Brother George Matsuoka, OSB
PERU — Brother George Matsuoka, OSB, a monk of St. Bede Abbey in Peru who for decades was beloved for his outstretched hand and smile that greeted St. Bede Academy students and guests as they arrived to and departed from school, died on Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2020. He was 98. Reception of his […]
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Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, is surrounded by the volunteers honored by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women last April. This year's Volunteer Appreciation Mass and Luncheon has been canceled because of coronavirus restrictions. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Prayer knows no social distancing and on Palm Sunday the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invited people to join them across the miles — and phone lines — to seek God’s aid in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The prayer service, conducted by conference call, was the first of its kind for the PDCCW. “I […]
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Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wis., recites a prayer while holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament during a Palm Sunday blessing for health care workers outside the entrance of St. Mary Medical Center in Green Bay. (CNS/Sam Lucero)
As the peak impact of the coronavirus pandemic is anticipated locally in the coming days and weeks, Catholic medical personnel are turning to their faith to find hope, comfort, and ease anxiety. “This is truly a challenging time for believers and non-believers alike,” said Dr. Timothy Millea, president of the St. Thomas Aquinas Guild of […]
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In a letter noting how Catholic schools in Illinois have been impacted after closing March 14 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the school superintendents of the six Catholic dioceses in the state have asked that Gov. JB Pritzker remember nonpublic schools when emergency funding is being distributed. Dated April 2 and sent electronically by […]
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The priests of the Diocese of Peoria renew the promises they made at ordination during the 2019 Chrism Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. The diocese's priests are offering words of hope and encouragement to their flocks as we approach Easter. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
While it’s true that the Body of Christ will not be able to come together to celebrate Easter, the members of that body are still united. That’s a cause for joy, according to priests around the Diocese of Peoria, who encouraged people to have hope as they ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve got to […]
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Ten priests of the Diocese of Peoria are among 40 priests and bishops as well as laypeople from several states taking part in a “Virtual 40 Hours” devotion being live streamed on Facebook to unite Catholics in prayer as the coronavirus pandemic spreads and Holy Week approaches. “In the middle of this pandemic, I think […]
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Deacon Charles L. "Charlie" Robbins
WASHINGTON — Deacon Charles L. Robbins, a permanent deacon who served St. Monica Parish in East Peoria since his ordination in 2002, died at home on Friday, March 27, 2020. He was 72. Services will be private, with burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Morton. A public memorial Mass will take place at a later […]
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With canceled Masses and limited offertories amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. church leaders are predicting an income squeeze that will affect parishes, dioceses and national collections. The Diocese of Peoria has established an online giving opportunity called "Support Your Parish" and postponed the launch of the Annual Diocesan Appeal. (CNS illustration/Emily Thompson)
One by-product of suspended Masses is no offertory collection. To assist parishes with needed income during this historic period, the Diocese of Peoria has established an online giving opportunity called “Support Your Parish.” Designed especially for parishes that do not currently offer online giving, the new effort enables donors to select their parish name from […]
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ROCK ISLAND — Alleman High School’s annual major fundraiser, the Father Mirabelli Heritage Ball, was supposed to be coming home to the school campus this Saturday, March 28. Instead, the celebration is going far beyond the school’s walls and into hundreds of homes as the first online-only “virtual Heritage Ball.” And everyone is invited. “Our […]
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Ryan Mann
OTTAWA — Ryan Mann pretty much had the rest of his junior year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, planned. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic that sent him back to central Illinois. While it may have changed his location, it did not change what was important: his intention to continue praying and […]
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