ALGONQUIN—Hundreds of parishioners participated in the final commemoration of the centennial year at St. Margaret Mary Church in Algonquin with a weekend of activities  Oct. 16 through Oct. 18.

On Oct. 16 a Mass was celebrated to honor the feast day of the parish patroness, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and a prayer service was held on Oct. 17 at the original site of the church building in downtown Algonquin.

A centennial Mass at noon on Oct. 18 was concelebrated by Bishop David Malloy with Father Peter Sarnicki, OFM Conv, pastor; Father Andre Brzezinski, OFM Conv.; and Father Witold Adamczyk, OFM Conv., parochial vicars. Retired former pastor Msgr. Michael Tierney, former parish parochial vicars and more than 20 priests from the Rockford Diocese also concelbrated.

Special concelebrants included the Very Rev. Jaroslaw Zachariasz, OFM Conv., Franciscan Minister Provincial from Krakow, Poland and the Very Rev. Michael Zielke, OFM Conv., Franciscan Minister Provincial in Chicago.

As in the kick-off of St. Margaret Mary’s centennial year one year ago, parishioners processed before Mass with symbols expressing parish significance. They carried the 100th anniversary banner; a relic of St. Margaret Mary; a St. Francis Cross; an inscribed blessing from Pope Francis; the new parish directory; samples of the year long parish Good Deed cards; and a colorful quilt depicting a multitude of parish ministries. Four youth ministry members carried baskets which represented prayer, technology, service, and community building.

The Mass proclaimed the diversity of the parish as the readings and music were done by the parish’s English, Polish and Filipino choirs. The silence in the church was only broken by the soft underlying sounds of the baptismal font waterfall.

With more than 400 people in attendance, Bishop Malloy said, “This is not just a celebration but gratitude to God for the graces bestowed upon others before us who formed this church.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment as there are many parishes not able to continue for many reasons,” he continued. “Think of the many joys you have experienced here with weddings, baptisms and Christmas Mass, plus the sadness of burying a parent, grandparent, sibling, or child. The seeds of grace have been planted in our hearts.”

In closing, Bishop Malloy referred to the young people.

“You are the future and need to form your heart and mind for Jesus. Stay in the faith, whether you continue in this parish or wherever you go in the future.”

During Mass, Bishop Malloy blessed the church’s new Franciscan San Damiano crucifix, tabernacle and lecturn, which was the parishioners gift to the parish through a continuing campaign.

Saint Margaret Mary Church is designated as a Franciscan Friary and the San Damiano Cross is the cross that St. Francis prayed before when he received his conversion and the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church.

Before the conclusion of the Mass, Father Sarnicki, pastor, thanked Bishop Malloy, the priests and deacons and the parish family for all their support and the goodness that has happened over the years. “Let us experience a renewal of faith, hope and vision for our future,” he said. “May we imitate Saint Francis and grow in a life of conversion through simplicity, humility and purity.”

Many of the faithful expressed their heartfelt feelings about their parish and the eloquent words from Bishop Malloy and their pastor Father Sarnicki.

“This was such a beautiful Mass,” said Abby Armstrong, an active member of the parish youth ministry. “I am always inspired by Bishop Malloy. He has such a special way of reaching us.”

The celebration of the centennial year continued as over 250 guests attended a Gala Dinner and Dance at the Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills. Many were still heartened about the magnitude of the resilience of their parish and how it touched them personally, including Alice McCoy, a member of Saint Margaret Mary for the past 48 years. “I remember the baptisms of my children and the funerals of my mother and grandson and the continuity of our folk choir that began many years ago.”

Lifetime parish member George Lazansky recalled the fact that he and another parishioner, Agnes Strang, are the only parishioners still at the parish who were baptized at the old St. Margaret Mary mission church. “Our parish is strong,” Lazansky said.

As history has recorded, 30 years ago Lazansky and his wife Jo Ann, left on a pilgrim trip to the Holy Land with their pastor Monsignor Bill McDonnell and other members of the parish. They were among 153 passengers that boarded TWA Flight 847 in Athens for Rome on June 14, 1985 and were held hostage by terrorists. Their parish community waited in hope and with prayers until all were released and returned.

Guests at the Gala viewed a special video presentation that chronicled the parish history. It included the uncovering of a humorous film from the 1940s depicting parish men portraying women in “Annie Get Your Gun” and dramatic news footage about the hostage crisis from 1985.

The past year at St. Margaret Mary church has included a wide number of centennial activities including choral concerts, a series of “Faith on Fire” spirit-filled presentations, food drives, and a “100 Good Deeds for 100 Great Years” campaign. The parish also was selected as the Grand Marshall in the Village of Algonquin’s annual Founders Day parade in the summer.

Father Peter Tymko, OFM Conv, former parochial vicar at the parish, who recently became parochial vicar at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, returned for the centennial celebration. “This has just been amazing today and all year,” he said. “It is so good to be here and to share this happiness with everyone.”