06/11/2026
A new Byzantine Catholic outreach has taken root in Bradford, Illinois, thanks to a providential partnership between the Eparchy of Parma, the Diocese of Peoria, and two supporting parishes. As interest in a Byzantine presence resurfaced, St. John the Baptist Church—a historic Latin Rite parish preparing to close—welcomed our clergy to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, attended by more than 180 people.
Seeing an opportunity to keep the church active, the Diocese of Peoria offered our community a temporary lease with the option to purchase the parish complex. The Latin Rite parishioners, though grieving their closure, were deeply committed to preserving a Catholic presence in Bradford and responded with remarkable generosity, even offering financial support to help the new outreach begin.
After entering a rental agreement, an inaugural Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday. The new community is under the care of St. Anthony the Great Parish in St. Louis, with ongoing support from Annunciation Parish in Homer Glen, and will be served by Fr. Joseph Weber, Fr. Thomas Loya, and Fr. Tyler Strand on a rotating basis.
