Long-time Parishioners Reminisce

What are your earliest memories of the parish?

Dick Jaeger recalled the original church, which seated “about 128 people. It was a small-type of community.

“I remember various pastors, going back to Father (W.J.) Curran. He was a very masculine guy, a good speaker and a good poker player. I have the set of poker chips (from back then) when the mayor, the priest, my dad and others played.

“I remember the parish dinners, with Lucy Murray making coffee (and) the Italian ladies’ spaghetti dinners.”

Mary Jaeger still has the coffee pot made by a parishioner who was a metal smith that everyone said made the best coffee. She recalled a young man named Daws Butler who entertained with impersonations at events. He grew up, went to Hollywood and became the voice of animated characters such as Huckleberry Hound and Deputy Dawg.

What were some of the most Christ-like people you remember at the parish?

Mary Jaeger mentioned Lois Olson, a “real shaker and mover” at the parish who became a pillar of prayer when she no longer could be so active.

Peter White, who collected change door to door to help pay for the new church, and Mary Wheeler, a teacher who did all the work that a liturgist now does, were mentioned.

The whole group then talked about Carol Jacklin, a member of Geneva Lutheran Church who began working at St. Peter Parish as school secretary, then parish secretary, then business manager. She worked at St. Peter’s for some 40 years before retiring, supporting her Lutheran church and her adopted Catholic church as well.

What have been some memorable events at St. Peter’s?

Dick Jaeger named holy day celebrations, Good Friday services and the stations of the cross through the years, which were described as “very elaborate” by Mary Jaeger.

A statue of Christ scourged was recalled by Peggy Gurbal and the others as “just gruesome. Some people fainted when they first saw it.” When the church changed locations, the statue was too big for the truck and was transported in someone’s convertible to the new church.

Mary Jaeger describes how the statue was shown at the parish during Good Fridays until some “people complained to Rockford.” The statue was then destroyed.statue was then destroyed.

What is your favorite ministry at the parish?

Art Kaindl: “We have 70 ministries (at the parish).”

Peggy Gurbal: “The Cana Guild” which helps couples prepare for marriage.

Norma Jaeger: “The Barn Sale, which I’ve helped with for 14 years.

“And the funeral luncheon ministry. It is so satisfying for families because they can dine and visit and stay as long as they want. We havefabulous food, and families appreciate it so much.”

Art Kaindl: “Being on the receiving end of (the funeral luncheon ministry), it is wonderful. You gather and talk and see your relatives.”

He and the others detail how the funeral luncheons are so well-done featuring white tablecloths and silverware and china donated by the previously-mentioned Mary Wheeler.

Father Martins Emeh is the current pastor at St. Peter Parish. He mentions “the joy of pastoring this parish” which he toured when he first came to the diocese from Nigeria. The parish, he said, “made a great impression (then, and today) it is amazing to behold the faith and love of this parish. It is a very caring community.”

Norma Jaeger: “It is very humbling to belong to this parish— there is so much going on.”

Long-time Parishioners Reminisce

What are your earliest memories of the parish?

Dick Jaeger recalled the original church, which seated “about 128 people. It was a small-type of community.

“I remember various pastors, going back to Father (W.J.) Curran. He was a very masculine guy, a good speaker and a good poker player. I have the set of poker chips (from back then) when the mayor, the priest, my dad and others played.

“I remember the parish dinners, with Lucy Murray making coffee (and) the Italian ladies’ spaghetti dinners.”

Mary Jaeger still has the coffee pot made by a parishioner who was a metal smith that everyone said made the best coffee. She recalled a young man named Daws Butler who entertained with impersonations at events. He grew up, went to Hollywood and became the voice of animated characters such as Huckleberry Hound and Deputy Dawg.

What were some of the most Christ-like people you remember at the parish?

Mary Jaeger mentioned Lois Olson, a “real shaker and mover” at the parish who became a pillar of prayer when she no longer could be so active.

Peter White, who collected change door to door to help pay for the new church, and Mary Wheeler, a teacher who did all the work that a liturgist now does, were mentioned.

The whole group then talked about Carol Jacklin, a member of Geneva Lutheran Church who began working at St. Peter Parish as school secretary, then parish secretary, then business manager. She worked at St. Peter’s for some 40 years before retiring, supporting her Lutheran church and her adopted Catholic church as well.

What have been some memorable events at St. Peter’s?

Dick Jaeger named holy day celebrations, Good Friday services and the stations of the cross through the years, which were described as “very elaborate” by Mary Jaeger.

A statue of Christ scourged was recalled by Peggy Gurbal and the others as “just gruesome. Some people fainted when they first saw it.” When the church changed locations, the statue was too big for the truck and was transported in someone’s convertible to the new church.

Mary Jaeger describes how the statue was shown at the parish during Good Fridays until some “people complained to Rockford.” The statue was then destroyed.statue was then destroyed.

What is your favorite ministry at the parish?

Art Kaindl: “We have 70 ministries (at the parish).”

Peggy Gurbal: “The Cana Guild” which helps couples prepare for marriage.

Norma Jaeger: “The Barn Sale, which I’ve helped with for 14 years.

“And the funeral luncheon ministry. It is so satisfying for families because they can dine and visit and stay as long as they want. We havefabulous food, and families appreciate it so much.”

Art Kaindl: “Being on the receiving end of (the funeral luncheon ministry), it is wonderful. You gather and talk and see your relatives.”

He and the others detail how the funeral luncheons are so well-done featuring white tablecloths and silverware and china donated by the previously-mentioned Mary Wheeler.

Father Martins Emeh is the current pastor at St. Peter Parish. He mentions “the joy of pastoring this parish” which he toured when he first came to the diocese from Nigeria. The parish, he said, “made a great impression (then, and today) it is amazing to behold the faith and love of this parish. It is a very caring community.”

Norma Jaeger: “It is very humbling to belong to this parish— there is so much going on.”