church is located at 1010 S. Louisa St. in Peoria.