Belleville astronaut Sandy Magnus with residents at the Benedictine Living Community before her April 17 visit (Submitted). By David Wilhelm Messenger Editor Sr. Barb Biver remembers the time several years ago when an Elvis Presley impersonator came to entertain residents at the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our […]
Dominic Grzegorek, of Ashley, regularly prays at the grotto (right) for the Blessed Mother Mary that was built on his property by Nashville mason Dave Schuette. “It’s a way of honoring her and showing respect for her, and it turned out really good,” Grzegorek said (Submitted). By Linda Norris Messenger […]
Raphael H. “Rafe” Middeke, 92, of Trenton, formerly of Damiansville, died at 6:25 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Aviston Countryside Manor. He was born June 21, 1933, in rural Clinton County, a son of the late Bernard and Mary (nee Hellmann) Middeke. After attending St. Rose Elementary School, Rafe […]
A U.S. Army detachment from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri carries the remains of World War II veteran Edgar William “Billy” Nevois to his final resting place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Prairie du Rocher. At left, Illinois Patriot Guard Riders hold flags and salute Nevois, who died in […]
Attendees at the SEEK23 Conference in St. Louis (Photo/FOCUS) By LINDA BEHRENSContributing writer “SEEK23: You Are Called,” a five-day event, hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), took place at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Jan. 2 to 6. Through fellowship, prayer, world-class speakers and […]
CNA student Alexis Kampwerth (left) receives a blessing of the hands from CNA instructor Mrs. Sue Darr. (Submitted photo) By LINDA BEHRENS Contributing writer Four seniors and two juniors from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese have begun training for a future career in the medical field while they […]
By MSGR. JOHN MYLERCulture Columnist It’s said that Pope Benedict’s favorite TV program was Kommissar Rex—a 1990’s German series about a police dog who each week helps solve perplexing crimes. But I’d bet that, if he’d been able to watch it, the late Pope would have been intrigued and delighted […]
