Articles:

Legal dispute ends; Archbishop Sheen’s remains will be transferred to Peoria

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is pictured preaching in an undated photo. (CNS file photo)

(UPDATED — June 19, 2019) The mortal remains of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will soon be coming home to his native Diocese of Peoria. And that news has diocesan officials anticipating a reopening of the famed orator and media pioneer’s Cause for Beatification, leading to a hoped-for Beatification Mass that would take place in […]

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Fr. Bruce Lopez, 57, dies in Monticello; funeral Mass celebrated in East Moline

Father Bruce D. Lopez

UPDATED — June 23, 2019 A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on  June 13 at St. Anne Church in East Moline for Father Bruce D. Lopez, pastor of St. Philomena Parish in Monticello and St. Michael Parish in Bement. Father Lopez died at his home on Thursday, June 6, 2019. He was 57. Bishop […]

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Father Paul Meismer was where the Lord wanted him on his birthday 50 years ago

Father Paul Meismer

Bishop Franz could not have ordained Father Meismer on a better day — it was his 26th birthday. He credits his “sainted mother” Mary C. Meismer for positioning him at St. Bede Academy in Peru, where he studied for four years and went on to St. Bede Junior College for two years. He took philosophy […]

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Father Edward Harkrader heard God’s call in the silence after war injury

Father Edward W. Harkrader

He has served in just four parishes over 50 years, but Father Harkrader stayed long enough in each place to make an impression, as the parishioners certainly did on him. That’s the reason he stayed in Princeton after being granted senior status in 2001, rather than returning to his hometown of Peoria. “The people I […]

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Father R. E. Enderlin: Priesthood ‘a good life’ as he shared peoples’ challenges

Father R. E. Enderlin

LACON — Born in Monmouth on June 23, 1939, Father Enderlin earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and completed his studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. His first assignments after ordination were as parochial vicar at St. Monica in East Peoria and St. […]

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Four priests of diocese celebrating golden jubilee of their ordination day

Ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria 50 years ago on June 7 were, from left, Father R. E. Enderlin, Father Edward O. Harkrader, Father Paul J. Meismer, and Father James E. Rickey.

On June 7, 1969, four men were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John B. Franz at St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria. Now senior priests of the Diocese of Peoria, they say it has given them great joy to bring the sacraments to the people of God for 50 years. The Catholic Post recently spoke […]

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In 125th year, Catholic Women’s League called ‘an example to the entire diocese’

Representing the organizations benefiting from grants given by the Catholic Women's League are seated, from left, Susie Cicciarelli, Peoria Notre Dame High School; Pamela Perrilles, CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit; Therese Peck, Christ Child Society of Central Illinois; Nora Kinney, Missionaries of Charity; Carol Sleeth, Common Place; and Christine Dennis, Women's Care Center; and standing from left, Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse, OSF; Paul Barker, St. Augustine Manor; Tim Wiley, St. Joseph's Home of Lacon; Claire Crone, Sophia's Kitchen; Sandra Dudley, Renaissance Stand; Lynn VanDyke, Phoenix Community Development Services; and Sister Ana Pia Cordua, SCTJM, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Members of the Catholic Women’s League celebrated their 125th anniversary by doing what they do best — helping others. At its annual Allocation Luncheon, the league gave $17,000 in grants to 14 organizations that serve people who would benefit from tuition assistance, are homeless and hungry, newborn or elderly, and those living with special circumstances […]

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‘Real people’ help save Invest in Kids Act scholarship program from budget axe

Among the 14 schools from the Diocese of Peoria that were represented in the Save My Scholarship campaign was Blessed Sacrament in Morton. Principal Mike Birdoes (far left) was at the State Capitol on May 31 when Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced that the Invest in Kids Act had been saved. (Provided photo)

It’s safe. Despite threats to reduce the cap for donations by 50 percent or phase out the program, the Invest in Kids Act came through the state budget process unscathed as the Illinois General Assembly completed its work. “We’re extremely pleased that Gov. Pritzker has decided to keep the program intact and honor the original […]

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