Father Robert Spilman
Father Spilman had been out of school for 25 years when he began his studies for the priesthood. He called it an eye opening experience. “But you have a lot of good times, too,” he said, recalling with a laugh that the other seminarians called him “Grandpa.” His age and a career in banking gave […]
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Father Gerald J. Meyer
At 59, not only was Father Meyer the oldest member of his ordination class for the Diocese of Peoria, but he was one of the oldest men to enter St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, in 1992. With that age came experience from 32 years of marriage and parenting 10 children. He also brought […]
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Msgr. James E. Kruse
Not only is Msgr. Kruse celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on May 25, but his father, Deacon Fred Kruse, marked the 30th anniversary of his ordination as a permanent deacon on April 27. They serve together at St. Mary of the Woods in Princeville, where Msgr. Kruse is pastor. Born […]
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Msgr. Stanley L. Deptula
As executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, Msgr. Deptula has worked long and hard to see that the work and heroic virtues of the sainthood candidate are known around the world. The relationship doesn’t stop there, however. “Fulton Sheen has changed my priesthood. I feel truly that he is my diocesan brother, […]
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Msgr. Brian K. Brownsey
Msgr. Brownsey quips that at 58, he must be the oldest Newman Center chaplain in the country. But he wouldn’t trade his ministry to the college students at Bradley University and Illinois Central College for anything. “I love it,” he said. “It perks me up and keeps me going.” Msgr. Brownsey said his affinity for […]
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Deacon Nicolas Wilson is pictured outside the church of his home parish, St. Jude in Peoria. He and Deacon Austin Bosse will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 29. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Wherever Deacon Nicolas Wilson is assigned to serve in the 26-county Diocese of Peoria after he is ordained to the priesthood on May 29, the odds are good that he’s been there before. The son of Richard and Lori Wilson of Dunlap attended Catholic elementary schools in Chillicothe and Kickapoo and high school at Peoria […]
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Deacon Austin Bosse is pictured outside St. Matthew Church in Champaign, where he will offer his first Mass the morning after his May 29 ordination to the priesthood. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
After years of ignoring or saying “no” to inner callings to consider the priesthood, Deacon Austin Bosse realized he was arguing with God and wasn’t going to win that battle. When he finally shared the history of those proddings with Msgr. Brian Brownsey after an Emmaus Days retreat, the priest just laughed. “You know you […]
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Father John Burns, who was granted senior status on March 1, is pictured with gifts he received May 2 from members of the three parishes he served since 2005 -- St. John the Apostle in Woodhull, St. John the Evangelist in Galva, and St. John Vianney in Cambridge. The gifts included a handcrafted Hemlock wood portable altar, a handmade missal stand, altar linens and a blud vesperal cloth. (Provided photo)
Twenty-five priests are receiving new assignments in a series of appointments announced this month by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. (Click here for the full list.) While most of the appointments take effect on Wednesday, June 9, the transition to senior status of Father John Burns, 75, was granted on March 1. Father Burns had […]
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Father Thomas Taylor gives the homily at the May 3 funeral Mass for Msgr. William Watson at St. Paul Church in Odell. (Screenshot from Watson-Thomas Funeral Home livestream)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is the full text of the homily at the May 3 funeral Mass at St. Paul Church in Odell for Msgr. William Watson. (See obituary here.) The homilist was Father Thomas Taylor, who served with Msgr. Watson at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights for 12 years. An archived video […]
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Msgr. William Watson
ODELL — A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Church here at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 3, for Msgr. William Watson, a senior priest of the Diocese of Peoria who served as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights for 34 years. Msgr. Watson died on Tuesday, April 27, […]
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