The Diocese of Peoria’s 150th Anniversary celebrations continued with the third of ten Regional Vicariate Masses, celebrated by Bishop Louis Tylka at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee, Illinois. The liturgy brought together parishioners, clergy, and faithful from across the Kewanee Vicariate for a moving celebration of faith and history.

Featured in this photo from left to right: Deacon Joseph O’Tool, Father Chris Haake, Father Ghislain Inai, SMA, Msgr. Michael Bliss, Bishop Louis Tylka, Father Daniel Gifford, Deacon John Holevoet, Deacon Nicholas Simon and Deacon Robert O’Rourke.

In his homily, Bishop Tylka reflected on the Gospel of Luke, drawing a powerful connection between the joy of Elizabeth and John the Baptist in encountering Mary and Jesus, and the life of the Church today. He reminded the faithful:

“I believe that whatever will come in the next 5 years, the next 10 years, the next 150 years in the life of the Church in the Diocese of Peoria, there will be moments of grace just like Elizabeth and John the Baptist shared in encountering Mary bringing Jesus to them; being filled with joy, LEAPING because the Lord is present to us.”

4th Degree Knights greet Bishop Tylka in Kewanee.

The celebration was made possible through the hospitality of Saint John Paul II Parish and the collaboration of neighboring parishes: St. John the Beloved Parish (Galva), St. Malachy (Geneseo), St. Anthony (Atkinson), and St. Patrick (Sheffield). 

The next Regional Vicariate Mass will take place at St. Pius X (Rock Island) on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. All are invited to gather as the Diocese continues this year-long jubilee celebration under the theme: “Let us Proclaim Christ: Yesterday, Today, Forever!”

For more information about the 150th anniversary and upcoming events, visit cdop150.org.