In 2023, Fr. Brian Barker attended the installation of then-Bishop Robert Prevost as a cardinal (Submitted photo). Fr. Brian Barker of the Diocese of Belleville was honored and humbled to be invited to the Papal Mass of Installation and to be part of a private audience with the new head […]
The Avenue of Flags at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville will be on display for the 29th time on Memorial Day, May 26. The avenue, which salutes Catholic veterans, began in 1996 with two flags but has grown to 175. Most of the flags honor the memory of parishioners […]
Fr. Michael Caruso, SJ, director of education and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Belleville, blesses a new classroom and students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School on May 13 in Red Bud. A fire damaged the school in May 2024 (David Wilhelm photos). Students, teachers, parishioners and […]
Former Diocese of Belleville Bishop Michael McGovern during his installation as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Neb., on May 7 (Susan Szalewski photo). By Susan Szalewski Catholic Voice OMAHA, Neb. — On a warm May afternoon, inside a packed cathedral filled with joyful hymns of praise, Archbishop […]
By LINDA BEHRENS Contributing writer Draft beer, Peel pizza and fire pits. Promotions for an upcoming event focused on these three details as part of a Discipleship on Draft gathering at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in O’Fallon, held at the church’s outdoor pavilion on April 11. What type […]
When Mike Kish first entered the doors of Immaculate Conception School (ICS) in Columbia, he was a young student starting first grade. The year was 1955. In 1971, he entered the doors of ICS as an eighth-grade teacher. Four years later, he became the school’s principal. On July 1, 2021, after 50 years serving the Catholic Diocese of Belleville and the students, families and staff, Mike Kish will retire as principal of Immaculate Conception School. “I wanted to create a school I would want to attend. Actually, a school where Joseph and Mary would want to send Jesus,” Kish says, reflecting on his long career at ICS.
The Joost family of Swansea have always been active in the Pro-Life Movement. Twenty-two years ago Lyndon Joost and his wife Elaine found out that they were about to give birth to a daughter with extreme disabilities. “We made that choice for life,” Lyndon said.
