VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a letter to the world’s bishops, Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret that his lifting of the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops gave rise to a storm of protests and bitterness. The pope said the controversy over Bishop Richard Williamson’s statements denying the extent of the Holocaust was “an unforeseen mishap” […]
Continue readingRating: A-I (G) NEW YORK (CNS) — The following is a capsule review of a movie recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Upbeat concert film capturing performances during the popular boy band’s 2008 “Burnin’ Up” tour, interspersed with some behind-the-scenes footage of real-life siblings Kevin, […]
Continue readingBrooklyn’s Finest (Overture) Seamy New York police drama chronicling a week in the lives of a cynical patrolman (Richard Gere) on the verge of retirement, an undercover operative (Don Cheadle) desperate for promotion to a safe desk job and a narcotics officer (Ethan Hawke) tempted to steal drug money to provide for his ill wife […]
Continue readingPHILO — Though summer break is still three months away, the community of St. Thomas School is looking ahead to important changes next fall that will address the challenges of rising costs and declining student enrollment. The changes are part of a new strategic plan that includes a restructuring of classrooms, reducing the number of […]
Continue readingOne of the greatest sources of power that Father Patrick DeMeulemeester has encountered in his life has nothing to do with nuclear weapons systems or high political office. It is the rosary and he credits the devotion not only for his vocation but for the very survival of his family in Belgium during World War […]
Continue readingHer life hasn’t always been easy, but Kimberly A. Padan chooses to side with the author of the first letter of Peter, who encouraged the Christians in Asia Minor by saying, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” For nearly an hour she did […]
Continue readingSPRINGFIELD — They weren’t in school, but Cardinal Francis George of Chicago told the 3,500 students from 180 Catholic schools around the state that their presence in the Capitol rotunda made it a school day. Included in that number were 900 students from 39 of the 48 schools across the Diocese of Peoria. The rally […]
Continue readingIn ceremonies that twice filled St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Sunday, about 375 men, women and children from across the diocese began the final phase of their preparation for the Easter sacraments. “We are blessed and proud to walk with you,” said Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, to the candidates and catechumens as well […]
Continue readingBy: By Barbara Roedel Second Sunday of Lent, March 8 Genesis 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18; Psalm 116:10,15,16-17,18-19; Romans 8:31b-34; Mark 9:2-10 Mountaintop experiences don’t come all that often and yet we’ve all had some experience of them. I’ve heard Christians talk of having mountaintop experiences while on a retreat or a mission, while reading sacred Scripture or serving […]
Continue readingNot that more evidence is needed, but a sign that Bishop Jenky was on target last week in saying that in this digital age we’re experiencing a “fundamental shift in the patterns of communication and human relationships” came this week from Italy, where a bishop asked the faithful “to fast” from sending text messages on […]
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