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Pope Francis declares a special Sunday each year dedicated to word of God

A young woman studies the Bible at St. Mary of Celle Parish in Berwyn in this CNS file photo. To help the church grow in love and faithful witness to God, Pope Francis has declared the third Sunday in Ordinary Time to be dedicated to the word of God. (CNS/Karen Callaway)

By Carol Glatz / Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To help the church grow in love and faithful witness to God, Pope Francis has declared the third Sunday in Ordinary Time to be dedicated to the word of God. Salvation, faith, unity and mercy all depend on knowing Christ and sacred Scripture, he […]

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Newman Hall resident director, athlete, and new Catholic is on the right tracks

Jenna Fesemyer, resident director at Newman Hall of St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign, wears medals she earned while competing for Team USA at the Parapan American Games last month in Lima, Peru. (Provided photo)

CHAMPAIGN — Jenna Fesemyer is a world class wheelchair athlete with hopes of representing the United States at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. But those who know the 22-year-old resident director at Newman Hall here would award “our Jenna” gold medals for joyful attitude, academics, leadership, and witness of her newfound Catholic faith. “She’s […]

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Bishop Jenky releases 2020 Festival Letter early to teach on ‘The Real Presence’

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, elevates the Host during Mass at the 2018 Peoria Irish Fest. The Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the topic of his 19th Festival Letter to the Diocese of Peoria, released on Sept. 16. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Acknowledging that “for several generations” the Catholic Church has sometimes failed to effectively pass on even its core truths, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has called for all ministries of the Diocese of Peoria to be “intentionally centered” around the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The bishop’s 2,100-word teaching document, titled “The […]

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First-ever diocesan Respect Life Conference draws 600 of all ages

With the Knights of Columbus ever vigilant, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, poses with the coordinator and some of the speakers from the Diocese of Peoria's inaugural Respect Life Conference after the closing Mass on Sept. 14. They are (from left) Cecilia Sone, director of Respect Life Ministry for the diocese; Sister Mary Angela Alexander, RSM; Kevin Burke; Sister Marie Paul Lockerd, RSM; and Sister Marysia Weber, RSM. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

(Updated Sept. 25, 2019) Hearing about threats to human life and the God-given dignity of every person, nearly 600 people who attended the Diocese of Peoria’s first-ever Respect Life Conference explored what they could do to care for those who are most vulnerable. Not only did that include the unborn, but also people at the […]

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Pedaling priests to again ride across diocese for vocation awareness, prayers

Members of the track team from Holy Cross School in Mendota ran with Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek and Deacon Matt Levy as they completed last year's Priests Pedaling for Prayers ride across the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

As the Priests Pedaling for Prayers prepare to embark on their third bike ride across the Diocese of Peoria to raise awareness of and prayers for vocations, they’re looking to Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for inspiration and support. The jerseys for the 2019 ride, which begins in Rapids City on Sept. 30 and ends […]

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Charity on wheels: St. Nicholas Mobile Pantry is blessed and ministry launched

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, blesses a van that will serve as the St. Nicholas Mobile Pantry, a new outreach of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Peoria. Looking on at left during the ceremony at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria are Sister Michelle Fernandez, SCTJM, director of Catholic Charities, and Suzie Meismer, who will provide case management at the van’s various stops throughout the diocese. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

There is now a St. Nicholas Day every week in the Diocese of Peoria. On Tuesday morning, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, blessed a white Ford Transit cargo van as the “St. Nicholas Mobile Pantry,” a new outreach of Catholic Charities to serve needs throughout the 26-county diocese. Each week, usually on a Tuesday, the […]

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Benedictines in Rock Island hope ‘virtual monastery’ tour leads to in-person visits

The Virtual Monastery Experience gives visitors an opportunity to see what St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island offers so they will feel more comfortable coming in person and perhaps considering religious life. (Provided photo/Mandle Design Inc.)

ROCK ISLAND — It’s a question Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB, is asked often when people find out she lives in a monastery: “Can I go there?” “They think they can’t go in,” said Sister Stefanie, director of vocations for the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island and a preschool teacher at Our […]

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Beloved usher at St. Patrick Parish, Seneca, is still on duty as he nears 100th birthday

Ann and John Collet give veteran usher Bob Hollenbeck a reason to stop while taking the collection at St. Patrick Church in Seneca on Sept. 8. Hollenbeck, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Oct. 1, has been an usher there for 63 years. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

SENECA — Over the course of a century, Bob Hollenbeck has done just about everything he’s wanted to do. So what will he wish for when he celebrates his 100th birthday on Oct. 1? “Two more years,” he replies with a chuckle and a twinkle in his eye. “I’ve had such a good life,” Mr. […]

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Rally Against Abortion covers State Capitol in prayer, determination

Father Edward Ohm of Lincoln organized the Rally Against Abortion at the State Capitol as a private citizen in an effort to pray for government officials and offer reparation for sins against God. During the prayerful, peaceful event on Sept. 4, he blessed the building with holy water and consecrated it to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

SPRINGFIELD — Tears fill Shirley Buckner’s eyes when she talks about abortion, and her heart breaks at the thought of what happens to the unborn during the procedure that will stop theirs. “It’s so horrible. It’s horrible,” said Buckner, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Mount Pulaski. “Such a beautiful life that’s snuffed […]

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Volunteers offer welcome, information to all visiting cathedral, Sheen’s tomb

David and Linda Whitaker of Tinley Park, pilgrims to the tomb of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Aug. 27, are greeted by volunteers (from left) Kate Socha of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Peoria Heights; Regina Hutt of St. Philomena Parish, Peoria; and Patricia Ostaszewski of Epiphany Parish, Normal. More than 50 volunteers have staffed the welcoming table during the two months since the cathedral extended visiting hours following the transfer of the sainthood candidate’s remains from New York to Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Before they visit the new tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, pilgrims to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria first encounter a smiling face and warm greeting from one of more than 50 volunteers who take turns at a table just inside the side chapel entrance door. “I hope to be a listening ear to […]

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