Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province

Friars Minor Conventual

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St. John’s Becomes an Oratory

The restructuring of the Diocese of Peoria has sparked innovative thinking. St. John the Baptist Church in Lostant, IL has now become an Oratory, a place set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass.

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The building is open daily for individual and small group prayer with a lounge, conference room, and spaces for private prayer. On July 24, Fr. Patrick Greenough, OFM Conv. offered a Day of Prayer in the space. Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus as practiced by St. Thérèse (the Little Flower) is beginning to draw in people as well as the mural of the desert in which John the Baptist and Jesus lived and prayed.

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Safeguarding Statement

The Franciscan Friars Conventual of St. Bonaventure Province are committed to creating safe environments for children and vulnerable adults.

Every friar in active ministry must complete training in Virtus (the National Catholic Risk Retention Group) and any other safe environment compliances required by the dioceses in which they serve.

In addition, St. Bonaventure Province has its own Safe Environment Commission that oversees the implementation and monitoring of the Province’s Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for Ethical Ministry with Minors and Vulnerable Adults. 

Any allegation regarding the Franciscan Friars Conventual of this Province receives an immediate response. This includes the Province’s full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and Ordinaries who have ecclesial jurisdiction over these matters, as well as a duly diligent investigation by a qualified third party in order to substantiate credibility.