ROCK ISLAND — Members of the Rock Island Catholic community will offer their thanks and best wishes to three Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who are leaving after three decades of service. Sister Mary Paulina Sullivan, BVM, and Sister Mary Catherina Walsh, BVM, who live at Sacred Heart Convent, and Sister Margaret […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — As Mother’s Day approaches, Patti Stimpson remembers the years she was not allowed to leave bed before her son, Adam, and daughter, Katie, served her the special breakfasts they had made with their very own hands. In two weeks, she will sit in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria and watch as her […]
Continue readingFAIRBURY — With a presentation last Friday of “The Song of Bernadette,” the Maiden Voyage Players made their seventh annual “voyage” into the world of theater. A group of 15 home-school students from St. John the Baptist Parish in Fairbury, the Maiden Voyage Players are directed by their pastor, Father Scott Archer. Father Archer also […]
Continue readingPeople who say they care about the earth’s environment should put their money where their mouth is. That’s a lesson that has been taken to heart by a group of fourth grade students in Miss Megan Flynn’s class at St. Philomena’s School in Peoria. They were inspired to take positive action while preparing for their […]
Continue readingAs a teenager, Chase Hilgenbrinck wanted not only to be a man but “the man,” as in the popular phrase “You’re the man!” Now, after a professional soccer career, Hilgenbrinck is dedicating his life to knowing and helping others draw near to “the only one who is ‘the man,’ Jesus Christ.” “Real men are men […]
Continue readingDANVILLE — A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, April 13, at Holy Family Church in Danville for Deacon Herman J. Bott, 83, a member of the second class of permanent deacons ordained for the Diocese of Peoria. Deacon Bott, who served Holy Family Parish from his ordination in 1979 until being granted senior status […]
Continue readingSt. Matthew’s Parish in Champaign has decided it will no longer hold “ministry fairs” to promote Christian stewardship and encourage Catholics to volunteer for parish ministry. Stewardship is such an important part of living the Catholic faith that it should be celebrated, so in the future St. Matthew’s will plan “Stewardship Festivals,” according to Judy […]
Continue readingROCK ISLAND — It was only intended to be a small retreat house — a very simple ministry the Sisters of St. Benedict could offer their new neighbors after they moved their motherhouse from Nauvoo to Rock Island in 2001. But God had other plans for Benet House Retreat Center, which is located on the […]
Continue readingWhen life takes a challenging turn — such as the loss of a job or financial security — it may seem as though God has abandoned us, but Scripture repeatedly tells us the opposite is true. “It’s no fun going through a trial, but don’t be afraid,” said Msgr. Jason Gray, administrator of St. Vincent […]
Continue readingFollowing is the full text of the homily by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, that inspired “A Call to Catholic Men of Faith.” It was delivered during a Mass on the grounds of the Erin Feis Irish festival in downtown Peoria on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003. I am about to say something that may seem […]
Continue reading
