The Catholic Post Author: Tom Dermody

‘Awesome . . . job well done’ — dedication of new St. Jude Church, Peoria, is celebrated

By: Tom Dermody - November 30, 2023 - Featured Article

The interior of the new St. Jude Church in Peoria is seen as the procession makes its way through the packed assembly at the close of the Dedication Mass on Nov. 29. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

With two three-word phrases, Bishop Louis Tylka summed up the thoughts of many who packed the new St. Jude Church in Peoria for its Dedication Mass on Wednesday evening, Nov. 29. “This is awesome,” said Bishop Tylka as he began his homily. Moments later, as the bishop thanked and congratulated Father Patrick Henehan, pastor, and […]

Parish grateful as new St. Jude Church, Peoria, to be dedicated on Nov. 29

By: Tom Dermody - November 24, 2023 - Featured Article

Father Patrick Henehan, pastor, is pictured Nov. 16 as finishing touches are made on the new St. Jude Church in Peoria --- the first newly built parish church in the Diocese of Peoria since Immaculate Conception Church in Manito was dedicated in 2015. The $11.4 million edifice will be dedicated by Bishop Louis Tylka during a 6:30 p.m. Mass on Wednesday, Nov. 29. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

That this Wednesday evening’s Dedication Mass for the new St. Jude Church in Peoria falls between Thanksgiving and the first Sunday of Advent is wonderfully fitting, according to Father Patrick Henehan, pastor. “We’re extending Thanksgiving,” he told The Catholic Post last week as dozens of workers applied finishing touches inside and outside the spacious $11.4 […]

Dunkin . . . bishop? Bishop Tylka takes a turn in the tank at youth conference

By: Tom Dermody - November 22, 2023 - News Article

Bishop Louis Tylka takes a turn in a dunk tank at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last weekend. He promised those who knocked him off the perch that "they didn’t have to go to confession for dunking the bishop.” (Provided photo/ Carla Wizieck)

INDIANAPOLIS — Basketballs get dunked. So do cookies, doughnuts, and even chicken nuggets. But a bishop? Allow Bishop Louis Tylka to explain how he wound up in a dunk tank operated by the Salesian order at the National Catholic Youth Conference last weekend in Indianapolis. The tank was meant to draw the attention of the […]

Diocesan teens among joyful 13,000 at National Catholic Youth Conference

By: Tom Dermody - November 22, 2023 - Featured Article

Fifty-six high school students from the Diocese of Peoria pose with Bishop Louis Tylka and chaplains from their schools at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. The Nov. 16-18 gathering drew nearly 13,000 teens to Lucas Oil Stadium. Note the group’s identifying banner at right -- “BLT” with an image of a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. But “BLT” is also the abbreviation, and an occasional nickname, for Bishop Louis Tylka. (Provided photo/Carla Wizieck)

INDIANAPOLIS — The joy that young people bring to the church was on full display when nearly 13,000 high school students filled Lucas Oil Stadium here with it during the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). “The joy we all felt after Mass and all throughout the conference is the same joy that we are called […]

Chris McAtee named Catholic Charities director for the Diocese of Peoria

By: Tom Dermody - November 22, 2023 - Featured Article

Chris McAtee, the new director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Peoria, is pictured at his desk in the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

One adjective wasn’t enough for Chris McAtee to describe his enthusiasm at being named the new director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Peoria. “This is amazing, blessed, providential, great news for me and my family,” said McAtee, who comes to the diocese after two years with the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, where he […]

Christ Child Society chapters in diocese mark 15 years of serving families in need

By: Tom Dermody - November 22, 2023 - News Article

Pictured assembling a layette Nov. 15 for a needy family with a newborn are Christ Child of Central Illinois members, from left, Shari Paris of the Pontiac Circle, Pam Tomlianovich of the Peoria Circle; and Judy Weber, also of the Pontiac Circle. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

The two chapters of the Christ Child Society in the Diocese of Peoria are marking 15 years of helping to provide a good start to families in need who have welcomed newborn babies. The Christ Child Society of Central Illinois and the Christ Child Society the Quad Cities were recognized with 15-year certificates at the […]

Sr. Mary Shryock, CSJ, Peoria native, dies at 95; funeral is in St. Louis on Nov. 16

By: Tom Dermody - November 8, 2023 - News Article

Sister Mary Shryock, CSJ

ST. LOUIS, Missouri — A Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, at Nazareth Living Center, 2 Nazareth Lane in St. Louis, for Sister Mary Shryock, CSJ, a Peoria native and former teacher who was involved in music ministry and education in Peoria for nearly 25 years. Sister […]

‘We loved our church’: Streator faithful bid emotional goodbye to St. Stephen

By: Tom Dermody - October 3, 2023 - Featured Article

The final procession -- including Msgr. Philip Halfacre, pastor, and Father Ignacio Cárdenas, parochial vicar -- leaves St. Stephen Church in Streator at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Oct. 1. The church is now permanently closed for safety reasons following the discovery of a badly deteriorating foundation. All liturgical activities of St. Michael the Archangel Parish are now taking place at St. Anthony of Padua Church. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

By Tom Dermody STREATOR — The emotional final Mass at St. Stephen the King Church on Oct. 1 blended tears, memories, love, gratitude, and most especially, faith. “We loved our church,” said Carole Hall as she sat in a side pew reminiscing with her cousin Mary Ann Melvin long after the 10:30 a.m. Mass had […]

Streator parish to relocate Masses due to foundation issues at St. Stephen Church

By: Tom Dermody - September 21, 2023 - Featured Article

St. Stephen Church in Streator, built in 1908, has been the primary worship site of St. Michael the Archangel Parish since it was formed in 2010. A badly deteriorating foundation means the edifice will be permanently abandoned following a final Mass on Oct. 1, with future parishes Masses taking place in St. Anthony Church. (Photo from stmichael-streator.org)

STREATOR — St. Stephen Church, built in 1908 and the principal worship site for St. Michael the Archangel Parish here since it was formed from the consolidation of four Streator faith communities in 2010, will be “permanently abandoned” in the coming days for safety reasons because of a badly deteriorating foundation. “We are not going […]

Bishop Tylka will ordain three transitional deacons May 20

By: Tom Dermody - May 11, 2023 - Uncategorized

The seminarians who will be ordained transitional deacons on May 20 are (from left) Jacob Martini, Johnathan "Jack" Swoik and Nicholas Conner. (Composite photo/Office of Priestly Vocations)

Three seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria will move one step closer to the priesthood when they are ordained as transitional deacons on Saturday, May 20, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. The Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by Bishop Louis Tylka. The public is invited, but seating is expected to be limited. […]

Archives