Msgr. Thomas Bales, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Amboy, St. Flannen Parish in Harmon, and St. Mary Parish in Walton, will retire on June 15.
Born in Dixon, he attended Dixon High School, St. Ambrose University in Davenport and Illinois State University in Normal. He completed his theology studies at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill on June 1, 1974.
He began his service as parochial vicar for the summer at Holy Angels Parish in Aurora (1974), then became campus minister at Aurora College for the 1974-75 school year. He served as chaplain at Rosary High School in Aurora (August 1975 to July 1979), then as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, St. Charles (1979-1982).
He was associate director of the Diocesan Family Life Office from July 1982 to January 1983, then served as its director until July 1983, then as priest consultant for Family Life until 1986. He also was parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, Rockford, from July 1983 to July 1986.
He became pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Lena (July 1986 to August 1987), then served as pastor at St. Mary Parish in Sterling until July 2001. He also was dean of the Sterling Deanery from June 1998 to July 2001, and served as administrator for St. Mary Parish in Tampico from September 1999 until June 2000.
He was a diocesan consultor from 2000-2015, and a member of the priests’ health committee from 2001-2013.
He returned to Holy Family Parish as its pastor (2001-2010). He became pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Amboy, St. Flannen Parish in Harmon, and St. Mary Parish in Walton, on June 1, 2010. He served during part of that time as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Maytown (June 2010 to October 2011), and as administrator at Holy Cross Parish in Batavia (April to July 2014).
He received the papal honor of Prelate of Honor with the title of monsignor on June 14, 1998.