Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,
Blessings to you all! I pray that your Lenten journey continues to be fruitful! Several people have been asking how our Campaign for tuition assistance is going—truthfully, we have been receiving a steady stream of gifts and commitments. At the time I’m writing this, we are right about $1.9 Million in donations and pledges—we certainly are well on our way toward our total goal of $3 Million to support the future of our school and our students. What a great gift for the future of our parish! I have had many people comment to me about the generosity of our students who gave gifts to the Campaign—it drives home a truth I have really been enjoying during my time here at St. Philomena—we really are all united together as a parish family. Everyone is important and everyone helps in their own way. Know of my continued thanks and prayers for everyone!
Continuing on our journey through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this week we will look at a couple more questions, the first a common one from non-Catholic friends…
Doesn’t God alone forgive sins?
Yes! Jesus himself forgave sins (Lk 5:17-26), and he gave his Church authority to do likewise: “…He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained’.” (Jn 20:22-23). The early Church exercised this authority in various ways, whether in dealing specifically with moral life and sins or in exhorting people to faithfully live the love of Christ. (Mt 18:15-20; Lk 7:47; 1 Cor 5:1-5; 2 Thes 3:14-15; Jas 5:13-16 [priests called for anointing of the sick and sins are forgiven]; and 1 Pet 4:8 are a few good passages)
The priest forgives sins by the power of God, when he pronounces the words of absolution, which are: “And I absolve you from your sins, in the name of..
“The Holy See has informed me that the Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to Beatification. The next step in the process is the celebration of the Beatification,... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Blessings to you all! I pray that your Lenten journey continues to be fruitful! Several people have been asking how our Campaign for tuition assistance is going—truthfully, we have been... Read More
Exodus 90 is a program being offered for the men of the parish that consists of prayer, fraternity, and discipline. Exodus 90 small groups will be meeting once-a-week leading up to Easter. If you would... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Lenten Blessings to you all this day! How is your Lent so far? Has it been fruitful? One of my favorite parts of Lent each year are the fish fries—ours... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Blessed Lent to you all! I pray your Lent will be fruitful and that it will truly help your hearts grow deeper in union with Jesus. As we enter into... Read More
St. Philomena Parish is a Catholic Church with a parochial elementary grade school in an established family neighborhood in the heart of Peoria, IL.
Our mission is to proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ through worship, sacraments, education and community life. Each parishioner is invited to understand, embrace, and communicate the truth of Catholic Christianity to our culture.
Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m.
Monday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m.
Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 7:30 p.m.
7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
