Guest Column / Jack Desatnick Christmas season is the birth of Jesus Christ, the gathering of family and friends, the giving of gifts, and the prayer of thanks for what we have. When I was blessed to meet and marry my wife, Terri, we celebrated two Christmas dinners. On Christmas Eve we traveled to Whiting, […]
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Deacon Greg Kandra
Living the Word / Deacon Greg Kandra Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 10 Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalms 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8 If nothing else, Advent should remind us of this inconvenient truth: We are people in a hurry. The other day, I was leaving Walmart and noticed a tent set up in the […]
Continue readingReviewed by Katie Bogner One of my favorite places to read this time of year is near the Christmas tree. The sparkling lights create a cozy and cheery atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a good book. This is especially true when reading together with your children, grandchildren, or godchildren. As you gather around the Christmas tree […]
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Father Witold Adamczyk, OFM Conv., pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Rock Island, poses with therapy dog Bailey and her owner and trainer, parishioner Sharon Cramer. (Provided photo)
By Paul Thomas Moore ROCK ISLAND — When The Catholic Post first visited Labradoodle Bailey and her owner/trainer Sharon Cramer at Sacred Heart Church here in 2016, the therapy dog was only months into her role as greeter at the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. Now, Bailey’s got it down to an art. Upon arrival, she […]
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Justin Ramza
STREATOR — Bishop Louis Tylka will ordain seminarian Justin Ramza to the transitional diaconate during a 10:30 a.m. Mass on Saturday, Dec. 16, at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 407 S. Park St. in Streator. The public is invited to the ordination, but seating is limited and tickets are required. Tickets may be obtained online […]
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Catholics hold up "parols," or Christmas lanterns, for blessing during a “Simbang Gabi” Mass in Seattle. The novena of pre-Christmas Masses, popular among Filipinos, will be hosted by nine Peoria-area churches Dec. 14-22. (CNS file photo)
One of the oldest and most revered pre-Christmas traditions in the Philippines, “Simbang Gabi,” will be observed in nine parishes of the Diocese of Peoria from Dec. 14-22. “Simbang Gabi” is Filipino for “Night Mass,” and the 2023 observance — coordinated by the Filipino-American Catholic Community — will include a novena of nine evening Masses […]
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Father Don Roszkowski, chaplain, checks on Buckeye the donkey as Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem is recreated on the motherhouse grounds of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in East Peoria on Dec. 3. Helping to guide Buckeye are Sister Theresa Ann Brazeau, OSF, and “shepherd”-owner Renee Humphrey. Joseph and Mary are portrayed by Phillip Rupert and Faustina Hoerdeman. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
EAST PEORIA — The 150 voices sweetly singing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as they recreated Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem were joined by a shrill shout as the procession neared a stable erected on the Franciscan motherhouse grounds. “Hee-haw, hee-haw,” chimed in Buckeye the donkey, making his voice heard for the first time […]
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The interior of the new St. Jude Church in Peoria is seen as the procession makes its way through the packed assembly at the close of the Dedication Mass on Nov. 29. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
With two three-word phrases, Bishop Louis Tylka summed up the thoughts of many who packed the new St. Jude Church in Peoria for its Dedication Mass on Wednesday evening, Nov. 29. “This is awesome,” said Bishop Tylka as he began his homily. Moments later, as the bishop thanked and congratulated Father Patrick Henehan, pastor, and […]
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"This space will be a place where many lives are changed," said Bishop Tylka at the Dedication Mass for the new St. Jude Church in Peoria, "because here we will always remember that it is all about Jesus, and allowing him to do the necessary work in making us his disciples." (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is a transcript of the homily by Bishop Louis Tylka at the Dedication Mass for the new St. Jude Church in Peoria. The Mass was celebrated on the evening of Nov. 29, and our story is found here. — This is awesome! Take a moment and look around. Look what has been […]
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This is just a section of the historic Nativity scene from St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. It will be among more than 750 Nativities on display at the Peoria Area Community Festival of Nativities Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.
“O Holy Night” is the theme of the 2023 Peoria Area Community Festival of the Nativities, which will feature more than 750 manger scene depictions from around the world. It also celebrates the 800th anniversary of the first crèche exhibit by St. Francis of Assisi. The display will be available for viewing on four days […]
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