Seen in the photo from left: Father John Verrier, Sisters Mary Paulette Joerger, Kathleen Anne Tait, Arlene Chole, and Mary Jo Sobieck, and Father Joel Phelps.
Several sisters recently participated in the groundbreaking event for a new St. Dominic Hall at 
St. Malachy Church in Rantoul, Ill.
The sisters have a long history of service at St. Malachy Parish and School which began in 1914.
Father Joel Phelps shared a reflection of the sisters and their call from St. Dominic to continue sowing the seeds to grow a strong and faith filled community.
It was a bittersweet beginning and end for the Dominican Sisters to hear at mass from Father Phelps that he would be moving to a new parish assignment starting July 1.
"The Dominican Sisters wish him well and send him with a promise of prayer for our continued support of his desire to sow the seeds of faith and grow disciples wherever God leads," said Sister Mary Jo.
"The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration… It’s a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey, and a centre of constant missionary outreach."
~Pope Francis
The new building will help to make the church more accessible, to provide much improved
restroom facilities, to improve the capacity to welcome those who celebrate mass, as well as special events like baptisms, weddings, Quinceaneras, and funerals.
