Rural ‘heroes’ work toward two harvests

By Tom Dermody

Calling them “holy heroes of our church and diocese,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, said the 18 recipients of this year’s St. Isidore Rural Family Life Award go beyond harvesting crops to prepare for the “great harvest” of the Kingdom of God.

“As Illinois farmers they have literally fed the hungry of the world,” said Bishop Jenky, principal celebrant at the Diocese of Peoria’s annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Fruits of the Harvest last Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. But the bishop — noting the involvement of the honorees in their parishes, communities, and families — added “they have also done many of the other corporal works of mercy demanded by today’s Gospel.”

As the recipients and their families sat in reserved pews throughout the cathedral, Bishop Jenky reflected on the Gospel reading from Matthew in which Jesus reminds that “whatever you did for the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The good example of the honorees “should encourage each one of us to more zealously serve Jesus Christ through our generous service of our neighbor,” he said.

The individuals, couples and families recognized at the Mass were nominated by their pastors for living out their faith in the rural community in an exemplary and responsible manner. At the end of Mass, the bishop presented each recipient with an icon of St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers.

In a reaction echoed by many honorees, Daniel and Elinor Ahearn said they were “very honored and humbled” to receive the diocesan recognition.

For the Ahearns, members of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Eagle Township near Streator, the award caps a lifetime of farm work and parish service.

Both born and raised on farms in LaSalle County, the Ahearns — Dan, now 90, and Elinor, 84 — spent nearly six decades tending to a farm west of Streator, where they raised their four children. Though they’ve now moved into town, the Ahearns still help on the farm.

“Dan was out on the tractor this fall hauling corn to the elevator,” said Elinor. “He did not have to get off the tractor to get his weight ticket because it was quite a climb up and down the steps of the tractor.”

The Ahearns applied the work ethic they learned on the farm to their service at the parish. Dan was a trustee and lector for many years, Elinor taught CCD, and they both sing in the choir and have been extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. One daughter, Janet Heider, is organist at Annunciation BVM Church, while another daughter, Carole Scheuer, is organist at St. Patrick’s Parish in Dwight.

“We believe in being active in our church,” said Elinor.

The Ahearns and the other recipients “are representative of so many more who have lived examplary lives of faithfulness in our rural communities,” said Deacon Bill Gray, diocesan director of rural life.

In presenting the honorees to Bishop Jenky, Deacon Gray — who farms in rural Hamilton and serves as deacon at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish in Nauvoo — said that the diocese’s rural communities “have been strong foundations for the faith being passed on from one generation to the next.” He also thanked Bishop Jenky for the support and encouragement he offers those engaged in agriculture.

“He certainly shares our concern and hopes for the family farm,” said Deacon Gray.

At the reception, recipients Alvin and Ethel Decker of St. Thomas Parish, Philo — parents of six and grandparents of 16 — were surrounded by tables of family members.

“They’re humble, and really didn’t feel they deserved this,” said their son, Bill. But their family and Msgr. James Ramer, their pastor who nominated them, know better.

“It was so well deserved,” said Bill Decker of his parents, who are retired but still assist with the farm operation. “These guys have worked their hearts out, and they go to Mass every morning” as well as pray the rosary regularly, he said.

The Harvest Mass was celebrated on the feast of Christ the King. In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Jenky said we proclaim Jesus “Lord, God, Redeemer and Master of the Universe.”

“In the heartland and at the conclusion of the harvest, may we be ready for the Lord to gather us in according to his will and to use us as his servants,” said the bishop.

St. Isidore Award winners

Following is the complete list of 2008 St. Isidore Rural Family Life Award recipients recognized at last Sunday’s diocesan Harvest Mass:

• Daniel and Elinor Ahearn, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Eagle Township

• Leroy and Jean Blindt, St. Patrick’s Parish, Raritan

• Frank Butzen, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Streator

• The Joseph Buysse Family, St. Anthony’s Parish, Atkinson

• Robert and Ann Carmody, Epiphany Parish, Normal

• Alvin and Ethel Decker, St. Thomas Parish, Philo

• The Thomas Deutsch Family, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Galesburg

• Vic and Phyllis Fehr, Sacred Heart Parish, Farmer City

• The Elmer Grebner Family, St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, Metamora

• Dewey and Marie Haag, St. John’s Parish, Cullom

• Steve and Robin Hettinger, St. Mary’s Parish, Pesotum

• The Kelley Family, St. Patrick’s of Merna Parish, Bloomington

• Leo and Anna Mae Kelly, St. Teresa’s Parish, Earlville

• The John Murray Family, St. Matthew’s Parish, Champaign

• Jack and Margaret Peifer, Holy Family Parish, Lincoln

• The Jerry Ryan Family, St. John the Baptist Parish, Clinton

• Mrs. Mary Snyder, St. Jude’s Parish, Peoria

• The Timothy Sullivan Family, St. Paul’s Parish, Macomb