PENFIELD — While he admired faithful priests and prayed the rosary daily, Father Michael Menner didn’t plan to be a priest. “I tell people that I always wanted to marry a good girl and did not think much beyond that path of adventure,” he said. “I was in the business world for seven years and […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — Msgr. Mark Merdian said it was “an interior call whereby I heard God calling me to explore service to Him as a priest” that brought him to priestly ministry. “When I was younger, I had dreams of being a priest,” he told The Catholic Post. “I had a quiet love for the […]
Continue readingWASHINGTON — When Father Stephen Willard was a second-grader at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Peoria Heights, Sister Mary Elizabeth O’Hara told him that one day he would be a priest. His response was succinct: “No way!” “As the years progressed, Sister would talk to me about the priesthood and remind me of my […]
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Msgr. Thomas Mack and Father Anthony Trosley are observing their 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood this year and the celebrations have already begun. Father Trosley offered Masses of Thanksgiving on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, at Sts. Peter and Paul in Nauvoo and Sacred Heart in Dallas City. He also has […]
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Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general, presents a token of appreciation to Judy Clark during the end of the school year luncheon hosted by the Office of Catholic Schools. Clark led Corpus Christi School in Bloomington after principal Gwenn Roche moved away midyear. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Looking out over the Catholic school administrators and priests from the Diocese of Peoria, Msgr. Paul Showalter had nothing but words of praise for their work of passing on the faith to the young people in their care. “Each of you, as we gather together today, gives me hope,” Msgr. Showalter said during a Mass […]
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Joe McDaniel, Jodi Peine, and Jerry Carls are retiring, although not for the first time, as principals as the academic year comes to an end. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Three principals serving in Catholic schools of the Diocese of Peoria are retiring as the academic year comes to an end. Jerry Carls, principal of Trinity Catholic Academy in LaSalle for two years, and Joe McDaniel, principal of Holy Cross in Champaign, each stepped in on an interim basis until permanent principals could be found. […]
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Sheila Kaurin, left, of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Morton, and Carrie Harp of St. Mary Parish, Canton, are co-recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
CANTON — Prison ministry isn’t for everyone, but Sheila Kaurin of Morton and Carrie Harp of Canton feel nothing but gratitude that they are able to take Cursillo into the Illinois River Correctional Center and share faith with the inmates there. For their kindness, compassion and dedication, Kaurin and Harp were named co-recipients of the […]
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A joyful McShane family gathers around Bishop Jenky after the May 20 Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. Pictured from left are John and Diane McShane, parents of newly ordained transitional Deacon Daniel McShane; brother Michael McShane; and brother Andrew McShane with wife, Jackie, and daughter Sears. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
As the church celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost last Sunday, that same Spirit was being called upon as Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained Daniel McShane to be a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Peoria. “Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he will help the bishop and his […]
Continue readingCHENOA — Father Carl LoPresti may be starting life as a senior priest of the Diocese of Peoria on June 13, but he doesn’t consider it to be retirement. “My plans are to live in Fairbury and continue my ministry among the sick, the shut-ins, people in hospitals and nursing homes, and perhaps even expand […]
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Father Anthony Ego sprinkles holy water on the new ambo at St. Patrick Church in Ransom before proclaiming the Gospel at Mass May 6. The ambo, altar base and side altar for the Holy Family were made by Dave Slusarski, a parishioner and master craftsman. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
RANSOM — Easter joy continues to find expression at St. Patrick Church where a beautiful, hand-crafted ambo was blessed by Father Tony Ego, pastor, before he proclaimed the Gospel at Mass on May 6. “We pray that in this church we may listen to the voice of your Son, so that, responding to the inspiration […]
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