Catholic school enrollment in the Diocese of Peoria is again slightly less than it was the year before, continuing a trend seen locally since 2003. “Enrollment across the nation is down,” said Brother William Dygert, CSC, diocesan superintendent of schools, placing the diocese’s numbers in a fuller context. “But our enrollment is not as down […]
Continue readingIn the wake of the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois said that “most public servants in Illinois are good and decent people called to serve for the right reasons,” but that “temptations are out there.” “We have seen too many examples of people […]
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Photo Caption: Thirty-five Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions are contributing gifts to families in need through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. By: By Jared Olar Through a tradition of giving and service, Advent and Christmas have become seasons of hope, especially for those in need — and this month parishes and schools throughout […]
Continue readingBeneath those clouds hanging over the Illinois Capitol in Springfield and the political scene in Chicago, two true sources of hope are found this month. In Springfield, one week before the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the first ever privately funded Nativity scene to be displayed in the Capitol Building was dedicated Dec. 2 in […]
Continue readingBy: By Msgr. Stuart Swetland Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 14 Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11; (Psalm) Luke 1:46-48,49-50,53-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28 Who are you? This question is often asked. In our modern world our identity can be our most guarded possession. We are asked to offer proof of identity all the time: traveling, shopping, on […]
Continue readingVATICAN CITY (CNS) — The foundation upon which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is based will remain fragile if its ethical and divine origins are ignored, Pope Benedict XVI said during a Vatican commemoration of the document’s 60th anniversary. While much has been done over the past decades to promote and safeguard human rights […]
Continue readingINDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — A holiday gift-certificate campaign by Planned Parenthood of Indiana “is offensive because Christmas is about celebrating the gift of human life,” said the director of the pro-life ministry office of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. Sister Diane Carollo made the comments in a nationally televised interview Dec. 3 on ABC’s “Evening News.” The Planned […]
Continue readingUNITED NATIONS (CNS) — On the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Dec. 10, petitions for and against declaring abortion as a “universal right” were presented to U.N. members. More than a year ago, Marie Stopes International, a London-based abortion advocacy group, initiated a petition drive calling for “women’s rights to contraception […]
Continue readingRating: L (R) 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. Convoluted and gritty thriller in which the slacker son (Bryan Greenberg) of an arrogant chemistry professor (Alan Rickman) and a forensic psychologist (Mary […]
Continue readingExcitement is building around the Diocese of Peoria as parishes prepare to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday, Dec. 12. “We have had volunteers come in to ask if there was anything they could do. This is the first time,” said Maria Ramirez of Holy Family Parish in Danville. “The Holy […]
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