Also In This Issue...

Bishop urges 'spiritual, temporal combat' over regulation's threats

Calling it a “bigoted and blatant attack on the First Amendment rights of every Catholic believer,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, is urging vigorous opposition to new Obama administration regulations requiring Catholic institutions to offer insurance programs providing abortifacients, sterilization, and contraceptive services.

In a strongly worded letter read at all parishes in the diocese Jan. 28-29, Bishop Jenky wrote that if the regulations – announced Jan. 20 – are put into effect, “they could close down every Catholic school, hospital, and the other public ministries of our church, which is perhaps their underlying intention.”

“I am honestly horrified that the nation I have always loved has come to this hateful and radical step in religious intolerance,” said Bishop Jenky. Until the “grave issues” are favorably resolved, he asked all Sunday Masses in the diocese include the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel for the freedom of the Catholic Church in America.

Delivering Unity Campaign opens; support, receive The Catholic Post

The Catholic Post's 2012 Delivering Unity Campaign is now open. Contributions are accepted online by clicking on the campaign logo at right.

Gifts do more than ensure home delivery of the newspaper of the Diocese of Peoria for the following year. They also support The Catholic Post's expanding digital efforts to inform, inspire, and unite the faithful. And they enable the newspaper to unite all 60,000 Catholic households at key points throughout the year.

Following is a letter from Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, encouraging support for the 2012 Delivering Unity Campaign.

New addition blessed for Jordan Catholic School, Rock Island

By Jennifer Willems, The Catholic Post

ROCK ISLAND -- Bricks and mortar weren’t the only things celebrated when the new middle school wing at Jordan Catholic School was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on Jan. 26.

Jack Kearney, chair of the Rock Island Vicariate Board of Trustees, invited people to celebrate the legacy they had left for future generations with their support of the $2.3 million building project.

“Our work for Catholic education is not done, but this might be a time to step back and celebrate this important step that Jordan has taken in moving us forward,” he said in his remarks at the Mass that preceded the blessing.

Blogging component added to Behold Conference for Women

METAMORA -- New media and traditional Catholic values will combine during the third annual Behold Conference, which will be held Saturday, March 10, at Embassy Suites in East Peoria. The theme for the day is “From the Heart of God.”

The conference will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and feature keynote addresses by Catholic journalist and blogger Kate Wicker as well as the Sisters of Life. In addition, image consultant Ginny Baldrige will lead a special presentation and singer-songwriter Marie Miller will return to offer music for reflection and entertainment.

There will also be opportunities for eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation and Mass.

Diocesan museum exhibit honors milestones for Bishop Jenky

Over the course of this year, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will celebrate three personal milestones that are connected to his life and ministry in central Illinois and people around the diocese are invited to share in the festivities.

Bishop Jenky will turn 65 on March 3, observe the 10th anniversary of his installation as the spiritual leader and chief catechist of the Diocese of Peoria on April 2, and mark the 15th anniversary of ordination as a bishop on Dec. 16. A new exhibit at the Diocesan History Museum and Fulton J. Sheen Museum, which will run through mid-summer, features significant moments from his past in “A Father for Our Family: A Snapshot of Bishop Jenky’s Life and Ministry.”

The panels in the middle of the exhibit focus on his ministry as “Chief Shepherd: Renewing All Things in Christ,” “Evangelization: Proclaiming the Good News to All the World” and “Catholic Education: Forming New Generations of Believers.”

Youth, adult Scouting awards to be presented at Feb. 12 Mass

Catholic Scouts, their families, and adult Scout leaders from throughout the Diocese of Peoria will gather for a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.

Father Glenn Harris, diocesan Scout chaplain, will be principal celebrant.
During the Mass, religious emblems and awards earned through either the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA will be presented to youths in the different programs. The medals mark extra efforts by the Scouts to learn more about their faith and how to make it alive in their lives.

The diocese-wide celebration will also recognize several adults who have demonstrated dedication in all aspects of Catholic Scouting.