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 […]
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Before joining hundreds of people for lunch, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of the Poor and prayed that all Christians would share “the love of God, which welcomes, binds up wounds, forgives, consoles and heals.” With thousands of […]
VATICAN CITY — Power, possessions and rank do not satisfy the deep desire for real meaning in life, Pope Leo XIV said. “It is only the resurrected Jesus who can give the true and lasting peace that sustains and fills us,” the pope said in English on Oct. 15 during […]
Pope Leo’s vantage point during his livestreamed digital connection with 16,000 people at the NCYC conference in Indianapolis (CNS photo/Vatican Media). By Linda Norris Behrens and David Wilhelm Messenger Staff On Nov. 21, history was made as the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, embarked on his first- ever digital visit […]
