Archives

Newly ordained Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, grateful for example of Galesburg priests

By: Jennifer Willems - December 31, 2019 - Featured Article Father Bill Miller, Father Kevin Stolt, Galesburg, IVE, James and Dr. Susan Stolt, Msgr. Ernie Pizzamiglio, ordination, priesthood

Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, celebrates his first Mass at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in Chillum, Maryland, on Dec. 13. (Provided photo)

GALESBURG — It wasn’t in big ways that Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, realized God was calling him to priestly ministry. Rather, it was by staying focused on God’s will in the little things of everyday life, and he couldn’t happier. “I feel a great joy and a peace in my heart, to share in the […]

Father Daniel McShane is ordained; assigned to Monmouth, Raritan parishes

By: Tom Dermody - May 29, 2019 - Featured Article Father Daniel McShane, ordination

Bishop Jenky leads the applause after accepting Deacon Daniel McShane as a candidate for the priesthood during the Rite of Ordination on May 25 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

After being urged to model his ministry on the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd as well as local and global heroes of the Catholic faith, Father Daniel McShane was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria during a solemn Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on May 25. “Carry out the ministry […]

Ryan Mattingly and Andru O’Brien will be ordained to the priesthood on May 26

By: Tom Dermody - May 10, 2018 - Featured Article Andru O'Brien, Daniel McShane, ordination, priesthood, Ryan Mattingly, Seminarian

Deacon Ryan Mattingly (left) and Deacon Andru O'Brien are pictured in early May on the porch of McSweeny Hall at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. They will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Peoria by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, during a 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 26. (Photo for The Catholic Post by seminarian Nic Wilson)

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will ordain two men as priests for the Diocese of Peoria during a 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, May 26. The public is invited to the ordination Mass and a reception to follow at the Spalding Pastoral Center. The ordinands are: Deacon Ryan Mattingly, 28, of […]

Fr. Brokaw tells the story of his chalice that was blessed at ordination vigil

By: Jennifer Willems - June 2, 2017 - Uncategorized chalice, Father Lee Brokaw, ordination, Raritan

During a vigil service on May 26, the eve of Father Lee Brokaw's ordination to the priesthood, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, consecrates the chalice the new priest will use at his Masses. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

While he completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Father Lee Brokaw served as a deacon at St. Benedict Parish in Baltimore. Not only did he gain experience he needed for his priestly ministry there, but he found the chalice and paten to use at the Masses that […]

Diocese of Peoria ‘blessed with joy’ as Father Lee Brokaw is ordained, assigned

By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2017 - Featured Article Diocese of Peoria, Father Lee Brokaw, ordination, Raritan

Newly ordained Father Lee Brokaw poses with Bishop Jenky for the traditional photo on the steps of the Bishop's Home after the Mass of Ordination. Also pictured are, from left, Father Timothy Hepner, vocations director for recruitment; Msgr. James Kruse, vicar general; Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, of St. Bede Abbey; Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general; and Father Patrick Henehan, vocation director of formation. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Proclaiming the Diocese of Peoria “blessed with joy,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained Father Lee W. Brokaw to the priesthood in ancient rites witnessed by a standing-room-only crowd during a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 27. In an instruction during the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Jenky urged Father Brokaw […]

Deacon Lee Brokaw, Raritan native, to be ordained to the priesthood May 27

By: Tom Dermody - May 18, 2017 - Featured Article farming, Lee Brokaw, ordination, priesthood, Raritan, rural

Deacon Brokaw was raised on his family's farm in Raritan and earned degrees in agriculture economics and crop and soil management from the University of Illinois before entering the seminary. A tractor and planter provide the background to this photo taken on May 12 as he assisted on the farm prior to his ordination to the priesthood on May 27. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

RARITAN — No priest reaches ordination day alone, and Deacon Lee Brokaw is well aware that his faith and vocation have deep and widespread roots. “My whole family has been really supportive,” said Deacon Brokaw, the son of Patrick and Brenda Brokaw of St. Patrick Parish in Raritan, who will be ordained to the priesthood […]

Parents say parishioners should expect a smiling, prayerful ‘Padre Pica’

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 […]

‘Church in Peoria rejoices’ May 28 as Father Michael Pica is ordained

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 […]

Deacon Michael Pica to be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria on May 28

By: Tom Dermody - May 19, 2016 - Featured Article Champaign, Diocese of Peoria, Holy Cross, Michael Pica, ordination

Deacon Michael Pica accepts a stack of hand-made cards from Bria Hartke, a first-grader at Holy Cross School in Champaign, at the close of an all-school Mass on May 13. Holy Cross is Deacon Pica's home parish. He will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 28. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Deacon Michael Pica never thought he would be called to the priesthood. “It’s the other guys in the chapel, they’re called,” the transitional deacon remembers thinking in the fall of 2008 when — as a sophomore at Bradley University in Peoria studying health science — Msgr. Brian Brownsey asked him if he had ever considered […]