Columnist Paul Moore explains how he found "an oasis of hope" in the rosary." (CNS/Chas Muth)
In My Father’s House / Paul Thomas Moore As a young man living in the desert of divorce and unemployment, I found an oasis of hope in the rosary. Here’s how it happened. One day, as I lingered in church after weekday morning Mass, not wanting to leave the peace, voices started to rise and […]
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An architect's sketch of the new gymnasium planned for Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth that will be among the projects funded by a $3 million capital campaign announced May 1.
MONMOUTH — A new multipurpose gymnasium to serve Immaculate Conception Catholic School as well as parish families in the bi-county region is the major focus of a $3 million capital campaign announced May 1. The new gym will be named for Msgr. Thomas Mack, pastor emeritus, who guided the faith community from 1991 to 1997 […]
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A drone-captured image of the twin 184-foot steeples of St. Hyacinth Church in LaSalle as seen on the cover of a booklet describing the $1.8 million "Towers of Faith" capital campaign launched May 14 to fund a major church renovation.
LASALLE — St. Hyacinth Parish has launched a $1.8 million capital campaign to fund a major renovation of its church. An overview of the project was given to parishioners during a program that followed a meal Saturday night at The Auditorium Ballroom. “The projects that this campaign will fund are not only very urgent and […]
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Pat Corrigan, who was received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil at Holy Cross in Mendota, accepted Bishop Louis Tylka's invitation to attend the Mass for New Catholics on Pentecost Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. She loves being Catholic and said, "I think I found more peace, more comfort. I feel more loved." (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Pentecost Sunday was special for Pat Corrigan of Mendota in more than one way. Not only did it mark the “birthday of the church,” but it gave her an opportunity to celebrate being received into that church at the Easter Vigil. Corrigan, who attends Sts. Peter and Paul in Peterstown, was one of many new […]
Continue readingAs The Catholic Post was putting together the story on “Faithful Careers: Integrating the Catholic Faith and Work” by Dr. Peter Smudde, we asked for his thoughts about why taking a faith-filled approach to finding a job and building one’s career is important to bring college graduates the kind of satisfaction they’re seeking. His response […]
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Bringing the sacraments to people -- especially those who are dying -- have been rewarding moments for Msgr. Jason Gray, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights. (Provided photo)
PEORIA HEIGHTS — It was attending Emmaus Days, a vocations awareness program sponsored by the Diocese of Peoria, that drew Msgr. Jason Gray to the priesthood. “This retreat was important in helping me realize that praying, ‘Thy will be done’ in the Our Father really means that I should want to do God’s will over […]
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Father Antonio Dittmer raises the monstrance during Benediction at the Spanish Father-Son Encounter April 9 at the Sacré-Coeur Retreat House in Magnolia. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
MOLINE — Father Antonio Dittmer credits his parents, Ramona and the late Richard Dittmer with creating the “fertile soil” for his vocation. Attending Emmaus Days in 1985 nurtured the seeds that had been planted. “I think Emmaus Days taught me that God has a will for me and if I am faithful to prayer, he […]
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Father Don Roszkowski said he finds joy in those moments that God uses him, such as when he's preaching "and all of a suddenn you can just feel the Holy Spirit." (Provided photo)
When Father Donald Roszkowski needs inspiration, he looks to Luke 5:17-39, the story of the paralytic man who was lowered through a hole in the roof by four friends so he could see Jesus. “All of us are broken in some way, somehow,” he said. “I can really feel my brokenness and the things that […]
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Father Bowan Schmitt presides over the Graduation Mass for Schlarman Academy on May 22. He serves as chaplain of the Danville school. (Screen grab)
DANVILLE — Father Bowan Schmitt said having a Marian devotion is essential for Christ’s followers and he credits Mary for making him aware of his vocation to the priesthood. “Our Blessed Mother helps us to draw close to Jesus, and she assists us in our efforts to follow His will,” he said. “Our Lady’s prayers […]
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Father David Whiteside said leading pilgrimages has been a big part of his priesthood. Here he is ona pilgrimate to Israel in 2012. (Provided photo)
HAVANA — Growing up in a Catholic home and attending St. Philomena School in Peoria, Father David Whiteside said he thought about priesthood occasionally. But when he attended Emmaus Days for the first time, “the Lord revealed himself to me most powerfully.” “I could feel the love of God and the presence of God so […]
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