Reviewed by Matthew Vander Vennet When my Grandpa Vander Vennet uttered his final breath, it was the first time I had been present as a soul was leaving its body. It was the final note in the song of a life well lived. We had known the end was approaching and had made sure that […]
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Standing outside the Chicago office for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Father Deusdedit Byomuhangi displays his certificate of naturalization on July 13. (Provided photo)
DANVILLE — As he studied for the civics test he would have to take to become a U.S. citizen, Father Deusdedit Byomuhangi found he had something in common with the colonists in his adopted country. “I like and appreciate that the colonists wanted and fought for the freedom and the liberty that exists and that […]
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Father Johndamaseni Zilimu
KEWANEE — As a young boy growing up in Tanzania, Father Johndamaseni Zilimu enjoyed going to church with his mother and 11 siblings. As he watched the priest celebrate Mass, he knew that’s what he wanted to do, too. Now the pastor of Saint John Paul II Parish and providing spiritual care at OSF Saint […]
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By Tim Irwin 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Aug. 2 Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145:8-9,15-16,17-18; Romans 8:35,37-39; Matthew 14:13-21 All creatures great and small eat in order to live. Long before we learn how to speak, read, write, or even use the porcelain facilities, we learn how to feed ourselves. No surprise, then, that dining serves as a […]
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In this screenshot from the virtual conference of the Diocese of Peoria's Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Deacon Kevin Zeeb offers a blessing for main speak Caroline Gambale-Dirkes of 2Tim4 Ministries. The talks for the 34th annual gathering were given in the form of video presentations made available on YouTube.
The Holy Spirit always finds a way. When COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible to hold the 34th annual Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference in person as scheduled July 25, organizers moved it online, with videos posted to YouTube. There viewers could find presentations by keynote speakers Caroline Gambale-Dirkes of 2TIM4 Ministries in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and […]
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David Welch, principal at Carroll Catholic in Lincoln, takes the temperature of kindergarten teacher Emily Lund. This scene will become familiar for students and faculty at the 42 Catholic schools around the Diocese of Peoria as in-person instruction begins in August. (Provided photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a three-part series on how the 42 schools of the Diocese of Peoria are planning to reopen for the new academic year. Noting that children learn best through face-to-face instruction, Dr. Sharon Weiss said Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, and Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka have given permission for […]
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Cardinal Blase Cupich addresses his homily remarks to Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka during the ordination Mass on July 23 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. (For The Catholic Post/Daryl Wilson)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is the full text of the homily given by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, at the July 23 Mass of Ordination for Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. While our good friend Bishop Jenky sadly could not be present today, I want to thank him and his […]
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At the end of the Mass for his episcopal ordination, Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka offered his thanks to his family, to Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago for being a mentor, and to the priests and people of the Diocese of Peoria for their warm welcome. He concluded his remarks with his motto, inviting people to join him to "Go Make Disciples." (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
As we conclude this beautiful liturgy of my ordination as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, I want to take a brief moment to try to express my heart to you. I am filled with great joy and tremendous gratitude today. The great joy comes from knowing that the Holy Spirit continues to work […]
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One year ago -- on July 23, 2020 -- newly ordained Bishop Louis Tylka received sustained applause following his ordination as Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria. Leading the applause were (from left) Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, the bishops who consecrated him. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
(UPDATED July 24, 2020, including links to the full texts of remarks by Cardinal Cupich and Bishop Tylka) There was social distance between those present, yet every space inside St. Mary’s Cathedral was repeatedly filled with sounds of joyful praise, gratitude, and boisterous applause July 23 at the episcopal ordination of Bishop Louis Tylka, the […]
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Wearing the stole that belonged to Jesuit Father Jacques Marquette and the pectoral cross that belonged to Archbishop John Lancaster Spalding, the first bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka told the priests of the Diocese of Peoria, "We must rely on each other to assist in building up God's Kingdom." (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Leaning on the history of his new diocese and looking to the future, Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka formally began his journey of faith in the Diocese of Peoria on July 21 with Vespers at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. He said that journey seemed improbable a little more than two months ago, when Pope Francis […]
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