Describing what tradition recalls as the first Thanksgiving festival nearly 400 years ago with their helpful Indian friends at Plymouth Plantation, Pilgrim Edward Winslow wrote that “although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God we are . . . far from want.” […]
Continue readingThe central theme of this just concluded marathon election season was “change,” and change our nation will experience with Sen. Barack Obama as its next president. The White House will see a change of party, an historic change of race, a generational change, and significant shifts in direction on a host of issues. Change is […]
Continue readingAfter Mass this weekend, perhaps before heading home or out for errands or brunch, take a short drive to a cemetery in your community. Spend a few moments in prayer for and remembrance of departed loved ones and all who sleep in Christ there. Doing so is always a worthwhile practice, indeed a spiritual work […]
Continue readingCatholicism has a lot of weighty words such as transubstantiation, catechetical, and canonization. But one of the best ways to understand Catholics, and especially Catholic social teaching, is to see the importance of the three-letter words “and” and “but.” Those attending last Saturday’s diocesan Catholic Social Ministry Institute in Morton heard a wonderful explanation of […]
Continue readingWe don’t tell you for whom to vote in elections. Nor do we take a stand in the heated Cardinals, Cubs, or White Sox baseball debates. But we can report that, as the Major League Baseball World Series approaches, nearly everyone in the LaSalle-Peru area — and certainly everyone at the St. Bede Academy community […]
Continue readingMany of us have been losing money, at least on paper, in recent weeks and words like crisis and despair are appearing in news headlines. But this Sunday afternoon, men and women from throughout the Diocese of Peoria who know what deep loss, crisis and despair really feel like will come to St. Mary’s Cathedral […]
Continue readingAs this is written on Wednesday, it’s hard to predict where the U.S. economy — let alone our personal retirement accounts, investments, or savings plans — will stand by this weekend. Some of us may be a little, or a lot, less comfortable, depending on how or if the current crisis is eventually resolved. But […]
Continue readingWhen nearly 100 Catholic couples observing their 50th wedding anniversary gather in one spot, there are rich golden treasures to be mined in terms of their wisdom and experiences. We wish we could interview all of them and tell their compelling stories of faith, commitment and love. One question we did ask many of the […]
Continue readingThis 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 […]
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