Release Date:  February 27, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Person:  Barb Hoene:  (217) 343-3861, bbhoene@mchsi.com

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

January 18, 2006.  Effingham , IL .  St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church will be celebrating its 150^th anniversary in 2008.  A year long plan of events are currently being scheduled with an opening celebration mass on Sunday, January 6, 2008 to be attended by former pastors and assistants, nuns and lay teachers.  Other events planned for the year long celebration include open houses, blood drives, missions, father/son and mother/daughter breakfasts, guest speakers, ice cream socials, an historical documentary film, tours, and much more. 

St. Anthony of Padua Church currently has approximately 1,300 families, with 227 students attending the high school and 341 grade school students.  With thousands of graduates moving on to many successful careers over the years, St. Anthony of Padua has a deep tradition of spiritual and educational growth that goes well beyond the church doors.  Commemorating this rich history, a sesquicentennial history committee has been formed to write a book about the history of St. Anthony Parish from 1958 – 2008.  A book written by Hilda Engbring-Feldhake, “St. Anthony’s Century 1858 - 1958”, will also be reprinted.  These two books will provide a complete history of the church and will be available to the public.

“We are all looking forward to the year long celebration.  The parishioners of St. Anthony have a deep love for God that passes down from generation to generation that makes this celebration even more meaningful”, said Msgr. Leo Enlow, pastor.  All events planned for the Sesquicentennial Celebration will take place in Effingham at the St. Anthony Parish Center, Grade School and/or High School facilities and the Knights of Columbus.  The general public is invited to attend all events.  For more information please call 347-7129.

A committee for the upcoming St. Anthony Parish's 150^th  anniversary has been formed and is in the process of making plans for the celebration in the year 2008.  Any member of St. Anthony Parish that would be interested in joining this committee and would be willing to give of their time and talent should contact the parish office, 347-7129 or Joe Adams, 342-6426.  The meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month in the small room of the Parish Center at 7:00 pm.

As part of the celebration, a Sesquicentennial History Committee has been formed to update the history of St. Anthony Parish from 1958 to 2008.  The book will go on sale upon it's completion in 2008.  There is thought being given to reprinting  Saint Anthony's Century---1858-1958 by Hilda Engbring Feldhake.  Several parishioners have expressed interest  in purchasing this book.  The original is no longer available.  We need to know how many persons are interested so that we can plan to pursue a reprinting or drop the project if there is not enough interest.  Please call the parish office, 347-7129 or Joe Adams, 342-6426 if you are interested in purchasing a reprint of this book.