The guest list at the funeral Mass in Boston for U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy was long and impressive: the President and Vice President of the United States, three former presidents and three former vice presidents, and a host of senators, representatives, governors, and foreign dignitaries. Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley presided at the packed Our […]
Continue readingThe final days of August will be exciting ones at two institutions in our diocese each celebrating 100-year anniversaries under the patronage of St. Mary. This Tuesday, Aug. 25, OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg culminates a yearlong observance of its centennial. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will be principal celebrant of a 5 […]
Continue readingEditor’s note — In conjunction with our Back to School section this week, we offer this reflection for college students contributed by Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC, a writer and editorial assistant for the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Notre Dame, Ind. We hope it will be clipped and shared with the many young people […]
Continue readingWhatever one thinks of the way Jillian Peterson and Kevin Heinz choreographed their wedding party’s recent trip down the aisle of a church in Minnesota, all can agree it was creative and joyful. For those who haven’t seen the week’s most popular YouTube video or excerpts of it on the national news, the ushers, bridesmaids, […]
Continue readingMary Olson knows a thing or two about marriage. The 93-year-old Farmer City resident has been in the same one for 75 years. (See story, page 1.) While she advises couples considering marriage to “make sure you’re ready to be married for life,” she’s troubled by the number of marriages that are ending in divorce. […]
Continue readingMy wife and I have a priest in the family. We’ve “adopted” him. In fact, he’ll be joining us, usually around dinner time, each night for the next year. He just won’t know it. And we are far from alone. Hundreds have already responded to a prayer-for-priests initiative announced last week by the religious community […]
Continue readingWhat began as a month of celebration for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria is ending with days of trepidation as Illinois politicians consider drastic cuts in social service spending as one way out of an historic budget crisis. There are a lot of numbers to digest to even begin to understand the situation, […]
Continue readingIt was a Sunday morning unlike any other in the long, rich Catholic history of the Illinois Valley region. Every hour on the hour, from 8 to 11 a.m., parishioners with heavy hearts gathered June 14 at one of four beloved churches for a final regularly scheduled weekend Mass. Because the churches are all located […]
Continue readingWhat image comes to mind when the phrase “anti-abortion activist” is voiced or seen in print? For far too many in recent days, it is the police mug shot of Scott Roeder, who dragged the good name of pro-lifers everywhere through the blood when he fatally shot Dr. George Tiller while the notorious late-term abortionist […]
Continue readingCongratulations. Way to go. We’re so proud of you. Thank you. Great job! Look what your efforts have done. Awesome accomplishment. God bless you. You rock! Any and all of the above are appropriate on so many occasions during this month of family, parish, school, and religious community celebrations. May began with first Communions that […]
Continue reading
