Column: Former Aurora Central principal now back in area as pastor in Sugar Grove
Unlike most Catholic priests who tend to be relocated every six to 12 years by the bishop, he was comfortably situated in his role as principal of Aurora Central Catholic High School and superintendent of the Catholic schools here. And as he crept closer to age 70, he'd hoped to ease into retirement there.
But God — and/or the bishop – had other plans.
In the past three years, Etheredge has certainly been on the move, relocating from Aurora in July of 2022 to St. Mary Catholic Church in Sycamore, and now, the popular priest has been transferred again, this time back home.
Or at least, darn close to home.
On June 18, after only a few years at St. Mary, Etheredge officially became the new pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove.
That's no doubt great news for hundreds if not thousands of his fans who were as much devastated as disappointed when Bishop David Malloy, who Etheredge has known since their seminary days, moved him from Aurora Central Catholic, which had thrived under his leadership.
The announcement led to a whole lot of tears, not to mention hundreds of names on petitions to the diocese asking that the popular priest be left in Aurora.
Etheredge was disappointed, too. But he also was well aware of the Catholic priest shortage, and moved from his hometown to Sycamore with a great attitude and that seemingly ever-present smile on his face.
That move came out of the blue, he told me back in June of 2022 when we sat down to talk about his exodus from ACC. And so also has this most recent relocation, which follows the retirement of St. Katharine Drexel Pastor Stephen St. Jules, who arrived in Sugar Grove four years ago.
Yes, 'I was very surprised,' admitted Etheredge, noting with a laugh that, 'in the past three years I've been in three places. Before that, in 40 years, I was in three places.'
I have no doubt the members of St. Mary Parish loved him as much as any of us who know Father Etheredge or ever listened to one of his sermons or Gospel readings — which usually are recited by heart as he steps down off the altar and walks close to the congregation.
The humble, affable priest – frequently described as 'one of a kind' – certainly developed close relationships in his few years with this DeKalb County parish. Still, Etheredge is looking at this latest move as a 'real blessing.'
For one thing, when St. Katharine Drexel was founded in October of 2008 – the first new parish in the Rockford Diocese since 1989 and largely due to a major gift from the Anthony Rich family which owns the prestigious Rich Harvest Farms golf course – Etheredge was part of those early efforts, including moving tables and chairs to set up for Mass in the gymnasium of John Shields Elementary School to the eventual groundbreaking.
'It really does feel like I'm coming home,' he said, noting there are still 'many families I know' at St. Katharine's, including those who had or have children at ACC. 'I certainly feel very welcomed back.'
Of course, he quickly noted, the moves are 'not getting any easier.
'I'm still in boxes but have found the essentials,' said Etheredge when I caught up with him last week. 'I'm meeting with people here; with staff and volunteers. I'm learning about the nuts and bolts …'
Still, he misses education and working with young people, one reason he was thrilled St. Mary Parish included an elementary school. But this move brings him closer to his beloved ACC, making it 'much easier,' he acknowledged, to get to sporting events, plays and other high school activities.
'It is hard to leave where I was,' he said. 'But it also is so good to be back in the area.'
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