Officials with the Kankakee Daily Journal held its Readers’ Choice Awards last month and welcomed readers to vote on everything from favorite restaurants, entertainment, and shopping choices to schools, home services and auto dealers. They also included a category for ‘best place to worship’ and ‘best pastor.’
Winners were announced Feb. 25 in a special section, and among the community favorites were St. George Parish and its pastor, Fr. Daniel Belanger, CSV. Parish members were so thrilled, they took out an ad to thank local readers.
“We are so proud to announce that once again Father Dan has been voted ‘Best Pastor’ and St. George Church has been voted ‘Best Place of Worship’ in the Daily Journal’s Readers Choice awards,” parishioners said on the church Facebook page. “We are feeling blessed.”
The awards validate the work of Fr. Dan, who was assigned as pastor in 2009. Over the years, he has worked to involve parishioners in the liturgy, in beautifying its grounds, in youth ministry, in taking pilgrimages and in special devotions.