A receiving line formed the instant ballroom doors opened, and Bishop Vann stood visiting with former parishioners and friends until dinner began, and resumed doing so at the banquet’s end.

Bishop Vann was pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur, from 1992 to 2001; parochial administrator St. Isidore, Bethany, and Sacred Heart, Dalton City, 1995-1997; and Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Mt. Zion, 1995. He served as dean of the Decatur deanery from 1996 to 2001.

But the crowd who came to hear Bishop Vann was not just from the Decatur deanery. Parishioners from Blessed Sacrament, Springfield, came to hear their former pastor speak, as did a group from St. Benedict, Auburn, where he also was pastor. Others from his home parish, St. Agnes in Springfield, were there.

“I believe a pastor should be involved in the community,” said Bishop Vann, who in his early days at Lourdes sang with the Greater Decatur Chorale.

He told the crowd he has always felt a special connection to Decatur. “My first real experience in Decatur was in August 1971. My 1-month-old brother, David, was in our station wagon with Mom and Dad, and they were taking me to Milliken (University) to start college,” Bishop Vann said.

Bishop Vann told the crowd he believes in social media outreach. He writes a blog and is on Twitter. “It is a great dynamic place for me to be. Catholic radio is a great way we can get our story out. ”