Priests in the Springfield diocese will gather with Bishop George J. Lucas for their annual Priests Jubilee Celebration on Tuesday, May 6, at St. Joseph Parish, Chatham. Seven priests, including one who is a bishop, are celebrating their golden jubilees; four priests are celebrating their silver jubilees, and another priest, who is retired and living in Vermont, is celebrating his 60th jubilee.

The celebration will begin at 3 p.m. with a presentation entitled "You are My Beloved: Christ's Word to His Priests," given by Father Britto Berchmans, pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston.

Solemn evening prayer and a dinner will follow.

Golden jubilarians are Bishop Victor Balke, Fathers Thomas Gallenbach, William Kekeisen, Donald Meehling, David Peters, John Sohm, and Eugene Prendiville, OMI. Silver jubilarians are: Fathers Gerald Bunse, Kevin Laughery, Joseph Molloy and Richard Weltin.

While every jubilee is a reason to celebrate, this year's golden and silver diocesan ordination classes include some unique elements. Of the seven diocesan golden jubilarians, three of the four who are graduates of St. Teresa High School in Decatur, came from St. James School and their two deceased ordination classmates also came from St. James and St. Teresa. One of the golden jubilarians actually ordained the silver jubilarians.

Father Peters offers a challenge to the students at St. Teresa High School. "I would just like to say, ‘Go Bulldogs. Do it again. We want a championship.'"