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St. john the baptist in red bud opens sesquicentennial

Marking 150 years of faith, Jan. 7-8 the parish family of St. John the Baptist in Red Bud opened its anniversary celebration with a special liturgy reflecting on the people and events that shaped the parish.

Parishioners and relatives of the parish founders — James Roscow, George Bessen, Anton Huegle, George Hoefflin and Anton Yaeger — carried candles to the sanctuary while other parishioners brought symbols forward.

A chalice and ciborium used in the early years of the parish as well as pictures of the first and second church buildings were carried to the front. School principal, Kris Hill, carried up an assortment of books from the early days of the school, now 146 years old.

The last item carried to the sanctuary was a papal blessing bestowed on the parish by Pope Benedict XVI. As it was carried forward, Msgr. Dennis Schaefer read the blessing: “The Holy Father Benedict XVI cordially imparts the Apostolic Blessing to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud, Illinois as they celebrate the 150th Anniversary of its Foundation, and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary invokes an abundance of Divine Graces.”

Noting this was also the celebration of the Epiphany, pastor, Msgr. Schaefer, said the Magi used the light of the star of Bethlehem to search for the Christ Child, and it was the determination, the drive and the prayer of the parish’s ancestors on which the parish was built. “It was the light of faith that led our ancestors to Red Bud over 150 years ago.”

The parish’s founding fathers met with Bishop Henry Juncker Nov. 26, 1858 seeking permission to begin collecting money to establish the parish that was dedicated Sept. 28, 1862.

Throughout the years, Msgr. Schaefer said the people “worked to witness the love of the Lord in this new community of Red Bud, a witnessing that took courage then, and has continued to challenge all throughout these 150 years, a witnessing that would only be fruitful if they remained faithful to their experience of the presence of God with them.”

The parish banner proclaims: “We remember, we celebrate, we believe. The parish will host other events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary.

To read Msgr. Schaefer's homily, please click on this link: Epiphany homily.

A formal proclamation was issued to honor the parish on the opening of the sesquicentennial:

On this 8th day of January in the New Year of our Lord, Two thousand and twelve, on this Solemnity of Epiphany, we joyfully proclaim the opening of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Parish Family of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois.

It was on November 26, 1858 when Bishop Henry Damien Juncker, the Bishop of Alton, Illinois authorized James Roscow, George Hoeffelin, Anton Huegle, Anton Yaeger and George Bessen to make plans for the building of a Catholic Church in Red Bud. The community by this time had become an important station on the stage coach route between Belleville, Kaskaskia, Chester, and St. Louis. The early Catholic settlers felt the urgency to have their spiritual needs met. Their hopes would be fulfilled when the Church would be completed and dedicated by Bishop Junker on September 28, 1862 to the honor of St. John the Baptist.

Thirty years later on November 17, 1892 the faith of this young congregation would be tested as the Church and 80 homes in the community would be destroyed by a cyclone. Work to rebuild began the next spring with the cornerstone laid May 23, 1893.

From these humble beginnings, to our gathering in this 150th year, the faith and witness of our ancestors continues to challenge us to live our faith boldly, thereby handing on to the coming generations, the history, heritage and commitment of the People of God in St. John the Baptist Parish.

Therefore, with trust in God and in His continued love for us, we solemnly rededicate ourselves to following the Lord. Through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, our Patron, may we help all people come to recognize Jesus as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

We pray that the celebration of this Sesquicentennial Year be a time of Grace for all of us as we remember the past, celebrate the present, and grow in our belief as One Family in the Lord.
Given at Red Bud this 8th day of January, Two Thousand and Twelve.

To view upcoming events in the parish to celebrate the anniversary during the year, please click on this link: Upcoming events.