MCHENRY—On the path to its 175th anniversary next year, more than 250 parishioners at St. Patrick Church in McHenry attended Mass celebrated by Bishop David J. Malloy on the Feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15.
After the Mass, the bishop blessed and dedicated three of the parish’s significant outdoor features.
Evoking laughter from the crowd during the opening of his homily, Bishop Malloy recalled his conversation with Father Godwin Asuquo, pastor, when he was invited to dedicate the memorial prayer garden, St. Patrick statue and the church’s historical bell.
Smiling, Bishop Malloy said no one counted on the day’s weather.
“Why don’t we do this on the hottest day of the summer?,” said Bishop Malloy, as he referenced the 90 degree plus temperatures outside.
Bishop Malloy instructed the faithful on the gift of the Eucharist and how those who followed Jesus did not fully understand the significance of His words. “The Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ,” he said. “It is the same body that was seen, died, and in glory, was resurrected. We don’t understand it, but we believe it.”
“When receiving the Holy Eucharist,” Bishop Malloy added, “we must have great respect, step aside, protect it, and consume the sacrament. It is a flame in our heart.”
After Mass, everyone gathered outside for the dedications of the memorial prayer garden, the St. Patrick statue and the parish historic bell.
Sudden tears of joy among the faithful were clearly visible when Bishop Malloy held and released the first of five doves after the prayer and blessing of the memorial prayer garden. This beautiful gesture took many people by surprise.
The doves are a common tradition at St. Patrick Church. Deacon Dennis Holian releases his doves at church weddings, baptisms and funerals and they always find their way back to his home in Richmond.
Vivian Broughton, age 11, said this was her favorite part of the day. “I thought the releasing of the doves was so inspiring and mesmerizing,” she said.
The memorial prayer garden area features a loving statue of the Blessed Mother holding Jesus. It is located in the center of a brick walkway, which also creatively includes an artistic form of the Most Holy Rosary. Sixteen bricks at the beginning of the garden are inscribed and dedicated to the pastors of the parish from Father P.M. O’Neill (1876-1906) to Father Asuquo (2011-Present). The remainder of the bricks have been donated by parish members and are etched with their family names or in memory of loved ones.
Many symbolic flowers are planted in the garden, including roses, iris, lily of the valley and more. A water fountain recently arrived and will be added to the garden soon.
The crowd joined Bishop Malloy and moved to the front entrance of the church for the blessing of the new St. Patrick statue and the historic bell, which has its own storied past. In 1922, Count Oscar Bopp Von Oberstadt, a German spy imprisoned in England during the last days of World War I, donated the bell to St. Patrick Church. The bell was blessed by The Most Reverend Peter J. Muldoon, the first Bishop of the Rockford Diocese (1908-1927).
Father Asuquo had previously expressed his gratitude after Mass to the choir, the Knights of Columbus, the ushers, deacons, and lectors, plus all of the parishioners and members of the 175th anniversary committee.
“Thank you to all who have supported our projects, made donations and purchased bricks,” he said, “and to all who have worked hard to bring the vision and dream of our prayer garden to reality.”
At the conclusion of the dedication and blessings, it was apparent that everyone participated in a joyful experience as they stayed for a while enjoying light refreshments.
Before she left the festivities, long-time parishioner Clarice Miller added that “the Mass and the dedications were just beautiful”.