Welcome to St. Paul
Since 1844 the Catholic Community of St. Paul Parish has worshipped and followed the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in Highland, Illinois. From our humble beginnings when Highland was a village of 60 families we now are a parish family of over 5300 members, over 1800 families.
We welcome you to our website and extend to you a personal welcome to come and visit us anytime. Our doors are always open to welcome you to visit us and worship with us. Perhaps you have been here before, coming for our wonderful “Kirchenfest” celebration at the end of every August, or maybe for a wedding, baptism, or even funeral.
I am proud to be this parishes’ fifteenth pastor in these 167 years. I share ministry with Fr. Scott Snider, Parochial Vicar, Fr. David Peters, retired pastor, Deacon Ron Hesson & Deacon Dave Bohnenstiehl and with a staff of over 50 church personnel; we are St. Paul’s and offer various ministries to bless the faith journeys of our parish family.
Come see us and catch the Spirit which inflames our hearts daily to be faithful servants and authentic worshippers of Jesus.
Peace,
Fr. Chuck Edwards
Pastor
Latest News and Events
FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Please consider joining †Bishop Paprocki at the ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ Prayer Rally for Religious Freedom at the Lincoln Statue on the grounds of the Illinois State Capital in Springfield on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 12:00 Noon. The prayer rally will be 30-45 minutes only.
Reflection for Day One
In the opening chapter of Declaration on Religious Liberty, the Council Fathers at Vatican II forthrightly declared that “the human person has a right to religious freedom.” This right is founded upon the intrinsic dignity of the human person. From God’s revelation we know that the dignity of human beings resides in their being created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:27). Like God we are intelligent beings with free will. Because of this we can know the truth and perform God-like actions, such as being loving, kind, forgiving, etc. Reason itself, in knowing what a human being is, confirms that we possess a dignity and worth that exceeds the rest of creation and that cannot be violated, but rather needs to be protected and fostered. What human beings believe concerning God is of supreme importance. Religious belief lies at the very center of who we are in relation to what is most central and cherished in our lives. Therefore, the Council insists that the religious convictions of individuals or groups should never be coerced but must be held freely, protected by a civil constitutional right. What challenges to religious liberty do you see within our contemporary world? When the Council says that religious liberty must be upheld “within due limits,” what would fall outside of “due limits”? What religious belief would seriously offend the moral order or a just law?
Kirchenfest
It’s Kirchenfest time! We have Kirchen Crew shirts are available for purchase at the rectory.
We are still in need of some Stand Chairman. Please contact us to find out where you can help!
It is never too early to start collecting prizes for IDOODIT! Drop them off at the rectory, or look for the box in the back of church. Thank you!
If you are interested in helping out with the Kirchenfest, please contact one of our chairs listed below. We truly appreciate your help and volunteerism. Thank you.
General Chairman: Annie Lutostanski-Thomae 618-363-7479
Food Chairman: Steve Kessmann 618-781-7490
Games Chairman: Brad Scott 618-791-2832
Distribution Chairman: Blake Kohlbrecher 618-210-5850
OR REACH US BY EMAIL:
Annie Lutostanski-Thomae: annie_luto@yahoo.com
Steve Kessmann: stevekessmann@hotmail.com
Brad Scott: Brad.Scott@edwardjones.com
Blake Kohlbrecher: Blake.kohlbrecher@crownimportsllc.com