Cause of Our Joy / By Katie Faley I really enjoyed doing a mini-retreat through the month of October. So, if you’d like, follow along with me through December on another small daily spiritual journey. (Click here for a printable, one-page PDF of this calendar.) DEC 1: ST. EDMUND CAMPION He converted to Catholicism after […]
Continue reading
The Thanksgiving Basket Ministry of St. Matthew Parish in Champaign on Nov. 18 delivered nearly 240 baskets brimming with Thanksgiving dinner fixings and more to families struggling with food insecurity in the Champaign-Urbana area. Here, baskets dropped off near the church await delivery. (Provided photo/Sarah Budden)
By Paul Thomas Moore CHAMPAIGN — There are Thanksgiving baskets, and then there are Thanksgiving baskets. Since 2021, the Thanksgiving Basket Ministry at St. Matthew Parish here has specialized in the latter variety. “Basket” is really the polite term for these 18-gallon bins, which include 27 items for creating a Thanksgiving meal, as well as […]
Continue reading
Author Katie Bogner holds her just-released book, “All about Advent and Christmas.” (Provided photo)
Parents, catechists, and teachers have a new resource to help guide children through Advent and Christmas, thanks to a local author. “All about Advent and Christmas: Sharing the Seasons of Hope and Wonder with Children” is the title of a just-released book by Katherine (Katie) Bogner, junior high faith formation teacher at St. Philomena School […]
Continue reading
Deacon Greg Kandra
Living the Word / By Deacon Greg Kandra Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Nov. 26 Ezekiel 43:11-12, 15-17; Psalms 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46 Are we here already? Suddenly, we find ourselves at the end of the liturgical year, gazing down the road toward Advent and Christmas (!) […]
Continue reading
Students, staff, and families from Central Catholic High School in Bloomington were among many who traveled to Springfield to urge the Illinois General Assembly to continue the Invest in Kids Act, providing donor-funded scholarships for families that otherwise might not be able to afford private school tuition. The Central Catholic contingent is pictured at the State Capitol on Nov. 7. (Photo from Central Catholic's Facebook page)
By Paul Thomas Moore Lawmakers failed to extend the Invest in Kids Act tax credit scholarship program during the recent fall veto sessions of the Illinois Legislature ending Nov. 9, but proponents say the fight is not over. More than 9,500 Illinois children of low-income families receive tuition support through the Invest in Kids program, […]
Continue reading
Bishop Louis Tylka processes into a full St. Mary Church in Bloomington for a Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Mary School on Thursday, Nov. 9. (The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore)
By Paul Thomas Moore BLOOMINGTON — Principal Jamie Hartrich was pleased but not surprised that a church full of St. Mary parishioners helped St. Mary School in Bloomington celebrate its 150th anniversary on Thursday, Nov. 9. The strong turnout for an 8 a.m. weekday Mass spoke to her of the close relationship between the parish […]
Continue reading
The National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore hosted the opening Mass of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2023 fall plenary assembly on Nov. 13. (OSV News/CNS file, Bob Roller)
BALTIMORE (OSV News) — Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led his brother bishops in prayer for wisdom as they began their fall plenary assembly in Baltimore Nov. 13 with a Mass for peace. Among those present for the […]
Continue reading
Msgr. Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, discusses the sainthood cause of Archbishop Sheen with Catholic Spirit Radio host Royce Hood (center) on Oct. 25 at the network’s studio in Normal. (Provided photo)
By Paul Thomas Moore NORMAL — Msgr. Jason Gray gave an update on the cause for the beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen during an on-air fundraiser for Catholic Spirit Radio on Oct. 25. The executive director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation illustrated how the “pause in the cause” has permitted the test of […]
Continue reading
Reviewed by Lindsey Weishar Dawn Eden Goldstein’s 2022 book, “Father Ed: The Story of Bill W’s Spiritual Sponsor,” tells the story of Father Ed Dowling, a Jesuit priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis whose passion for accompanying the suffering led him to friendship with Bill Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. Demonstrating […]
Continue reading
Columnist Katie Faley hopes early shopping helps her save "mental energy and all that time for what really matters -- entering into the season of Advent, preparing the way of the Lord, and opening the door to the inn of my heart for the baby Jesus." (CNS/Reuters)
Cause of Our Joy / By Katie Faley It’s Dec. 23, I’ve only just finished my Christmas shopping, I’m feverishly wrapping presents, I’m tired and worn out, cursing myself for waiting until the last minute yet again, and I’m promising myself that I’m going to start my Christmas shopping in October next year. But of […]
Continue reading
