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Explanatory Masses at two parishes offer insights into ‘something heavenly’

By: Tom Dermody - February 13, 2017 - Featured Article Explanatory Mass, Father Sabel, Msgr. Brownsey, Peoria, Pontiac, St. Mark Parish

Celebrating explanatory Masses in recent days were Msgr. Brian Brownsey (left) at St. Mark Church in Peoria and Father David Sabel at at Catholic Schools Week Mass at St. Mary Church in Pontiac. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

“What’s happening before your eyes is something heavenly,” said Msgr. Brian Brownsey prior to beginning the Eucharistic Prayer. “This is the most important meal of our lives,” reminded Father David Sabel upon reaching the Liturgy of the Eucharist. For one day at St. Mark Church in Peoria and St. Mary Church in Pontiac, the pastors […]

Sisters’ baptisms after a school Mass offer lessons at Holy Cross in Mendota

By: Jennifer Willems - February 8, 2017 - Featured Article baptism, Holy Cross, MacDonald, Mendota

With help from her godfather, Craig Doran, Linda MacDonald, 5, is lifted over the baptismal font at Holy Cross Church in Mendota so Father Peter Pilon, pastor, can pour water on her head. Looking on his her sister, Kaylee, 6, who would be baptized next. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

MENDOTA — Surrounded by their community of faith at Holy Cross School, Kaylee and Linda MacDonald were baptized after an all-school Mass during Catholic Schools Week. The timing may have been coincidental, but still offered a lesson on the importance of Catholic schools, according to their pastor. Being students in a Catholic school helped them […]

St. Jude Catholic School student’s essay on Abp. Sheen wins national contest

By: Jennifer Willems - February 8, 2017 - Featured Article Archbishop Fulton Sheen, essay, Harry Penne, Peoria, St. Jude Catholic School

Harry Penne, a fifth grader at St. Jude Catholic School in Peoria, won top prize in the Catholic School Division, Grade 5, of the Catholic Textbook Project's History Essay Contest for his paper on Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, right. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Harry Penne knew that Fulton Sheen was an archbishop, had been declared venerable, and was born “not so far away.” But it was a personal connection that made the sainthood candidate an ideal choice for the paper he submitted to the Fall 2016 Catholic Textbook Project History Essay Contest. A fifth-grader at St. Jude Catholic […]

‘Miracle in Chillicothe’ celebrated as reopened St. Edward School is blessed

By: Tom Dermody - January 30, 2017 - Featured Article Bishop Jenky, Chillicothe, Father Keith Walder, Gino Grivetti, Michelle Kluge, Mike Domico, Miracle, St. Edward School

Bishop Jenky blesses the newly restored St. Edward School in Chillicothe during a ceremony in its foyer on Jan. 29. Making the sign of the cross to his left is Father Keith Walder, pastor. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

CHILLICOTHE — A fundraising summer snowball that came to be known as the “Miracle in Chillicothe” was joyfully celebrated Jan. 29 with the blessing of a newly restored and reopened St. Edward School. “This small parish, this small school, this small town pulled together,” said Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who joined the St. […]

Hundredfold Workshop helps parishes ‘prepare the soil’ for seeds of vocations

By: Jennifer Willems - January 26, 2017 - Featured Article Diocese of Peoria, Father Tim Hepner, Hundredfold Workshop, Rhonda Gruenewald, vocations

Rhonda Gruenewald visits with the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters, one of several religious communities present for the Hundredfold Workshop on Jan. 21 at Hettinger Hall of St. Jude Parish, Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Vocations awareness in the Diocese of Peoria got a boost last Saturday when 150 people gathered at St. Jude Church and its Hettinger Hall in Peoria for the Hundredfold Workshop sponsored by the Office of Priestly Formation. That doesn’t mean each parish will be able to deliver five seminarians to Father Tim Hepner, diocesan vocation […]

Optimism, resolve blend at Life Rally in Peoria on eve of inauguration

By: Tom Dermody - January 26, 2017 - Featured Article Central Illinois Right to Life, Joe Scheidler, Life Rally, Peoria, Pro-life, Tom Olp

Among those taking part in a prayerful walk in downtown Peoria against abortion on Jan. 19 were four members of the Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist. From left, they are Sister Marion Hudacova, Mother Vaclava Ballon, Sister Lea Stefancova and Sister Salezia Rudyova. The walk preceded a Life Rally sponsored by Central Illinois Right to Life. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Nearing age 90 with the latter half of his life devoted to the pro-life movement, Joe Scheidler struck an optimistic tone Jan. 19 as he challenged his Peoria audience to “stay firm in your convictions.” “Abortions are down,” he said near the conclusion of the annual Life Rally sponsored by Central Illinois Right to Life […]

March for Life Chicago draws 5,000; inspires Diocese of Peoria participants

By: Jennifer Willems - January 19, 2017 - Featured Article Alleman High School, Bloomington Central Catholic, Diocese of Peoria, March for Life Chicago, St. Bede Academy, St. John Paul II Catohlic Newman Center, St. Joseph Catholic Newman Center

The group that traveled to Chicago on the bus sponsored by the Diocese of Peoria marches north on Dearborn Street as March for Life Chicago gets under way. At right is Shirley Plaag, coordinator of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation, who organized the pilgrimage. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

CHICAGO — Despite the seriousness of the issue of abortion, it was the determination to celebrate life that drew 5,000 people to Federal Plaza here Jan. 15 for March for Life Chicago. Their cheers were met by words of gratitude from the speakers — including Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, abortion survivor Gianna Jessen, and […]

Students at Visitation School, Kewanee, get creative with $50 as ‘Friends of Jesus’

By: Jennifer Willems - January 13, 2017 - Featured Article charity, creative, Friends of Jesus, Kewanee, Visitation Catholic School

Addi and Brady Clark hold just a few of the 500 diapers they purchased for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee with the money they pooled from the "Friends of Jesus" project. (Provided photo)

KEWANEE — Asked how they would help someone at Christmas if they had $50 in imaginary “Vis Bucks” to spend, the fifth- and sixth-graders at Visitation Catholic School got creative. When they each received an actual $50 bill the next day, they got to be a “Friend of Jesus.” Visitation was one of 25 schools […]

13,000 college students open new year by growing in their faith at SEEK 2017

By: Tom Dermody - January 13, 2017 - Featured Article Bradley University, Fellowship of Catholic University Students, FOCUS, SEEK, University of Illinois

St. Joseph Catholic Newman Center at Bradley University in Peoria sponsored a bus trip to SEEK 2017 in San Antoino that drew 50 students. (Provided photo)

In need of reigniting the fire for her Catholic faith, Liz Schultz found the spark she needed during SEEK 2017. “I was kind of struggling in my faith, especially in my prayer life,” acknowledged Schultz, a Bradley University senior nursing student from Groveland. She was among 13,000 people — nearly all college students — who […]

Former school comes down, but Sacred Heart Parish in Rock Island is on the rise

By: Tom Dermody - January 13, 2017 - Featured Article Father Anthony Co, Rock Island, Sacred Heart Parish, School, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Sacred Heart name is seen above the main entrance to the former school, built in 1923. (Provided photo)

ROCK ISLAND — The former Sacred Heart School here has come down, but Sacred Heart Parish is “going up,” according to Father Anthony Co, pastor. “God wants to bless this place,” said Father Co during a Christmas Eve Mass homily at the historic church, located for more than a century along busy 5th Avenue and […]

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