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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Maribeth Vandersnick of St. Anthony in Atkinson accepts her certificate of appreciation from Msgr. Dale Wellman at the annual Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women on April 26. She was among 38 women honored. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Following are names and brief biographies of 37 women from around the Diocese of Peoria honored for their service at the 2019 Appreciation Luncheon hosted in Peoria on April 26 by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. See related story here. ANNAWAN: Nancy Clementz, Sacred Heart: Circle chairman for many years, helps to raise […]
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Sister Salve Tusing, FAS, (left) and Sister Merlinda Marco, FAS, hold just a few of the 230 sets of holy oils that were distributed to the priests after the Chrism Mass. These oils will be used in sacramental anointing at parishes around the Diocese of Peoria this year. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Each year as the Chrism Mass ends, the priests of the Diocese of Peoria receive sets of the newly blessed oils to use in sacramental anointing in their parishes over the next year. What many people don’t know is that those oils are bottled, labeled and placed in individual bags by a small group of […]
Continue readingThe sight of three bicycling young priests energized school communities around the Diocese of Peoria the last two springs. This year, young Catholics will have a chance to support the Priests Pedaling for Prayers in a new way even before the ride begins. The pedaling priests are one of three vocations programs that will benefit […]
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SPRINGFIELD — After visiting their state legislators, those who attended Life Advocacy Day on March 20 joined more than 3,000 other pro-life advocates to raise their voices in opposition to extreme abortion legislation being considered in the Illinois General Assembly. The theme for the rally, sponsored by Illinois Right to Life Action, the Pro-Life Action […]
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Albina Aspell, 91, former editor and publisher of The Catholic Post, newspaper of the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
By Albina Aspell EDITOR’S NOTE: Now 91, Albina Aspell was on the staff of The Catholic Post for 21 years, becoming its first lay editor in 1982 and first lay publisher 10 years later. She is a pioneer for women in the Catholic press, a past president of the Catholic Press Association of the United […]
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In the week between Randy Simmons' Feb. 19 death and Feb. 26 funeral, students at Peoria Notre Dame High School found creative ways to support and encourage one another, and pay tribute to their beloved principal. (Provided photo)
The morning after his death, Randy Simmons was remembered during an all-school Mass at Peoria Notre Dame High School, where he had served as principal for six years. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, was the main celebrant for the liturgy and in his homily he called Simmons “a gifted educator” and man of strong faith. […]
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