Archives
By: Jennifer Willems - April 23, 2020 -
News Article
Father Timothy Hepner, vocation director of recruitment for the Diocese of Peoria, livestreams a Holy Hour for Vocations on the Facebook page of the Office of Priestly Vocations on April 14. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
At some point the COVID-19 pandemic will end, but the need for holy priests and consecrated women and men won’t. That’s why prayers for vocations must continue, according to Father Timothy Hepner, vocation director of recruitment for the Diocese of Peoria. Until people are able to gather in churches again, the Office of Priestly Formation […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - April 10, 2020 -
News Article
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, is surrounded by the volunteers honored by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women last April. This year's Volunteer Appreciation Mass and Luncheon has been canceled because of coronavirus restrictions. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Prayer knows no social distancing and on Palm Sunday the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invited people to join them across the miles — and phone lines — to seek God’s aid in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The prayer service, conducted by conference call, was the first of its kind for the PDCCW. “I […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - April 9, 2020 -
News Article
In a letter noting how Catholic schools in Illinois have been impacted after closing March 14 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the school superintendents of the six Catholic dioceses in the state have asked that Gov. JB Pritzker remember nonpublic schools when emergency funding is being distributed. Dated April 2 and sent electronically by […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - April 9, 2020 -
Featured Article
The kitchen counter makes a fine work space for Cooper Behrends, a fourth-grader at St. Joseph School in Pekin. The flexibility of remote learning, which can be done during the day or at night, makes it easer for some families with more students than devices to keep everyone moving forward. (Provided photo)
It may not be what anyone would have chosen, but remote learning is working for Catholic schools around the Diocese of Peoria. Not only are teachers, principals and parents working together to move the curriculum forward, but they’re also paying special attention to the spiritual, emotional and social needs of the young people in their […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - April 9, 2020 -
News Article
The priests of the Diocese of Peoria renew the promises they made at ordination during the 2019 Chrism Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. The diocese's priests are offering words of hope and encouragement to their flocks as we approach Easter. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
While it’s true that the Body of Christ will not be able to come together to celebrate Easter, the members of that body are still united. That’s a cause for joy, according to priests around the Diocese of Peoria, who encouraged people to have hope as they ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve got to […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - April 6, 2020 -
Featured Article
Epiphany Parish, Father Joe Baker, Holy Week, Msgr. Eric Powell, Palm Sunday
Msgr. Eric Powell sprinkles holy water on one of the hundreds of cars filled with parishioners from Epiphany Parish in Normal that drove by to receive a blessing and Holy Week Survival Kit on Palm Sunday. They lined College Avenue to wait for an opportunity to turn into the entrance to the church parking lot. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
NORMAL — For four precious hours on Palm Sunday, priests and parishioners at Epiphany Catholic Church were able to share smiles and greetings as between 800 and 900 cars drove through the parking lot to pick up Holy Week Survival Kits. Due to the cancellation of public Masses, it was the first time they had […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 31, 2020 -
Featured Article, Uncategorized
Designed as a "social distance scavenger hunt," Heart Hunters has turned into a way for people to come together by sharing love and kindness, according to founder Krista Wynes of Galesburg. This is one of the photos shared by the group's 600,000 Facebook followers. (Provided photo)
GALESBURG — As precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 caused people to shelter in place, Krista Wynes offered them a way to connect by sharing their hearts. They responded to her call for a “social distance scavenger hunt” by placing hearts on windows and doors, making her new Heart Hunters Facebook group a […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 26, 2020 -
News Article
Ryan Mann
OTTAWA — Ryan Mann pretty much had the rest of his junior year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, planned. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic that sent him back to central Illinois. While it may have changed his location, it did not change what was important: his intention to continue praying and […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 26, 2020 -
News Article
Seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria are pictured with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Father Patrick Henehan, vocation director of formation, and Father Timothy Hepner, vocation director of recruitment, in this photo taken last August at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. (Provided photo/Nellie Gould)
When colleges and universities across the country suspended in-person classes for the rest of the semester to prevent transmission of COVID-19, the seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Peoria were sent home, too. That doesn’t mean their discernment has been suspended, according to Father Patrick Henehan, diocesan vocation director of formation. In […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 26, 2020 -
Featured Article
Aimé Blankenship, a first-grader in Abby Brancaleon’s class at St. Patrick School in Washington, practices the skills she’ll need for e-learning before all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria closed at the end of the day on March 13. The schools will remain closed through Easter Monday, with online learning beginning March 31. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has directed that all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria remain closed through Easter Monday, April 13. The announcement was made March 23 in conjunction with a letter from the bishop informing the faithful that public Masses would continue to be suspended through Easter Sunday. The schools are scheduled […]
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