A cell phone rang last Friday evening just as Christian musician John Michael Talbot was lyrically inviting about 500 concert-goers at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Peoria to “come to the quiet.” “That had better be God calling,” dead-panned Talbot, continuing the soothing melody on his six-string guitar. Many of those attending the concert […]
Continue readingCatholic religious educators should remember that Catholic doctrine is for spiritual “formation,” not just “information.” That was a message of John Cavadini’s keynote address at the 2009 Diocesan Summer Institute, delivered Friday morning at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Titled “The Relationship Between the Teaching of Christian Doctrine and the Formation of Persons as Christians,” […]
Continue readingThe 2009 Diocesan Summer Institute was launched last Friday with a burst of energy from the head of the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization. “He is the Eveready Bunny working on nuclear power — he just never stops,” said Father Douglas Grandon, associate director of the diocesan Office of Catechetics, as he introduced Bill […]
Continue readingPEORIA HEIGHTS — Building a new home for the Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist started with a blessing and ended with a blessing. It was Feb. 24, 2008, that Msgr. William Watson, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights, blessed the site of their future convent, located just down the street […]
Continue readingChildren should respect their parents, but there is one time when Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, says it’s OK for them to be disagreeable. “I give you authority to put your foot down and throw a tantrum if your parents don’t take you to Sunday Mass,” Bishop Jenky told the hundreds of children who came […]
Continue readingTeamwork and perseverance paid off May 23 for the Lady Saints of Bloomington Central Catholic High School, who made school history by securing the Class 1A state title in the Illinois High School Association’s state track and field meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Under the guidance of DeWayne Griffin, head coach, the Central […]
Continue readingSetting a new record and making history, Peoria Notre Dame junior C.J. Elward’s state title helped blaze a new trail last month at the Illinois High School Association Class 2A boys state finals track and field meet. Elward won the gold medal in the 3,200 meter run at the May 30 state finals held in […]
Continue readingConfirmation students from around the diocese were invited to join the women and men who had been received into the Catholic Church at Easter for Mass on Pentecost Sunday with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on May 31. In addition to greetings from their bishop, they heard words of welcome from Msgr. Stanley Deptula, director […]
Continue readingBLOOMINGTON — A funeral Mass was offered at St. Mary’s Church here on Saturday, June 6, for Deacon Jerry M. Hozie, a permanent deacon ordained in 2002. Deacon Hozie died on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Normal, following a lengthy illness. He was 72. Born in Streator on May 3, […]
Continue readingSPRINGFIELD — The Catholic Conference of Illinois is urging Catholics and all concerned citizens of Illinois to contact their state representatives and express opposition to a bill that would establish civil unions in state law for same-sex couples. Passage of that law is all but certain to result in the legal redefinition of marriage to […]
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