Isn’t it just like Catholics to have an article about fasting and fish fries in the same place? Yes, it is. Lent is on the way, and with it the gifts and expectations of Catholic Christianity come into even clearer focus than ever. LENTEN DATELINE, 2025 Fat Tuesday: March 4 (this day on the eve […]
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St. Jude eighth grader Eamon Lynch runs through a group of supporters prior to the beginning of the Class 8-1A final Thursday, Feb. 20. St. Jude defeated West Lincoln Broadwell from Lincoln to win the state championship. (Daryl Wilson/St. Jude)
The St. Jude Catholic School eighth grade boys basketball team are state champions for the first time in the school’s history. They won the title in convincing fashion at the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Class 8-1A finals Thursday, Feb. 20 at Warrensburg-Latham High School in Warrensburg. St. Jude prevailed over the squad from West […]
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Chesterton High School senior Anna Stein stands beside her painting of the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. She has transposed the image to t-shirts, and developed a complete line of art-adorned products featuring saints and other notable Catholics. (Supplied photo)
Anna Stein has found a way to explore her passion for art while deepening her Catholic faith (and save up for college) all at the same time. Anna (18), along sibling sisters Ellie (14), Clare (12), Maggie (9) attend St. Mark Parish in Peoria with mom Laurel and dad Mark. She has developed a complete […]
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A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria for Father Ed Carney, who ministered at the parish level, and with the diocesan permanent diaconate program, as well as in private practice. Bishop Louis Tylka will officiate, and Father Eric Bolek will […]
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BLOOMINGTON – This is the fourth and final installment featuring conversations with Diocese of Peoria school principals on the subject of nurturing the virtue of hope among students, parents, school staff and host communities. Chris McGraw is the principal of Central Catholic High School in Bloomington. As someone who came from a public school environment […]
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ROCK ISLAND – Over Super Bowl weekend it was announced that Alleman High School in Rock Island will be back in Western Big Six Conference with a varsity team in the fall of 2025. Alleman will once again be fielding teams at all three levels of high-school football: freshman, junior varsity, and varsity. The freshman […]
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NORMAL – Stephanie Demboski runs the adult faith formation ministry at Epiphany Parish in Normal. On Jan. 28, she started a new grief group for those who had lost a child. As can be imagined, it’s a particularly wrenching grief. FEELING OF ISOLATION “It’s so hard, oh my gosh . . . but it’s so […]
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Bishop Louis Tylka during his homily at the 150th Anniversary Mass for the Diocese of Peoria on Feb. 12, 2025 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. “There’s nothing wrong with a party, so let’s celebrate well … all in the name of the Lord,” he said.
A “Party on the Plains” 150 years in the making was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Turnout was strong, considering a winter storm converged with the anniversary timing. Even so, four visiting bishops were able to attend: Bishop Michael McGovern (Bellville), Bishop Thomas Paprocki (Springfield), Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus […]
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Eighth grade students (from left) Chase Ullrich and Truman Mouro of St. Thomas the Apostle School in Peoria Heights are “at attention” while speaking with Dan McDonough, major general, Illinois Air National Guard, on Jan. 28. The general and his son Danny, to his left, are St. Thomas alumni. (Supplied photo)
It was a big day for St. Thomas alumni who serve their country on Jan. 28 as St. Thomas the Apostle School in Peoria Heights held Celebrate the Nation Day during Catholic Schools Week activities. FATHER AND SON SERVE Dan McDonough, major general, Illinois Air National Guard, came to speak to students and brought along […]
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A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10811 Knoxville Ave., Peoria, for Deacon Thomas Ivan Rapach, who served at St. Jude for 40 years. Deacon Rapach passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. He was 95. Visitation will be from 3 […]
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