Archives
By: Tom Dermody - July 1, 2020 -
Uncategorized
Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, P.A., addresses a Seminary Family Weekend at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Marlyand. Msgr. Rohlfs, who spent 11 years as rector of the nation's largest Catholic seminary and also held many diocesan leadership roles, has been granted senior status. (Provided photo/Mount St. Mary's Seminary)
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — It’s safe to say that Msgr. Steven Rohlfs, P.A., has played some role in the life of every priest of the Diocese of Peoria for almost four decates. Whether as vocations director, vicar general, teacher, administrator, spiritual director, or as rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Msgr. Rohlfs’ influence has been […]
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By: Tom Dermody - July 1, 2020 -
Editorial
A vandalized statue of St. Junipero Serra in San Francisco is seen June 19, 2020. The Spanish Franciscan founded several missions in what is now California. (CNS/David Zandman via Reuters)
We wouldn’t venture a guess at the total number of life-sized statues located on Catholic properties throughout the Diocese of Peoria. It is certainly in the hundreds and likely in the thousands. Most are inside churches and chapels, hospitals, schools, etc., while others are outside in cemeteries or on parish and institution grounds. Made of […]
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By: Tom Dermody - June 19, 2020 -
Featured Article
Father Eric Bolek and Father Joe Baker walk down a country road during their four-day, 62-mile walk from Galesburg to Peoria at the start of June. (Provided photo)
“No pain, no gain.” Father Joe Baker repeated that phrase often as he and Father Eric Bolek hiked 62 miles on a walking spiritual pilgrimage between Galesburg and Peoria from June 1 to 4. The pain from the resulting blisters and muscle aches has proven to be temporary. The gain? Plentiful and likely long lasting. […]
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By: Tom Dermody - June 14, 2020 -
Featured Article
The newly ordained transitional deacons pose for a formal photo in the cathedral sanctuary following the June 14 Mass. From left are Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka, Deacon Austin Bosse, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, Deacon Nicolas Wilson, and Msgr. Philip Halfacre, vicar general. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Proclaiming it “a very happy day for our diocese,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained seminarians Austin Bosse and Nicolas Wilson as transitional deacons during the first public Sunday liturgy in St. Mary’s Cathedral since the start of coronavirus pandemic restrictions in mid-March. “It’s good to be together,” said the bishop in welcoming remarks as […]
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By: Tom Dermody - June 9, 2020 -
Featured Article
Wearing face coverings and in socially distanced pews, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Streator take part in the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 7. Many churches in the Diocese of Peoria reopened for Masses last weekend, welcoming up to 25 percent of their seating capacity. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
STREATOR — “Wonderful” was the adjective of choice after Mass on Sunday when members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish here were asked how it felt to be back inside their church for the first time since coronavirus precautions closed it and others to the public almost three months ago. “To see people and to […]
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By: Tom Dermody - June 4, 2020 -
News Article
An architect's drawing shows the new entrance and addition planned for St. Mary of Lourdes Church near Germantown Hills. During construction this summer, Masses will be celebrated in the nearby parish center. (Provided sketch/O'Shea Builders)
GERMANTOWN HILLS — Groundbreaking ceremonies took place at St. Mary of Lourdes Church here on May 18 for an addition to the rural church that has welcomed Catholics to its prairie location west of Metamora for 150 years. The addition will serve as the entrance to the church and will include a multipurpose room, restrooms, […]
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By: Tom Dermody - June 4, 2020 -
Editorial
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.” – […]
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By: Tom Dermody - May 27, 2020 -
News Article
Sister Michelle Fernandez, SCTJM, is director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria has received a $100,000 grant to assist families impacted economically by the COVID-19 pandemic with housing and/or utilities payments. The grant is from the third round of disbursements generated by the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF). Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria is among 31 nonprofit organizations […]
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By: Tom Dermody - May 11, 2020 -
Featured Article
Father Louis Tylka celebrates Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church in Tinley Park in this photo posted May 2 on the parish's Facebook page. Pope Francis has appointed Father Tylka, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as Coadjutor Bishop for the Diocese of Peoria.
TINLEY PARK — When Father Lou Tylka was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago 24 years ago this week, among the gifts he received was a small statue of a shepherd kneeling to pet a lamb. The newly appointed Coadjutor Bishop-elect of Peoria still displays the statue and it has been a […]
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By: Tom Dermody - May 8, 2020 -
Editorial
“Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of self-centered individualism,” Pope Francis said during a general audience in 2015. “’Individual’ means ‘what cannot be divided.’ Mothers, instead, ‘divide’ themselves, from the moment they bear a child to give him to the world and help him grow.” The pope’s words ring even more true as […]
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