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 Linda Norris Staff Writer Four years after the sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) moved out of the Ruma Center, they have sold the property buildings and 33 acres of land to Books for All, a nonprofit organization establishing community libraries with free resources. ASC […]
Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB, wearing his mitre and carrying his crozier for the first time, blesses parishioners who attended his ordination and installation as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Belleville on May 1 at the Cathedral (Tim Vizer photo). The sun shined brightly on the face of Bishop […]
By SUZANNE KOZIATEK Staff writer It’s the time of the year for homemade halos and DIY mangers, when the school gym blossoms into Bethlehem. The Christmas play, complete with carols sung in young voices, is a mainstay of Catholic school life. In Red Bud, St. John the Baptist Catholic School […]
In 1893, Leo XIII was pope, Grover Cleveland was president of The United States, The World’s Columbian Exposition was in full swing in Chicago, the song we now sing as “Happy Birthday to You” was published, and the panic of 1893 was causing hundreds of U.S. banks to fail. What […]
For many retired priests and women religious, retirement doesn’t lead to a gold watch and a condo in Florida – it’s the first step to a continuing calling to help others. They serve in individual parishes and schools, in diocesan roles and in private prayer, serving as a spiritual force multiplier to accomplish greater goals than might be possible otherwise. The Diocese of Belleville will support their work through a special collection at Masses on Dec. 8-9 to benefit elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests.
