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Franciscan Friars to be honored

The Franciscan Friars have been selected as the recipients of the 2022 Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools (QCES) Foundation’s Friends of Catholic Education Award for their indelible impact on Catholic education dating back to the 1860s. Established in 2009, the award recognizes an individual, couple, or organization whose contributions have significantly fostered and strengthened Catholic education in the Quincy community. The Friars will be honored at the 13th Annual Friend of Catholic Education Award Dinner which will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the Atrium Hotel on Third.

“As we look back on the history of Catholic education in Quincy, it began with the Franciscan Friars who established the first elementary school more than 160 years ago,” said QCES Board President Elizabeth Brown. “Their unique spirit and generous love built a firm foundation for the high-quality, faith-based education we have come to know today. We are thankful to have the opportunity to recognize their impact on past generations and their legacy which will shape future generations.”

The Franciscan Friars arrived in Quincy in the late 1850s when the pastor of St. Boniface requested help to begin a school. The pastor and Bishop of Alton went to Germany and recruited Franciscans to come to Quincy. Since that time, the Franciscan Friars established and served at Quincy University from 1860 to present, established and served at St. Francis Solanus Church and School from 1860-2020, served at St. Boniface Church and School from 1929-1932, served at St. Benedict Church from 1929-1932, served at St. Benedict Church from 1939-1941, established St. Dominic School in 1963, served at St. Joseph Church from 1967-1968 and 1972-2010, assisted at St. Peter Church; and designed Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and served many other surrounding parishes. 

Tickets for the dinner are $100 and available through the QCES Foundation office or through the QCES Foundation Facebook page. The dinner serves as a fundraiser for the organization and its Tuition Assistance Fund. Since 2009, the QCES Foundation has awarded more than $1M in tuition assistance to students enrolled at Blessed Sacrament, St. Dominic, St. Francis, and St. Peter elementary schools with demonstrated need.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Sara Reuschel at director@quincycatholicschools.org or 217-779-3157.