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Pandemic cited among causes as diocese’s schools see an 8.2% enrollment decline

Students were welcomed back to in-person instruction at St. Mary School in Pontiac on Jan. 11. Each class was blessed by Father Adam Cesarek, pastor, and there were gifts and a complimentary lunch for the staff and an ice cream treat for the students. The Pontiac school was one of 11 Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Peoria to see an increase in enrollment in the last year. (Provided photo)

In an academic year made difficult by COVID-19, enrollment has provided another challenge for the 42 Catholic schools of the Diocese of Peoria. According to enrollment figures submitted to the NCEA Data Bank for 2020-2021, there are 9,107 students in diocesan schools — a decline of 8.2 percent. That includes a drop of 193 students […]

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2021 — The Year of Being Known

“My Vocation is Love” / Lindsey Weishar New years are often times of reorientation, of reset. We make resolutions, update our goals, give ourselves permission to dream about change in ways that fill us with anticipation. This year one of my personal hopes is to allow myself to be better known. To say 2020 was […]

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January is different because of Christmas

“In My Father’s House” / Paul Thomas Moore It was Christmas Eve, and we were in the grocery store, stocking up on some last-minute items for the big day. One of the store employees was dressed as Santa, and he was working at the check-out. Meanwhile, some other employees — no doubt his elves, were […]

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New chief medical officers named for OSF medical centers in Danville, Urbana

OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Danville and OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Urbana each have new vice presidents and chief medical officers. Now serving in those roles in Danville is Dr. Anil Gopinath. His appointment became effective Dec. 21. He comes to the Danville medical center after serving as chief […]

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Mass, Holy Hour set at cathedral Jan. 22 for legal protection of the unborn

A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, long a symbol of the pro-life movement, is carried into St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria in this photo from a previous Mass for the Legal Protection of the Unborn. This year's Mass and Holy Hour is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

As the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion approaches this Friday, Jan. 22, people are planning to stand up for human life in a variety of ways, including a Mass and Holy Hour at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, as […]

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Catechist Katie Bogner takes children, families ‘Through the Year with Jesus’

Katherine Bogner holds the cover art for her new book to be released in mid-February by Emmaus Road Publishing. A popular blogger, she is director of religious education at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lacon and junior high faith formation teacher at St. Philomena School, Peoria. (Provided photo)

Reviewed by Nancy Piccione I wanted to write that Katherine Bogner’s new book is a “back to basics” approach to living out the Catholic faith, using liturgical seasons and weekly Gospel readings as framework. But that would underestimate the rich and multilayered resource that Bogner, a local teacher with a global reach online, has created […]

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God is calling — how will we listen and respond?

Father Dominic Garramone, OSB

By Father Dominic Garramone, OSB Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/Jan. 17 1 Samuel 3:3b-10,19; Psalm 40:2,4,7-8,8-9,10; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a,17-20; John 1:35-42 At supper at St. Bede Abbey, we maintain silence, and one of the monks reads from a book chosen by Father Michael, our prior. Earlier this month we were reading selections from a book of […]

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Area pro-life proponents finding new ways to mark Roe v. Wade anniversary

Even though Central Illinois Right to Life will not be holding its annual Sanctity of Human Life Rally or walk for life around the Federal Courthouse in Peoria this year, supporters seized a recent opportunity to make a stand for life. As 2020 was coming to an end, several people from the organization stood on the Adams Street pedestrian overpass along Interstate 74 in Peoria and held pro-life signs for drivers on both sides to see. “We got a lot of affirmative honks,” said Dan Bohan, CIRTL vice president. (Provided photo)

There are many things that have changed across Central Illinois due to COVID-19, but respect for human life isn’t one of them. That has made it necessary for parishes and respect life groups to look for new ways to provide a witness. At St. Mary of Lourdes in Germantown Hills, for example, parishioners will hold […]

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January Potpourri

With a loving nod to the late Alex Trebek, whose final show as host of “Jeopardy” aired Jan. 8, the coming days could fill the board of the game show’s regular category of Potpourri. There are various celebrations, observances, and events in mid-January that merit individual editorial comment. So let’s see how well readers know […]

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Deadline nears for tributes to Catholic education heroes of this pandemic period

The Catholic Post will celebrate heroes in education in a section devoted to Catholic Schools Week. We invite readers to tell us about teachers, principals and staff members who have gone above and beyond during this challenging time of pandemic. CNS/Valaurian Waller)

Heroes don’t seek praise, but they deserve gratitude for all that they do on behalf of others. Among those who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic are those who are doing everything they can to provide a good education for thousands of young people across the Diocese of Peoria, as well as formation in the […]

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