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By: Tom Dermody - May 8, 2020 -
News Article
Family members guide a casket through a cemetery in this April 15 Catholic News Service photo. (CNS /Jim Urquhart, Reuters)
“A private graveside service is planned. A memorial Mass will take place at a later date.” Some variation of those sentences has appeared in almost every Catholic obituary since COVID-19 directives were implemented in mid-March. Following are stories behind those words shared by readers of The Catholic Post. We deeply thank them for speaking with […]
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By: Tom Dermody - May 8, 2020 -
Featured Article
The May 30 wedding plans of Sam Vohsen and Teresa Schneider, shown in an engagement photo, have been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 10 will be in attendance when they exchange vows that day at St. Patrick Church in Washington. The couple plans a Mass of Thanksgiving next March during which they will renew those vows before family and friends, with a reception to follow." (Provided photo/Katelyn Turner Photography)
WASHINGTON — As May began, members of the Marvin and Mary Grace Schneider family of St. Patrick Parish here were praying a novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots. “For obvious reasons,” says Grace. “It’s challenging to go through all this.” In ordinary times, this family’s experiences in a five-week period would produce a rollercoaster of […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 28, 2020 -
Featured Article
A rainbow arches over St. Patrick Church of Merna in Bloomington in this photo taken April 23 by Father Dustin Schultz, pastor. The photo has been widely shared on social media with the rainbow being viewed as a symbol of hope by Catholics longing to return to their churches for Mass and all praying for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Provided photo/Father Dustin Schultz)
BLOOMINGTON — Father Dustin Schultz noticed the rainbow as he pulled his car out of the rectory driveway after storms rolled through the city early on Thursday evening, April 23. His photo capturing the colorful bow arching over St. Patrick Church of Merna, which Father Schultz serves as pastor, has now been noticed by thousands […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 27, 2020 -
Featured Article
Msgr. Thomas Mack, pastor, and Father Daniel McShane, parochial vicar, wave as more than 100 cars filled with parishioners pass by the rectory at Immaculate Conception in Monmouth on April 18. Similar vehicle parades elsewhere in the Diocese of Peoria have been one way that parishioners are expressing love and gratitude for the priests during this historic time of separation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Provided photo)
When the rectory doorbell rang at about 5 p.m. on a recent Sunday, Father Johndamaseni Zilimu thought it was a couple from the parish bringing him a meal. It turned out more than 400 parishioners were delivering a feast of love in a parade of vehicles. “They really made my day,” said Father Zilimu, pastor […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 24, 2020 -
Editorial
If patience is a virtue, it is among the virtues being sorely tested as the shutdown of the nation’s economy and the closing of churches to fight the coronavirus pandemic approaches the two-month mark. The signs that patience is wearing thin was in evidence this week as protesters began to gather at state capitols demanding […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 11, 2020 -
Editorial
Father William Miller pours water over Hannah De Smit's head as he baptizes her at the Easter Vigil at St. Patrick Church, Galesburg, at the Easter Vigil last April. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
The Diocese of Peoria was set to joyfully welcome hundreds of new Catholics during Easter Vigil liturgies on Saturday, April 11. To those who are in the final stage of spiritual journeys to the church that began in September (or long before) and are anticipating their baptisms, first Eucharists, and confirmations, we say: a) that […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 10, 2020 -
Featured Article
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, blesses the Diocese of Peoria from aboard an OSF Life Flight helicopter on Good Friday, April 10. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the bishop offered prayers in the air for its victims, their loved ones, and all those providing care. From above downtown Peoria, he offered a blessing in all four directions. (Photo by Msgr. Philip Halfacre)
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, took to the skies via an OSF Life Flight helicopter on Good Friday, April 10, to offer a blessing to the entire Diocese of Peoria as well as to pray for all affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “I was happy to do something that may give some comfort to people, […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 10, 2020 -
News Article
Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wis., recites a prayer while holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament during a Palm Sunday blessing for health care workers outside the entrance of St. Mary Medical Center in Green Bay. (CNS/Sam Lucero)
As the peak impact of the coronavirus pandemic is anticipated locally in the coming days and weeks, Catholic medical personnel are turning to their faith to find hope, comfort, and ease anxiety. “This is truly a challenging time for believers and non-believers alike,” said Dr. Timothy Millea, president of the St. Thomas Aquinas Guild of […]
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By: Tom Dermody - April 3, 2020 -
News Article
Ten priests of the Diocese of Peoria are among 40 priests and bishops as well as laypeople from several states taking part in a “Virtual 40 Hours” devotion being live streamed on Facebook to unite Catholics in prayer as the coronavirus pandemic spreads and Holy Week approaches. “In the middle of this pandemic, I think […]
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By: Tom Dermody - March 30, 2020 -
Featured Article
Father Timothy Sauppé, pastor of St. Mary in Westville and St. Isaac Jogues in Georgetown, holds a blessed palm in front of tables with 400 Easter lilies that are available for pick up by every household of his two parishes ahead of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter. (Provided photo)
WESTVILLE — Normally, Father Timothy Sauppé would not have 400 Easter lilies in his parish center a week before Palm Sunday. But this is not a normal Lent. So the pastor of St. Mary, Westville, and St. Isaac Jogues, Georgetown, purchased a plant for every registered household of both faith communities. And he is inviting […]
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