The Catholic Post Month: December 2019

Newly ordained Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, grateful for example of Galesburg priests

By: Jennifer Willems - December 31, 2019 - Featured Article Father Bill Miller, Father Kevin Stolt, Galesburg, IVE, James and Dr. Susan Stolt, Msgr. Ernie Pizzamiglio, ordination, priesthood

Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, celebrates his first Mass at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in Chillum, Maryland, on Dec. 13. (Provided photo)

GALESBURG — It wasn’t in big ways that Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, realized God was calling him to priestly ministry. Rather, it was by staying focused on God’s will in the little things of everyday life, and he couldn’t happier. “I feel a great joy and a peace in my heart, to share in the […]

Our true ‘star’ leads us not simply to worship but also to sacrificial love

By: The Catholic Post - December 31, 2019 - Living the Word

Father Timothy Hepner

By Father Timothy Hepner Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord/Jan. 5 Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 What were the magi following? What shiny things do you and I follow out of the comfort of our own familiar surroundings? It is very important to ask what attracts and distracts us because that will […]

“Little Women” (Sony)

By: The Catholic Post - December 20, 2019 - Movie Review Emma Watson, Greta Gerwig, Louisa May Alcott, Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet

Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen and Florence Pugh star in a scene from the movie "Little Women." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Sony)

By Catholic News Service Elegant, vibrantly emotional adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel from writer-director Greta Gerwig. The familiar March sisters, Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen), are presented in the format of a non-linear memory play, with Jo, first shown as an adult writer, recalling the episodes […]

“The Irishman” (Netflix)

By: The Catholic Post - December 20, 2019 - Movie Review Al Pacino, Jimmy Hoffa, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro star in a scene from the movie "The Irishman." The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (CNS/Netlfix)

By Catholic News Service The disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa, who vanished without a trace in 1975, has never been solved. But that doesn’t deter director Martin Scorsese from solving the mystery in this epic historical drama, based on the life of union official and erstwhile gangster Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro). Crime boss […]

“Just Mercy” (Warner Bros.)

By: The Catholic Post - December 19, 2019 - Movie Review Bryan Stevenson, Destin Daniel Cretton, Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx star in a scene from the movie "Just Mercy." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Warner Bros.)

By Catholic News Service A Harvard educated lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) strives, with the help of a local activist (Brie Larson), to save the life of an Alabama death-row prisoner (Jamie Foxx) convicted on feeble evidence of the murder of an 18-year-old white woman. As the attorney tries to convince the key witness in the […]

“Cats” (Universal)

By: The Catholic Post - December 19, 2019 - Movie Review Andrew Lloyd Webber, Idris Elba, James Corden, Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Rebel Wilson, T.S. Eliot, Taylor Swift, Tom Hooper

Naoimh Morgan, Francesca Hayward and Danny Collins star in a scene from the movie "Cats." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Universal)

By Catholic News Service The smash-hit Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical, based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of verse, is given the big-screen treatment. The result is, essentially, a big, brash, over-the-top dance party, directed by Tom Hooper. One fateful evening, an abandoned cat (Francesca Hayward) is adopted by a group of felines who have gathered […]

Beatification disappointment leads to prayer energy: Sheen novena goes global

By: Tom Dermody - December 19, 2019 - Featured Article

In this screen grab from YouTube, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, invites participation in a nine-day novena starting on Dec. 12 asking God "to remove all obstacles" for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The novena, including text and daily videos and posted at celebratesheen.com, spread quickly around the globe. The bishop is shown in front of the tomb of the famed media pioneer, author and evangelist at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria.

Profoundly disappointed by the postponement of the scheduled Dec. 21 beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, called the faithful of the Diocese of Peoria and all those who love and admire the famed media pioneer and evangelist to prayer. And the world responded. A nine-day novena — led daily […]

Christmas hymn, video witness to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

By: The Catholic Post - December 19, 2019 - News Article Christmas, Eucharist, hymn, Like Shepherds to the Stable, Real Presence, Tom Dermody

"Like Shepherds to the Stable" is a eucharistic-themed Christmas hymn composed by Tom Dermody, editor of The Catholic Post.

In his 2020 Festival Letter titled “The Real Presence,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky asked that all in the Diocese of Peoria “look for ways to reinforce our teaching and witness regarding the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist.” While The Catholic Post continues to do that with various columns and news […]

Catholic schools prepare for Christmas: prayer, service projects, plays, concerts

By: Jennifer Willems - December 19, 2019 - News Article

Surrounded by the Whos, Grinch Isaac Kidder prepares to carve the roast beast in a production of "How the Grinch Found Christ in Christmas" presented by St. Mary School in Metamora. It was one of many plays and concerts offered by Catholic schools around the Diocese of Peoria this year. (Provided photo)

As it turns out, the Grinch didn’t dislike Christmas at all, but was upset about how hypocritical people were about it. At least that’s the approach the students at St. Mary School in Metamora took when they presented “How the Grinch Found Christ in Christmas” on Dec. 16. The Metamora school was one of many […]

God’s light shines, the darkness retreats

By: The Catholic Post - December 19, 2019 - Living the Word

Shawn Reeves

By Shawn Reeves Nativity of the Lord/Dec. 25 At the Vigil Mass: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 Mass During the Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96:1-2,2-3,11-12,13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Mass at Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97:1,6,11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20 Mass During the Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1,2-3,3-4,5-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 Darkness spills over the world as autumn comes to a close and winter looms, crowding […]

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