A friend refers to Steve Mamanella as the “Catholic Forrest Gump” because of his involvement in several major church events, including the visits of two future saints — Mother Teresa to Peoria in 1995 and Pope John Paul II to St. Louis in 1999. But if life is like a box of chocolates, as Gump’s […]
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Kevin and JoAnn Emery of St. Mary Parish in Metamora renew their vows at the Diocesan Marriage Mass on Feb. 13 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. The Emerys celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Feb. 9. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
A marriage that is seen as a vocation, includes and embraces God’s love, and in which each person gives themselves fully to the other only gets better as the years pass. That was one message that Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka shared with more than 100 couples braving frigid cold and taking pandemic precautions such as […]
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Some members of the Peoria Notre Dame Teens for Life group take a turn walking on the school track on Jan. 29 in solidarity with those at the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., and local observances around the nation. (Provided photo)
Owen Lynch had made three pilgrimages to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and the senior at Peoria Notre Dame doubted a virtual experience in the high school gym could measure up. He was proven wrong. “It’s not what we hoped for, but I think this has been as special, if not more special, […]
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Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka applauds as Gregg Mulligan, a Peoria city traffic operations worker, unveils a newly erected sign designating Madison Avenue outside of St. Mary's Cathedral as "Honorary Bishop Fulton Sheen Avenue." Bishop Tylka then blessed the sign during ceremonies on Feb. 4. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
In a celebration blending religious and civic pride in one of Peoria’s most famous and influential historic residents, the street outside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria was given the honorary designation of “Bishop Fulton Sheen Avenue” on Feb. 4. “These were the streets where Fulton Sheen grew up,” said Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of […]
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Anna Paris of Holy Cross Parish in Champaign places a vase of roses near a pro-life display in the sanctuary of St. Patrick Church, Urbana, during a Community Ecumenical Memorial Prayer Vigil on Jan. 22. Eight area churches sponsored the event on the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
URBANA — In the midst of a pandemic, and on the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decisions that have led to a “staggering” amount of death and loss through abortion, the Champaign-Urbana pro-life community turned to God and one another to find hope. “In the past year we’ve had so many unexpected things happen, […]
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A program for the Jan. 16 "Kneel for Life" morning of prayer is seen in the choir loft of St. Patrick Church in LaSalle. The day, sponsored in part by the Knights of Columbus councils of the Illinois Valley, included a rosary, Mass, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet seeking protection for unborn children. (Provided photo/Sue Calderon)
LASALLE — Those seeking to protect unborn children were called to a “revolution” on Jan. 16, one not fought with violence but won by prayer and lives reflecting the sacrificial love of Jesus. Such was the challenge of two priests speaking at a “Kneel for Life” prayer morning planned by the Knights of Columbus councils […]
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Deacon Joe Knapp, pastoral care and chaplaincy services manager at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, sprinkles holy water on the third floor of the newly renovated OSF OnCall building at 330 S.W. Adams in downtown Peoria. The facility will house digital outreaches providing services to patients throughout the health care system. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
The blessing ceremony for OSF HealthCare’s new OnCall building in downtown Peoria on Jan. 14 was limited in scope because of the pandemic, but leaders of the spacious digital health services center took it in stride. “Honestly, how appropriate for us to launch a digital health hub digitally,” said Michelle Conger, chief executive officer of […]
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With a loving nod to the late Alex Trebek, whose final show as host of “Jeopardy” aired Jan. 8, the coming days could fill the board of the game show’s regular category of Potpourri. There are various celebrations, observances, and events in mid-January that merit individual editorial comment. So let’s see how well readers know […]
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"In this Year of Grace 2021 and for the rest of our lives, let us all in various and individual ways, try again to make room in our hearts for Jesus," writes Bishop Jenky in his 2021 Festival Letter. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, opened 2021 by encouraging everyone in the Diocese of Peoria to renew their faith in Jesus and then “boldly share this faith with everyone they meet.” In his 19th and what is expected to be his final Festival Letter, titled “Jesus,” the bishop counters “these days of COVID, confusion, quarantine, […]
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Women and children dressed in festive attire and carrying the flags of Spanish-speaking nations process into St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on Dec. 12 at the start of an evening Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
The daylong celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Dec. 12 was capped by an evening Mass with two bishops present and confident prayers that Mary our Mother will not “let go of our hand in the midst of so many trials.” The colorful costumes used in cultural […]
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