- The Father Chris Day started with the sun shining brightly and many smiles, welcoming hugs and meeting of both new and old friends. The setting at ICC was beautiful as all the guests arrived to begin the 11 AM Mass. The ICC bulletin cover introduction was written by Lizanne in the gracious style that she can only write.
- “I like to remember Fr. Chris as a gruff, wry, kind man who delivered homilies like the heartiest of Thanksgiving dinners, leaving me well nourished but a bit uncomfortable. The legacy of Fr. Chris continues to inspire (and make me uncomfortable). Happy Fr. Chris Day, everyone! (by Lizanne Young-OBK)
- Chris was tapping his toes when the music started to the tune of “Wade in the River” led by Karen Lundy and the ICC choir. The beautiful voice of Claire Rysterski led the singing with the joyful tones of the Mass. The choir also sang the “Blessed Assurance” the favorite of Fr. Chris that was sung at his 50th Jubilee Anniversary. Fr. Carl again did a funny and fact filled homily that focused on the fact that Fr Chris was “Resolutely Determined.” He was resolutely determined to fulfill the mandate that St. Paul referred to in the second reading from Galatians, and that is, to “serve one another through love, for the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” As an advocate for racial justice and an advocate for the incarcerated, Fr. Chris was “All In,” he was “Resolutely Determined!”
- After the Mass all gathered in the Garden area for telling and retelling old stories about Fr. Chris’s days at ICC and the many fond memories that each carried with them.
- A table display was set-up that included many of the awards he received through the years that included Dismas (2018), Micah (2017), Quincy University (Board of Trustees-2006-2017), and Remembrance Ordination (June 24, 1966). Also his prize possession the picture of St. Francis that was drawn by a prison inmate using Kleenex for paint brushes and colors from Skittles candy to paint a beautiful and detailed picture of St. Francis of Assisi. The Pibb Girl story and his work with Dr. Martin Luther King were also on display in book form as testament to his dedication to fight for social and racial justice for all.
- Many special guests were welcome that included Alan Mills (Ex. Dir. Uptown Peoples Law Center), Brian Nelson and Gregory Koger (Prison Rights Advocates and founder of Prison Liberation Collective to assist solitary confinement torture survivors in the fight to end solitary and mass incarceration), Friar Christian Kerstiens, OFM from New Mexico who Fr. Chris mentored for some years. Fr Christian told a humorous story about the time that Fr. Chris visited the Indian reservation and of course got the name of the tribe wrong which to the Native Americans was not well received – but Fr. Chris turned the miss step into a lovely day with all the Native Americans.
- Many family members attended that included his brother Paul Reuter & Janet Brown, his sister Rosalyn Simila & Ken Simila and other relation.
- Sacred Heart Province Franciscans were represented by Fr. Gerry Bleene and Fr. Carroll Mizicko from the East St. Louis Friary.
- Many other friends of Fr. Chris sent congratulation on a life of pastoral and advocacy for the incarcerated and help for returning citizens. Notes from Bishop Paprochi (Springfield Diocese) and Bishop John Roth (Lutheran, ELCA), James Claycomb (Senior Chaplain Menard), Fr Joe Brown (Carbondale, IL), Sr. Rose-Rita (Criminal Justice Ministry, St. Louis), Sr. Joan Hornick (Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Belleville) and many others.
- The Honorable Judge Milton Wharton was the key note speaker and gave a talk that made all of us think about our Christian values and how we are working to bring those values into our family and the community. This was a sharing by Judge Wharton about the needs to work with our youth and mentor them to avoid the many pitfall of our society that can lead them to a life of crime.
- A special thanks to Marty Colley who provided the “special table arrangements” that had remembrance of “Blessed Assurance”, prayers of St. Francis, prison ministry scripture quotes and the precious picture of Fr. Chris at his birthday celebration at the children’s Mass.
- A special thanks to Pam Keeven who did the photo gallery of the Mass and reception in the Garden area.
- We cannot say enough about all the planners, food providers and helpers at the Garden area luncheon that included Carol & Vincent Dabbs, Carleen Kisro and the ICS students Dominic & Owen Dalpoas, Joe Tyler, and Brock Murphy. All these young students were close companions and servers for Fr. Chris with many happy memories