Archives
By: Jennifer Willems - March 19, 2020 -
News Article
Since the students at Peoria Notre Dame High School couldn't come into the school for confession, Father Corey Krengiel, chaplain, brought the sacrament to them on March 19, using the baseball dugout as his confessional. Here he offers absolution to a student behind a blanket screen who braved the rain to come. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems
For three hours on Thursday afternoon, the baseball dugout at Peoria Notre Dame High School became a confessional for students, parents and friends of the community who said the sacrament of reconciliation was a welcome relief during a very strange time. “For a lot of our students, the school is kind of their touchstone with […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 18, 2020 -
Featured Article
As the faithful adjust to the new reality of watching Masses that are being live streamed from their churches or rectory and convent chapels in an effort to prevent transmission of COVID-19, many are wondering what they should be doing as they sit in front of their computer, television or cellphone. Father Jacob Rose advises […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 14, 2020 -
News Article
St. Matthew Church in Champaign is one of several churches around the Diocese of Peoria that has arranged to live stream Masses while public liturgical celebrations in central Illinois are suspended in an effort to prevent possible transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (The Catholic Post file photo/Jennifer Willems)
Public celebrations of the Mass may be suspended for the foreseeable future, but parishes across the Diocese of Peoria, as well as St. Bede Abbey in Peru, are making it possible for people to stay connected to their family of faith in central Illinois and beyond by following the example of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 12, 2020 -
News Article
Maureen Bentley, principal at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Peoria Heights, discusses an art project with two members of the kindergarten class in this Catholic Post file photo. The Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Peoria has directed its 42 elementary and secondary schools to close March 16-20 because of coronavirus concerns. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Citing an “abundance of caution” after the World Health Organization termed the COVID-19 coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Peoria has directed its 42 elementary and secondary schools to close March 16-20. The directives were sent to the principals, school pastors and chaplains March 12 after […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 -
News Article
East Peoria, Henry Wefer, Morton, RCIA, Rite of Election, St. Monica
Henry Wefer, who is preparing to be received into the church at St. Monica in East Peoria at the Easter Vigil, enjoys a moment with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. “He was very quick to a joke, which I think suits him well,” he said of the bishop. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
While many people who attended the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion were at St. Mary’s Cathedral for the first time, it has become something of a spiritual home for Henry Wefer from Morton. In fact, it was encountering Jesus in the Eucharist during adoration that brought him to where he is now. […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 -
Featured Article
Alyssa Nunes, Bishop Jenky, Henry Wefer, Rite of Election, Sty Nunes
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, greets Donald Kotsikpa, a catechumen from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Silvis during last year's Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. Facilitating the introduction is Deacon Al Angelo. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Henry Wefer of Morton can’t wait until the Easter Vigil, when he will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time. “It’s what I want more than anything,” said the 18-year-old college freshman, who will be received into the Catholic Church at St. Monica in East Peoria on April 11. “I’m burning for […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 -
Book Review, News Article
Book, OSB, Sister Mary Jane Wallace, St. Mary Monastery, Whatever happened to the sandbox
Longtime educator Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB, holds her newly published book, “Whatever Happened to the Sandbox? Enjoying the Creative Wisdom of Children.” (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
ROCK ISLAND — When you’re teaching classes with 45 and 60 students at a time, it doesn’t take long to amass a large collection of stories that amuse and inspire. Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB, tells some of her favorites in a new book, “Whatever Happened to the Sandbox? Enjoying the Creative Wisdom of Children.” […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 -
Featured Article
Benedictine, OSB, prioress, Rock Island, Sister Sandra Brunenn, St. Mary Monastery
"My satisfaction comes both in the directions we set for ourselves and also in the work we've done to help that all come to fruition," said Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, of her eight years as prioress of the Benedictine community at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
ROCK ISLAND — As Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, looks back on her eight years as prioress of the Benedictine community at St. Mary Monastery, she finds joy in what the Sisters have accomplished together and is excited for what is to come. The Sisters of St. Benedict have started a discernment process that will lead […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - February 28, 2020 -
Uncategorized
American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts, Diocese of Peoria Catholic Committee on Scouting, Girls Scouts
Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and American Heritage Girls of all ages and ranks participated in the flag procession at the beginning of the Diocesan Scout Mass on Feb. 16, showing the impact Scouting has on the church and local communities. "I think it's the best program for kids," said Dr. Linda Atherton, who chairs the Diocese of Peoria's Catholic Committee on Scouting. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
When the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court on February 18, many people were surprised and wondered if their local packs and troops would continue — or should continue. The answer to both questions is yes, according to Dr. Linda Atherton of Champaign, who chairs the Diocese of Peoria’s Catholic […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - February 28, 2020 -
Featured Article
American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts, Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, Girl Scouts, Linda Atherton
Bishop Jenky takes delight in the Wolf Scouts and Tiger Scouts gathered around him as they look at the religious emblems they had just received from him at the Diocesan Scout Mass on Feb. 16 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Jesus calls every person on his “team” to love God with their whole heart, mind, strength and soul, and their neighbor as themselves, and Scouting is a good way to do just that, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, told those who attended the annual Diocesan Scout Mass on Feb. 16. “Jesus says if we want […]
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