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Bishop Tylka to students as schools open: Ask to be guided by the Holy Spirit daily

By: Jennifer Willems - September 9, 2021 - Featured Article

Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka processes into the Don Morris Gymnasium at Alleman High School in Rock Island as the Mass of the Holy Spirit begins Aug. 27. He also visited the five other Catholic high schools and academies of the Diocese of Peoria for Masses as the new school year began. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

DANVILLE — One of the most important teachers and guides in life is the Holy Spirit and in Masses at Catholic high schools and academies across the Diocese of Peoria, Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka encouraged students to lean on the Spirit for direction as the new school year begins. In addition to celebrating a Mass […]

‘Eternal joy’: Sister Lucia Maria professes perpetual vows with Pierced Hearts

By: Jennifer Willems - September 9, 2021 - News Article

Sister Lucia Maria Sol, SCTJM, embraces her aunt, Sister Ana Margarita Lanzas, the vicar general of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, after professing her perpetual vows on Aug. 22 in Miami. (Provided photo)

At Peoria Notre Dame High School she is known as Sister Lucia Maria Sol, but her full religious name is Sister Lucia Maria of Eternal Joy. From her smile and easy laugh, it’s easy to see where she comes by that. In fact, it’s impossible to walk away from her without wanting to give your […]

Sister Lea’s love for, knowledge of Sheen leads to appointment as vice postulator

By: Jennifer Willems - September 9, 2021 - Featured Article

Sister Lea Stefancova, FSJB, is pictured with an image of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen at the Diocese of Peoria's Sheen Museum. Sister Lea has been named vice postulator of the beatification and canonization cause of the radio and television evangelist and author. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

“Humbling” is the word Sister Lea Stefancova, FSJB, uses to describe her appointment as the vice postulator of the cause for the beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. That she was able to come up with that word is remarkable since she admits to being “totally speechless” when she received the news. “It’s a […]

Retired Navy captain has new duty on the H.S. of Saint Thomas More leadership team

By: Jennifer Willems - August 30, 2021 - News Article

Anthony Corapi is the new chief operating officer at The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign.

CHAMPAIGN — During his career as a naval aviator, retired Capt. Anthony Corapi moved throughout the United States 14 times and figures he’s been around the world twice. As exciting as that was, he is looking forward to exploring new vistas as the chief operating officer at The High School of Saint Thomas More. In […]

‘Expectations exceeded’ at school in Uganda being built with local gifts

By: Jennifer Willems - August 26, 2021 - Featured Article Building Hope in Kids-Uganda, Father Julius Turyatoranwa, John Grillot

In just three and a half years, the campus of St. Patrick Nursery and Primary Day and Boarding School in Uganda has grown to include dormitories for boys and girls, a large classroom block named for St. Monica Parish in East Peoria, housing for teachers and an administration building, among other facilities and construction continues. Father Julius Turyatoranwa credits the generosity of people in central Illinois for the school’s success. (Provided photo)

WASHINGTON — Like everywhere else, COVID-19 has affected the people of Uganda, making it difficult to travel and hold school. Father Julius Turyatoranwa didn’t let it stop him from making his way back to central Illinois, however, and bringing good news about St. Patrick Nursery and Primary Day and Boarding School. He arrived on Aug. […]

Tim Smith is welcomed as principal into ‘family’ at St. Malachy School, Geneseo

By: Jennifer Willems - August 26, 2021 - News Article

Tim Smith

GENESEO — As an educator and administrator with more than 30 years of experience, Tim Smith has seen many first days of school. What made Aug. 23 so special for him, however, was welcoming and being welcomed by his new “family” at St. Malachy School. Smith was named to succeed Heather Francque as principal of […]

Diocese’s first married principals guiding Galesburg, Monmouth Catholic schools

By: Jennifer Willems - August 26, 2021 - Featured Article

She may be a Costa Catholic Academy Friar now and he may be a Immaculate Conception School Trojan, but Katie and Randy Frakes see eye-to-eye when it comes to teaching and witnessing to the faith, providing a good academic program, and supporting one another through all the challenges that come with being the Diocese of Peoria's first married principals. She is starting her first year at Costa Catholic Academy in Galesburg and he is just down the road at Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Randy and Kathryn Frakes weren’t afraid of letting a little school pride show on a recent August morning. The principal of Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth, he wore an ICS blue shirt bearing the team mascot, a Trojan. As the new principal of Costa Catholic Academy in Galesburg, she was dressed appropriately enough in Costa […]

New school year brings excitement to Peru Catholic, brief delay in Quad Cities

By: Jennifer Willems - August 19, 2021 - Featured Article Alleman High School, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Jordan Catholic School, Julie Schmitt, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, Peru Catholic School, Seton Catholic School

Welcoming students back to Peru Catholic School on Aug. 17 is principal Julie Schmitt, who holds the door for Ainsley and Brynn Grilc. Enrollment remains steady at 166 students this year, she said. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

PERU — Some tears were shed as 3- and 4-year-old preschool pupils said goodbye to their parents and faced their first day at Peru Catholic School on Aug. 17, but it wasn’t long before backpacks were unpacked and everyone was celebrating being with friends old and new. The scene is being repeated at the 42 […]

Mask mandate compliance brings mixed emotions as school prepare to reopen

By: Jennifer Willems - August 11, 2021 - Featured Article

The 42 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria will follow Gov. JB Pritzker's mandate for universal masking in all schools in Illinois, from pre-kindergarten through high school, according to a statement released Aug. 4 by Dr. Sharon Weiss, superintendent. (Catholic Post file photo/Jennifer Willems)

With Gov. JB Pritzker’s Aug. 4 announcement that students, teachers and visitors in all schools and day cares in Illinois would be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, has come mixed emotions for parents enrolling their children in the 42 Catholic elementary and secondary schools of the Diocese of Peoria. That includes disappointment […]

Refurbished pipe organ to be blessed, recital set Aug. 29 at St. Mary, Rock Island

By: Jennifer Willems - August 11, 2021 - News Article

Chris Versluis, who has been playing the organ at St. Mary Church in Rock Island for 22 years, sits at the new console of the refurbished instrument on a recent Saturday afternoon. "The keyboard is still the same, so it still feels like home," he said. (Provided photo)

ROCK ISLAND — On any Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning a clear, powerful, vigorous voice proclaiming the glory of God can be heard coming from St. Mary Church here — and bringing parishioners right along with it. That voice belongs to the newly refurbished Wicks pipe organ that will be blessed on Sunday, Aug. 29. […]

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