By: By Tom Dermody “Every child is an artist.” That quote from Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso not only is written on the wall of the art room at St. Philomena’s School in Peoria, it is evidenced in nearly every hallway and classroom. And all this week, on walls where the works of master […]
Continue readingBy: By Tom Dermody The applause was from hundreds, not the million-plus who had gathered in Rome for his beatification the previous weekend, but the affection for Blessed Pope John Paul II was just as deep and sincere among those attending a diocese-wide Mass of Thanksgiving in Peoria last Saturday. “This is certainly a moment […]
Continue readingBy: By Tom Dermody PEKIN — Because he is blind and nearly completely deaf, Josh Wertz often depends on being led by others, including his guide dog of eight years, Ace. But when the Class of 2011 graduates from the Department of Human Development Counseling at the University of Illinois at Springfield process into commencement […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — With expressions of gratitude to God and to all who are supporting the project, Jordan Catholic School here broke ground last Friday for a $2.6 million school addition and renovation. “Today, we are opening a new chapter in the quality of education for the young people of this area,” said Mike Daly, […]
Continue readingThe seven Catholic high schools of the Diocese of Peoria have scheduled graduation ceremonies and Masses for their 706 seniors in the coming weeks. In Peru, a graduation Mass for the 61 seniors of St. Bede Academy will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at St. Bede Abbey Church. A reception will […]
Continue readingPentecost Sunday, like Easter, will be later than usual this year, but wise members of the Class of 2011 should be especially mindful of the Holy Spirit as their days of celebration arrive on university and high school campuses. College graduates, after all, are entering a difficult job market. Life-changing decisions await. For the fortunate, […]
Continue readingGALESBURG — The Christ Child Society of Central Illinois has started to offer layettes to OSF St. Mary Medical Center and Cottage Hospital in Galesburg. The hospitals received their first layettes last Saturday, May 7. A group of Christ Child Society members, including Sharon Gerdes of Gridley, Joan Weber and Ingrid Ruscheinski of Peoria, and […]
Continue reading
By: By Jennifer Willems “We couldn’t do what we do without you.” Msgr. Dale Wellman offered those simple and heartfelt words to the 47 women who were honored at the Annual Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The event drew the women, who came from 23 parishes throughout central Illinois, […]
Continue readingSPRINGFIELD — Catholic Charities directors from all five downstate Illinois dioceses gathered at the state capitol May 4 to call for quick legislative action to preserve vital adoption and foster care services for thousands of children and families around the state. The directors indicated their agencies may soon be forced out of the adoption and […]
Continue reading
Photo Caption: Members of “Witnesses to Love” are pictured after recording their original song “Planted” at the John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal. By: By Tom Dermody NORMAL — First things first. “Votar” is Spanish for “Vote,” and to help a group of World Youth Day pilgrims-to-be from the Pope John Paul II […]
Continue reading
