TEUTOPOLIS — Over 450 people from throughout the Effingham deanery were at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis for a 7 p.m. Mass, Sept. 1, to welcome Bishop Thomas John Paprocki on his first formal visit to their deanery after his June installation as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Father Austin Albers, OFM, St. Francis pastor, Msgr. Leo Enlow, dean of the Effingham deanery, and 17 priests joined Bishop Paprocki to concelebrate at the Mass.

“We wanted to welcome you in a very special way,” said Msgr. Enlow, as he looked out over the large church, where every pew was occupied and the choir loft was filled with music ministers. “This is your first deanery Mass and we are very happy you chose to have it here in the Effingham deanery.”

“It is a privilege and a joy to be here for the first time,” Bishop Paprocki said in his opening remarks.

Later, in his homily, he said, “I am indeed happy to call Springfield in Illinois my home.”

Bishop Paprocki explained why he has chosen to be called by both his names — “Thomas” and “John.” His patron saints both have significance in his life — St. John Fisher, who was a bishop, and St. Thomas More, who was a lawyer. Both were martyred for their faith and fidelity to Catholic teaching.

Bishop Paprocki discussed his vision for the diocese. “I see a diocese where there is an abundance of priests” and where mothers and fathers encourage and foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. 

“The fact that goals are lofty does not make them unreachable,” said the bishop. As he did at his installation in June, Bishop Paprocki concluded his homily by singing, with the help of the choir, Jesus Loves You, with lyrics written by Brian Littrell, former lead singer for the Backstreet Boys and now a writer/performer of Christian music.

Four assemblies of Knights of Columbus served as honor guards at Mass. A reception followed in the school hall, where people had the opportunity to meet the bishop in person.

Father Christopher House, diocesan vocations director, accompanied the bishop on the visit, as he will at the six remaining deanery visits.

“It was great to be in Teutopolis at St. Francis of Assisi Church in the Effingham deanery for my first deanery Mass of Welcome,” Bishop Paprocki said later. “The attendance at Mass was wonderful with people from all over the deanery. The choir was fantastic in helping me sing Jesus Loves You in my homily.

“I enjoyed meeting people at the reception after Mass. To top it off, three high school students spoke to me and Father House about their interest in priesthood,” Bishop Paprocki said. “I’m looking forward to visiting the other deaneries during the month of September.”

Deanery Masses of Welcome held after Catholic Times went to press: Alton Deanery, Sept. 7 at St. Boniface Parish, Edwardsville; Jacksonville Deanery, Sept. 8 at St. John the Evangelist, Carrollton; and Litchfield Deanery, Sept. 9 at Ss. Mary and Joseph Parish, Carlinville.

Remaining deanery Masses and visits are: Decatur Deanery, 7 p.m. Mass Thursday, Sept. 23, at Holy Family Parish, Decatur; Quincy Deanery, 7 p.m. Mass Monday, Sept. 27, at St. Peter Parish, Quincy; and Springfield Deanery, 7 p.m. Mass Tuesday, Sept. 28, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham.