Archives
By: Jennifer Willems - August 10, 2016 -
News Article
Pontiac, sesquicentennial, St. Mary
A Sesquicentennial Celebratory Mass will be offered at St. Mary Church in Pontiac at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. A block party will follow.
PONTIAC — After 150 years of sharing the faith in this Livingston County community, a simple celebration just won’t do for members of St. Mary Parish here. They have planned a week of activities, starting with a parish breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 21, and culminating with a Mass and block party on Saturday, Aug. 27. […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - August 3, 2016 -
News Article
Bloomington, donate, Home Sweet Home Ministries, OSF, Peoria, shoes
Catholic parishes and institutions are drop-off sites in major drives for new or gently used shoes now taking place in the Bloomington and Peoria regions. Here are the details. SEEK 30,000 PAIRS OF SHOES IN AUGUST; 10 PEORIA-AREA PARISHES AMONG DROP-OFF SITES MORTON — Are there 30,000 pairs of shoes in closets around central Illinois […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 29, 2016 -
News Article
Claire Crone, hunger, mercy, Sophia's Kitchen
With her hair tinted pink, the signature color of the Sophia Sunday celebration, Claire Crone stands next to the photo of Sophia Donald, while the girl's parents, Vicky and Barry Donald, stand to the right. Proceeds from the July 17 benefit go to Sophia's Kitchen in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
They come to the window of Sophia’s Kitchen for a meal every day, but the couple who attended the Sophia Sunday celebration on July 17 saved all week to buy the pork chop sandwiches, baked beans and chips that were being served. “They said it was their one chance to give back,” according to Claire […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 27, 2016 -
News Article
Lebanon, Maronite, St. Sharbel
Following Mass on July 17, Chorbishop Faouzi Elia carries the image of St. Sharbel from St. Sharbel Church in Peoria in a procession that led to the statue of the parish's patron saint for prayer and veneration. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Maronite Rite Catholics from around the world recently converged on St. Sharbel Church in Peoria to celebrate the Feast of St. Sharbel with prayer, processions, dancing and plenty of Lebanese delicacies. Chorbishop Faouzi Elia, pastor, said he was expecting as many as 1,700 visitors from Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Holland, Sweden, Germany and the Middle East, […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 27, 2016 -
Featured Article
Msgr. Merdian, refugee, St. Pius X, Year of Mercy
St. Pius X Church in Rock Island is the site of one of the Diocese of Peoria's offical holy doors for the Year of Mercy. Parishioners have told Barb Roedel that adopting a refugee family is a "wonderful outreach of mercy in the Year of Mercy." (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
ROCK ISLAND — Members of St. Pius X Parish are getting involved in the world’s refugee crisis in a deeply personal way as they prepare to welcome a Congolese family to the Quad Cities. It is an answer to prayer, according to Msgr. Mark Merdian, pastor. “With the pope’s emphasis on this for the […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 20, 2016 -
Featured Article
Canton, Ebker, food pantry, St. Mary
Before administering the sacrament of confirmation at St. Mary Church in Canton on June 25, Bishop Daniel R. Jnky, CSC, toured St. Mary's Food Pantry and then blessed it. Accompanying him were Father Daniel Ebker, pastor; John Dudek, chairman of the food pantry committee; and committee members Vicki Pettett (left) and Nancy Elson. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
CANTON — When he saw the package of dinner rolls on the table, the little boy asked volunteers at St. Mary’s Food Pantry if his family could have them. They said his response was heartbreaking when he found out he could. “Dad, we get to keep this bread,” he cried. “His eyes were this round […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 19, 2016 -
News Article
ATKINSON — A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 21 at St. Anthony Church for Father Gerard A. Verhoye, the priest with the most seniority in the Diocese of Peoria. Father R. Anthony Lee presided at the liturgy and Father Thomas R. Brajkovich gave the homily. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, was present […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - July 13, 2016 -
News Article
farm, Mary Wiesbrock, poetry, rural life, Streator
Mary Wiesbrock of rural Streator stands on the farm she has called home for all of her 91 years. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
STREATOR — From her kitchen window, Mary Wiesbrock can see the fields of beans and corn on the farm she has called home for all of her 91 years. Also visible is Lostlands Cemetery, which is located down the road on land donated by her great-grandfather, Patrick Whalen. From her kitchen table, Mrs. Wiesbrock writes […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - June 29, 2016 -
Featured Article
Bonnie Engstrom, Catholic women, Finding Your Fiat, Jenna Guizr, Marie Miller, Meg Hunter-Kilmer
EAST PEORIA — During a day infused with prayer, sisterhood, laughter and a few tears, women of all ages explored the many different ways there are to say “yes” to God at the “Finding Your Fiat” Conference. The first-ever event was planned by a group of Catholic women in central Illinois and filled the parish […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - June 29, 2016 -
News Article
Catholic schools, Csanda, Daniel Schmitt, Diocese of Peoria, Eisemann, Principals, retired, Shrode, Turnipseed
School may be out for summer, but for five principals the break will be a little longer as they begin retirement this month. Looking to spend more time with family, traveling and taking up special projects and hobbies are Mark Csanda of St. Mary School, Bloomington; Steve Eisemann of Costa Catholic Academy, Galesburg; Daniel Schmitt […]
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