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

Students give grocery bags new life as made-with-love mats for the homeless

Students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Olney have done that one better. When the world gives you plastic grocery bags, make sleeping mats for the homeless. As part of their study of homelessness and the affordable housing crisis, students in the sixth and eighth grades have been turning thousands of used plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats.

Daystar is a ‘Godsend’ for disabled McClure woman

Donna Humphrey is not too proud to accept help. “I’ve been the one who helps people my whole life,” the 67-year-old McClure resident says. “I’ve always been independent. But I am not afraid to ask for a hand up.” Helping people is what got Donna in her latest predicament. While trying to stop a co-worker from falling, Donna fell and broke her femur.