This weekend we celebrate “Catechetical Sunday” in parishes around our diocese, yet many Catholics might stammer if asked to define the word or its root, “catechist.” For starters, there’s a one-word definition that works well for us: Hero. OK, the official definition of catechist is one who teaches in the name of the church. And […]
Continue readingEver wonder why the hubs of Catholic campus ministry at colleges and universities are called “Newman” centers or “Newman” foundations?” In this diocese, widely recognized for its excellence in Newman ministry, we’re very familiar with the name. It not only graces the historic and beautifully expanded facility at the University of Illinois, but also Catholic […]
Continue readingBy: By Thomas J. Dermody It was a tale of endured torture told by someone grateful to be alive. The victim recalled how at one point the captors poured kerosene on his head and threatened to strike a match. He and a companion were repeatedly kicked, beaten with iron rods and dragged through the streets […]
Continue readingThe big celebrations at the newly and wonderfully expanded St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois will be next weekend, Sept. 6-7, but we have a suggestion for this weekend that applies not only to that large faith community but all Catholics of our diocese: Use the occasion of Labor Day to […]
Continue readingFATHER J. Eustace Wolfinger would appreciate how I’m approaching this editorial. It’s due on Wednesday at noon. I’ve started writing it a good two hours early. That’s kind of how Father Wolfinger ran his parish, Twelve Holy Valkyries. If the parish’s annual report to the diocese was due Feb. 1, he’d be up late on […]
Continue readingIn this age when newborns and even pets have their own Web sites, maybe the news that the Diocese of Peoria and The Catholic Post have redesigned their homes on the Internet doesn’t pack the same punch as it might have a decade or more ago when anything “www” made us wondrous, wowed, and wide-eyed. […]
Continue readingIt is said that confession is good for the soul. In this case, maybe it will be good for all the children who will be walking and riding bikes to school in the days to come, too. Last week I had the opportunity to spend time with Benjamin Jablonski, 3, and his family as I […]
Continue readingBecause he is a professional sports figure, Chase Hilgenbrinck’s decision to retire from soccer to begin studies for the priesthood in our diocese became a national and even an international story. We at The Catholic Post were not immune from borrowing on the sports celebrity interest. I can’t recall this newspaper giving so much ink […]
Continue readingLet’s start out with a four-question quiz on the Bible. Are the Gospels part of the Bible? Did Jesus write one of the books of the Bible? Was Paul or Moses a figure from the Old Testament? Which of the following wrote a Gospel: Luke? John? Paul? Peter? We’ll give the answers at the end. […]
Continue readingImagine that this weekend a service station in your community begins offering gas for $1.99 a gallon. Would you expect a long line? How quickly would the good news spread, even to neighboring communities? Would anyone not pull up to that pump because of concern they’d be taking inexpensive gas away from people with lower […]
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