Archives
By: Jennifer Willems - May 27, 2022 -
News Article
Father John Bosco Mujuni, who will celebrate his 25th anniversary of ordination on Aug. 17, is pastor of Immaculate Conception, Lacon, and St. John XXIII, Henry. (Provided photo)
LACON — When he was 8, Father John Bosco Mujuni became an altar server. While he was at Mass one day, his father pointed to the priests and said, “I would like you to be like these priests.” “The wish of my father and my active involvement as an altar boy and being involved in […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 26, 2022 -
Uncategorized
Bringing the sacraments to people -- especially those who are dying -- have been rewarding moments for Msgr. Jason Gray, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights. (Provided photo)
PEORIA HEIGHTS — It was attending Emmaus Days, a vocations awareness program sponsored by the Diocese of Peoria, that drew Msgr. Jason Gray to the priesthood. “This retreat was important in helping me realize that praying, ‘Thy will be done’ in the Our Father really means that I should want to do God’s will over […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 26, 2022 -
Uncategorized
Father Antonio Dittmer raises the monstrance during Benediction at the Spanish Father-Son Encounter April 9 at the Sacré-Coeur Retreat House in Magnolia. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
MOLINE — Father Antonio Dittmer credits his parents, Ramona and the late Richard Dittmer with creating the “fertile soil” for his vocation. Attending Emmaus Days in 1985 nurtured the seeds that had been planted. “I think Emmaus Days taught me that God has a will for me and if I am faithful to prayer, he […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 26, 2022 -
Featured Article
Ten priests serving in the Diocese of Peoria are marking their 25th anniversary of ordination this year. Among them are Father Antonio Dittmer and Msgr. Jason Gray, who were ordained on July 12, 1997, by Bishop John J. Myers at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. They had been studying at the Pontifical North American College […]
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By: The Catholic Post - May 25, 2022 -
Featured Article
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio comforts people in Uvalde, Texas, outside the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, where students had been transported from Robb Elementary School after a shooting on May 24. (CNS/Marco Bello, Reuters)
By Carol Zimmermann / Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — When news broke of the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller was in a meeting with about 150 archdiocesan priests. The meeting was rescheduled and several priests left right away to be with people in the Texas town about 100 […]
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By: The Catholic Post - May 25, 2022 -
Movie Review
Tom Cruise stars in a scene from the movie "Top Gun: Maverick." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Scott Garfield, Paramount Pictures)
By Catholic News Service In this rousing sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, directed by Joseph Kosinski, the first film’s protagonist, a Navy fighter pilot (Tom Cruise), is ordered by his superiors (Val Kilmer and Jon Hamm) to tread unfamiliar territory by becoming an instructor to a new generation of trainee aviators. As he tries to […]
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By: The Catholic Post - May 25, 2022 -
Movie Review
This is a scene from "The Bob's Burgers Movie." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/20th Century via EPK TV)
By Catholic News Service Frequently amusing animated comedy follows the adventures of the titular restaurant’s owner (voice of H. Jon Benjamin), his wife (voice of John Roberts) and their three children (voices of Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal). With the payment on a bank loan looming, a sinkhole abruptly opens up in front […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 24, 2022 -
Uncategorized
Father Don Roszkowski said he finds joy in those moments that God uses him, such as when he's preaching "and all of a suddenn you can just feel the Holy Spirit." (Provided photo)
When Father Donald Roszkowski needs inspiration, he looks to Luke 5:17-39, the story of the paralytic man who was lowered through a hole in the roof by four friends so he could see Jesus. “All of us are broken in some way, somehow,” he said. “I can really feel my brokenness and the things that […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 24, 2022 -
Uncategorized
Father Bowan Schmitt presides over the Graduation Mass for Schlarman Academy on May 22. He serves as chaplain of the Danville school. (Screen grab)
DANVILLE — Father Bowan Schmitt said having a Marian devotion is essential for Christ’s followers and he credits Mary for making him aware of his vocation to the priesthood. “Our Blessed Mother helps us to draw close to Jesus, and she assists us in our efforts to follow His will,” he said. “Our Lady’s prayers […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 24, 2022 -
Uncategorized
Father David Whiteside said leading pilgrimages has been a big part of his priesthood. Here he is ona pilgrimate to Israel in 2012. (Provided photo)
HAVANA — Growing up in a Catholic home and attending St. Philomena School in Peoria, Father David Whiteside said he thought about priesthood occasionally. But when he attended Emmaus Days for the first time, “the Lord revealed himself to me most powerfully.” “I could feel the love of God and the presence of God so […]
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