Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will celebrate a farewell Mass Feb. 15 honoring Bishop-elect Fernand "Ferd" Cheri, OFM, recently named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield will have music provided by the African Ensemble. A reception in the Cathedral Atrium will follow featuring jazz by Virgil Rhodes of Springfield.

"This is an opportunity to share the great joy throughout the diocese that our Holy Father selected Bishop-elect Cheri to continue his ministry and serve the church in his hometown of New Orleans," said Bishop Paprocki.

Pope Francis named Bishop-elect Cheri, formerly director of Campus Ministry at Quincy University, as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans on Jan. 12. He also served as diocesan coordinator of the Black Catholic Ministry.

Bishop-elect Cheri, who turned 63 on Jan. 28, will be ordained auxiliary bishop at a Mass March 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.