Deacon Samuel Taylor
CANTON — A funeral Mass was offered on Saturday, Feb. 15, at St. Mary Church here for Deacon Samuel Taylor, who served the parish as a permanent deacon since his ordination in 2012. Deacon Taylor died at his Canton residence on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. He was 59. Born Aug. 25, 1960 in Dixon to […]
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Father Adam Cesarek, administrator, sprinkles holy water in blessing of the space that will house Little Disciples Preschool at St. Mary Parish and School next fall. A place of honor was reserved for the future preschoolers in front of the current students and parishioners after the Catholic Schools Week Mass on Jan. 31. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
PONTIAC — St. Mary Parish and School has taken the next step in building a strong community of disciples by blessing a space that will welcome the youngest among them. With Scripture, prayer and a sprinkling of holy water by Father Adam Cesarek, administrator, Little Disciples Preschool became the newest center for early childhood education […]
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St. Mary School in Kickapoo invites students from Bartonville Grade School and residents from Proctor Home in Peoria to be their guests at dress rehearsal each year. Here, Ariel (Ella Rolig) visits with audience members at a reception after the preview. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
KICKAPOO — To find the students at St. Mary School on March 15, you had to look “Under the Sea” as they presented their dress rehearsal of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” for residents from Proctor Home in Peoria and students with special needs from Bartonville Grade School. It was their first time performing the show […]
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Msgr. Robert O'Connor
LEWISTOWN — Msgr. Robert O’Connor, who faithfully served St. Mary Parish for more than 50 years, never sought recognition for anything he did. He certainly wouldn’t allow anything to be named after him, according to longtime parishioner Elizabeth Forrest. That doesn’t mean the parishioners at St. Mary didn’t intend to do it someday. This Saturday, […]
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Ava Miller and Janey Locander of Salem Lutheran Church lead hundreds of Moline-area Catholics and Lutherans in a procession from St. Mary Church to First Lutheran Church during an evening of dialogue and prayer on Oct. 15 (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)
MOLINE — Father Mark DeSutter’s first words after climbing to the top of the raised pulpit of Moline’s First Lutheran Church were “Boy, it’s a long way up here.” The ad-libbed comment by the pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church was casual and drew laughter from the hundreds of Catholics and Lutherans in the assembly […]
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Among those organizing events commemorating the 150th anniversary of St. Mary Parish in Peru are, from left, Dick Nowatka, Jo Marie Duncan, Sandy Nowatka, Joyce Koontz, Bill Dekowski, Mary Suarez, Bob Suarez, Bonnie Pikula, Stan Pikula and Lois Carroll. (Provided photo)
PERU — Established in 1867, St. Mary Parish is marking its 150th anniversary this year. To celebrate the occasion, parishioners are planning a Mass and dinner for Sunday, Aug. 6. Msgr. J. Brian Rejsek, pastor, will be the celebrant for the 10:30 a.m. liturgy at St. Mary, 1319 Sixth St. The anniversary dinner will follow […]
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Jonathan Becker
PONTIAC — A trivia night to benefit a fifth-grader at St. Mary School here who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Mary Parish hall. Jonathan Becker, the son of Matt and Marie Becker, was diagnosed in January and is currently undergoing […]
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A Sesquicentennial Celebratory Mass will be offered at St. Mary Church in Pontiac at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. A block party will follow.
PONTIAC — After 150 years of sharing the faith in this Livingston County community, a simple celebration just won’t do for members of St. Mary Parish here. They have planned a week of activities, starting with a parish breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 21, and culminating with a Mass and block party on Saturday, Aug. 27. […]
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Before administering the sacrament of confirmation at St. Mary Church in Canton on June 25, Bishop Daniel R. Jnky, CSC, toured St. Mary's Food Pantry and then blessed it. Accompanying him were Father Daniel Ebker, pastor; John Dudek, chairman of the food pantry committee; and committee members Vicki Pettett (left) and Nancy Elson. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
CANTON — When he saw the package of dinner rolls on the table, the little boy asked volunteers at St. Mary’s Food Pantry if his family could have them. They said his response was heartbreaking when he found out he could. “Dad, we get to keep this bread,” he cried. “His eyes were this round […]
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The friars join the parish choirs and all present in singing "You Shall Not Tire" at the close of the Franciscan Farewell celebration at St. Mary Parish in Bloomington. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
BLOOMINGTON — Tears, laughter, and professions of love and gratitude filled St. Mary Church here May 29 as parishioners and friends from around the diocese bid farewell to the Franciscan Friars. As with any good celebration there was also music and even some dancing in the aisle as Father Neri Greskoviak, OFM, prompted by the […]
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