Father James E. Rickey
When asked what was on his “bucket list” three years ago, Father Rickey said, “Well, you know I’ve always wanted to live in Paris.” He got his wish in 2017, when his adopted daughter, Breeze, sold her house in Chicago and the two of them, with only three suitcases each, made the move. Now he […]
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Father Paul Meismer
Bishop Franz could not have ordained Father Meismer on a better day — it was his 26th birthday. He credits his “sainted mother” Mary C. Meismer for positioning him at St. Bede Academy in Peru, where he studied for four years and went on to St. Bede Junior College for two years. He took philosophy […]
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Father Edward W. Harkrader
He has served in just four parishes over 50 years, but Father Harkrader stayed long enough in each place to make an impression, as the parishioners certainly did on him. That’s the reason he stayed in Princeton after being granted senior status in 2001, rather than returning to his hometown of Peoria. “The people I […]
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Father R. E. Enderlin
LACON — Born in Monmouth on June 23, 1939, Father Enderlin earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and completed his studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. His first assignments after ordination were as parochial vicar at St. Monica in East Peoria and St. […]
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Ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria 50 years ago on June 7 were, from left, Father R. E. Enderlin, Father Edward O. Harkrader, Father Paul J. Meismer, and Father James E. Rickey.
On June 7, 1969, four men were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John B. Franz at St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria. Now senior priests of the Diocese of Peoria, they say it has given them great joy to bring the sacraments to the people of God for 50 years. The Catholic Post recently spoke […]
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Representing the organizations benefiting from grants given by the Catholic Women's League are seated, from left, Susie Cicciarelli, Peoria Notre Dame High School; Pamela Perrilles, CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit; Therese Peck, Christ Child Society of Central Illinois; Nora Kinney, Missionaries of Charity; Carol Sleeth, Common Place; and Christine Dennis, Women's Care Center; and standing from left, Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse, OSF; Paul Barker, St. Augustine Manor; Tim Wiley, St. Joseph's Home of Lacon; Claire Crone, Sophia's Kitchen; Sandra Dudley, Renaissance Stand; Lynn VanDyke, Phoenix Community Development Services; and Sister Ana Pia Cordua, SCTJM, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Members of the Catholic Women’s League celebrated their 125th anniversary by doing what they do best — helping others. At its annual Allocation Luncheon, the league gave $17,000 in grants to 14 organizations that serve people who would benefit from tuition assistance, are homeless and hungry, newborn or elderly, and those living with special circumstances […]
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Among the 14 schools from the Diocese of Peoria that were represented in the Save My Scholarship campaign was Blessed Sacrament in Morton. Principal Mike Birdoes (far left) was at the State Capitol on May 31 when Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced that the Invest in Kids Act had been saved. (Provided photo)
It’s safe. Despite threats to reduce the cap for donations by 50 percent or phase out the program, the Invest in Kids Act came through the state budget process unscathed as the Illinois General Assembly completed its work. “We’re extremely pleased that Gov. Pritzker has decided to keep the program intact and honor the original […]
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Before she could get away, Vickie Dolk was on the receiving end of one giant hug from her 13 kindergartners at Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth. This photo is featured on the back cover of a book of letters and drawings that was presented to her as she recently retired. (Provided photo)
MONMOUTH — Teaching isn’t something that Vickie Dolk has done for 40 years, it’s who she has been since she was old enough to tell anybody what she wanted to be when she grew up. Even though she has packed up her kindergarten classroom at Immaculate Conception School for the last time, she’s leaving the […]
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Sister Mary Jo Yutt, OSF is pictured in prayer outside Whole Woman's Health of Peoria in this 2018 file photo. Sister Mary Jo and the area's pro-life community are reacting with joy and gratitude to an announcement that the abortion provider has announced plans to close. Seen in the background is the pro-life Women's Care Center, which will continue to serve and support pregnant women in need. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Even as legislation to expand access to abortion was making quick progress through the Illinois House and Senate last week, respect life advocates took heart from the announcement that a Peoria abortion provider would be closing. In a statement sent to The Catholic Post on May 30, Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole […]
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Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, leads a rosary outside the former abortion clinic in Peoria in this file photo. In a message for the 2020 Respect Life Month, the bishop says the right to life is the first of all our human rights, and "the destruction of human life in the womb is an intrinsic evil." (The Catholic Post file photo/Tom Dermody)
By passing the Reproductive Health Act, the Illinois General Assembly has shown a disregard for the value of human life and the beliefs of the majority of people in the state — and the nation, according to Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. “They describe a human baby in the womb as a thing, as an […]
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