Father Dustin Schultz
Pastor
My identical twin brother (Kory) and I were born December 12, 1979 to Craig and Deborah. Not long later my parents divorced and would remarry, and I have been blessed with wonderful parents and step-parents. I was raised on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities attending Sacred Heart Parish in Moline and Seton Catholic School. I graduated from Alleman High School and attended the local community college while working.
In prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, I felt called to be a priest during my 3rd year of college. After a year of running from this calling, I finally opened my heart to the gift of this vocation. I entered seminary in 2002 attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN where I earned my bachelor’s degree. I then went on to major seminary at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Peoria in 2008.
I have been blessed to serve parishes and schools in the areas of Peoria, Streator, and Champaign. I was happily installed pastor of St. Patrick Church of Merna and St. Mary Church in Downs on Easter Sunday of 2017. I am very blessed to be serving these great churches and our parish school, Corpus Christi Catholic School.
Father Ben Schoonmaker
Parochial Vicar
I was born on April 27, 1999, in Moline, IL. I’m the third of five children in my family. I have ten nieces and nephews (although that number keeps changing!) and love spending time with them.
Priesthood was always on my mind as a kid. Priests were often at my house for dinners, and the Mass was a highlight of our week. In high school the gift of faith that I had been given became my own through good friendships, retreats, and encounters with Jesus in adoration. I entered Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN after graduating from high school and then attended Mundelein Seminary for my final years of priestly formation. I was ordained on May 24, 2025, to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. I love being a priest, celebrating Mass, and forgiving sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In my free time I enjoy cycling – both riding and watching races – reading, and hiking. I can often be found with a good cup of coffee and a book. I am excited to be with you all at Most Holy Eucharist!
Father Derick Mwesiga
Parochial Vicar
I was born on December 3 1989 in Bukoba Tanzania to Rosemary Kokuhirwa and Tryphon Kaiza. I am the fourth of six siblings (two girls and four boys). My dad was a civil worker and so we lived in a few towns around my region before coming back to Bukoba after he passed away in the year 2000.
A few months before my Dad’s passing in 2000, I for the first time thought of and mentioned my desire to become a priest, inspired by the life, love and holiness of a priest who was our family friend. I was in fourth grade.
Upon coming back to Bukoba I received some guidance and direction from my parish priest and joined the preparatory seminary and high school seminary in my Diocese of Bukoba where I underwent some early priestly formation.
After high school I joined the major seminary in Moshi Tanzania where I pursued three years of Philosophy at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary Kibosho before joining a senior Seminary in Tabora Tanzania where I received a degree in Theology at St. Paul’s Senior Seminary Kipalapala.
After many years of discernment and formation, of doubts and uncertainties, of ups and downs, I was at last ordained a deacon in December 2017 and by the grace of God a priest on July 7, 2018.
I served in my Diocese for three years before being sent by my Bishop as a Missionary to the Diocese of Peoria in June 2022. I have been blessed to serve at Holy Family in Lincoln, IL, St. Vincent de Paul in Peoria, St. Patrick in Wapella, and currently at Most Holy Eucharist and Central Catholic High School here in Bloomington.
It has been a great blessing to serve the people of God in this Diocese and in particular at our Parish and Schools. My prayer will always be that He who chose me, appointed me and sent me to go and bear fruit (John 15:16) may help me to bear fruit that should abide and I pray for his guidance according to his promise in Exodus 4:12.