Archives
By: Tom Dermody - October 24, 2019 -
News Article
This pewter Christmas ornament in the image of St. Joseph Church in Ivesdale will be for sale at the parish’s 150th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 3.
IVESDALE — When members of St. Joseph Parish here gather on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 3, their primary purpose will be to give thanks to God for 150 fruitful years of parish life. That’s reason enough to celebrate, especially given the rich history of this parish that formed in a region known as “Little Ireland” and […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 23, 2019 -
Featured Article
Belgiummerci, Cardinal Mercier, cornerstone, Father Mark DeSutter, Moline, Msgr. Mark Merdian, Sacred Heart
Msgr. Mark Merdian, vicar of the Rock Island Vicariate, waves as he portrays Belgian Cardinal Désiré Joseph Mercier in an Oct. 20 reenactment of ceremonies that took place 100 years ago when the cornerstone of Sacred Heart Church in Moline (seen in the background) was blessed. Helping to recreate the cardinal's arrival at the close of a parade was a vintage 1917 Velie automobile owned and driven by Sacred Heart parishioners Neil and Perrine West. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
MOLINE — A century after a “great historical event” took place at the corner of 17th Avenue and 13th Street, it happened again. And while that wasn’t really World War I hero Belgian Cardinal Désiré Joseph Mercier waving to cheering crowds that lined both sides of 17th Avenue, the joy and the hope for the […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 23, 2019 -
Featured Article
Assembly Days, Bishop Jenky, Msgr. James Kruse, Msgr. Philip Halfacre, vicar general
Priests from throughout the Diocese of Peoria stand and applaud Oct. 22 as Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, thanks Msgr. James Kruse (seated) for his eight years as vicar general at the opening of Priest Assembly Days at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. Named to succeed Msgr. Kruse, who is returning to parish ministry, is Msgr. Philip Halfacre, seen standing in the foreground. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has appointed Msgr. Philip Halfacre as vicar general of the Diocese of Peoria, succeeding Msgr. James Kruse as one of his primary assistants and advisers in administrative aspects of the diocese. The appointment was announced on Oct. 16 and became effective that day. “I am grateful to Msgr. Halfacre for […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 23, 2019 -
Featured Article
canonization, Father Robert Lampitt, pilgrimage, Rome, St. John Henry Newman, St. John's Catholic Newman Center, University of Illinois, VaticanehrNewman
Student pilgrims from St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois are pictured outside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican prior to the canonization Mass for St. John Henry Newman and four other new saints. From left, they are Anthony Burkhardt, Nicole Nussel, Aleesha Roessler, and James Kabbes. (Provided photo by Father Robert Lampitt)
CHAMPAIGN — Anthony Burkhardt will never say “Newman Hall” the same way. Not after the sophomore molecular and cellular biology major at the University of Illinois spent five days in Italy with a contingent from St. John’s Catholic Newman Center and attended the Oct. 13 canonization Mass for five new saints, including St. John Henry […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 23, 2019 -
News Article
golf, IHSA go, Peoria Notre Dame, Ryan Julius, state championship
Members of the 2019 Class 2A Illinois High School Association state champion golf team from Peoria Notre Dame hold their trophy after the final round of competition Saturday at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Normal. Pictured are, from left, Coach Ryan Julius, Ben Dotson, Sam Newton, Mikey Wales, Zach Buscher, Gavin Smith, Ben Byrkit, and Rhett Bianchi. Team members not pictured include Alex Chiou, Andrew Berry, Bradley Schiefling, Brock Carver, Eli Polonus, Evan Gehrke, Gordon Jockisch, Jefferey Nosalik, Robby Rashid, Thatcher Spears, Wesley Schmeilski, and Will Petrakis. (Provided photo)
In their quest for the school’s first golf state championship, the Peoria Notre Dame boys team faced a seemingly impossible uphill climb Saturday at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Normal. But a combination of resilience, talent and inspiration transformed a seven stroke deficit with just three holes to play into a […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 15, 2019 -
Featured Article
70 yearsrish, Farmington, Gloria Bridgestock, organ, piano, St. Matthew
Gloria Bridgestock is shown in her familiar domain -- at the piano in the choir loft of St. Matthew Church in Farmington. The parish recently honored the 87-year-old musician for serving as accompanist at Masses for more than 70 years. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
FARMINGTON — More than 70 years ago, Gloria Muzzarelli — then barely a teenager — played the tiny one-octave pump organ at St. Matthew Church for the first time all on her own at a Sunday Mass. It didn’t go well. “When it was time for the Sanctus, I played too soon,” she recalls. A […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 9, 2019 -
News Article
blue Mass, Father Luke Spannagel, Rock Island, Sacred Heart Parish
Auxiliary Deputy James Schmedding of the Henry County Sheriff's Auxiliary receives Communion from Father Luke Spannagel, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Mary parishes in Rock Island, during a Blue Mass hosted at Sacred Heart Church on Sept. 29. Public safety workers from throughout the Quad Cities region attended. (Provided photo/Kelly Haertjens)
ROCK ISLAND — At a Mass during which gratitude was expressed to first responders and prayers lifted for their protection, an example of their readiness to serve played out at Sacred Heart Church here on Sept. 29. As the Gospel was proclaimed by Deacon Gayle Cyrulik — a retired police officer who is now manager […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 9, 2019 -
News Article
Blessed John Henry Newman is seen in a portrait provided by the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Blessed John Henry Newman dedicated much of his life to the combination of faith and intellect at universities. So it is only fitting that college Catholic student centers, many named after the upcoming saint plan to celebrate his Oct. 13 canonization with everything from lectures to watch parties and even pilgrimages to Rome for the […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 9, 2019 -
Featured Article
"You better dump the whole bucket on her," said Dolores Donaldson as Deacon Michael Crummer sprinkled her energetic, 10-month-old pug Bella Marie with holy water during the pet blessing ceremony at Corpus Christi Parish in Galesburg on Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
GALESBURG — The Bishop was late. Simba ran away. Princess Anne Marie, meanwhile, was content to look regal in her red outfit. The gathering on the grounds of Corpus Christi Parish here was not your usual prayer group. But then this was Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and the event was […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 9, 2019 -
Featured Article
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood shares a lighter moment with the record crowd at the 38th annual Respect Life Dinner on Oct. 6 at Barrack's Cater Inn in Peoria. LaHood, who represents Illinois' 18th Congressional District, called legal abortion "a scar on America." (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
A member of the U.S. Congress warned a record crowd at the 38th Respect Life Dinner in Peoria on Oct. 6 of “disturbing trends” on the national level and challenged the pro-life community to have “uncomfortable conversations” with family members and others who might think differently on the abortion issue. “It’s easy when we’re in […]
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