St. Patrick D of I fete clergy, religious

Daughters of Isabella (D of I) Circle #808 from Shrine of St. Patrick parish in St. Patrick held their annual Clergy and Religious Appreciation Day June 27.

The event coincided with the 37th priestly ordination anniversary of Father Robert Fields, pastor of the St. Patrick parish and of St. Michael parish in Kahoka and canonical administrator of the Canton and Ewing parishes.

The celebration began with Mass, followed by brunch served by D of I members.

Joining Fr. Fields were Father Basil Eruo, pastor at St. Joseph parish in Palmyra; Kahoka native Father Thomas Alber, senior associate pastor of St. Peter parish in Marshall and the Holy Family mission in Sweet Springs; St. Patrick native Franciscan Father James Wheeler of Quincy, Illinois; Sister Jane Wiesgram of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, parish life collaborator for the Canton and Ewing parishes; and many parishioners from the surrounding counties.

Several members of Fr. Fields’s family from Paris, Missouri, also attended.

During brunch, each clergy member and religious gave a talk on his or her current duties and thanked the D of I for sponsoring the event.

Judy Schmidt of Louisiana played beautiful Irish music on the dulcimer.

D of I Circle #808 is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and planning several events to recognize the milestone.