LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) — The ultimate goal of fasting during Lent is to draw “us closer in a more regular way to the heart of God,” said Cackie Upchurch, director of the Little Rock Scripture Study. Fasting is an ancient custom that can be found in almost all religious traditions, she said in an […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — The global financial crisis is likely to dramatically impact the world’s poor in coming months, depriving children of essential services in education and health care, a Vatican official said. The negative consequences of the economic crisis “exert a more dramatic impact on the developing world and on the most vulnerable groups […]
Continue readingRating: O (PG-13) NEW YORK (CNS) — The following is a capsule review of a movie recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Banal sex comedy in which two philandering high school football players (Nicholas D’Agosto and Eric Christian Olsen) attend a mostly female cheerleading camp, […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — Marilyn Korthaus-Riley and Fran Riley of Partners in Faith Ministry will lead a Bible study based on “The Seven Last Words of Christ” on the Wednesdays of Lent in Farrell Hall of St. Pius X Church, 2502 29th Ave.The sessions begin on March 4 and will end on April 8. Each will […]
Continue readingPEORIA HEIGHTS — As Lent begins, an introduction to contemplative prayer and outreach will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library at St. Thomas School, Peoria Heights. Florrie Dammers of Bloomington will present the session, focusing on contemplative prayer as taught by Father Thomas Keating, OCSO. The […]
Continue reading1. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. Priests, religious and laity are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial, attentiveness to prayer, and especially to works of charity and mercy. 2. Everyone of 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — As far back as Chris Mandle can remember, there have been Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent at Sacred Heart Church in Rock Island and even as a child he loved everything about them. Now 27 years old and the owner of his own design company, he remains active […]
Continue readingMaster classes for those interested in singing and directing Gregorian chant will be offered in central Illinois on March 2, 3 and 4. Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Divine Worship, the workshops will be given by Dr. Jennifer Donelson. Assistant professor of music at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dr. Donelson also […]
Continue readingAt Easter, the family of God in central Illinois will grow by 366 and the final preparations for receiving these men, women and children into the church begins next Sunday, March 1, at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. The ceremonies, which take place in the context of prayer services, will be […]
Continue readingIn the presence of a community that has become known for its compassionate care for the lepers and the desperately poor people of Calcutta, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, preached about a leper who had enough faith to kneel at Jesus’ feet and seek the healing and hope he needed. “Let us consciously, at this […]
Continue reading
