La Salle County priest named vicar general of Peoria diocese

The Rev. Monsignor Philip Halfacre, pastor of Streator and Leonore Catholic parishes and faculty member of Marquette Academy, has been named a chief deputy in the administration of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.

Bishop Daniel Jenky, of the diocese, announced Wednesday the appointment of Halfacre as vicar general. Halfacre will remain pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Streator, and Sts. Peter and Paul in Leonore.

"I am grateful to Bishop Jenky for allowing me to continue in my present assignment in Streator and Leonore while I serve as Vicar General," Halfacre said in an email to The Times. "I have a great affection for the people of La Salle County and having lived here since 1992 I feel very much at home here.

Halfacre said he will continue teaching at Marquette Academy.

"A lot of this is possible because of modern communication technology," Halfacre said. "And I am blessed to have a tremendous administrative staff."

In 2016, Halfacre celebrated his 25th Jubilee in the priesthood.

Halfacre has served in Streator, Seneca, Leonore, Ottawa, Utica and Naplate as well as teaching seniors at Marquette. He was named pastor of Streator's parish in 2011.

Halfacre graduated from Indiana University with a degree in philosophy. He then applied to the Diocese of Peoria and was sent to Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., the following year. He possesses a Master of Arts in Sacred Theology and on May 25, 1991, was ordained to the priesthood.

In an email to his fellow priests, Halfacre acknowledged the leadership role "is one of service."

"Whether it is to receive the Sacraments, seek pastoral counsel, or simply learn more about the Faith, the primary way that people encounter the Church is through their local parish or through of the many places where you serve, such as our Newman Centers, hospitals, schools, etc. Parish priests are the face of the Church for the people we serve, and it is my great hope that I may be able to assist you in the good wok that you do."