By: By Tom Dermody PEKIN — Because he is blind and nearly completely deaf, Josh Wertz often depends on being led by others, including his guide dog of eight years, Ace. But when the Class of 2011 graduates from the Department of Human Development Counseling at the University of Illinois at Springfield process into commencement […]
Continue readingBy: By Tom Dermody The applause was from hundreds, not the million-plus who had gathered in Rome for his beatification the previous weekend, but the affection for Blessed Pope John Paul II was just as deep and sincere among those attending a diocese-wide Mass of Thanksgiving in Peoria last Saturday. “This is certainly a moment […]
Continue readingBy: By Tom Dermody “Every child is an artist.” That quote from Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso not only is written on the wall of the art room at St. Philomena’s School in Peoria, it is evidenced in nearly every hallway and classroom. And all this week, on walls where the works of master […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — For today’s youth, World War II and the Nazi Holocaust may seem like “ancient history,” as far removed from modern day as the Civil War. The student body of Alleman High School here, however, came face-to-face with history May 2 when Holocaust survivor Walter Reed, now 87, captivated and challenged them during […]
Continue readingSPRINGFIELD — Catholic Charities directors from all five downstate Illinois dioceses gathered at the state capitol May 4 to call for quick legislative action to preserve vital adoption and foster care services for thousands of children and families around the state. The directors indicated their agencies may soon be forced out of the adoption and […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems “We couldn’t do what we do without you.” Msgr. Dale Wellman offered those simple and heartfelt words to the 47 women who were honored at the Annual Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The event drew the women, who came from 23 parishes throughout central Illinois, […]
Continue readingThe seven Catholic high schools of the Diocese of Peoria have scheduled graduation ceremonies and Masses for their 706 seniors in the coming weeks. In Peru, a graduation Mass for the 61 seniors of St. Bede Academy will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at St. Bede Abbey Church. A reception will […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — With expressions of gratitude to God and to all who are supporting the project, Jordan Catholic School here broke ground last Friday for a $2.6 million school addition and renovation. “Today, we are opening a new chapter in the quality of education for the young people of this area,” said Mike Daly, […]
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By: By Jennifer Willems EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth and final part of a series that has followed Connie Burek of Brimfield through Lent to her reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Here she talks about her experience of Holy Week — and what comes next. —– […]
Continue readingBishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has invited all Catholic men of the Diocese of Peoria to join him on Saturday, May 14, for the eighth annual “A Call to Catholic Men of Faith.” The annual event, which has drawn up to 1,000 participants in past years, includes a gathering at the riverfront in downtown Peoria, […]
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