Franciscan Priest Brings Communities Together to Honour and Remember Fallen Soldiers

Friar Jim Henning, OFM Conv.

Franciscan Friar Jim Henning is pastor of both St. John the Baptist Parish in Clinton, Illinois and Sacred Heart Parish in Farmer City, also Illinois. The two towns are just over 19 miles apart. Clinton is near the western shore of Lake Clinton while Farmer City resides on the lake’s eastern flank.

On certain occasions Friar Jim brings the two communities together to celebrate their faith and honour loved ones. One such occasion was this year’s Memorial Day. In wind and sunshine, parishioners from Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the grounds of St. Joseph Cemetery in Farmer City and participated in a Mass that Friar Jim celebrated. During Mass everyone prayed for and remembered the countless men and women who courageously fought for the freedoms that we all enjoy today. Let us never forget what they have done for us.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscans.)