Priests in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will gather on Tuesday, May 12 at Villa Maria Catholic Life Center on Lake Springfield for the annual Priests' Jubilee Celebration with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. The special presenter for the day will be Bishop Joseph Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who is the official postulator for the cause of canonization for Father Augustus Tolton. He will speak on Father Tolton's priesthood.

This year a number of men will be celebrate a significant number of years in the priesthood. Father Barry Harmon is celebrating his silver jubilee. Celebrating their golden jubilees are Father Donald E. Knuffman, Msgr. Virgil W. Mank, Father George L. Morelock, Father Robert W. Spriggs and Father Ralph J. Zetzel, OFM.

Several other priests will be honored as well. Celebrating 60 years of service is Father Albert Langheim, OFM. Father Peter J. Donohoe, Father Anthony J. Schmidt and Father Carl A. Schmidt are all celebrating 65 years of the priesthood. Finally, Father Joseph F. O'Reilly is celebrating 66 years of service.