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‘Prayers are powerful’: Peoria abortion provider planning to close its doors

Sister Mary Jo Yutt, OSF is pictured in prayer outside Whole Woman's Health of Peoria in this 2018 file photo. Sister Mary Jo and the area's pro-life community are reacting with joy and gratitude to an announcement that the abortion provider has announced plans to close. Seen in the background is the pro-life Women's Care Center, which will continue to serve and support pregnant women in need. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Even as legislation to expand access to abortion was making quick progress through the Illinois House and Senate last week, respect life advocates took heart from the announcement that a Peoria abortion provider would be closing. In a statement sent to The Catholic Post on May 30, Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole […]

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Three senior priests of diocese counting blessings 60 years after their ordination

Talkative, happy and feeling blessed, three senior priests of the Diocese of Peoria are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their ordination in 2019. The jubilarians are Father Dennis O’Riley of Danville, Father Robert Schladen of Cuba, and Father Harold Schmitt of Henry. Father Schmitt, who studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in […]

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Newly ordained Father McShane’s parents describe him as kind, joyful, generous

At a reception following the Ordination Mass, lines were long for blessings from newly ordained Father McShane. Here he bestows a blessing on members of his family, including parents John and Diane, brothers Andy and Michael, sister-in-law Jackie, and nieces Sears (gazing up at him) and Clara. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

When Father Daniel McShane was in fourth grade, he wrote in his class journal that he wanted to be rich so he could give all his money to the poor. “He’s always been very kind, so joyful,” said his mother, Diane, in offering insights about her son to The Catholic Post during the reception following […]

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Four Catholic school principals are retiring or moving on as summer begins

Four principals are preparing to retire or make changes as the school year comes to an end. They are (from left) Sheila Cromien of Visitation Catholic School in Kewanee; Joe McDaniel of Holy Cross School in Champaign; David Hobin of Alleman High School in Rock Island; and Rick Pantages of St. Mary School in Kickapoo. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Saying they will miss the family atmosphere at their schools and seeing the students and their parents every day, four principals are making changes as summer begins. Retiring are Sheila Cromien, who has led Visitation Catholic School in Kewanee since 2013; Joe McDaniel, who has served as principal or co-principal of Holy Cross School in […]

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Archdiocese of New York makes new appeal in Archbishop Sheen case

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is pictured preaching in an undated photo. (CNS file photo)

EDITOR’S NOTE — The following news release was issued by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on May 20: The Archdiocese of New York has filed a second motion in the Court of Appeals, New York’s top court, asking permission to again appeal a lower court judgment that authorizes Archbishop Sheen’s family to move his remains […]

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St. Anthony, Bartonville to mark 50th anniversary with Mass, dinner June 8

Anniversary banners hang inside St. Anthony Church in Bartonville. A Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, and a dinner to follow on June 8 culminate the parish's celebration of its 50th anniversary.

BARTONVILLE — Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will join members of St. Anthony Church on Saturday, June 8, as they celebrate their parish’s 50th anniversary. A Mass of Thanksgiving is planned for 4:30 p.m. and will be concelebrated by Father David Heinz, pastor, along with previous pastors and visiting priests. A buffet dinner for those […]

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‘The Dynamic Deacon’ to lead mission June 10-16 at parish in Rapids City

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

RAPIDS CITY — Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, “The Dynamic Deacon,” will give a weeklong parish mission in June at St. John the Baptist Church, 1416 Third Ave. All of the weekday sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and include the following topics: Monday, June 10: “Covenant Relationship and the Theology of the Body,” Tuesday, June 11: […]

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United in prayer, grief, Peoria Notre Dame honors generosity of Coach Sean Gillen

Peoria Notre Dame alumnus and coach Sean Gillen went into cardiac arrest on May 6 and died this weekend. He made it possible for others to live by donating his organs through Gift of Hope. (Photo/Peoria Notre Athletics)

In life, Sean Gillen was joyful, determined and generous, and that didn’t stop after his death on May 11. The Peoria Notre Dame graduate and assistant coach made the decision to help others by being an organ donor. On Saturday afternoon, a purple flag bearing the logo of Gift of Hope was raised in his […]

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