St. Anthony

History of St. Anthony Parish

Founded in 1877, St. Anthony Catholic Church grew out of the Irish and German Catholic families who began settling the prairie town of Hoopeston in the 1860s. Father D. J. Hogan built the first church in 1883, and the present church was formally dedicated on December 12, 1907. Father Frederick Gahlman's tenure from 1903 to 1929 is the longest in parish history; he founded the Ladies' Altar Society and helped establish the local Knights of Columbus council. The parish absorbed Holy Trinity Mission in Rankin in 2001, and continues its century-old ministry to Spanish-speaking migrant farmworkers and their families.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Children's faith-formation classes for Grades 1 through Confirmation (usually Grade 8 or 9) meet weekly on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., September through May, in the Parish Hall. First Communion and Reconciliation instruction typically begins in 2nd grade, and Confirmation students receive two years of preparation before being confirmed. Weekly Sunday Mass attendance is required for students to receive their sacraments, and families gather for learning activities four to five times a year. Adult-learning sessions are offered biweekly while students attend class.

Sacraments

St. Anthony's prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist (First Communion), Reconciliation (Confession), and Holy Matrimony. RCIA / OCIA is offered for adults entering the Church. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office; matrimony requires six months' notice and completion of a Pre-Cana Conference (or Engaged Encounter) and a Christian Sexuality Workshop.

• Baptism — call (217) 283-6211 to schedule
• First Communion & Reconciliation — usually 2nd grade
• Confirmation — two years of preparation, usually 8th or 9th grade
• Holy Matrimony — six months' notice required, plus Pre-Cana and Christian Sexuality workshop
• Reconciliation — Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
• RCIA / OCIA for adults

Spanish-Speaking Ministry

Since Father Emmett Flynn obtained the services of three Mexican priests in the summer of 1947, St. Anthony has continuously ministered to Spanish-speaking migrant families from Texas and Mexico who come to the Hoopeston area each summer for the asparagus, pea, and sweet-corn harvests. The parish holds a Spanish/English Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (the homily is delivered in English), prints typed homilies in both languages every weekend, and maintains its own Hispanic Mass choir under music director Becky Martinez.

Parish Life & Community Events

Beyond Mass and the sacraments, St. Anthony's calendar is full of intergenerational community-building events. The parish is looking for volunteers to help share the Catholic faith locally through its New Evangelization Committee, and volunteers can contact Andrew Lane at 765-505-2558. Announcements of births, sacraments, and special events are coordinated through the parish office (Deb Benjamin, 217-283-6211) for inclusion in the bulletin and on the website.

• Donut Sunday — first Sunday of each month after 9:00 a.m. Mass
• Parish Bingo — 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, doors open at 5:00 p.m., bingo at 6:00 p.m.
• Annual Garage Sale
• Annual Service Award / Lifetime Service Award nominations
• Taco Booth at the National Sweet Corn Festival
• Mardi Gras celebration in the parish hall

Staff & Contact

Parish Administrator Fr. Ignatius Mulenda is supported in the parish office by Secretary Debbie Benjamin, who is in the office Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Bulletin and website announcements can be sent to Deb Benjamin at (217) 283-6211.

• Parish Administrator — Fr. Ignatius Mulenda
• Parish Secretary — Debbie Benjamin (Mon/Wed/Thu, 12:00–4:00 p.m.)
• Office phone — (217) 283-6211
• Email — [email protected]
• Office hours — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.