Archives
By: Tom Dermody - July 13, 2022 -
Featured Article
Amanda Connon, director of the Diocese of Peoria's new Office of Information Management, is pictured in her office on the second floor of the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
“I’m like a super-nerd,” says Amanda Connon. “I love organizing things.” Bishop Louis Tylka saw that skill in Connon as she recently did volunteer work gathering information and creating databases for the Diocese of Peoria. And he recognized the high school music teacher would be a good candidate to help solve some shortcomings in how […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 29, 2022 -
Featured Article
Members of the ecumenical Sponsor Circle in Monmouth preparing to welcome and support a refugee married couple from Ukraine are pictured with a Ukrainian flag on the porch of the parsonage of the First Lutheran Church of Monmouth, where the couple will temporarily reside. From left are Tom Sienkewicz, Teresa Prien, Pam Van Kirk, Tom Prien, and Leslie Freeman. Not pictured is Allison Buccalo. (Provided photo)
MONMOUTH — When a refugee couple from war-ravaged Ukraine arrives in this Warren County community on July 13 with all their belongings tucked in a pair of knapsacks, they will be warmly welcomed into a growing ecumenical circle of support. “They will need a lot of help from us in terms of resources and aid, […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2022 -
Editorial
As we move closer to Independence Day and the celebration of our freedoms, the U.S. bishops are again asking Catholics to focus on the importance of religious freedom, both in our nation and around the world. And the June 22-29 observance of Religious Freedom Week could not be more timely. This year’s theme is “Life […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2022 -
Featured Article
Father Paul Joseph Langevin, OFM Conv., gives the final blessing at a Mass of Farewell on June 12 at Holy Family Church in Peoria. The Conventual Franciscans of St. Bonaventure Province are withdrawing from the parish after 43 years of ministry. In the back row are three friars who formerly served at Holy Family --- Father Paul Schneider, OFM Conv., Father Patrick Stoffer, OFM Conv., and Father Robert Cook, OFM. Flanking Father Paul Joseph are Deacon Joseph LaHood and Deacon Bede Thigpen, OFM Conv. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Holy Family in Peoria is known as the “Parish with a Heart.” On Sunday, there were deeply heartfelt exchanges of gratitude, love and farewell as the Conventual Franciscan Friars of St. Bonaventure Province returned the pastoral administration of Holy Family to the Diocese of Peoria after 43 years of ministry. “We pray that it’s the […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 13, 2022 -
Featured Article
Father Deus-Dedit Byabato blesses the hands of Courtney Przybyla, Galesburg base medical supervisor, and other members of the OSF Life Flight team now permanently based at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. Father Byabato, chaplain of the medical center, later blessed the new helicopter hangar during ceremonies on June 10. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
GALESBURG — The OSF Life Flight “angels of mercy in the air” and two of their medical helicopters now have a permanent base at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center. Blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremonies took place on June 10 at a newly built, spacious aviation hangar adjacent to the medical center in Galesburg. “This is […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2022 -
News Article
Father Thomas Taylor, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish since 2016 and a priest of the Diocese of Peoria for nearly four decades, has been granted senior status effective June 15. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
When Father Thomas Taylor preaches at all the Masses at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Peoria on June 11-12 — his final weekend at the parish before transitioning to senior status the following Wednesday — he will be juggling many emotions. But that’s not all Father Taylor will be juggling. After all, it’s Trinity […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2022 -
News Article
Father Vien Van Do holds a statue of Our Lady of Lavang given to him by the Altar and Rosary Society when he served at St. John the Baptist Parish in Bradford. He says God saved his life through the Blessed Mother’s protection on several occasions. “I carry her in my heart,” he adds. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
METAMORA — In pain from being beaten in a Vietnamese communist concentration camp, seminarian Vien Van Do repeatedly prayed the rosary through the night with one intention. “Lord, heal me,” he prayed, “so I can go home and be ordained a priest in secret even for one day only and say one Mass, uniting all […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2022 -
Featured Article
Ken Goins, president of Central Illinois Right to Life, speaks at the Sanctity of Human Life Rally on May 24 at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Peoria. Members of the pro-life organization regularly hold the sign in the background on overpasses of Interstate 74 in downtown Peoria to share its message with those driving by. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
With anticipation high for an imminent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could overturn the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, speakers at the Sanctity of Human Life Rally in Peoria on May 24 expressed high hopes but emphasized much pro-life work will remain no matter the outcome. “We can almost taste it,” said Monica Cline, […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2022 -
Featured Article
Leaders of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Peoria pose with Bishop Louis Tylka following a Mass for staff, volunteers, partner groups, and other supporters at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on May 18. From left are Suzie Meismer, ministry coordinator and senior case manager; Sister Michelle Fernandez, SCTJM, executive director; Bishop Tylka; Jan Blaney, coordinator of the Tolono Food Pantry; and Angelica Toliver, Champaign outreach ministry coordinator. The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody
The Catholic Charities “family” in the Diocese of Peoria gathered for a day of prayer, thanksgiving, and fellowship on May 18. “It’s so overwhelming to see all of you present today,” said Sister Michelle Fernandez, SCTJM, executive director, prior to a luncheon at the Spalding Pastoral Center recognizing staff, volunteers, and others who partner with […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - May 23, 2022 -
Featured Article
Bishop Louis Tylka stands with the four men he ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Mary's Cathedral on May 21. They are (from left) Deacon Nathan Hopper, Deacon Ignacio Cárdenas Morán, Deacon Daniel Dionesotes and Deacon Patrick Wille. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
The four seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria who became transitional deacons on May 21 were the first men ordained by Bishop Louis Tylka, and he passed along advice he was given at his own diaconate ordination in 1995 “when you weren’t even born.” “Serve like the Lord,” said Bishop Tylka. “Hand on what you […]
Continue reading
