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Eucharistic adoration ‘cut me to the heart,’ says RCIA candidate from Morton

By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 - News Article East Peoria, Henry Wefer, Morton, RCIA, Rite of Election, St. Monica

Henry Wefer, who is preparing to be received into the church at St. Monica in East Peoria at the Easter Vigil, enjoys a moment with Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. “He was very quick to a joke, which I think suits him well,” he said of the bishop. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

While many people who attended the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion were at St. Mary’s Cathedral for the first time, it has become something of a spiritual home for Henry Wefer from Morton. In fact, it was encountering Jesus in the Eucharist during adoration that brought him to where he is now. […]

Blessed Sacrament in Morton opens school year with walk into new addition

By: Jennifer Willems - August 17, 2018 - Featured Article addition, Blessed Sacrament School, Morton, Msgr. Ward

Second-grader Luke Khouri holds out his hand to greet well-wishers as students walked through the new entrance to Blessed Sacrament School in Morton on Aug. 16. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

MORTON — Led by the eighth-graders, the students of Blessed Sacrament School walked into the new academic year by walking through the doors to the new school entrance on Aug. 16. Parents, grandparents and Blessed Sacrament parishioners lined the path to the $3.7 million addition, offering hugs and high-fives as the students passed by. The […]

Cursillo volunteers’ dedication to prison ministry recognized by Canton facility

By: Jennifer Willems - May 23, 2018 - News Article Canton, Carrie Harp, Cursillo, Morton, prison ministry, Sheila Kaurin

Sheila Kaurin, left, of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Morton, and Carrie Harp of St. Mary Parish, Canton, are co-recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

CANTON — Prison ministry isn’t for everyone, but Sheila Kaurin of Morton and Carrie Harp of Canton feel nothing but gratitude that they are able to take Cursillo into the Illinois River Correctional Center and share faith with the inmates there. For their kindness, compassion and dedication, Kaurin and Harp were named co-recipients of the […]

Invitation to ‘Spiritual Motherhood’ as a way to care for souls, especially priests

By: Jennifer Willems - November 29, 2017 - News Article Commission on Women, Father Joseph Aytona, Morton, Spiritual motherhood

Shelly Zwadlo of Historic St. Patrick Parish in Bloomington visits with Father Joseph Aytona, CPM, during a break in the Spiritual Motherhood Conference sponsored by the Bishop's Commission on Women in the Church and in Society. It was held Nov. 18 at Blessed Sacrament in Morton. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

MORTON — Mary’s willingness to do God’s will made it possible for Jesus to begin his priesthood through her motherhood, and the priests who follow him now need the same kind of prayer and sacrifice in the form of spiritual motherhood, according to Father Joseph Aytona. A member of the Fathers of Mercy and founder […]

Morton parish donates clothing to give fresh start to those released from prison

By: Tom Dermody - February 23, 2017 - Featured Article Blessed Sacrament, clothing drive, Metanoia, Morton, prisons

Chrissy Ropp hands a bag of men's clothing to Sue D'Amore before the 9:30 a.m. Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Morton on Feb. 12. The parish collected clothing Feb. 11-12 for use by outgoing parolees and releases from the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

MORTON — The prison gate opens and you re-enter society after a lengthy incarceration. The adjustment is going to be difficult enough with no money, perhaps no home, and no transportation. But because of the generosity of members of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton, men released from the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton can […]

Students, shut-ins in Morton have been developing relationships for 25 years

By: Jennifer Willems - January 3, 2017 - Featured Article Blessed Sacrament School, Christmas, Karen Spring, Mickey King, Morton, pen pals, shut-ins

A group of fifth-graders from Blessed Sacrament School in Morton visit with their pen pals, Bill and Joann Anderson, after singing Christmas carols and delivering handmade Christmas cards and a gift to them. They were accompanied by their families and teacher Karen Spring. (Provided photo)

MORTON — Lessons in writing friendly letters aren’t always about developing good communication skills. In the hands of Karen Spring of Blessed Sacrament School, they help her fifth-graders to develop relationships with senior members of the parish, as well as a lifelong concern for others. “It works both ways,” Spring explained. “My class sees how […]

Capital campaign under way for parish school at Blessed Sacrament, Morton

By: Tom Dermody - August 25, 2016 - News Article Blessed Sacrament School, capital campaign, gymnasium, Morton, Msgr. Gerald Ward

A new gymnasium and cafeteria, school entrance, and additional classrooms are the goal of a $5.25 million capital campaign being launched at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton this weekend. (Sketch by PCM + Design Architects, East Peoria)

MORTON — A $5.25 million capital campaign is being launched at Blessed Sacrament Parish here this weekend seeking pledges to fund several improvements at the parish school. “Bringing to Completion the Good Work Begun” is the theme of the campaign, which will cap more than a decade of expansion and updating of the parish’s facilities. […]