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ES Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has announced the following new assignments for priests in the Diocese of Peoria. SENIOR STATUS Msgr. Charles J. Beebe, P.A., from pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Roanoke, and St. John Parish, Benson, to senior status Father Donald R. Henderson, from parochial vicar, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sacred Heart Parish, and St. Bernard […]
Continue reading“Goodbyes always make my throat hurt . . . . I need more hellos.” — Charlie Brown, from the comic strip “Peanuts” —– UTICA — Msgr. James Swaner, a Charlie Brown fan and collector, won’t have to say goodbye when he ends his 13 years as pastor of St. Mary Parish here by transitioning to […]
Continue readingThe news that Father Donald Henderson has been granted senior status will make Catholics in at least 20 parishes around the Diocese of Peoria fondly recall his time with them. “I’ve had many, many parish assignments,” acknowledged Father Henderson, 72, who also served on the faculties of Catholic high schools in Peoria and Danville during […]
Continue readingROANOKE — As a young boy growing up in Lacon, Msgr. Charles Beebe felt a calling to the priesthood. His father, Joseph, thought that would be a difficult path and suggested he consider becoming a dentist like his uncle on the East Coast. Though for a few years, when asked what he wanted to be, […]
Continue readingBorn in New Jersey, Father Vitaliano grew up in Miami, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1979 to serve his country and see the world, and discovered a deep love for his Catholic faith and a priestly vocation along the way. He studied for the priesthood at Holy Apostles College and Seminary […]
Continue readingMsgr. Swetland is the president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, and also serves as professor of Leadership and Christian Ethics there. Prior to that, he was vice president for Catholic Identity and Mission and held the Archbishop Flynn Chair of Christian Ethics at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Born in Pittsburgh, […]
Continue readingA native of Pennsylvania, Father Kretz attended Temple Tech Institute in Philadelphia, where he earned an associate’s degree in computers and electronics. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Temple University. He received a master’s degree in philosophical theology from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. Father Kretz’s first assignments were as parochial […]
Continue readingFather Keebler was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. He attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, and studied for the priesthood at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, where he earned a master’s degree in theology and a master of divinity degree. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception in Streator. He went […]
Continue readingMsgr. Halfacre was born in East Chicago, Indiana, and grew up in Hammond. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Indiana University and master’s degrees in divinity and sacred theology, with an emphasis in moral theology, from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He also studied at the John Paul II Institute on […]
Continue readingBorn in Florissant, Missouri, Father Donton attended Bergan High School in Peoria. He earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and youth ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, and completed his studies for the priesthood with master’s degrees in divinity and moral theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His first […]
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