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Bishop Louis Tylka blesses the lounge and reception area at the newly renovated St. John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal during ceremonies on Oct. 29. The center serves Catholic students at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community College. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Bishop Louis Tylka addresses priests from throughout the Diocese of Peoria who gathered for their Assembly Days Oct. 17 and 18 at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. He thanked the priests for their commitment, cooperation, and leadership as the “Growing Disciples” pastoral planning process continues. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

An estimated 600 supporters spilled out of St. Mark School gym into hallways and overflow rooms at a town hall in Peoria to show support for the continuation of the Invest In Kids tax scholarship program, currently slated to “sunset” at year’s end. Miranda Eversole, mother of two children attending Holy Family School in Peoria through the program, is applauded as she voices her support. (The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore)

Deacon John Murphy distributes feedback forms during a "Growing Disciples" parish meeting Oct. 5 at Harkrader Hall of St. Louis Parish in Princeton. All parishes in the Diocese of Peoria are hosting gatherings in October to discuss and offer feedback regarding a second draft of parish models in the pastoral planning process. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

As more than 500 participants in the Emmaus Procession cross the new I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River between Moline and Bettendorf on Saturday morning, Oct. 7, Father Patrick Wille elevates the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament to bless all residents of the Quad Cities region. (Provided photo/Armando Calderon)

Peggy Kocher of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria, accompanied by her son Bob, comes in for a hug from Bishop Louis Tylka following the Spirit of Hope Mass for Cancer at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Oct. 7. Kocher’s daughter Mary Couri had passed away three days before from pancreatic cancer, the same disease that took Bishop Tylka’s mother Norma and youngest sister Mary Lou Bryant. Bishop Tylka had anointed Couri prior to her death. (The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore)

The newly renovated interior of St. John’s Catholic Chapel at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is seen from the choir loft as those who filled it for the Oct. 8 Mass of Blessing come forward for Communion. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Pope Francis listens during an ecumenical prayer vigil before the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sept. 30. (CNS/Vatican Media)

The final procession -- including Msgr. Philip Halfacre, pastor, and Father Ignacio Cárdenas, parochial vicar -- leaves St. Stephen Church in Streator at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Oct. 1. The church is now permanently closed for safety reasons following the discovery of a badly deteriorating foundation. All liturgical activities of St. Michael the Archangel Parish are now taking place at St. Anthony of Padua Church. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Ella Griffith, a freshman at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, shows the newly installed Hallow app on her phone. Bishop Louis Tylka has provided the popular prayer app to all Catholic high school students in the diocese to help remind them to pray, teach them new ways to pray, and deepen their prayer lives. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)