Bishop Edward K. Braxton welcomed Bishop Fernand Cheri III back to the Diocese of Belleville for a Mass of Thanksgiving Oct. 17 at St. Peter Cathedral.

Many friends and parishioners from St. Augustine of Hippo in East St. Louis attended the liturgy and reception following the liturgy to greet Bishop Cheri.

Ordained an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans March 23, Bishop Cheri spent more than half a dozen years here, working with young people at Althoff Catholic High School and overing his assistance at St. Augustine’s as well.

In his homily, Bishop Cheri reiterated over and over: “The Lord said ‘I called you to service’ to pray, to the altar of sacrifice and to help somebody. Now go back and serve the Lord.”

Good advice under any circumstances.