March 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The parishioners of St. Gregory Parish are pleased to welcome our new pastor, Father John Patrick Day, CP, who celebrated his first mass at the parish on Sunday, March 3 at 11 a.m. He was assisted by Reverend Timothy Winters, Deacon .
Father Patrick grew up in Illinois, and ordained as a Passionist Priest in 1972 . While in Japan he served as St. Teresa of Calcutta’s chauffeur during her visit there, and served in parish ministry in Japan for 14 years. After returning from Japan, Father Patrick served as chaplain with the Illinois State Police for 33 years , and with the Missouri Highway Patrol for 20 years.
Father Patrick, who is the pastor at St. Andrew, in Sparta will now also serve as Pastor in St. Gregory as well. Mass in St. Gregory will now be held at 11 AM and religious education classes will be held earlier.