March 29th, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 23, 2020
Holy Week and Easter rank as the most important moments we celebrate as believers of Jesus Christ. As important as these great celebrations are for the proclaiming and strengthening of our faith, it is with great sadness that I must announce that the suspension of public worship will continue through Easter Sunday.
The first words of the Risen Christ to his disciples were, “Peace be with you!” During this difficult and painful moment, we pray for the peace that only God can give. It is the peace that comes from having our sins forgiven and being united with God.
Beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through Easter Sunday, these events will be streamed live through the diocesan website: www.cdop.org. A specific schedule will be announced in the days ahead. If your own parish will not be broadcasting these Masses, I invite you to join in the ones we will be making available through the Internet. It won’t be the same as being together, in person; but it enables us to be united in ways that the current times make possible.
In these difficult times when we each have to carry our own personal crosses, we do so in the hope of Easter glory. I ask your prayers for me and for your priests. Please know that I am holding you close to my heart and I am praying for you daily.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria
March 22nd, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 13th, 2020
To the Priests, Deacons, and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria,
I had hoped to wait a week for events to further unfold before taking the dramatic step of suspending public Divine Worship. Upon wider consultation, however, I have decided that our Local Church will act in unison with other dioceses in Illinois and elsewhere and suspend all public Masses beginning this Saturday, at the Vigil Mass, on March the 14th. Those funeral Masses already scheduled in parish churches may take place. At this time, outside committal services may continue. Memorial Masses should be scheduled at a later date. Marriage ceremonies in parish churches scheduled for this Saturday may take place, and there will be further guidelines from the Office of the Vicar General for the future. Baptisms should continue but with only the parents and godparents present. Using great prudence and where it is possible, the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Viaticum may also be administered. Masses and other liturgies in formed religious houses may continue but must not be open to the public.
Dear friends in Christ, these are perilous days but certainly not unprecedented in human history. I urge you to be patient and faith filled. Cling more closely to the Lord, and be sure to pray together at home among your family and friends. For the present, we need to break the chain of transmission of the contagion, but I know that in the future we will much more appreciate and never again take for granted the great gift of our parish communities.
May God bless and protect you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
March 12, 2020
Priests, Deacons, and the Faithful concerning the Corona virus and Pastoral Care in the Diocese of Peoria
In consultation with Catholic Healthcare in Central Illinois and on the strong urging of several Public Health Boards from our area, I have decided to suspend for the time being the obligation to participate at Sunday Mass. I strongly urge those over 60 years old not to come to Mass or other religious services, as seniors are particularly vulnerable to catching the corona virus. As before, I ask anyone with communicable diseases to stay at home.
Upon consultation with our Schools office, I have suspended all our educational programs for the next week in order to allow for an intense program of cleaning and disinfecting in all our buildings. This will also allow our principals and faculty to prepare e-learning (online teaching days). If the health crisis continues, we will most likely suspend classes for the foreseeable future. I also ask parishes to cancel religious education programs, prayer groups, parish events and other gatherings at this time.
I am also canceling Cathedral and Regional Confirmations and by virtue of this letter, I grant the faculty to Confirm to all the priests of our Diocese. I strongly recommend that this Sacrament be given to small groups without the attendance of people from out of town and where a proxy may serve as the sponsor of record.
Please remember as I indicated in my last letter, we should not shake hands or hug at the Kiss of Peace, and instead use a wave or friendly smile. I also urge people not to hold hands during the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Once again, I highly recommend that people receive the Blessed Sacrament in the hand and not in the tongue. I ask as well that our holy water fonts be emptied and disinfected.
We have posted on the Diocesan website the schedule for Masses on EWTN and on the internet. We have also posted available prayers to help the faithful make a Spiritual Communion at home.
I fully realize that this moment of great concern could pass rather quickly, but I also do not think we can take any risk at this time, of endangering lives. I believe it is more prudent to be “proactive” rather than “reactive” in the face of serious danger. Please know that all our colleges and universities in Central Illinois have already closed. Many businesses are also limiting meetings and face-to-face gatherings.
Speaking as your Bishop, I urge you not to panic but instead to take prudent steps. I strongly urge you to read the Holy Bible and to pray the Rosary. Remember that our God is a Mighty God and our security is always ultimately in His hands. May Almighty God bless and protect you, and may Our Lady Help of the Sick pray with us and for us at this time of need.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
St. Thomas School Expansion
Feasibility Study Report, Rendering, and Context:
Summary of Feasibility Study — Phase I Rendering & Plan — Context
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Get FORMED!
www.formed.org
Parish Code: R78HCV
Contact us:
Fr. Keith Walder, pastor
Kathy Thorson, secretary
217-684-5107 (office)
217-684-8093 (rectory)
St. Thomas Parish
310 E. Madison St., PO Box 266, Philo, IL 61864
Immaculate Conception (alternative worship site)
299 CR 1800 E, Philo, IL 61684
St. Mary Parish
Mailing: PO Box 266, Philo, IL 61864
Physical: 1247 CR 200 N, Pesotum, IL 61863
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