VIRDEN — In celebration of its more than 100 years of parish life, Sacred Heart Parish in Virden is releasing a pictorial history book as well as a companion DVD.
The book is titled Blessings Without Number. Parish secretary Marcella Rosier has compiled photographs, news articles and family stories to make up the 500-page soft-cover, full-color book. She credits Sacred Heart parishioner Joe Maynerich for collecting and labeling photographs from the beginnings of the parish, which was chartered in the early 1900s by Slovak immigrants. “It is really a scrapbook of our parish family,” says Rosier.
The cornerstone of the parish church was laid on July 4, 1914 and over two years ago the parish celebrated its centennial year with a Mass and dinner. On June 29, 2014, Vicar General Msgr. David Hoefler, parish native son Father George Morelock and long-time pastor Father August Sperl were the concelebrants of the Mass. The beloved Father Sperl, who led the parish from 1983 until his retirement in 2009, passed away just a few months later.
In 2014 a “parish family” picture was taken and featured over 200 people who gathered in front of the church. About that time Rosier had the idea for the book. “It seemed fitting that a book commemorating those 100 years be published,” says Rosier. “The parish really has an interesting history and I felt inspired to make sure that the story was told as a way of celebrating the faith present in our parish.
“Our parish history began with Slovak immigrants, who seeking a better life for their families, settled in the Virden and Thayer area and soon came to desire a parish they could call their own,” she says. “It (the book) chronicles the founding of our parish, the building of our church, the uncertain times spent waiting for a pastor, and the years of rejoicing in the sacraments. Our story continues with vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life; it continues in our children and grandchildren.
“The telling of this story is an opportunity to recall those families who have been instrumental in founding and upholding our parish, the priests who have been faithful shepherds of the people, the memorials that are part of our church building, our parish connections and our parishioners, both living and deceased.
“It is even a time to recall our hardships, sorrows and triumphs, knowing that it is through these that we are drawn even closer to our suffering, dying and rising Lord,” Rosier says. “It is also an opportunity to reflect on St. Catherine Parish in Virden, founded in 1866 and merged with Sacred Heart Parish in 1978, whose history and parishioners are part our own.”
Rosier says she appreciates that Father James Palakudy, SAC, who was appointed pastor July 1, 2014, gave both his approval and support for her to go ahead with putting together the book. She also gives credit to Sacred Heart parishioner Catherine McGrath, who initially created the DVD for the centennial celebration.
The DVDs — which are currently available — cost $10 plus shipping and handling. The books will be available for pick-up and delivery by mid-January and cost $25 plus shipping and handling. “We have had many generous sponsors so the cost of printing the book has been covered by them,” Rosier says. “However we will only be printing the number of books that we think we can sell, so anyone wanting to purchase (the book) is encouraged to pre-order to guarantee a copy.”
To receive an order form write, email or call Sacred Heart Church, 722 N. Springfield St., Virden IL 62690; ; or (217) 965-4545.