By: By Jennifer Willems EDITOR’S NOTE: Across the nation this weekend people are being encouraged to offer support for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Last year more than $28 million was raised — including $132,478 from the Diocese of Peoria — to offer direct assistance to 477 religious institutes. But we know these dedicated women […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems Enrollment in the 46 schools of the Diocese of Peoria has dropped, but there is still good news to be found in the figures released this month by the Office of Catholic Schools. “With our decline this year, the surprise is that it wasn’t larger,” said Brother William Dygert, CSC, superintendent […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems Seventy percent of practicing Catholics under the age of 35 are Hispanic, and Latinos represent the fast growing school-age population in the country. Why is it, then, that only 3 percent of those children attend Catholic schools? Principals, pastors, teachers and education commission members from Catholic schools around the Diocese of […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems Making history is nothing new for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. For 130 years, the agency and its forerunners have looked for new ways to serve those in need while remaining true to the mission of treating all with compassion, dignity and respect. That long history is being traced […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems Joan Weber may not be the president of the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women anymore — she installed her successor, Nympha White of Grand Ridge, at the organization’s Oct. 16 convention — but her service to women of faith in Illinois isn’t done quite yet. For the next two years […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems DANVILLE — Giving thanks is something that comes naturally to the members of St. Paul’s Parish here. Not only have they been marking the 100th anniversary of their founding this year, but they have a beautifully redecorated church in which to do it. That will stand them in good stead as […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems When the Holy Cross “family” gathered in Rome to celebrate the canonization of one of their own, St. Andre Bessette, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, was there and it was a special moment for him not just as a Holy Cross priest but as spiritual leader of the Diocese of Peoria. […]
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Photo Caption: Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, prays just inside the doors of the new Chapel of St. Robert Bellarmine at the start of the Dedication Mass in Normal Nov. 7. By: By Jennifer Willems NORMAL — Filled to overflowing with people, praise and gratitude, the new Chapel of St. Robert Bellarmine on the campus […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems LEWISTOWN — For 50 years, Msgr. Robert W. O’Connor has made his home among the people of St. Mary’s in Lewistown and St. Michael’s in St. David and being named a senior priest of the Diocese of Peoria isn’t going to change that very much. He is in the process of […]
Continue readingBy: By Jennifer Willems EAST MOLINE — Even during casual conversation, Ann Tilton has a rosary in her hands. It’s wrapped inconspicuously around her left wrist and she fingers it in a very natural way as she talks. “I just love to pray the rosary,” she shares with a broad smile, confiding that many times […]
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