Serving Mass at the Cathedral and St. Mark's

Eight St. Mark's students joined other students from around the Peoria Diocese in serving the Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral celebrating the 100th anniversary of Archbishop John Lancaster Spalding's death and the rededication of the Cathedra.

Luke had the opportunity to serve Mass at two beautiful churches this past week: the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception 

and St. Mark's. 

The Mass at the Cathedral celebrated the 100th anniversary of the death of Archbishop John Lancaster Spalding, the founding Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and 

the rededication of the Cathedral after major renovations. 

The liturgy at St. Mark's was the first all-school Mass of the year.

Archbishop Spalding was one of the giants of the 19th century. 

Born in Kentucky, he returned there after his ordination in Belgium and started St. Augustine, one of the first parishes for freed African-American Catholics. In 1877, he was consecrated the first bishop of Peoria. Archbishop Spalding was a major proponent of education, including for girls. He was one of the founder of the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. In Peoria, he started Spalding Institute, a high school for boys that was named after his brother, also a priest. Archbishop Spalding wrote essays and poems and was known for his oratory. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the commission that helped to successfully arbitrate the coal strike. Under his supervision, the Cathedral, where his anniversary Mass was celebrated, was constructed and dedicated in 1898.

Also begun during his tenure as Bishop was St. Mark's Parish in 1891. Four years later, the school was started and 120 years later, both are still going strong. Luke and three of his fellow 8th graders served at the first all-school Mass of the year.

Come Join Us!

Luke is in 8th grade! This blog will chronicle his journey from today to graduation and we'd love to have you along for the ride! On the way, we hope to raise some funds for a scholarship to St. Mark's School. All we need is 500 of our closest friends to contribute $10 each! Click on the gofundme button to learn more.

St. Mark's is such a special place. Luke's parents (John and I) went there in the 60's and 70's. We have fond memories, and we think the school is even better today. A family atmosphere, great academics, and a strong Catholic identity all combine to provide an excellent, faith-filled education for our children.

Students have so many opportunities to get involved at St. Mark's. Luke is currently playing soccer, running cross country, and serving Mass. He also participates in the teen youth club and will be going on a mission trip to Tennessee next summer. There will be lots of fun stuff to report on in this blog!

In the meantime, let me assure you that all the cliches about time's swift travel are true. Children grow up so quickly. Hard for John and me to believe that the Boy-In-Bed-Two is 13-years-old, but so it is. We shake our heads in disbelief, but we've also learned a secret about the passing of time: Appreciate Each Moment! That's what we're going to do every day during this wonderful 8th grade year! Welcome!