Msgr. Carl E. Scherrer Pastor Email: clown@htc.net

Native of Shawneetown, IL (B. D. 7-13-47), son of Thomas and Gertrude Scherrer, brother of Linda Scherrer, Dorothy Bielat, Joanne Davis and Donna Harris.  Eight nieces and nephews, and one great-nephew.

Graduated from Shawneetown Grade School in 1961, from St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary in Belleville in 1965, Lewis College in 1969 with a B. A. in Sociology and St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1973 with a Master of Divinity.

Ordained priest on Sept. 15, 1973, at St. Mary’s Parish in Shawneetown, then assigned to St. Peter’s Cathedral as Associate Pastor from Oct. of 1973 – Sept. of 1975.  Other assignments include Associate Pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Belleville from 1975 – 79, Pastor of St. Michael’s parish in Paderborn 1979 – 83, Pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Red Bud 1983 – 89, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish from 1989 – 99, Pastor of Corpus Christi parish in Shiloh 1999 – 2003, and Pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Columbia  since July 22,  2003.  Also served as Diocesan Youth Director from 1975 – 83.

Awards: Bishop Zuroweste  Outstanding CYO Spiritual Moderator Award in 1978; Floraville Grange Outstanding Community Service Award in 1983; Southern Illinois Association of Priests “Icthus” Award in 2005; Catholic Social Services Christian Service Award in 2007; and ICS Teacher Spotlight award in Dec., 2008.  Diocesan Priest Tennis Champ in inaugural tournament in 1974, and also in 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 02, 03, 04, 08 & 09.

“SERVICE AND LOVE – THAT’S MY RACKET!”

Mr. Rick Byers Pastoral Associate / Director of Music and Liturgy Email: rbyers@htc.net

Rick hails from Florissant, MO, attending Sacred Heart Grade School. From a young age, Rick was encouraged by his teachers, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O’Fallon, MO, as well as the outstanding priests from Sacred Heart, to pursue his gifts of music. As an eighth grade student, Rick felt the call to serve in the church and attended St. Louis Prep Seminary North High School, where his love for the liturgy and liturgical music blossomed. Following Prep North, he felt that God was continuing to call him to priesthood, and proceeded to Cardinal Glennon College Seminary in St. Louis After three wonderful years at Cardinal Glennon, Rick began to discern that priesthood might not be the road on which God was leading him, so Rick left the seminary and transferred to St. Louis University. His major studies were changed to Theology and Music at the undergraduate and graduate levels. From 1987 to the present, Rick has served in several parishes as a Liturgy and Music Director in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Diocese of Springfield, IL and the Diocese of Belleville. Throughout 23 years of full time lay ministry, Rick has given many local and some national presentations in the fields of Liturgy and Music, and is currently the Vice President of the Liturgical Commission for our Belleville Diocese. Rick is completing his eighth year as Pastoral Associate of Music and Liturgy here at Immaculate Conception and lives in Collinsville.