EDITOR’S NOTE: The Catholic Diocese of Peoria issued the following news release on Sunday, June 9, 2019. See related story here: — On June 7, 2019, the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, rejected the final appeal of the Archdiocese of New York seeking to overturn earlier court decisions granting permission for […]
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Father James E. Rickey
When asked what was on his “bucket list” three years ago, Father Rickey said, “Well, you know I’ve always wanted to live in Paris.” He got his wish in 2017, when his adopted daughter, Breeze, sold her house in Chicago and the two of them, with only three suitcases each, made the move. Now he […]
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Father Paul Meismer
Bishop Franz could not have ordained Father Meismer on a better day — it was his 26th birthday. He credits his “sainted mother” Mary C. Meismer for positioning him at St. Bede Academy in Peru, where he studied for four years and went on to St. Bede Junior College for two years. He took philosophy […]
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Father Edward W. Harkrader
He has served in just four parishes over 50 years, but Father Harkrader stayed long enough in each place to make an impression, as the parishioners certainly did on him. That’s the reason he stayed in Princeton after being granted senior status in 2001, rather than returning to his hometown of Peoria. “The people I […]
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Father R. E. Enderlin
LACON — Born in Monmouth on June 23, 1939, Father Enderlin earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and completed his studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. His first assignments after ordination were as parochial vicar at St. Monica in East Peoria and St. […]
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St. Bede pitcher Abbie May tossed a shutout in the Class 1A state softball third place game on June 1 in East Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
St. Bede Academy of Peru captured third place in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state softball tournament with a 2-0 win over Hardin Calhoun on June 1 Saturday at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The third place finish is the highest ever for a girls team at St. Bede. And the Lady Bruins […]
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Father Harold Schmitt
HENRY — As the chaplain to the Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joseph’s Home in Lacon, Father Schmitt would often walk the short distance from Immaculate Conception Church to the motherhouse, praying the rosary as he went. “Don’t forget me!” people would say as they drove by. Retired now, people still greet him […]
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Father Robert Schladen
CUBA — As he prepares to mark six decades of priestly service, Father Schladen puts things in perspective, starting with his first assignment to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria: There were four priests at the cathedral. All diocesan offices were headed by clergy. In the cathedral basement were located the bishop’s office, the bishop’s secretary’s […]
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Father Dennis O'Riley
DANVILLE — The idea of priesthood came in about the second grade for Father O’Riley. Born in Chicago and raised in Danville, he remembers being an altar server, helping out around St. Patrick Parish as needed, and having Father Raymond Lassuy, parochial vicar and Scoutmaster, visiting the O’Riley house on a regular basis. He also laughs […]
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Honduran migrant Luis Acosta carries 5-year-old Angel Jesus through the Suchiate River near Tapachula, Mexico, Oct. 29, 2018. During her years in Africa as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner, Dr. Susan Nagele of Urbana witnessed the misery and destitution of people on the move, (CNS/Adrees Latif, Reuters)
By Dr. Susan Nagele EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Nagele is a member of St. Patrick Parish in Urbana and a Maryknoll Lay Missioner who served for more than three decades in East Africa. In the following column, she connects her experiences with immigration problems currently being experienced on the U.S. border with Mexico. Dark eyes squinted […]
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