With the clock winding down on its regular session, the Illinois Senate debated and passed what has come to be known as the Reproductive Health Act. The vote on Senate Bill 25 was 34 to 20 in favor of the legislation, with three voting “present” late in the evening of May 31. Gov. J.B. Pritzker […]
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Father Harold Schmitt
HENRY — As the chaplain to the Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joseph’s Home in Lacon, Father Schmitt would often walk the short distance from Immaculate Conception Church to the motherhouse, praying the rosary as he went. “Don’t forget me!” people would say as they drove by. Retired now, people still greet him […]
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Father Robert Schladen
CUBA — As he prepares to mark six decades of priestly service, Father Schladen puts things in perspective, starting with his first assignment to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria: There were four priests at the cathedral. All diocesan offices were headed by clergy. In the cathedral basement were located the bishop’s office, the bishop’s secretary’s […]
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Father Dennis O'Riley
DANVILLE — The idea of priesthood came in about the second grade for Father O’Riley. Born in Chicago and raised in Danville, he remembers being an altar server, helping out around St. Patrick Parish as needed, and having Father Raymond Lassuy, parochial vicar and Scoutmaster, visiting the O’Riley house on a regular basis. He also laughs […]
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Talkative, happy and feeling blessed, three senior priests of the Diocese of Peoria are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their ordination in 2019. The jubilarians are Father Dennis O’Riley of Danville, Father Robert Schladen of Cuba, and Father Harold Schmitt of Henry. Father Schmitt, who studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in […]
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Patti Simmons hugs Father Kyle Lucas after the chaplain's emotional tribute to her husband, Randy Simmons, who was honored posthumously as the 2019 Distinguished Principal of the Year. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
When it comes to leaving a legacy, perhaps there is none better than “to let Jesus Christ be known and loved,” and that’s how the principals and pastors of schools around the Diocese of Peoria remembered a dear friend and colleague gone too soon. “I think Randy Simmons’ legacy is that you go to Peoria […]
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Four principals are preparing to retire or make changes as the school year comes to an end. They are (from left) Sheila Cromien of Visitation Catholic School in Kewanee; Joe McDaniel of Holy Cross School in Champaign; David Hobin of Alleman High School in Rock Island; and Rick Pantages of St. Mary School in Kickapoo. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Saying they will miss the family atmosphere at their schools and seeing the students and their parents every day, four principals are making changes as summer begins. Retiring are Sheila Cromien, who has led Visitation Catholic School in Kewanee since 2013; Joe McDaniel, who has served as principal or co-principal of Holy Cross School in […]
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Peoria Notre Dame alumnus and coach Sean Gillen went into cardiac arrest on May 6 and died this weekend. He made it possible for others to live by donating his organs through Gift of Hope. (Photo/Peoria Notre Athletics)
In life, Sean Gillen was joyful, determined and generous, and that didn’t stop after his death on May 11. The Peoria Notre Dame graduate and assistant coach made the decision to help others by being an organ donor. On Saturday afternoon, a purple flag bearing the logo of Gift of Hope was raised in his […]
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Paying a visit to Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) on May 7 as part of the Save My Scholarship campaign are (from left) Bobby Sylvester, Empower Illinois' regional director working with Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria, and Dr. Noreen Dillon, principal, and Maria Carroll, parent, both of St. Mark School in Peoria. They are wearing the blue t-shirts with the logo for the campaign, which seeks to emphasize the importance of tax credit scholarships for nonpublic school families and the need to retain the program. (Provided photo)
Some things are so important that it takes more than a line item on a budget to understand their worth. Tuition tax credit scholarships for students in nonpublic schools are one of those things. As Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepares his first state budget, concern is growing that this program will be endangered due to a […]
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What do you think about building or opening a new Catholic high school in the Galesburg-Monmouth-Macomb area? The Diocese of Peoria is conducting a feasibility study and has taken the next step by publishing a survey online to see what families with school-age children think about the proposal. It is being conducted by Meitler, a […]
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