Archives
By: Jennifer Willems - October 10, 2019 -
Featured Article
Axel Jimenez, Deacon Matt Levy, Dr. Michael Cruz, Father Adam Cesarek, Father David Sabel, Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Priests pedaling for prayers
The Priests Pedaling for Prayers and their companions prepare to start their 350-mile journey across the Diocese of Peoria on Sept. 30. Dipping their back tires into the Mississippi River are (from left) Axel Jimenez, Father Michael Pica, Deacon Matt Levy, Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek, Brother Benedict, CSJ, Chris Hebel, and Dr. Michael Cruz. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
As they dipped the rear tires of their bicycles into the Mississippi River at Schuler’s Shady Grove Boat Ramp in Rapids City on Sept. 30, Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek and Father Michael Pica had no idea what would happen in the 350 miles they would travel before getting to the Indiana state line […]
Continue reading
By: Jennifer Willems - September 12, 2019 -
Featured Article
Deacon Matt Levy, Father Adam Cesarek, Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Priests pedaling for prayers
Members of the track team from Holy Cross School in Mendota ran with Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek and Deacon Matt Levy as they completed last year's Priests Pedaling for Prayers ride across the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
As the Priests Pedaling for Prayers prepare to embark on their third bike ride across the Diocese of Peoria to raise awareness of and prayers for vocations, they’re looking to Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for inspiration and support. The jerseys for the 2019 ride, which begins in Rapids City on Sept. 30 and ends […]
Continue reading
By: Jennifer Willems - April 25, 2018 -
Featured Article
Deacon Matt Levy, Father Adam Cesarek, Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, priesthood, Priests pedaling for prayers, vocations
Members of the track team from Holy Cross School in Mendota ran with Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek and Deacon Matt Levy as they completed last year's Priests Pedaling for Prayers ride across the Diocese of Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
After riding through snow, wind and rain for much of the first three days, the Priests Pedaling for Prayers started to pick up some sunshine on the fourth day of their 275-mile journey and finished strong on “a perfect day” in Mendota on April 20. That seemed appropriate in the middle of the Easter Season, […]
Continue reading
By: Jennifer Willems - March 21, 2018 -
Featured Article
Deacon Matthew Levy, Father Adam Cesarek, Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, Msgr. Gregory Ketcham, Office of Priestly Vocations, Priests pedaling for prayers
A scene from the first leg of "Priests Pedaling for Prayers" last April shows (from left) Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto and Father Adam Cesarek tackling one of the major hills they encountered in central Illinois. They are preparing to ride again April 16-20, this time traveling from Nauvoo to Mendota. (The Catholic Post file photo/Jennifer Willems)
Here they go again. Three young priests of the Diocese of Peoria are preparing to climb on their bicycles and cross central Illinois to raise awareness of and prayers for vocations. This year’s route is expected to cover as many as 275 miles as it takes Father Tom Otto, Father Adam Cesarek and Father Michael […]
Continue reading
By: Jennifer Willems - May 4, 2017 -
Featured Article
Bicycle, Diocese of Peoria, Father Adam Cesarek, Father Michael Pica, Father Tom Otto, priests, Priests pedaling for prayers, vocations
After riding a little more than 340 miles over five days, Father Michael Pica, Father Adam Cesarek and Father Tom Otto stand just inside Indiana on April 28, bringing “Priests Pedaling for Prayers” to a close. Behind them is one of the support vehicles that accompanied them on the joureny to raise prayers for and awareness of vocations. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
After riding their bicycles a little more than 340 miles over five days, three young priests of the Diocese of Peoria sailed across the Indiana state line on April 28, bringing “Priests Pedaling for Prayers” to a close. “It does seem a little surreal,” said Father Tom Otto of Monmouth at journey’s end. “Things like […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - May 31, 2016 -
News Article
Diocese of Peoria, Father Michael Pica, ordination, parents
Father Pica blesses his parents, Jane and Jerry Pica of Champaign, at the reception following the ordination Mass. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Members of St. Patrick Church of Merna Parish in Bloomington and St. Mary, Downs, should expect a smiling, prayerful priest when newly ordained Father Michael Pica joins their faith communities as parochial vicar on June 8. That’s according to the two people who know Father Pica best – his parents, Jerry and Jane Pica (pronounced […]
Continue reading
By: Tom Dermody - May 31, 2016 -
Featured Article
Diocese of Peoria, Father Michael Pica, ordination
Newly ordained Father Michael Pica poses with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on the balcony of the cathedral rectory immediately following the May 28 ordination Mass. Also pictured are Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, of St. Bede Abbey and the vicars general of the Diocese of Peoria, Msgr. Paul Showalter, P.A., and Msgr. James Kruse. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
Father Michael P. Pica was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, during solemn, ancient rites in a joy-filled Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 28. “The church in Peoria rejoices today,” said Bishop Jenky in opening remarks after Deacon Pica entered in a processional including priests, deacons […]
Continue reading