Followers can meet new Joliet Diocese bishop

Catholics from throughout the Diocese of Joliet will have their first official meeting with incoming Bishop R. Daniel Conlon on Wednesday during an evening prayer service.

Groups such as the Council of Catholic Women, the Knights of Columbus, leaders from area Catholic colleges and even interfaith groups will gather at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet to welcome Conlon and pray with him for the first time.

Quite literally, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Siegel and retired Bishop Joseph Imesch will welcome Conlon into the church after he ceremonially knocks on the building doors. Conlon then will lead the prayer service, called Vespers. A reception will follow.

His official installation will follow at 2 p.m. Thursday during a Mass in the same church, which is a ticket-only event.

“The installation is the formal ceremony, but this is more of a welcoming to the community,” said diocese spokesman Doug Delaney. “It’s a time for prayers, a time for people and a chance to introduce himself to the community as a whole.”

On Thursday, Conlon, 62, will become the leader of more than 655,000 Catholics in a diocese that spans seven counties, including DuPage and Will.

Previously, he was bishop for Steubenville, Ohio, that included about 100,000 parishioners.

Conlon succeeds Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who left the diocese in December after four years to be installed as Archbishop of Seattle. Since then, day-to-day operations have been handled by Siegel.

As he steps in to lead the Joliet Diocese, Conlon hopes to continue his priority of building the clergy, officials said.

Delaney said Conlon plans to continue his mission to encourage men and women to become priests and sisters, and to promote Catholic education. He added that Conlon is also active in family ministry and is interested in programs that help strengthen marriage.