CNS photo/Jim Young, Reuters

WASHINGTON, Ill. (CNS)—As Father Stephen Willard was preparing to celebrate the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass at a filled St. Patrick Church in Washington Nov. 17, the most powerful tornado to hit Illinois since 1885 was taking aim at neighborhoods on the western edge of this community of 15,000.

With sirens blaring, worshippers were instructed to go to the middle of the church. Father Willard went outside to hurry inside people who were just arriving.

“At one point I looked up and saw the funnel cloud and tornado to the west of us,” said Father Willard.

It was one of many tornadoes that swept through several Midwest states that day, spawned by a strong late-season storm system. At least eight people were killed; six of them lived in Illinois.

The power went out, the storm passed, and Father Willard offered a “quick Mass” that included prayers for anyone who might be affected.

Text messages received by parishioners throughout the church were the first indication that homes had been damaged, but the scope of the tragedy was realized only when Massgoers began trying to make their way home.

Hundreds of homes in Washington were obliterated by the EF4 twister, while a second tornado the same morning caused extensive damage in nearby Pekin, making 75 homes uninhabitable. One person was killed in Washington, and hospitals in the region including OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria treated more than 100 injury victims.

The tornado that hit Washington was reportedly a half-mile wide. It started about two and a half miles southeast of East Peoria, and stayed on the ground for 46.2 miles, according to the National Weather Service, striking East Peoria, Sunnyland and Washington before moving into Woodford County, west of Roanoke toward Minonk. It finally dissipated two miles east of Long Point, in Livingston County.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn toured the area Nov. 18 and pledged government support. He declared seven counties as state disaster areas.

“It’s amazing how many families, young and older families, have lost everything,” said Father Willard, noting the home of the school’s principal, Doreen Shipman, was among those severely damaged. In all, the homes of 50 St. Patrick parishioners were badly damaged or destroyed as of preliminary reports.

Father Willard and Father Johnathan Steffen, parochial vicar, spoke to The Catholic Post, the newspaper of the Peoria Diocese, the day after the storm from a makeshift relief station established at the parish school. Meals were served and persons in the community were donating clothing and food supplies.

“In spite of all the things people have lost, it’s very clear the people in our parishes haven’t lost their faith, hope and love,” said Father Steffen, who was celebrating Mass at St. Monica Church in East Peoria when the storms hit, knocking out power there as well. “They’ve really poured out their support.”

People throughout the region shared photos and needs via social media. A Facebook page, “Washington IL Tornado Recovery,” was being followed by 171,000 people two days after the storm.

The Washington parish established an account to assist families in need: St. Patrick Church Tornado Relief Fund, which was accepting checks made payable to the fund and sent to: South Side Bank, Attn: Brad Mahony, P.O. Box 328, Washington, IL  61571.

Area Knights of Columbus councils were purchasing gift cards for distribution to needy families, and offers to assist were coming from schools and parishes around the Diocese of Peoria and nation, according to Sharon Weiss, diocesan superintendent of schools and former principal of St. Patrick School, Washington.

“The community camaraderie has been amazing,” said Karolyn Aydt, a St. Patrick parishioner whose husband coaches at the school. The day after the storm, she was distributing food, and tearful hugs, to those coming to the school for relief.

“First they feel shock, then they’re just thankful to be alive,” Aydt said of affected families with whom she has spoken. With block after block reduced to unrecognizable rubble, “you see this in Oklahoma or Joplin (Missouri), but never ever would I think to see it in my hometown,” she said.

The parish priests have heard the same stories.

“People say, ‘It’s just stuff. Thank God we still have our families,’“ said Father Willard. “We’re blessed to say our church is still here, as well as our school and rectory.” As of Monday, only minimal property damage to church-owned properties in the Diocese of Peoria had been reported.

In Ohio, another tornado associated with the same weather system that hit Illinois destroyed St. Barbara Church in the farming hamlet of Cloverdale, 68 miles southwest of Toledo.

Father Jerry Schetter, pastor, was helping with the cleanup Nov. 19. He had been in the rectory at Immaculate Conception Church in nearby Ottoville, where he also is pastor, when the storm hit.

“I’m just wondering what to do next,” he told Catholic News Service.

The storm swept into the village from the southwest, twisting the roof off the 55-year-old A-frame structure and destroying the adjacent rectory, but leaving the parish hall unscathed, Father Schetter said.

The priest was thankful that no one was in the church when the storm struck. He said people from the strongly Catholic community often visit the church throughout the day to pray.