St James at Sag Bridge

175th Anniversary

The Parish Council & Father Gleeson had 13 months of events for the 175th Anniversary which started on Sunday August 12, 20007 when Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller celebrated the 11:30am Mass.

Following the Mass a new Anniversary flag was hoisted by parish council president Mr. Michael Dillenburg assisted by Mrs. Marie Hiland widow of former council president John Hiland. Bishop Gustavo then blessed the new St James Café. The men of the Holy Name had a cookout in honor of the events. The Trinity Irish School of Dance entertained led by Mary Kay and Shelia Lawler of our parish.

On the next Sunday August 19, 2007 Bishop Joseph Perry celebrate the 10:00am mass which was followed by a cookout. A special stone was be installed in Our Lady of the Forest Grotto. It was inscripited will an image of our historic church to commemorate 175 years of faith. Bishop Joseph Perry blessed this commerative stone and Frank Podczerwinski of our parish installed it.

In 2008 Bishop Kane & Mann came and celebrated a Mass at the historic parish. Both Bishop Perry & Gustavo returned in 2008 as Bishop Perry celebrated Mass on the 4th of July weekend and Bishop Gustavo celebrated our Labor Day Mass.

On Sunday September 7th the Ecclesia Men's Choir performed for the 11:30 Mass and gave a concert following the Mass. The day also included an open house of the grounds and all buildings. Fr Gleeson gave over an hour tour of the cemetery highlighting some Irish 30 tombstones.

The celebrations concluded Sunday September 28 2008 when Francis Cardinal George celebrated the 11:30 am Mass a painting of the church done by Jim Wall, a parishioner of St. James was presented to the Cardinal. The Mass was followed by a special luncheon at the renowned Courtright’s of Willow Springs. While Cardinal George was originally to also attend the luncheon at Courtright's he was called to Rome for three weeks and left following the Mass.

Parish Anniversary Directory

For videos of some of these special events click on the Church Camera link.

175th Anniversary Events Photographs

Click on any images to see it full size, then simply click the next or previous button to move between photographs. The most recent events are shown on top.

175th Anniversary Luncheon at Courtright's - September 28th 2008