CHAMPAIGN — Minette Sternke has a big dream. She would like to see an office for deaf ministry established in the Diocese of Peoria, but she isn’t sitting back and waiting for someone else to do the work for the deaf community in central Illinois. Already active at St. Patrick’s Parish in Urbana, Sternke continues […]
Continue readingCalling human trafficking “a modern day form of slavery,” the Catholic bishops of Illinois and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious of Illinois have issued a joint statement urging people of good will to seek its end through prayer, work and education. “Eradicating Human Trafficking” comes at the beginning of National Migration Week, which is […]
Continue readingVOLUNTEER catechists throughout central Illinois have been asking for assistance with classroom management, curriculum development, lesson planning and formation in Scripture and Catholic doctrine, and that help is on the way. Starting this month, the diocesan Office of Catechetics will offer “Let My People Come,” a yearlong series of presentations at parishes around the Diocese […]
Continue readingOne week before Christmas, the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria announced it had received a most generous gift. Don and Barbara Western, members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria, have donated $5 million to the new home now under construction for Children’s Hospital, the Milestone building. […]
Continue readingRon Spandet, principal of Marquette High School in Ottawa for 10 years, has announced plans to retire next June. In addition, the school introduced Dr. Tom Jobst as its new football coach. Spandet, 66, spent 28 years at Ottawa Township High School as a teacher and later assistant principal prior to accepting the Marquette post […]
Continue readingCHAMPAIGN — A way for three families linked by friendship and their Catholic faith to reinforce the meaning of Christmas has quickly evolved into a neighborhood and parish tradition. For the second year, the Herges, McMahon, and Schacht families — all members of Holy Cross Parish — organized a children’s live Nativity in the front […]
Continue readingNEW YORK — Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whose radio and television programs drew audiences in the millions, was in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Oct. 2, 1979, when the visiting Pope John Paul II stopped there. The pope embraced the archbishop, who was frail but still possessed an inner intensity, and called him “the preacher to […]
Continue readingA little bit of everything played a role in the 3.4 percent decrease in enrollment reported this fall by Catholic schools around the Diocese of Peoria, according to Brother William Dygert, CSC, superintendent. The total official enrollment for the 2009-10 school year is 12,324, which include 9,607 in the 42 Catholic elementary schools in central […]
Continue readingGAUDETE Sunday is another name for the Third Sunday of Advent and Spanish-speaking Catholics throughout central Illinois will have added reason to rejoice as they celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe next weekend. While some observances are planned for the actual feast day, which is Saturday, Dec. 12, others will take place on […]
Continue readingMORTON — Welcome home, Blessed Sacrament Parish. After nearly a year of celebrating Masses in their parish hall, members here are ready to return — and invite others — to their beautifully remodeled and expanded church. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will be principal celebrant of an 11:30 a.m. Mass of Rededication on Sunday, Dec. […]
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