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By: Jennifer Willems - October 6, 2021 -
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At the end of the listening session for the LaSalle Vicariate, Bishop Louis Tylka offers a response to what he had heard that evening and thanked parishioners for being engaged in the process. The Sept. 21 gathering was held in the Holy Family School Gym in Oglesby. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
In what he hopes will be a hallmark of his time in the Diocese of Peoria, Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka has been listening to parishioners in each of the 12 vicariates as they shared their lived experience of the faith and their hopes and dreams, as well as their struggles. As “Welcome Tour Part 2 […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - October 6, 2021 -
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Taking the lead on Sept. 25 is Blake Brooks, one of the organizers of "On the Way with Fulton Sheen," which took pilgrims from Princeville to the tomb of Fulton Sheen at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. He said the goal was to help people grow in their devotion of Sheen and renew their own spiritual lives. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
To anybody walking or biking along the Rock Island Trail in Peoria on a recent weekend, it might not seem all that extraordinary for a group of about 25 people to be making the journey together. It’s what they couldn’t see that was important. “The way is simple — it’s just a lot of walking. […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - October 6, 2021 -
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The Spirit of Hope Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on Oct. 2 was celebrated by Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka (center). Helping to coordinate the liturgy was OSF HealthCare, represented by members of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, (from left) Sister M. Faustina Chesnut, Sister Judith Ann Duvall, major superior, Sister M. Angelita Van Hoey, and Sister Teresa Paul Selamat. To Bishop Tylka's left are tenor John McDermott and Dr. James McGee, radiation oncologist at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
To hope in Jesus is to hope in God’s plan of love for each and every one of us, and that hope does not disappoint, Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka said during the Spirit of Hope Mass for the Relief from the Suffering of Cancer on Oct. 2. “We hope for the miracle that will continue […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - October 6, 2021 -
Featured Article
While the goal is to keep the combine moving during harvest, brothers Tim and Todd Main of Altona made an exception so Father Lee Brokaw could bless their equipment Sept. 24. Perhaps more important than blessing the machinery is the prayer he offers for the farmers, that they might remain close to God. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
ALTONA — Dwarfed by a combine that could harvest 12 rows of corn at a time, Father Lee Brokaw raised his arms and blessed the machine as he had five others at the request of his parishioners in Galesburg and Abingdon. The blessings extend far beyond the farm equipment, however. “I pray that farmers are […]
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By: Tom Dermody - October 3, 2021 -
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Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka welcomes those attending the Diocese of Peoria's Respect Life Dinner on Oct. 2 at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. At left is Cecilia Soñé, director of Respect Life Ministry for the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
It is fair to say that Kristi Hofferber, the keynote speaker at the Diocese of Peoria’s Respect Life Dinner on Oct. 2, is “exceptional.” The adoption advocate and pro-life counselor from the St. Louis area challenges the thinking not only of pro-choice advocates but many in the pro-life community as well. “Those who are conceived […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - October 1, 2021 -
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Father Joel Phelps, former parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish in Urbana, stands by with another lighter as the certificates symbolizing the loan from the Diocese of Peoria are burned by (from left) Father Anthony Co, Father George Remm and Father Joseph Hogan on Sept. 26. The debt was paid down more than a year ahead of schedule. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
URBANA — When parishioners started raising funds to expand and renovate St. Patrick Church here, parish leaders said there should be a party with dancing in the streets when the debt was finally paid off. That’s exactly what happened last Sunday, as Father Anthony Co, pastor; Father George Remm, pastor emeritus; and Father Joseph Hogan […]
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By: Tom Dermody - September 30, 2021 -
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Officer Brieanne Lonergan of the Rock Island Police Department prays during the Blue Mass celebrated Sept. 26 at Sacred Heart Church in Rock Island. To her right is Officer Jacob Waddle, also of the Rock Island police. Both are members of Sacred Heart Parish. (Provided photo/Kelly Haertjens)
ROCK ISLAND — Prayers of gratitude for — and the protection of — law enforcement professionals, firefighters, EMTs, and all who risk their lives for others’ safety were voiced during a Blue Mass celebrated Sept. 26 at Sacred Heart Church here. “This Mass is our opportunity to give thanks to you for your service, to […]
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By: Tom Dermody - September 29, 2021 -
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Sam and Cheryl Pagoria gaze at one another as Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka offers a blessing over couples attending the Diocese of Peoria’s Anniversary Mass on Sept. 26 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. The Pagorias, members of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Spring Valley, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021. (For The Catholic Post/Daryl Wilson)
The “gift of love” was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Sept. 26 when nearly 100 couples from throughout the Diocese of Peoria who are observing silver and golden wedding anniversaries in 2021 gathered for a Mass celebrated by Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka. “Your perseverance, your loyalty to one another, is not just […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - September 22, 2021 -
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With catechists and members of the RCIA team standing behind him, Father Donald Levitt, pastor at Christ the King Church in Moline, extends his hand in blessing to include parents and grandparents as witnesses to the Catholic faith in their families on Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 19. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
COVID-19 made it difficult, but catechists around the Diocese of Peoria found new and creative ways to teach young people about God’s love, the friendship of Jesus, and why it’s important to live their faith all day, every day. Last Sunday they were praised for their ongoing efforts as parishes celebrated Catechetical Sunday. This year’s […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - September 22, 2021 -
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Claire Crone (center), director of Sophia's Kitchen in Peoria, looks in on Sadie Pierce, Jane Seiler and Marlee Curtis who are putting their artistic skills to work as part of the Spoonful benefit for Sophia's Kitchen. In all, 200 bowls were painted Sept. 13-14. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
PEORIA HEIGHTS — Who says you can’t help people and have fun at the same time? Budding Picassos, Van Goghs and Rembrandts gathered at Fired Up Pottery here on Sept. 13-14 to paint bowls that will be sold to benefit Sophia’s Kitchen, the sandwich program located at St. Joseph Church in downtown Peoria. Among those […]
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