Head of the Class: Diocesan teachers’ excellence recognized with Emerson Awards

Diocese of Belleville educators Peggy Butler (above) of Blessed Sacrament Grade School in Belleville and David Schauer of Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo recently received Excellence in Teaching Awards from Emerson Electric. More than 100 teachers in the St. Louis metropolitan area, from the kindergarten through college levels, were […]

Posted on November 14, 2024

‘Mind-blowing’ – Student from Indiana helps conserve painting of Mary, Christ Child to be used as Christmas stamp

Allie Miller, a senior at Marian University in Indianapolis, uses an X-ray fluorescence macro-scanner to analyze the painting “Madonna and Child” in the collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields during her time there as an intern this past summer. The United States Postal Service selected the painting […]

Posted on November 14, 2024

Catching up with Most. Rev. Edward K. Braxton

Former Diocese of Belleville Bishop and current Bishop Emeritus Edward K. Braxton at his home in west Belleville (David Wilhelm photo). THE MESSENGER: You have been a priest for 54 years and a bishop for 29 years. What have been some of the most fulfilling aspects of your journey? BISHOP […]

Posted on November 14, 2024

200 years and counting – St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker celebrates milestone anniversary

Diocese of Belleville Bishop Michael McGovern greets parishioners as they exit the church following the 200th Anniversary Mass and celebration at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church on Oct. 19 in Hecker (Tim Vizer photo). We’re part of a story That’s over a century old, A tale of Catholic settlers […]

Posted on November 14, 2024

Labrador puppy in training brings pet therapy to students, adults at Mater Dei High School

The latest and littlest Mater Dei Knight spends her days winning hearts and soothing stressed souls. CoCo, a 12-week-old chocolate Labrador retriever, comes to the Catholic high school daily with her human, Mater Dei’s counselor Tammy Carroll. There, CoCo socializes with the kids and adults, providing pet therapy to anyone who needs it.

Herrin Chamber honors Msgr. Ken Schaefer for contributions to community

Every year, the Herrin Chamber of Commerce honors an individual, chosen by the group’s president, for his or her contributions to the community. As she prepared for her final awards as chamber president, Kelly Green was having some difficulty figuring out who to choose for the 2019 President’s Award. Turns out, all she had to do was look up from her keyboard.

Two parishes suppressed in Hamilton County as part of restructuring plan

The last Mass was held Sunday at St. Clement.

Two southern Illinois parishes in Hamilton County have been suppressed as part of the ongoing diocesan Pastoral Plan for Parish Renewal and Restructuring. St. Clement of Rome Parish in McLeansboro, and St. John Nepomucene Parish in Dahlgren will now be designated as chapels of the “Mother church,” St. John the Baptist Parish in Piopolis. The three rural communities are located about 80 to 90 miles southeast of Belleville.