By: By Tom Dermody EL PASO — After sharing community life with the monks of St. Bede Abbey in Peru for five decades, Father Roger Corpus, OSB, admits there were times he struggled with loneliness when he first moved into the rectory at St. Mary’s Parish here a decade ago. But as a “very good […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems BLOOMINGTON — As a youngster at Holy Trinity School in Bloomington, Msgr. Doug Hennessy’s plan was to go to Holy Trinity High School and then the University of Notre Dame. Check. Check. When he got to Notre Dame, however, he found himself thinking, “What next?” “I was probably thinking about the […]
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HARTFORD, Conn. — Leaving Vermilion County, where he served for 47 years — including the last 27 as pastor of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Georgetown — was “very difficult,” acknowledges Father John Paninski, MS. Father John, 81, recovering from health issues since contracting pneumonia last November, left in early April to take up residence […]
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By: By Tom Dermody DWIGHT — Father Jim Rickey sees the face of Christ where many might not look. During a priestly career that has spanned 44 years and a variety of ministries, Father Rickey has witnessed Christ’s presence or brought his compassion and mercy to those on the fringes of society as well as […]
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DANVILLE — That Father Ted Pracz is a happy priest is obvious, from his ready smile to the number of times he works the word “joy” into a conversation. So he doesn’t see his pending transition to senior status as a “retirement.” “My plan is to enjoy my priestly life as I always have,” said […]
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By: By Tom Dermody COLONA — Some people enjoy people watching. Father Duane Jack, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish here since 2002, is a people listener. And in his 46 years of priestly service — in six parish communities, assisting on Marriage Encounter weekends, and as spiritual director of the Northwest Area Cursillo for 37 […]
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Photo Caption: Glenn Brown, left, who celebrated his 105th birthday on May 19, still regularly attends St. John’s Church in Viola. Alice Hoffer, right, turns 100 on July 23. By: By Jennifer Willems Glenn Brown of Viola belongs to an elite club. Born on May 19, 1908, he just celebrated his 105th birthday. Joining him […]
Continue readingSPRINGFIELD — State and national Catholic leaders expressed gratitude that a bill allowing same-sex marriage was not brought forward for a vote in the Illinois House before the legislative session ended last Friday. “The bishops of Illinois are profoundly grateful that Illinois House lawmakers listened to their constituents and declined to consider legislation that would […]
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Photo Caption: Ariana Jacinto of St. Paul’s Parish in Macomb accepts the cup with the Precious Blood from Deacon Gene Triplett during the annual Mass for First Communicants on June 1 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Peoria. By: By Jennifer Willems Perhaps the sun was jealous. There wasn’t much of it to be seen as the […]
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Photo Caption: With Bishop Jenky prior to Mass are prison camp officials, from left, Fereti Semala, Margaret Rehaerman, Ricardo Rios, Cathy Goetz, and chaplains Dan Campbell and Jeffrey Rendon. By: By Jennifer Willems PEKIN — It would be understandable to look into the visitor’s room at the Federal Prison Camp here on a recent Tuesday […]
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