Photo Caption: Father Larry Zurek, OFM, and Father Luis Aponte-Merced, OFM, distribute Communion to school children visiting Sacred Heart Church in downtown Peoria. By: By Jennifer Willems EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the seventh in a series featuring religious communities and other forms of consecrated life around the Diocese of Peoria in honor of the Year […]
Continue readingAs Illinois lawmakers returned to Springfield on April 14 following a two-week spring break, they were urged by the Catholic bishops of Illinois to reject public funding of abortion as outlined in legislation up for House floor debate and vote. The legislation, House Bill 4013, removes the current prohibition on state employees’ health insurance plans […]
Continue reading
NORMAL — A memorial Mass was offered at Epiphany Church here on Friday, April 17, for Father John J. King, the founding pastor of Epiphany who served the parish for 29 years. Father King, a senior priest of the Diocese of Peoria, died on Monday, April 6, 2015, at Barnes-Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He […]
Continue reading
Caption: Msgr. Mark Merdian pours newly blessed water from the baptismal font at St. Pius X Parish in Rock Island over the head of Megan Boemecke at the Easter Vigil on April 4. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems) —– After months of preparation, study, and prayer, nearly 200 new Catholics received the sacraments of initiation at […]
Continue reading
By: By Tom Dermody Saying “it is our responsibility to share the Good News, and not just hold it to ourselves,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has encouraged generous financial support for the 2015 Annual Diocesan Appeal. The appeal, which is the major source of revenue for the ministries and agencies of the Diocese of […]
Continue reading
Photo Caption: The project is the next phase of a master plan that followed an evaluation of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria as it approached its 125th anniversary in 2013. By: By Tom Dermody The mother church of the Diocese of Peoria is about to become even more beautiful, and you are invited to play […]
Continue reading
Photo Caption: Msgr. Mark Merdian baptizes Chuck Gibbs during the Easter Vigil liturgy at St. Pius X Parish in Rock Island on April 4. Gibbs was one of eight people received into the Catholic Church at St. Pius X. By: By Jennifer Willems ROCK ISLAND — For 39 years, Chuck Gibbs often went to Mass […]
Continue reading
Photo Caption: Andy Meister of St. Jude Parish in Chillicothe makes a point during his presentation at the Faith-Based Leadership Seminar at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria on March 28. By: By Tom Dermody Leaders are often known for inspiring speeches, like Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” or General George Patton’s […]
Continue reading
Fatherhood — both spiritual and natural — will be celebrated and encouraged when hundreds of men from around the diocese join Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, for the 12th annual “A Call to Catholic Men of Faith” men’s march and Mass in Peoria on Saturday morning, April 18. The annual public display of faith begins […]
Continue reading
Photo Caption: The transition from Mendota Community Hospital to OSF Saint Paul Medical Center took nearly a year. By: By Jennifer Willems MENDOTA — With a new president on deck and generous helpings of thanks, prayer and holy water, Mendota Community Hospital became OSF Saint Paul Medical Center here on April 1. The dedication and […]
Continue reading
