Articles:
By: Jennifer Willems - January 18, 2019 -
Featured Article
Distinguished, Eileen Lohr, Msgr. Brian Brownsey, Pastor, principal, Randy Simmons, Teacher
Receiving recognition from the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools for 2018-2019 are, from left: Msgr. Brian Brownsey, pastor of St. Mark Parish in Peoria, Distinguished School Pastor of the Year; Eileen Lohr, longtime kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School, Peoria, Distinguished Teacher of the Year; and Randy Simmons, principal of Peoria Notre Dame High School, Distinguished Principal of the Year.
“Distinguished” isn’t a title that sits easily with the pastor, principal and teacher being honored by the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools. In fact, each admitted to being surprised by the honor, which was announced in late December. “I’m humbled by it,” said Randy Simmons, who was named Distinguished Principal of the Year. He leads […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - January 18, 2019 -
Uncategorized
Distinguished Teacher, Eileen Lohr, kindergarten, St. Vincent de Paul
Surrounded by her kindergarten class at St. Vincent de Paul School in Peoria, Eileen Lohr said the key to working with them is helping them believe they can do anything, in small steps. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
When Eileen Lohr was first approached to teach kindergarten at St. Vincent de Paul School in Peoria, she was inclined to decline. “I had never taught kindergarten,” she told The Post. “I did a lot of volunteering and summer camps, but not kindergarten. I didn’t know if I could do it.” That was 21 years […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - January 18, 2019 -
Uncategorized
Distinguished Principal, Peoria Notre Dame, Randy Simmons
Randy Simmons holds an impromptu meeting with John Alwan, Ben Ramsey, Sarah Rashid, Luke Carroll and Quinn Pallardy in his office at Peoria Notre Dame High School. "If you truly love what you do, really not work," he said. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
In his “Leadership Development” class at Peoria Notre Dame, Randy Simmons tells the juniors and seniors, “You never have to work a day in your life if you’re passionate about what you do. The money comes and it goes, but if you truly love what you do, it’s really not work.” He speaks from experience. […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - January 18, 2019 -
Uncategorized
Distinguished Pastor, Msgr. Brian Brownsey, Noreen Dillon, Peoria, St. Mark
While he doesn't get into the classroom as often as he'd like, Msgr. Brian Brownsey tries to get over to St. Mark School in Peoria a couple times during the week, even if it's just to walk through the cafeteria or see students on the playground. "When I go to school and see my kids, I get new life," he said. (Provided photo)
He might have been named the Distinguished School Pastor of the Year, but Msgr. Brian K. Brownsey, pastor of St. Mark Parish and School in Peoria, prefers to expand the spotlight. “I just did what everybody else does,” he said simply. “Our principal, Noreen Dillon, is top-notch. If there’s anything good at St. Mark’s, it’s […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - January 18, 2019 -
Featured Article
Central Catholic, March for Life Chicago, Pro-life, St. Bede
Jacob Hopper, Kevin Ellis, Sam Menacher and Chase Stevens of the St. John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal carry the banner for the Diocese of Peoria during March for Life Chicago on Jan. 13. It says, “Life Plays in Peoria.” (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
CHICAGO — Respect life advocates of all ages proved that it takes more than a snow storm to keep them from standing up for the unborn when they gathered for March for Life Chicago last Sunday. The enthusiastic rally in Federal Plaza and walk through downtown Chicago proceeded, despite the storm on Jan. 12 that […]
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By: Tom Dermody - January 17, 2019 -
Featured Article
Father Adam Cesarek Emma Bucher, Father Chase Hildenbrinck, FOCUS, Indianapolis, SEEK, SEEK2019
This is only about two-thirds of the group of 72 from the St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois that attended the SEEK2019 conference in Indianapolis Jan. 3-7. The biannual gathering is sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. (Provided photo)
The nearness of a major Catholic gathering led nearly 150 college students, young adults, priests and Religious from the Diocese of Peoria to begin 2019 by deepening their faith at the SEEK2019 experience in Indianapolis. “Faithful Catholics often feel isolated or alone in their school or workplace,” said Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, who accompanied a group […]
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By: Tom Dermody - January 17, 2019 -
Editorial
In many ways we live in a time of division, certainly in our politics but also culturally and generationally. Christianity itself and, sadly, the Catholic Church too can seem far from Jesus’ prayer before his Ascension that we “may all be one,” something called to mind annually during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, […]
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By: The Catholic Post - January 17, 2019 -
Book Review
Peoria, RyAnne Carr, St. Philomena
RyAnne Carr
How we know you: I am a lifelong member of St. Philomena Parish in Peoria. I served as a FOCUS missionary for two years after college where I met my husband. Currently I am a homemaker with three children ages 6 and under. Why I love reading: I love reading because it allows me to […]
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By: The Catholic Post - January 17, 2019 -
Book Review
Reviewed by Father Luke Spannagel If you are like me, the headlines the last couple months about scandals and failures in leadership within our Church have been challenging on many levels. As I continue to pray for everyone who has been hurt, I have also been asking God for wisdom and strength in daily ministry. […]
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By: The Catholic Post - January 17, 2019 -
Living the Word
Shawn Reeves
By Shawn Reeves Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/Jan. 20 Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 This year my wife and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage, and I could not help but celebrate a little already after reviewing this Sunday’s readings. They are rich with marital language. God professes Himself a “bridegroom […]
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