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

New seminarian’s vocation journey began on trip to Holy Land

For Ben Baker, it started in 2019 during a spring break trip to the Holy Land with students from the University of Illinois. Baker, whose home parish is St. Joseph in Olney, graduated from the University of Illinois in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. At that time, he contacted the Diocese of Belleville asking to be accepted into the seminary. There currently are six seminarians in the diocese.

Bishop to ordain one man to transitional diaconate May 22

When Thomas Lugge is ordained by Bishop Michael McGovern as a transitional deacon May 22, he will begin the final year of formation before ordination to the priesthood. The transitional diaconate will be Lugge’s entry into the clerical state, which means he will become a member of the clergy. Bishop Michael McGovern called Lugge “a wonderful young man” and said he looks forward to ordaining him to the sacred priesthood next year.