Bishop Louis Tylka gives Dolores Romero her first communion at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on March 30. Ms. Romero is a member of the Heart of Peoria Catholic community at the cathedral. Approximately 400 were received into the Church across the diocese this year. The Catholic Post Online/Paul Thomas Moore

ROCK ISLAND, BLOOMINGTON, PEORIA — It is impossible to capture in a smattering of images and words the movements of the Spirit in the Diocese of Peoria during Easter Triduum 2024.

But by offering a limited selection of photos from parishes in Rock Island, Bloomington and Peoria, we hope to offer a reflection of the broader diocesan reality.

HOLY THURSDAY

At St. Pius X Church in Rock Island, parochial vicar Father Mietek Wit, OFM Conv., performs the ceremonial washing of the feet on Holy Thursday. Server Jack Assaf, brother of Diocese of Peoria seminarian John Assaf (class of 2030), assists. Anne Marie Amacher/The Catholic Messenger

At the Last Supper, Christ gave us the Eucharist, as well as the sacrament of the priesthood. In reference to this, Father Eric Bolek of St. Mary of Lourdes Parish in Germantown Hills has described Holy Thursday as “Father’s Day for priests.”

At Sacred Heart Church in Rock Island, Father Witold Adamczyk, OFM Conv., pastor, celebrates the Mass of the Last Supper by consecrating the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Kelly Haertjens/Sacred Heart parishioner

After Holy Thursday’s Mass at Sacred Heart, consecrated hosts were taken by procession to the Altar of Repose, where they were reserved for distribution at the Good Friday service. Christopher Mandle/Sacred Heart parishioner

GOOD FRIDAY

On the first Good Friday, Christ carried his own cross to his crucifiction. Today, his Church strives to walk with him, in spirit and in truth.

Father Jeremy Freehill, pastor at St. Ann in Peoria, leads the parish’s third annual “Stations through the Streets” procession in the south end of Peoria on Good Friday, starting and ending at the church in time for the 3 p.m. Good Friday liturgy. Pam Beaver/St. Ann parishioner

In his reflection accompanying the fourth station of the cross, Jesus Meets His Mother, Father Freehill prayed that for the 61605 zip code, Saint Ann’s Parish would represent “not just the Father’s house but . . . . A mother that lives on the corner of Antoinette and Louisa Streets.” Pam Beaver/St. Ann parishioner

Rick Sims venerates the crucifix at Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington. Ann Weber/Catholic Spirit Radio

HOLY SATURDAY MORNING

Between Good Friday and Easter Vigil, Bishop Tylka hosted the Blessing of the Easter baskets on Holy Saturday morning at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Julie Enzenberger/Diocese of Peoria

Among those thankful to add the Lord’s blessing to the Easter bunny’s benevolence were (from left): Amy Davis, Carly Sanderson, Louis Sanderson, Iris Sanderson, John Sanderson, Robert Sanderson (being held by his dad), Bishop Tylka, Jerry Sanderson (Interim Peoria Diocese Superintendent of Schools), and Lisa Sanderson. Julie Enzenberger/Diocese of Peoria

EASTER VIGIL

During Easter Vigil at St. Mary’s Cathedral on March 30, after the Paschal Candle had been lit, and its flame shared, and the Exsultet sung, Bishop Louis Tylka prayed before the first reading from Genesis, “Let us pray that our God will complete this Paschal work of salvation by the fullness of redemption.”

The Paschal Candle is lit by Bishop Tylka outside the doors of St. Mary’s Cathedral at Easter Vigil on March 30. The candle was carried into the cathedral by Deacon (transitional) Nicholas Conner. The Catholic Post Online/Paul Thomas Moore

He prayed for us all, but in a most timely way for the approximately 400 souls who were received into the Church across the diocese at Easter Vigil this year.

These included catechumens (who were baptized and received the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation), and candidates (who were already baptized and received Eucharist and confirmation).

For all, cradle Catholics or new, Bishop Tylka reflected in his homily on just how amazing redemption is. He related how the gospel tells of the women coming to the tomb on Easter morning, and a young man in white robe tells them, “Do not be amazed.”

“Really?” Bishop Tylka reacts. “How could they not be overwhelmed by the sight of an empty tomb?” But he said the young man simply instructed them to “calm down, to witness the reality that the tomb is empty . . . and to share the good news that Jesus is risen.”

After his homily, Bishop Tylka baptized and/or confirmed 18 individuals onsite.

Bishop Tylka baptizes Ember Monday at Easter Vigil on March 30. Her godparents are Jenna and Jacob Monday (seen here), and her parents are Joe and Paris Monday of St. Mark Parish in Peoria. As well, Paris was received into full communion with the Church, as was Joe’s sister Mikaela. It was a Saturday night of blessings for the Mondays. The Catholic Post Online/Paul Thomas Moore

FIRE AND WATER

While the embers from the Easter fire were still glowing outside the cathedral, inside infant Ember Monday was among those baptized with the living water of Christ.

Years before, Ember’s father Joe and his brother Jacob had converted to the Catholic faith. Now, on this “truly blessed night,” as the Exsultet proclaims, not only was his daughter Ember baptized, but also his wife Paris was received into full communion with the Church, and Joe served as confirmation sponsor for his sister Mikaela.

“Slowly the rest of our family is all coming into the Church,“ Joe commented.

From left are Jacob Monday, Mikaela Monday, Bishop Tylka, and Paris and Joe Monday with infant Ember. The Catholic Post Online/Paul Thomas Moore

Could this family’s evangelization story be a stronger echo of Bishop Lou’s homily encouragement to “Share the good news that Jesus is Risen?”

As Bishop Lou concluded his homily, “We share in the amazement that Jesus has conquered sin and death. Let us also hear the Lord say to us, ‘Get ahold of yourself – I’ve got work for you to do.’”