About Blessed Sacrament · Morton, Illinois
Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish in Morton, Illinois, within the Diocese of Peoria. Founded in 1953 as a Mission and formally established as a parish in 1957, it serves a thriving community in the Morton area with weekend and daily Masses, a K-8 Catholic school (with a new Montessori preschool), perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of ministries. The parish's stated mission is 'to be formed as disciples who encounter the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, love the Lord through worship, and bring Christ to others through joyful service.'
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament (the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ)
- Rector
- Father Adam Cesarek
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament offers the full rhythm of Catholic life: four weekend Masses, daily Mass, weekly Confession, and one of the more distinctive devotional features in central Illinois—Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday evening (6:30–9:30 PM) and Thursdays (8:30 AM until 8:30 PM Benediction). A parish Catholic school serving pre-K through 8th grade (now with a Montessori preschool track) makes it a natural fit for young families, while ministries like the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Respect Life, Altar & Rosary Society, Work of Our Hands (rosaries and lap blankets), and a Prayer Tree offer ways for adults of every age to serve and pray together.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM until Benediction at 8:30 PM (no adoration on holidays)
Our Parish & Mission
Blessed Sacrament Parish is a welcoming Catholic community in Morton, Illinois, within the Diocese of Peoria. The parish's mission statement reads: 'To be formed as disciples who encounter the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, love the Lord through worship, and bring Christ to others through joyful service.' Pastor Father Adam Cesarek invites visitors and new members to register with the parish and reach out for any support or questions along the journey 'from this world toward our true home in heaven.'
- Mission: encounter, worship, and joyful service
- Register as a parishioner via the parish registration form
Parish History
Founded as a Catholic Mission in 1953 by families who visited Bishop Cousins, the parish grew from Masses in the Morton Civic Building and a sixty-seat chapel to a full parish with school, convent, and church. Key milestones include the 1957 groundbreaking and 1958 school opening with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the 1964 church dedication, the 2009 church rededication for the 50th anniversary, and the multi-phase Vision For Our Future capital campaign that built the parish center and renovated the school.
- 1953: Mission established by Father Martin Fallon
- 1955: Father George Howard introduces devotions and starts a building fund
- 1956: Father Eugene Gould becomes Morton's first full-time priest and first pastor
- 1957: Ground broken for school; parish formally established
- 1958: School opens with 141 students and four School Sisters of Notre Dame
- 1964: New church dedicated by Bishop Franz on June 7
- 1972: Father Eugene L. Finnell begins 28-year pastorate
- 1992: Tom Moran becomes first permanent deacon
- 2000: 'Vision For Our Future' strategic plan launched
- 2005: Parish center and school renovations completed; first Fellowship Festival held
- 2009: Church rededicated December 6 for the 50th anniversary
- 2014: Msgr. Gerald Ward becomes fifth pastor on June 11
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Father Adam Cesarek and Parochial Vicar Father Achilleus Tegamaisho, supported by four permanent deacons and a full lay staff including directors of liturgy, sacred music, youth ministry, family faith formation, advancement, finance/HR, and pastoral care. Father Cesarek's welcome letter on the parish homepage is the public introduction to his pastorate.
- Father Adam Cesarek — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Achilleus Tegamaisho — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Rick Miller
- Deacon Kevin Zeeb
- Deacon Dave Steeples
- Deacon Michael Harris
- Rick Zath — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Maria Hercik — Coordinator of Sacred Music ([email protected])
- Joe Wizieck — Director of Liturgy ([email protected])
- Megan Lauritsen — Youth Ministry & Discipleship ([email protected])
- MaryBeth Steinkoenig — Family Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Connie Zuercher — Religious Education Admin Assistant
- Brett Grieder — Finance & HR Coordinator
- Mary Oswald — Director of Advancement (for the school, [email protected])
- Judith Huser — Parish Admin Assistant
- John Huser — Building Supervisor
Mass & Sacraments
Blessed Sacrament offers a robust schedule of Masses and sacraments. Four weekend Masses and daily Mass are celebrated, with most weekday and Sunday 9:30 AM Masses live-streamed on the parish Facebook page (Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - Morton, Illinois) and YouTube (Live BSC Stream). Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 (livestreamed), and 11:30 AM
- Mon–Thu and Sat: 8:00 AM (livestreamed)
- Friday during school year: 9:00 AM school Mass (livestreamed)
- Friday outside school year: 8:00 AM
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- Communion visits to homebound and nursing-home parishioners
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Family Faith Formation is coordinated by MaryBeth Steinkoenig, with Connie Zuercher serving as Religious Education Administrative Assistant. The parish also runs a robust Youth Ministry & Discipleship program led by Megan Lauritsen, giving young people a pathway from childhood faith formation through adolescence and into adult parish life.
- Family Faith Formation
- Religious Education classes (administered through parish office)
- Youth Ministry & Discipleship for teens and young adults
- RCIA-style sacramental preparation available via the parish
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (bssmorton.org) opened in September 1958 with 141 students and four School Sisters of Notre Dame. Today it serves pre-K through 8th grade with over 240 students and added a Montessori preschool track in fall 2025. The school is led by Principal Garry Finch and Director of Advancement Mary Oswald, and families can apply for tuition aid through FACTS, the Diocese of Peoria's Spalding Scholarships, and Empower Illinois.
- Pre-K through 8th grade (P3, P4, Pre-K, K–8)
- New Montessori Preschool program launched fall 2025
- Principal: Garry Finch ([email protected])
- Director of Advancement: Mary Oswald ([email protected])
- Tuition aid via FACTS, Spalding Scholarships, and Empower Illinois
- School building originally constructed in 1957–1958; capital campaigns in 2005 and 2016 added classrooms, a parish center, gym, music room, and cafeteria
Ministries & Organizations
Blessed Sacrament embraces parishioners' talents through dozens of ministries spanning prayer, service, fellowship, and parish life. New members can browse the Ministry Scheduler and reach out to listed contacts to get involved.
- Altar & Rosary Society
- Art & Environment Committee
- Blessed Family Ministry
- Blessed Friends Ministry
- Eucharistic Adoration Committee
- Faith + Wellness
- Fellowship Festival / Spring Gala
- Knights of Columbus
- Ministry of Hospitality
- Prayer Tree (contact: Jan Nordsiek, [email protected])
- Respect Life / Pro-Life Committee
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Work of Our Hands Ministry (rosaries for the missions and lap blankets for the Cancer Center; meets 3rd Monday 1:00–3:00 PM in the Fr. Wuellner room; contact Chris Greving, [email protected])
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Pastoral Care is one of the largest ministries at Blessed Sacrament, reaching roughly 80 homebound or nursing-home parishioners each week. The team includes clergy, deacons, and lay ministers who visit local Peoria hospitals, nursing homes, and independent living facilities, and who follow up post-hospitalization. Faith Community Nursing (FCN) coordinates health-and-wellness support under the pastor and parish staff.
- Communion Ministry to the Sick — visits to homebound and nursing-home parishioners
- Hospital Ministry — visits to Peoria-area hospitals by Father Adam, Father Achilleus, Deacon Kevin Zeeb, Chris Teuerle, and Rick Zath
- Friday Communion Services at Holly Brook and Brandon Wood independent living homes
- Faith Community Nursing (FCN) — medical and non-medical volunteers promoting whole-person wellness
- Contact: Rick Zath at 309-266-9721 ext. 4 or [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music are coordinated by Joe Wizieck (Director of Liturgy) and Maria Hercik (Coordinator of Sacred Music), supported by a parish Liturgy Commission. Their work shapes the celebration of every Mass and the parish's broader devotional life, including Adoration and Benediction.
- Director of Liturgy: Joe Wizieck ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Sacred Music: Maria Hercik ([email protected])
- Liturgy Commission
- Art & Environment Committee handles seasonal decorations
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is at 1020 S. First Ave., Morton, Illinois 61550, and can be reached at (309) 266-9721. The parish invites visitors to attend Mass, register as parishioners, and reach out to the clergy or staff with any needs.
- Address: 1020 S. First Ave., Morton, IL 61550
- Phone: (309) 266-9721
- Website: https://www.bscmorton.org/
- School website: https://www.bssmorton.org/
- Facebook: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - Morton, Illinois
- YouTube: Live BSC Stream
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Martin Fallon1953–1955 (Mission)
Sent by Bishop Cousins to establish the Catholic Mission in Morton; celebrated the first two Sunday Masses in the Morton Civic Building on Jefferson Street.
- Father George Howard1955–1956 (Mission)
Second priest to serve the Mission; introduced additional devotions and began the building fund.
- Father Eugene Gould1956–1967
First pastor when the Mission became Blessed Sacrament Church; oversaw purchase of the 7-1/2-acre property, the 1957 groundbreaking for the school, and the 1964 dedication of the new church by Bishop Franz. Transferred February 1967.
- Father E. F. Carney1963
Blessed Sacrament's first assistant priest.
- Father Eugene L. Finnell1972–June 2000
Second pastor; served 28 years. Retired the parish debt in the late 1970s; the parish doubled in size under his leadership. Named Pastor Emeritus; continued assisting until his death on December 27, 2008.
- Father Mark A. DeSutter
Fourth pastor; served during the strategic planning process and the Vision For Our Future campaign.
- Msgr. Gerald WardJune 11, 2014–
Fifth pastor; launched a capital campaign for a new gym, music room, cafeteria, pre-K/kindergarten classrooms, parking lot, and playground.
- Father Adam Cesarekcurrent
Current pastor.