BDCCW Convention reaches 99 years

Bonnie Schmersahl (left) of St. Barbara in Okawville shares a story with (from left) Diane Winkeler, Jan Gonzalez and Karen Beckemeyer, all of St. Anthony in Beckemeyer, at the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention, held Oct. 8 at St. Joseph in Marion (David Wilhelm photos). The Belleville Diocesan […]

Posted on August 19, 2025

New council brings young adults together to socialize, evangelize

In August 2023, nine Catholics came together as members of the Diocesan Young Adult Council for the Diocese of Belleville. “Throughout the first year, growth was slow and difficult,” said Mark Loyet, director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Belleville. “Covid was not all that far […]

Posted on August 19, 2025

Joe Hubbard, a beacon of light for the poor, dies at age 82

Joe Hubbard, who spent a lifetime helping the impoverished, underprivileged and ill, died at 7:17 p.m. on Sept. 10 at age 82. Hubbard’s care and compassion for needy people in the Diocese of Belleville was legendary, and his service led many of them to refer to him as a “saint,” […]

Posted on August 19, 2025

Our hearts are broken: In light of tragedy at Camp Mystic, Camp Ondessonk shares safety measures

The massive sandstone grotto at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, located deep in southern Illinois, is like a cave and can be used as a shelter during storms (Submitted photo from recent Earth Day Mass). In the pre-dawn hours of July 4, catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River in west-central Texas […]

Posted on August 19, 2025