Flipping through newspapers or watching televised news reports gives credence to the fact that tragedies and disturbing situations are part of the human condition. Often less publicized, but deserving attention, are numerous stories of people caring for each other, sometimes at great cost and sacrifice. Goodness abounds in the world, but noticing examples can be difficult because negative images distort perspectives. Inspiring details show how love, respect, and generosity triumph. Such circumstances detail the lives of a Catholic priest, Rev. Vincent E. Dietzen and a Catholic nun, Sister Marilyn Reyes, both deceased, who genuinely lived the Gospel they believed in, particularly the exhortation to “Love thy neighbor.”
Gratitude for those positive influences requires maturity. Sometimes that doesn’t evolve until after such generous persons are no longer here to personally thank. But gratitude like goodness is never wasted. The following account illustrates the wonderful differences one person can make in another’s life.
Mention Father Dietzen or Sister Marilyn to Curtis Walters, and he credits their teaching him about living a productive life, a positive work ethic and respect. A maintenance employee at Peoria’s Southside Manor Apartments, Curtis, 54, was born in Los Angeles, the youngest of six. After the Watts Riots and his oldest brother, Ed, being wounded in Viet Nam, Curtis, his mother and two brothers moved to Peoria in 1966 to live with family.
“This was country to me,” says Curtis, referring to the area surrounding their house on Hurlburt Street. “I was used to living in the hood. I wasn’t used to open land. Father Dietzen, (who was at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peoria), helped me learn about culture and gave me an understanding about people of different races. My mother worked long hours, and my father was in prison and not in my life. I only remember seeing him twice. Father Dietzen was like a father to us. He taught us so much. I thought he knew everything. I wouldn’t have the skilled trade I have now if it wasn’t for him.”
Ed, the oldest brother, also a Peoria resident, concurs. “He always helped everyone. I talked with him all the time. Father had been in the Marine Corps, and I decided to become a Marine. He was really in touch with people, and could do many different things. He was always very fair, knew people in his neighborhood, and was always fixing things. He was really a great guy.”
The brothers share amazingly similar memories of Father Dietzen. “He was very strict,” says Rodney, “but a very supportive person. He would discipline us verbally when we needed it. He made sure we knew about respect, and we gave him respect. We saw him almost everyday. We lived a successful life because of him. There were gangs in the neighborhood even then, but Father Dietzen kept us grounded and away from bad behavior.”
Father shared his expertise in building, maintenance, mechanics, and a host of other skills with young people. “I knew he was doing me some good,” says Curtis, “but I didn’t know how important it was for my future.”
Sister Marilyn also was very involved with area youth. A brick building housed a recreation center across from St. Joseph Church where young people congregated and played basketball inside. “It was drawing kids to the center to help keep kids off the street,” says Curtis. “We respected Sister Marilyn because she was a nun, but she was also like a mom to us. She would chastise us, but she also played ball with us.” Another brother Chauncey also remembers Sister Marilyn talking to them in Spanish, “when we got on her nerves.” Rodney remembers her teaching them cooking, sewing, and keeping them out of trouble. “Sometimes we spent more time at the center than at home. Some friends who lived on that block became very successful because of their teaching.”
Religion was taught by example not doctrine. While many neighborhood young people were not versed in Catholicism or any religion, emphasis was on respect, kindness and patience. “We didn’t know much about priests and nuns in the beginning,” says Curtis. Shared time and care taught them volumes about God’s love.
“If there was a hero at the time, it was Father Dietzen,” says Rodney. Chauncey says, “I think about him and Sister Marilyn, and the blessing it was to know them.” Curtis adds, “They were a very unique team.” Father was very instrumental in helping the family buy their first house on Sixth Street, even teaching them about home repairs.
Through Father Dietzen and Sister Marilyn’s influence and example, young people in the area learned much and were shown wonderful examples of an ecumenical spirit, although initially they might not have grasped that concept. Father Dietzen was a Caucasian priest; Sister Marilyn a Hispanic nun; and many neighborhood youths were African American Protestants. Everyone thrived from the loving acceptance and mutual respect.
Father Vincent Dietzen was ordained a priest on May 3, 1953 in Peoria. He was at St. Joseph Catholic Church from June 15, 1961 until he was transferred in 1972 to Silvis, IL. He died May 8, 2004 at the age of 89.
Sister Marilyn Reyes entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Ottumwa, Iowa in 1936. She was an educator in primary grades and involved in pastoral ministry. She died January 28, 2014 at the age of 94.
St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 103 S. Richard Pryor Place, formerly Sheridan Road. Many buildings in the area, including the center and homes, were torn down for Urban Renewal some 40 years ago. The wonderful memories and lessons learned still linger.