By: By Nancy Frazier O’Brien, Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Forty-three Catholic dioceses, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions filed suit in federal court May 21 to stop three government agencies from implementing a mandate that would require them to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their health plans. “Through this lawsuit, plaintiffs […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI urged American Catholics to strive for greater unity, especially among ethnic groups and between bishops and religious orders, in order to carry out the church’s mission in an increasingly hostile society. The pope made his remarks May 18 in a speech to U.S. bishops from the Chaldean, Ruthenian, […]
Continue readingDeacon Bob Pomazal will lead a prayer workshop on Saturday, June 2, at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., in Peoria. Sponsored by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Peoria, it will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. The workshop is being offered in preparation […]
Continue readingOTTAWA — St. Francis of Assisi Church, 820 Sanger St., will offer a Fay’s Bar-B-Que Bash on Wednesday, May 23, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The cost is $11 for a dinner that features two pork chops or half a chicken or a combination of both. Side dishes include baked beans and coleslaw. The event […]
Continue readingDANVILLE — The Women’s Health Center at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, 812 N. Logan Ave., will host a “Girls’ Night Out Mammogram Party” on Wednesday, May 23, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Those who attend will be able to enjoy refreshments, a chair massage and a manicure along with their mammogram, and hear from […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems Deacon Johnathan Steffen knows that prayer has power. While practicing law in Pontiac, he started going to daily Mass at St. Mary’s Church. One morning, as he walked from his car to the church, he prayed that this would be the Mass that changed his life. Msgr. Thomas Mack, the pastor, […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems Two pastors of St. Philomena’s Parish in Monticello will offer assistance to Deacon Joel Phelps during his ordination weekend. The current pastor, Father Bruce Lopez, will be his vesting priest during the ordination liturgy. Father Patrick DeMeulemeester, who served in Monticello during Deacon Phelps’ first years in the seminary, will be […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems Born in Bloomington, Deacon Timothy Hepner grew up in rural Lexington as the sixth of Brandon and Karen Hepner’s 10 children. His home parish is St. Mary’s in Pontiac, which is sending two busloads of parishioners to the May 26 ordination to celebrate with him and Deacon Steffen, who also claims […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems If things had gone according to his plans, Deacon Daniel Gifford would have been a teacher, gotten married and settled down with a family. God had other plans. “It was a gradual revelation,” Deacon Gifford told The Catholic Post. “It became a serious question early in my second year at Illinois […]
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Photo Caption: Woodhull native and 2012 University of Illinois graduate Kristin DeSutter has created a website to offer faith-filled young adults a solid Catholic presence on the Internet and in social media. By: By Jennifer Willems CHAMPAIGN — Kristin DeSutter will receive her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois this weekend […]
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