Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,
Blessings to you this day! As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord this weekend, we are reminded of the many wonderful promises of Jesus, including that His ascension to Heaven would be “better” for us, since we will be receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Also included will be a special way He will be present for us going forward—through the Sacraments. Knowing that promise helps us understand just how powerful the Sacraments are and how much they help us live life in Christ.
As we have been reviewing each of the Sacraments, we have focused on how much they unite us to Christ, strengthen us, and help us in living our Christian lives. This week, we’ll launch into the final grouping of Sacraments—the Sacraments at the Service of Communion—Holy Orders and Matrimony. As the Catechism notes, the other Sacraments we have looked at give us what we need to live the “common vocation of all Christ’s disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world” (CCC, 1533). As we reviewed, each one helps us to be united (or re-united) to Christ, and gives whatever graces are needed to live faithful life in Christ.
Continuing with the Catechism, “Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God” (CCC, 1534). So, right away, we see that these two sacraments will be different in that they have an outward focus in service of others. The Catechism continues, “Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ’s name ‘to feed..
Fr. Luke Spannagel is happy to arrange bus transportation for St. Philomena Parish families to the Archbishop Sheen beatification on Thursday, September 24, 2026 in St. Louis. Cost per seat is $75 and includes bus... Read More
Deacon Blake Ordination Information Deacon Blake’s Ordination to the Priesthood is fast approaching! Please continue to pray for him. Since it is so near, we want to share information with you about Masses and blessings... Read More
BEATIFICATION DETAILS OF ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN “With great joy and deep gratitude to God, I am pleased to announce the Mass for the Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen,... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Blessings to you this day! As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord this weekend, we are reminded of the many wonderful promises of Jesus, including that His ascension to... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Blessings to you all and Happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and other special women who help us know the love of God! In his The... 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.
