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New school year brings excitement to Peru Catholic, brief delay in Quad Cities

By: Jennifer Willems - August 19, 2021 - Featured Article Alleman High School, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Jordan Catholic School, Julie Schmitt, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, Peru Catholic School, Seton Catholic School

Welcoming students back to Peru Catholic School on Aug. 17 is principal Julie Schmitt, who holds the door for Ainsley and Brynn Grilc. Enrollment remains steady at 166 students this year, she said. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

PERU — Some tears were shed as 3- and 4-year-old preschool pupils said goodbye to their parents and faced their first day at Peru Catholic School on Aug. 17, but it wasn’t long before backpacks were unpacked and everyone was celebrating being with friends old and new. The scene is being repeated at the 42 […]

Remote learning for diocesan schools to end May 15; year-end activities pending

By: Jennifer Willems - April 25, 2020 - Featured Article Dr. Sharon Weiss, e-learning, Office of Catholic Schools, remote learning

The faculty and staff at St. Michael the Archangel School in Streator, starting with principal Emily Blumenshine, show how much they miss the students. Also taking part is Father Ryan Mattingly, parochial vicar and chaplain at Marquette Academy in Ottawa, (next to last square). Remote learning in diocesan schools will end May 15. (Provided photo)

Remote learning for Catholic schools of the Diocese of Peoria will end on Friday, May 15. Teachers and school administrators will use the remaining two weeks of the month to assess what worked in terms of instruction as students and their families sheltered in place, and what adjustments need to be made to the schools’ […]

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 […]

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 […]

Annual Diocesan Appeal under way; seeks $6,580,000 to strengthen diocese, parishes

By: Tom Dermody - April 13, 2018 - Featured Article Annual Diocesan Appeal, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, Deacon Tony Nickrent, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Maddie Mangieri, Sister Isabel, Sister Silvia

The Annual Diocesan Appeal opens in parishes across the Diocese of Peoria this weekend, inviting Catholics to serve Christ by sharing their gifts “to enable the church to do what is called to do.” “It is religious truth that by giving we receive,” says Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in a nine-minute video to be […]

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 […]

Inclusion of Scholarship Tax Credits in Illinois education reforms applauded

By: Tom Dermody - September 1, 2017 - Featured Article Catholic schools, CCI, Dr. Sharon Weiss, Illinois, Robert Gilligan, scholarships

The choir from Costa Catholic Academy in Galesburg sings in this Catholic Post file photo. The new state education funding reforms include a Scholarship Tax Credit program that could result in millions of dollars in scholarships for students in Catholic and other nonpublic schools.

Catholic officials in Illinois are applauding state education funding reforms that include a Scholarship Tax Credit program designed to provide up to $75 million a year in scholarships for qualifying students attending nonpublic schools. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the highly-debated reforms, which overhaul how the state funds public education, in ceremonies Aug. 31 at Ebinger […]