Father Paul Meismer
Bishop Franz could not have ordained Father Meismer on a better day — it was his 26th birthday. He credits his “sainted mother” Mary C. Meismer for positioning him at St. Bede Academy in Peru, where he studied for four years and went on to St. Bede Junior College for two years. He took philosophy […]
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Father Edward W. Harkrader
He has served in just four parishes over 50 years, but Father Harkrader stayed long enough in each place to make an impression, as the parishioners certainly did on him. That’s the reason he stayed in Princeton after being granted senior status in 2001, rather than returning to his hometown of Peoria. “The people I […]
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Father R. E. Enderlin
LACON — Born in Monmouth on June 23, 1939, Father Enderlin earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and completed his studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. His first assignments after ordination were as parochial vicar at St. Monica in East Peoria and St. […]
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Ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria 50 years ago on June 7 were, from left, Father R. E. Enderlin, Father Edward O. Harkrader, Father Paul J. Meismer, and Father James E. Rickey.
On June 7, 1969, four men were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John B. Franz at St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria. Now senior priests of the Diocese of Peoria, they say it has given them great joy to bring the sacraments to the people of God for 50 years. The Catholic Post recently spoke […]
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Representing the organizations benefiting from grants given by the Catholic Women's League are seated, from left, Susie Cicciarelli, Peoria Notre Dame High School; Pamela Perrilles, CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit; Therese Peck, Christ Child Society of Central Illinois; Nora Kinney, Missionaries of Charity; Carol Sleeth, Common Place; and Christine Dennis, Women's Care Center; and standing from left, Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse, OSF; Paul Barker, St. Augustine Manor; Tim Wiley, St. Joseph's Home of Lacon; Claire Crone, Sophia's Kitchen; Sandra Dudley, Renaissance Stand; Lynn VanDyke, Phoenix Community Development Services; and Sister Ana Pia Cordua, SCTJM, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Members of the Catholic Women’s League celebrated their 125th anniversary by doing what they do best — helping others. At its annual Allocation Luncheon, the league gave $17,000 in grants to 14 organizations that serve people who would benefit from tuition assistance, are homeless and hungry, newborn or elderly, and those living with special circumstances […]
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GERMANTOWN HILLS — St. Mary of Lourdes Church will host a rosary for the intention of all in the farming industry at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. The rural church north of Germantown Hills, which includes a Marian grotto on the parish grounds, is located at 424 Lourdes Church Road. Because of heavy and […]
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Among the 14 schools from the Diocese of Peoria that were represented in the Save My Scholarship campaign was Blessed Sacrament in Morton. Principal Mike Birdoes (far left) was at the State Capitol on May 31 when Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced that the Invest in Kids Act had been saved. (Provided photo)
It’s safe. Despite threats to reduce the cap for donations by 50 percent or phase out the program, the Invest in Kids Act came through the state budget process unscathed as the Illinois General Assembly completed its work. “We’re extremely pleased that Gov. Pritzker has decided to keep the program intact and honor the original […]
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St. Bede pitcher Abbie May tossed a shutout in the Class 1A state softball third place game on June 1 in East Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
St. Bede Academy of Peru captured third place in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state softball tournament with a 2-0 win over Hardin Calhoun on June 1 Saturday at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The third place finish is the highest ever for a girls team at St. Bede. And the Lady Bruins […]
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Led by their seniors, the baseball Crusaders from Marquette Academy in Ottawa excitedly accept the IHSA Class 1A state championship trophy after defeating Waterloo Gibault 14-5 in the title game at Dozer Park on June 1. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Sixteen hits and 14 runs led to Marquette Academy’s baseball team being Number One in the state on Saturday. But the Crusaders’ historic 14-5 win over Waterloo Gibault in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A title game at Dozer Park in Peoria had meaning well beyond numbers. When relief pitcher Luke Couch struck out […]
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Father Timothy Hepner
By Father Timothy Hepner Solemnity of Pentecost/June 9 Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1,24,29-30,31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 or Romans 8:8-17; (Sequence) Veni, Sancte, Spiritus; John 20:19-23 or John 14:15-16,23b-26 In the ancient Middle East, when all the barrels and barns were filled with wheat from the harvest, it was time to celebrate and give thanks. Like the wheat, the Israelites […]
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