Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,
Continued Blessed Advent to you all! As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent this weekend, the Ordo (Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist) reminds us this day is “traditionally known as Guadete Sunday, so-called from the first word of the antiphon at the Introit [Entrance Antiphon…if you follow along in the Missalette you would find it on p. 5, #4…”Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”]. Gaudete (“Rejoice”), taken from the Latin translation of Philippians 4:4-5, sets a tone of joyful expectation for the Lord’s birth and Second Coming, as does the permitted use of rose-colored vestments” (Ordo 2026, p.13).
In this Antiphon, St. Paul is reminding just how joyful it is to recognize the Lord is near! If we stop and think about it, we are so blessed by the many ways Jesus chooses to be near us! Of course during this time of year we think about Jesus coming to dwell among us and being born in a manger. How amazing is that!?!? What an incredible gift to consider! Almighty God Himself, Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, wanted to be that close to us—wanted to be united with us in such way that He would be born in a manger in Bethlehem.
The beginning of St. John’s Gospel is so striking, reminding us of who Jesus truly is…and the true glimpse of God we receive as we look upon Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not..
Below are Mass times for Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation on January 1. At St. Philomena on December 24, there will only be one morning... Read More
We hope that this post provides you some helpful and inspirational tools this Advent season. If you have questions about anything, please feel free to reach out to the parish office, Father Luke, Father Daniel,... Read More
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Soon, our parishes will participate in the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection. This important annual appeal benefits more than 20,500 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who... Read More
Dear St. Philomena Parish Family, Continued Blessed Advent to you all! As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent this weekend, the Ordo (Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of... Read More
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Monday, December 8, 2025 and a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass at St. Philomena is at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mass... 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.
