Community will bid farewell to Channahon priest

CHANNAHON – In the 12 years the Rev. Jeff Stoneberg has been at St. Ann Catholic Church in Channahon, he’s come to be loved by so many in the community, and not just his parishioners.

His care and concern for all of those in and around his parish have won him over with people of all faith, as well as those of no religion. His service, he said, is to the entire population of his parish’s boundaries.

In one month, he will be taking those people skills to Lombard. Stoneberg will be transferred to his new position at Christ the King Catholic Church on June 18, and his Channahon church is opening its doors for farewell celebrations for those in the community who want to wish him well.

After three Mass observances May 31 and June 1, the public is invited for refreshments and the chance to say goodbye. One of the celebrations – June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – will involve brunch and jazz music, which is a favorite of the priest.

“He has such a warm personality,” parishioner Janet Moorman said of Stoneberg. “He really cares about people. A lot of people in the community feel free to call him, even if they’re not Catholic. It’s going to be hard for a lot of people.”

He has a friendly and easy-going demeanor, Moorman added, that children feel comfortable approaching him wherever he is.

“[The church] is more like a family because of him,” parishioner Diane Chesson said. “He touches a lot of people.”

“He is very approachable,” John Behling, another parishioner, said. “Father Jeff is thoughtful about what he says. He acts with patience and thoughtfulness.”

Stoneberg came to St. Ann’s in 2002. It was his first pastorate. The building itself was only about a year old with about 400 families when he arrived. Now, there are 1,100 families and 500 children in grades first through eighth in the church’s religious education classes.

“It was a great place,” Stoneberg said of his first impression of Channahon. “It was growing, and there was a big sense of hope and promise as people wanted to deepen their faith with God.”

Stoneberg had another career before being called to the priesthood. Growing up the oldest of seven children in Aurora, he worked in the catalog department of Sears while studying to be a certified court reporter. He enjoyed his years as a court reporter, working mostly in Kane County with what he called some “brilliant minds.” He loved what he learned during court sessions, but grieved at some of what he heard from children of parents going through divorce.

He earned a degree in English at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana, got his master’s of theology at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein and was ordained in 1990.

He said he loves his parishioners in Channahon.

“They are very enthusiastic, prayerful, basically young moms and dads with kids,” he said. “Raising families is very much part of the parish here.”

Religious education, or RE, is an important part of his ministry, Stoneberg said.

“The biggest thing we do is the RE program,” he said.

With the large increase in children going through the program, Stoneberg was instrumental in bringing in a full-time director of religious education to lead it. Also under his tutelage, the outreach ministry to those in need, St. Vincent de Paul, was begun about a year and a half ago in the parish.

He also started a football team in the Catholic league and brought the church and parish together with the guides required by the diocese.

“It takes a very special person to have the guidance of the bishop and to guide his parishioners through these transitions,” Chesson said.

Behling, who is on the church’s finance committee, said Stoneberg also helped steer the fiscal considerations of St. Ann’s in a good direction.

“The mortgage was about $1.5 million when he came,” Behling said, “and it’s about $300,000 now. Father has managed very conservatively from a business point, while still providing great services to the parishioners.”

Stoneberg said many of his special memories of his time in Channahon are celebrating Mass.

“I love to say Mass,” he said. “People go to all kinds of places during the week, and they’re very busy. ... But Saturday night Mass or Sunday Mass, everybody comes together. There’s a dynamic there that’s powerful.”

He said he feels God’s love and forgiveness when people share their lives and concerns with him. To those he has come to know in Channahon, he has nothing but thanks and well-wishes.

“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and thank you for sharing your lives with me in my time in Channahon,” he said.

IF YOU GO
Farewell celebrations for the Rev. Jeff Stoneberg. All are open to the community
• May 31, 6 p.m., with hors d'oeuvres
• June 1, 9 a.m., with cake and coffee
• June 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a jazz brunch
Where: St. Ann Catholic Church, 24500 Navajo Drive, Channahon
For more information: Call St. Ann Catholic Church, 815-467-6962