About Us
Father Eusebius
The Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka, Ph.D., S.T.D., was ordained a priest in 1994 following a four-year philosophical study and a four-year theological study at Urban University Rome. He was assigned to teach in the diocesan seminary as well as nurture vocations to the priesthood as assistant vocation director. In 1999, Fr. Eusebius proceeded to the Catholic University of Louvain, in Belgium to continue his further studies at the request of his bishop. In Louvain, Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka had the opportunity to develop himself in the academic field as well as in the priestly ministry. Within the seven years of his academic sojourn in Louvain, Rev. Mbidoaka acquired the following academic degrees: Master’s degree in religious studies (M.R.S.), master’s degree in theology (S.T.L.), master’s degree in educational sciences (M.Eds), Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology, and S.T.D in Sacramentology, all from the Catholic University of Louvain, in Belgium.
In 2006, Rev. Mbidoaka returned to the United States and worked as a hospital chaplain at Indiana University Health for a year before becoming the Administrator of St. Rita Catholic Church in Indianapolis, a position he held for seven years. Alongside his pastoral ministry, Rev Mbidoaka is also engaged in some academic work as Adjunct Professor of Religion at the University of Indianapolis, Indiana (2007 till current), Adjunct Professor of Theology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Terre Haute, Indiana (2007-2012) and Adjunct Professor of Theology at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana (2007-2014).
In 2014, Rev. Mbidoaka moved down to the diocese of Belleville upon the invitation of Bishop Braxton and was appointed Administrator of St. John the Baptist parish, West Frankfort and St. Aloysius-Sacred Heart Parish, Royalton. Rev. Eusebius has a strong devotion to the Eucharistic and to Our Blessed Mother. He enjoys reading, theological research, meditation, traveling, and golfing. Above all, he treasures spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He also belongs to the following associations: The American Academy of Religion, The Catholic Theological Society of America, The American Catholic Historical Association, The American Association of University Professors, among others. Rev. Mbidoaka speaks four languages: German, Netherlands, Igbo, and English.
Fr. Eusebius enjoys his time ministering to the good people of St. John the Baptist, West Frankfort, and St. Aloysius-Sacred Heart Royalton. He also takes pleasure in helping the students at St. John’s grow in their faith and love of God.
Priests who have served at St. John the Baptist Parish
1916 - 1928 Rev. Joseph Tragesser
1928 – 1937 Rev. G.H. Unterkoefler
1937-1938 Rev. L. R. Konkiel
1938 – 1939 Rev. A.S. Zielinski
1939 – 1969 Rev. Msgr. Michael Klimas
1970 – 1975 Rev. John Terepka
1975-1997 Rev. John A. Baggio
1997 – 2002 Rev. Brian Barker
2002 - 2003 Rev. Joseph Schrage
2003 – 2005 Rev. Larry Lemay
2005 - 2012 Rev. Trevor Murry
2012 – 2014 Rev. Sean Palas
2014 – Present Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka
September 3, 1921 The Franciscan Sisters, of St. Louis, began their work at 702 E. Poplar Street, teaching in the small rooms of the existing convent.
November 21, 1921 St John the Baptist School, located in the 700 block of East Main Street, was completed and opened.
September 3, 1971 This date marked the Golden Anniversary of St. John the Baptist School.
April 28, 1976 The initial organizational meeting for the construction of the new school was held.
May 5, 1976 The first school board was elected. Members were: Dolores Grosco, Terry Hopkins, Frank Scobby, Harvey Wallace, Lillian Yadro.
May 19, 1976 The organizational meeting of St. John the Baptist School Board was held.
April 17, 1977 The ground-breaking ceremony for the new school was held.
April 3, 1978 The students changed schools from the 700 block East Main Street to the 703 block East Poplar Street.
June 4, 1978 St John the Baptist School was dedicated.
September 1992 On Labor Day weekend, St. John the Baptist School celebrated its 70th Anniversary.
September 18, 2021 On the weekend of September 17th and 18th, St. John the Baptist School celebrated our 100th year of providing a quality religious education for the community of West Frankfort, and surrounding area.
For 79 years (1921-2000), St. John the Baptist school was blessed to have the 28 Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – St. Louis – serve as educators in our school. Also, we had one sister from the Benedictine Monastery, in Ferdinand, IN.
St. John’s has had four graduates, two priests and two sisters, who dedicated their lives to serving the church.
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
