Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Monsignor Daniel J. Hermes, Pastor

 Born July 27, 1943, in Dixon, IL. The oldest of 9 boys whom are all married. My large and loving family are one of the great joys of my life.

 Graduated from St Andrew's grade school in Rock Falls, IL, and Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling, IL. Involved in lots of activities in high school-student government, high school paper was class Valedictorian, class of 1961 and played football- All conference, then All State, then Wigwam High School All American.

 Attended St Meinrad College in St Meinrad, IN. and graduated with a BA in English Literature. Attended St. Meinrad School of Theology and received a Masters of Divinity.

 Was ordained a Catholic priest on May 17, 1969. My first assignment was Cathedral Parish (now Holy Family) in Rockford, IL from June 1969 to June 1971. Then assigned as a priest chaplain at Newman Center at NIU in DeKalb from June 1971 to May 1977. Then assigned as the founding pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles from July 1977 to July 1989. Then assigned as pastor of Holy Family, Rockford from July 1989 to July 2001. Then assigned as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle July 2001 till present.

 I love being a priest. I have a great love for evangelization as the mission of the Church, and as Christ's call to each of us. I am one of 3 authors of the Light Of The World parish evangelization process, which has been in existence some 12 years now, and has spread to many parishes of our Diocese , and around the country and even to Canada and Australia. God has filled my life with His blessings- I would not know where to begin to thank Him.