Archives

Bishop urges students, veteran pro-lifers to find their strength in the Lord

By: Jennifer Willems - January 29, 2020 - Featured Article Bishop Jenky, Catholic schools, Mass for the Unborn, pro-lifeoli

Eighth-graders Bella Pinter and Kristina Penaverde of Peru Catholic School sing "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" as the Mass for the Unborn draws to a close Jan. 24. Joining them for the liturgy at St. Mary's Cathedral was their pastor, Msgr. Richard Soseman, who concelebrated. The Cathollic Post/Jennifer Willems

As students from Catholic high schools and Newman Centers around the Diocese of Peoria were preparing for the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, and their classmates joined them in spirit and prayer during a Mass for the Unborn on Jan. 24. The annual liturgy took place at St. […]

10,208 students are enrolled this year at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria

By: Jennifer Willems - December 19, 2019 - Featured Article Carroll Catholic School, Catholic schools, Dr. Sharon Weiss, enrollment, Holy Cross School, Jerry Sanderson, Lincoln, Mendota

Anna Sheley, Kinzley Bolen, Zoey Steinberg and Jase Bone, kindergartners at Carroll Catholic School in Lincoln, hold a sign welcoming the Priests Pedaling for Prayers in October. Meanwhile, the welcome mat that has been out for prospective students at the school has made this Carroll Catholic's largest kindergarten class since 2000. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Mirroring the national trend in Catholic school enrollment, the number of students in the 43 elementary and secondary Catholic schools and academies located in the Diocese of Peoria has declined from 10,488 in 2018-2019 to 10,208 this year. The loss of 280 students represents a decline of 2.7 percent, according to Jerry Sanderson, associate superintendent […]

Emotional tribute as end of school year in diocese marked with Mass, luncheon

By: Jennifer Willems - May 23, 2019 - Featured Article Catholic schools, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Eileen Lohr, Father Kyle Lucas, Msgr. Brian Brownsey, Patti Simmons, Randy Simmons

Patti Simmons hugs Father Kyle Lucas after the chaplain's emotional tribute to her husband, Randy Simmons, who was honored posthumously as the 2019 Distinguished Principal of the Year. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

When it comes to leaving a legacy, perhaps there is none better than “to let Jesus Christ be known and loved,” and that’s how the principals and pastors of schools around the Diocese of Peoria remembered a dear friend and colleague gone too soon. “I think Randy Simmons’ legacy is that you go to Peoria […]

McClain’s book offers daily prayers for Catholic schools, and inspiration for all

By: The Catholic Post - January 31, 2019 - Book Review Called to Pray, Catholic schools, Justin McClain, Matthew Vander Vennet, prayer

By Matthew Vander Vennet One request that St. Paul asks of us is to “Pray without ceasing.” (1Thes 5:17) In “Called to Pray: Daily Prayers for Catholic Schools,” recently published by Ave Maria Press, Justin McClain takes up St. Paul’s call and gives us the resources to do just that. One of the great benefits […]

Spreading the good news about benefits of state’s tax credit scholarship program

By: Jennifer Willems - November 21, 2018 - Featured Article Catholic schools, Invest in Illinois, Jerry Sanderson, Peoria Notre Dame, tax credit scholarships

Dr. Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, gives an overview of the Invest in Kids Act during a workshop for Catholic school leaders on Nov. 15 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Committed to making the second year of the tax credit scholarship program better than the first year, leaders from Empower Illinois recently worked with Catholic school principals, pastors and teams from around the Diocese of Peoria to deepen their understanding of the Invest in Kids Act and help them brainstorm ways to spread the word […]

Overall Catholic school enrollment slips in diocese, but bright spots evident

By: Jennifer Willems - November 7, 2018 - Featured Article Catholic schools, enrollment, Jerry Sanderson, Kewanee, Visitation School

Sheila Cromien, principal of Visitaton Catholic School in Kewanee, and Father Johndamaseni Zilimu, pastor, sit in the middle of the school's students and teachers as the academic year begins. While enrollment has dropped in diocesan schools, Visitation's principal and pastor have worked to increase enrollment there by nearly 55 percent over the last five years. (Provided photo)

Enrollment in the 42 Catholic schools of the Diocese of Peoria has declined by 307 students since last year, but there are some bright spots to be found among the numbers. With 8,185 elementary students and 2,026 secondary students, the schools enroll a total of 10,211 children. The total last year was 10,518, with 8,427 […]

School year ends with words of praise and hope for principals, pastors

By: Jennifer Willems - May 23, 2018 - News Article Catholic schools, Dr. Sharon Weiss, end of year, luncheon, Mass, Msgr. Paul Showalter

Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general, presents a token of appreciation to Judy Clark during the end of the school year luncheon hosted by the Office of Catholic Schools. Clark led Corpus Christi School in Bloomington after principal Gwenn Roche moved away midyear. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Looking out over the Catholic school administrators and priests from the Diocese of Peoria, Msgr. Paul Showalter had nothing but words of praise for their work of passing on the faith to the young people in their care. “Each of you, as we gather together today, gives me hope,” Msgr. Showalter said during a Mass […]

Pastor, teacher win dance competition and their school arts programs benefit

By: Jennifer Willems - December 13, 2017 - Featured Article Catholic schools, dance, Darcy Mollo, Father Jacob Rose, LaSalle, Peru Catholic, St. Michael the Archangel, Streator

The judges at "Dance Dance Dance for Charity" said they were looking for fun and showmanship from the six teams competing Dec. 10, and Darcy Mollo and Father Jacob Rose delivered with their Jive, performed to "Shake a Tail Feather" from "The Blues Brothers" soundtrack. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

LA SALLE — There wasn’t a mirror ball trophy in sight, but Father Jacob Rose and Darcy Mollo came away from “Dance Dance Dance for Charity” Dec. 10 with a much better prize. As the champions of the dance competition sponsored by OmniArts in Starved Rock Country, they will receive $1,500 for the arts programs […]

Schools educating donors, families, on tax credit scholarship opportunities

By: Tom Dermody - November 29, 2017 - Featured Article Catholic schools, donors, Dr. Sharon Weiss, tax credit scholarship program

One of the most intense educational efforts taking place in Catholic school communities of the Diocese of Peoria this year is happening outside of the classroom as diocesan and parish officials strive to inform donors and parents about the opportunities presented by Illinois’ new tax credit scholarship program. Four regional meetings took place in mid-November […]

Second group of ACE Teaching Fellows from University of Notre Dame welcomed

By: Jennifer Willems - November 2, 2017 - Featured Article ACE, Brandon Early, Catholic schools, Erin McNally, Kyle VanOverbeke, Maria Wnorowski, Peoria Notre Dame, teachers, teaching fellows, University of Notre Dame

Kyle VanOverbeke, Maria Wnorowski, Erin McNally and Brandon Early make up the second cohort of teaching fellows to serve in Catholic schools of the diocese through the Alliance of Catholic Education, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame. (Provided photo)

The opportunity to serve, grow in faith, gain teaching experience and make a difference has drawn four more young adults to Catholic schools in Peoria as teaching fellows with the Alliance for Catholic Education. They are the second cohort sent by the program, which is sponsored by the University of Notre Dame. They aren’t all […]

1 2