MCHENRY—The history, deep faith and bond of the parishioners at St. Patrick Parish in McHenry is as tightly woven as the Celtic braided cross on the church’s interior doors.

More than 300 people, most wearing a touch o’ green, filled the church to capacity, March 14, for a Mass celebrated by Bishop David Malloy and Father Godwin Asuquo, pastor. The Mass kicked off a year of activities in honor of the 175th year of the parish’s founding.

It also preceded the blessing of a new statue of the parish’s patron saint and the groundbreaking for a prayer garden.

At the Mass, the bishop and pastor were joined in celebration by Msgr. James McLoughlin, Msgr. Michael Tierney, former pastor Father James McKitrick, Father David Beauvais, Father George Birungyi, Father Martins Emeh, Father Paul White and parish deacons Dennis Holian and Mathieu Abina.

Incense added solemnity to the occasion and the musical instruments and vocals from the St. Patrick Choir and the Children’s Choir, led by director Cecilia Adams and organist Joan Badgley, lent a sense of joy with music steeped in Irish tradition. The church was filled with light as the sun shone through the deeply hued stained glass windows.

“With my Irish roots,” said Bishop Malloy, “I couldn’t resist the temptation to be here today over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”

“The shamrocks on the floor make this a beautiful and welcoming place every day,” he added.

Bishop Malloy began his homily with a reminder to take one’s spiritual stock during Lent.

“Like New Year’s resolutions, we need to step back and ask ourselves if we have made a difference,” he said.

“We have just three weeks left. Ask if your heart and soul is closer to Christ. The Holy Father has told us that mercy and forgiveness can’t be ours without the sacrament of confession,” he continued.

“My brother priests will offer reconciliation. Let the Lord forgive you, now is the time.”

In reflecting on the history of the parish, Bishop Malloy noted that St. Patrick Church is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese.

“Can you imagine that this location 175 years ago was found with the help of Indian guides? You are the heirs,” he said.

“Generations have looked up at these magnificent windows. This church has been a place of many joys, sorrows and baptisms. There have been 175 Lents, Easters, and Christmas seasons here.

“Parents have come to pray for their children during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Iraq War,” he said.

He asked parishioners to pray for those who were at St. Patrick Parish before them and that others who follow “will pray for us when the day comes. Pray for Father Godwin, the priests, the sisters, the deceased and for vocations,” Bishop Malloy added.

“As you can see, we are not getting any younger. Honor St. Pat’s and bring everything to the Lord.”

After Mass, Father Asuquo expressed his appreciation to everyone, including Bishop Malloy, the ushers, the office staff, the 175th anniversary committee and the Knights of Columbus for making “this a beautiful day.”

“Our parish begins its anniversary year debt-free” he announced, and thanked St. Patrick parishioners and friends for their “love and support.”

As parishioners left the church, each received a St. Patrick holy card blessed by Bishop Malloy.

Then they gathered with Bishop Malloy outdoors for the blessing of the St. Patrick statue in front of the church and a ground breaking ceremony for the new Memorial Prayer Garden, which is scheduled to be complete in June.

Funds have been raised for brick pavers, a statue of Mary and landscaping. Memorial bricks will also be placed on the shamrock donation wall.

Clarice Miller, 87, has been a member of St. Patrick Church since 1957. “I came early today to make sure I could sit in the same second row pew that I have always done.” She added with a twinkle, “St, Patrick’s is special to me. I’ll be here at St. Pat’s until the end.”

David and Lisa Menner, parishioners for the past ten years, were proud that their three sons, Thomas, Andrew and Matthew, were all altar servers at the anniversary Mass.

The celebration moved to the VFW in McHenry where over 250 people attended the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. Tables were decorated with photos of parishioners, past and present, school class photos, and other memorabilia. A table displayed artifacts from the church, including an original gold candlestick and photos of all of the Bishops who have served the Diocese of Rockford since the inception of the church.

Megan Doherty stood nearby a display created by her husband Steve depicting a family tree of the seven generations and descendants of James and Johanna Doherty who have been members of St. Pat’s.
More history was uncovered with usher Ed Rous, a parishioner for over 40 years. “I converted to Catholicism in 1984,” he said. He said his sponsor to the faith was a fellow parishioner Steven Knox, who later became a priest and is now Msgr. Knox, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles.

A year of fun faith-filled activities are planned every month through March 13, 2016 with the Anniversary Closing Mass and St. Patrick’s Day Dinner once again.

St, Patrick Church was founded in 1840 by Father Maurice de Palais and the first church was built in 1853 at a cost of $700 with additions made in 1872 and 1883, The existing church was dedicated on St, Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1923. It has undergone five renovations with the last in 2008. The first pastor was Father P.M. O’Neill who served from 1876-1906. Father Asuquo is St. Patrick’s fifteenth pastor, serving since 2011.

For times and locations for the remainder of St. Patrick Church’s 175th Anniversary events, including a trip to Ireland on October 12-22, 2015 hosted by Father Asuquo, visit www.stpatrickmchenry.org.