Sr. Carol Durkin, DC, returns to her roots

Sr. Carol Durkin, DC (right), shows a pair of shoes to Garice Terrell at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in East St. Louis. Sr. Carol has been volunteering with the Belleville Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul for the past 12 years. She is returning to Emmitsburg […]

Posted on August 27, 2026

SVDP executive director: Walking in the footsteps of those before him

Troy Herring (left) oversees the registration table at the annual Friends of the Poor Walk on Sept. 19 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Liz Quirin photo). By Linda Norris Messenger Staff “Help relieve poverty, one step at a time …” This is what about 100 people […]

Posted on August 27, 2026

Seminarian list in Diocese of Belleville grows to 11

The Diocese of Belleville has 11 seminarians in formation, a larger number than in recent years. The seminarians have returned to school and welcome all prayers from the faithful as they continue on their respective journeys to the priesthood. From left: Terry Marmion, Clinton Rauch, Jacob Walker, Augustine King, Mateo […]

Posted on August 27, 2026

A tribute for nurses: Husband Patrick Kuhl says: ‘They rang a triangle three times for her last call of duty’

Nurse Honor Guard members who recently gave a memorial tribute at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church in Belleville (from left): Lori Bliss, Linda Morrison, Linda George, Karla Poindexter, Jane Stumpf, Jane Ferko, Debra Seiffert, Diane Gedermuth and Mary Ann Kelly (Submitted photo). By Linda Norris Messenger Staff Once a […]

Posted on August 27, 2026

Group provides gathering place for anyone on their own in life

As the population ages, members of diocesan parishes are aging. Not surprisingly, parish leaders are asking how they can reach these older parishioners? One example of this kind of outreach is the On Our Own group offered through partner parishes Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Queen of Peace in Belleville. The group is open to anyone who is on their own in life.

Pregnancy Care Center volunteers are Walking with Moms in Need

The Pregnancy Care Center is committed to the respect and dignity for life and enhancing the quality of human life by providing crisis intervention, support, guidance and education to persons in need. “The founders attended a Right to Life Conference in Nebraska in 1982. A seed of an idea was planted, that there was a need for help for pregnant mothers in our area,” says Jill Lugge, president of Pregnancy Care Center and a volunteer at the center, and a parishioner at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville.