Bishop Paul installs new pastor at Holy Apostles Church, Normal, IL
NORMAL, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — His Grace, Bishop Paul installed Priest David Gresham as Rector of Holy Apostles Church here during his archpastoral visit on Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, 2017, in conjunction with the celebration of the Raising of Lazarus.
Vespers was celebrated on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, over 50 members of the faithful gathered for the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Prior to the Liturgy, six individuals were received into the Church through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation.
In his homily, Bishop Paul spoke of the love of God and how we can relate our personal struggles to the various persons encountered in the Scripture readings for Holy Week. He also spoke on the meaning of John 11:35, in which we read about Jesus weeping at the tomb of His friend Lazarus.
Bishop Paul, Father David and the faithful enjoyed a festive luncheon prepared by the parish, which afforded the faithful with an opportunity to visit with His Grace personally.
The first Divine Liturgy at what is today Holy Apostles Church was celebrated on Christmas Day 1997. Shortly thereafter, the community was formally established as a mission station as an outreach ministry of Saint Joseph Church, Wheaton, IL. Clergy from Saint Joseph’s served the community weekly until 2001, when Priest John Dickson Brown was ordained and appointed Holy Apostles’ first resident pastor. In October 2012, Father John and his family relocated to Georgia, and Priest Danial Doss was assigned Priest-in-Charge in March of the following year. Father Danial served the community until Father David’s ordination and appointment to the parish. Holy Apostles’ was designated a parish in 2013.
Follow the growth of Holy Apostles’ Church on the parish’s web site.
