The Catholic Post Author: Jennifer Willems - Page 62

Joy in Bloomington as Central Catholic is named a National Blue Ribbon School

By: Jennifer Willems - September 28, 2017 - Featured Article Bloomington, Central Catholic, National Blue Ribbon, Sean Foster

Central Catholic High School in Bloomington is the fifth school in the Diocese of Peoria to be named a National Blue Ribbon School in the last seven years, and the only Catholic high school in the state to receive the distinction this year. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

BLOOMINGTON — Central Catholic High School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The announcement was made on Sept. 28 by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. One of 50 private schools nominated for the distinction by the Council for American Private Education, Central Catholic was the only Catholic […]

Alleman High School seniors remember the pets left behind after hurricane

By: Jennifer Willems - September 21, 2017 - News Article

Alleman senior Madeline Chambers and Marlene Wetherell, administrative assistant to the athletic department, cuddle with Bubbles -- a dog brought to the Quad Cities from hurricane-ravaged Texas by the groupo KY Kindness Rescue Inc. (Provided photo/Amy Finn)

ROCK ISLAND — Watching coverage of Hurricane Harvey, Alleman High School seniors Annalise Connolly and Madeline Chambers were moved by the devastation the storm left in its wake. Particularly troubling was that families had to leave their pets behind. “They both have a soft spot for animals and dogs, in particular, so they felt terrible […]

Diocese’s Catholic schools get creative in raising hurricane relief funds, prayers

By: Jennifer Willems - September 21, 2017 - Featured Article Catholic schools, Corpus Christi, hurricane, Hurricane Harvey, relief, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Mark

Holiding up a poster for their fundraiser to help students affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston are eighth-graders from St. Jude School in Peoria, from left, Genevieve Stickelmaier, Jessica Shane, Daniel Marcinak, Marcus Targos, and Carly Lindsey. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Catholic schools around central Illinois may not have been affected by Hurricane Harvey or the storms that followed, but they have been involved in helping their fellow students in Texas, Louisiana and Florida pick up the pieces and return to class. At the request of Dr. Sharon Weiss, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of […]

New teacher at Peoria Notre Dame made final profession as a Dominican Sister

By: Jennifer Willems - September 21, 2017 - News Article

Sister Maria Suso Rispoli, OP, is pictured outside Peoria Notre Dame High School, where she now teaches biology. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

After eight years of prayer, discernment and study, Sister Maria Suso Rispoli, OP, professed her final vows with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The Mass took place at Christ the King Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 25. Shortly after making her perpetual profession, Sister Maria Suso traveled to Peoria […]

‘God’s Handprints’ are all over her story of adoption, now shared in book form

By: Jennifer Willems - September 21, 2017 - News Article adoption, Ann Williams, Book, Bridget Nelan, God's Handprints

Ann Williams' story of unplanned pregnancy, choosing life and adoption for her twin sons, and eventual reunion with them is told in a new book "God's Handprints: A Story of Faith, Hope and Love" written by her niece, Bridget Nelan, left. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Ann Williams knows what it’s like to be a pregnant, unmarried college student who is desperately trying to make the best decision possible when none of the options seems all that good. She chose life for her twin sons and a better life than she could give them by placing them for adoption. The Peoria […]

Shuttle buses will transport pilgrims to March for Mary event starting point

By: Jennifer Willems - September 15, 2017 - Featured Article

Those who plan to participate in the March for Mary from St. Joseph Church to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 7, will have some help along the way. People are encouraged to carpool and park at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., where shuttle buses will pick them up and […]

All are invited to ‘March for Mary,’ a diocese-wide Fatima event, on Oct. 7

By: Jennifer Willems - September 11, 2017 - Featured Article Cecilia Soñé, Diocese of Peoria, Fatima, March for Mary

The actual march begins at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 103 Richard Pryor Place, and ends a mile and a half later at St. Mary's Cathedral, 607 N. E. Madison Ave. (Catholic Post photo illustration)

Catholics of all ages from across central Illinois are being asked to “take to the streets” in Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 7, in a show of love for Mary, the Mother of God. Intended as the Diocese of Peoria’s culminating event for the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, this March for […]

From dream to reality: Junior high wing blessed at Corpus Christi, Bloomington

By: Jennifer Willems - September 7, 2017 - Featured Article Bloomington, Corpus Christi School, Gwenn Roche, junior high

Principal Gwenn Roche helps Nicholas Weisiger with the scissors while his brother Matthew is ready to cut through the ribbon at the Mass celebrating the completion of the new junior high wing at Corpus Christi School in Bloomington. Looking on is Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

BLOOMINGTON — A dream many years in the making came true Aug. 30 when the students, faculty, and families of Corpus Christi School came together to celebrate the completion of the new junior high wing. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, joined them for Mass in the school gym. The $1.6 million addition unites the school, […]

‘We’re breaking ground for you’: Major project at St. Bede Academy under way

By: Jennifer Willems - September 7, 2017 - Featured Article Abbot Philip David, Father Ronald Margerhio, groundbreaking, Peru, Science Center, St. Bede Academy, Student Commons

Before ground was broken at St. Bede Academy, students in each class were blessed with holy water and incense by Father Ronald Margherio, OSB, chaplain. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

PERU — Looking at the construction crew and equipment already hard at work at St. Bede Academy, Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, acknowledged that ground had already been broken for the new Science Center and Student Commons. “Perhaps you’ve noticed,” he said, with a smile. “But none of you were here. Since we’re breaking ground for […]

Washington teen refurbishes Stations of the Cross at parish as Eagle Scout project

By: Jennifer Willems - September 6, 2017 - Featured Article Devin Moore, Eagle Scout, St. Patrick Church, Stations of the Cross, Washington

Devin Moore (seen here) and about 25 volunteers put in 416 hours to clean and paint the Stations of the Cross at St. Patrick Parish in Washington for his Eagle Scout project. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

WASHINGTON — Those who want to meditate on the Stations of the Cross during a late summer afternoon may want to visit St. Patrick Church, where the outdoor Stations have been refurbished. The Eagle Scout project was directed by parishioner Devin Moore, a member of Boy Scout Troop 163. “I wanted something that was close […]

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