Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

My Ad Limina

2012-02-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

This picture taken 2/9/2012

Pope Benedict XVI and Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

This picture taken 2/9/2012

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, Pope Benedict XVI, Msgr. Paul Showalter

This picture taken 2/9/2012

Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop D'Arcy, Msgr. James Kruse

This picture taken 2/15/2012

Catholic Diocese of Peoria Chancellor Patricia Gibson, Pope Benedict XV1

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ

2012-01-27T05:51:00.000-08:00

Secularism

2012-01-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

To read Bishop Jenky's reflection on Secularism go to cdop.org and click on the Secularism banner

Decorating the house for Christmas

2011-12-02T07:30:00.001-08:00

sharing a meal before the work begins

thank you to the Bradley Newman and John Paul II Newman center students that came to help

Msgr. Deptula places some lights in just the right spot

fixing up the stairs

the dogs and deacon supervise with their Notre Dame sweaters on

don't forget to decorate the dog

placement of the angel

don't forget the stockings

Thanksgiving Message

2011-11-15T08:18:00.001-08:00

November, 2011

To the Clergy, Religious, and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

One of the first life skills taught to every child is the importance of always saying “please” and “thank you.” Each day, we all have nearly countless occasions to say “thanks.” But it is good that once a year our entire country stops to count our blessings, celebrate with family and friends,
and express our gratitude to Almighty God.

For Catholics, there is no greater act of thanksgiving than the celebration of the Holy Eucharist -- a word that comes from the Greek word for “thanksgiving.” It is truly a special blessing this year to give thanks for the gift of the new translation of the Roman Missal that will come into
general use this Thanksgiving weekend. I am especially happy to begin using this new translation as it gives us an opportunity for deeper renewal and a chance to again give thanks for the gift of the Mass.

Across Central Illinois, homes will be filled with the entrancing smells of turkeys and pies and the sounds of laughter and football. We have many reasons to lift our hearts and minds to God. At the same time, let us also be very mindful of those in our community and our world who will
spend this holiday without the comfort of food, family, or faith. May God bless you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
BISHOP OF PEORIA

Oktoberfest Mass - Peoria Riverfront

2011-09-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE FOR HOMILY: Oktoberfest Homily

Vicar and Monsignor my new pups

2011-08-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun pictures of my new Chihuahua puppies names Monsignor and Vicar

by Jennifer Willems of the Catholic Post.

My visit with Pope Benedict XVI

2011-06-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

On May 25, 2011 I presented Pope Benedict XVI with two thick volumes about the life of

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen called the "Positio"

The Holy father told me something I hadn't known. He told me that he worked on the commission for mission at the Second Vatican Council with Fulton Sheen.

Raymond Cardinal Burke, head of the Apostolic Signatura and a supporter of the Cause for Canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen preached during a Mass of Thanksgiving after the handing in of the Positio. In this picture I am enjoying a stroll towards dinner.

Mass for New Catholics

2011-05-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Bishop of PeoriaMost Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC

To those who have received the Easter Sacraments this year, their families, sponsors, and friends,

My Dear Friends in Christ:

Saint Augustine once wrote: “We are Easter people and ALLELUIA is our song!” After the 40 Days of Lenten penance and preparation, we should let the world hear our Alleliua. For those of you who received the Easter Sacraments this year, you have extra reason to rejoice on this Easter Day. I had the happy occasion of meeting many of you at the Rites of Election back in February at the very beginning of Lent. I would like to invite you back to the Cathedral for another special time for prayer and celebration.

On Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011, I invite you and all those who supported you on your spiritual journey – family, friends, sponsors, RCIA team members, etc – to join me in a Mass for New Catholics at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois. The Newly Baptized are also invited and encouraged to wear their baptismal robes for this final Mass of the Easter Season.

It is often said that the faith of converts is a gift of renewal for the whole Church. Indeed, the witness of your deep conversion into Christ and your love for His Church is a powerful gift to me personally. I look forward to praying with you on Pentecost!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Pope John Paul II

2011-04-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

To the Clergy, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Hundreds of millions were inspired by his life, millions poured into Rome to mourn his death, and now the Universal Church prepares to recognize him as Blessed in Heaven. Pope John Paul II was truly one of the greatest pope’s in history.

His successor, Pope Benedict XVI will preside at his beatification on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday in Rome. I encourage our local Church to celebrate that day in our parishes and communities. It would be fitting to invoke the newly Blessed in the Prayers of the Faithful and in the Third Eucharistic Prayer.

The Saturday following the Beatification – May 7, 2011 the First Saturday of the Month of Our Blessed Mother – I invite all of you to gather with me at the Cathedral for a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m. As Pope John Paul II meant so much to the priests of our diocese – young and old – I invite our priests to continue the celebration with a festive lunch in my residence following the Mass.

Having been our Holy Father for over 27 years, many people had direct contact with JPII. If anyone has a second class relic – an article having been touched by or received from him – and would like to include it for veneration at the May 7th Mass, please contact Msgr. Stanley Deptula at the Office of Divine Worship – 309-671-1550.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria

Icons

2011-03-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

It might be well to recall the role of icons and holy images in the liturgy and spirituality of the Catholic Church. When the Word became flesh, the Creator truly entered into creation. In Jesus Christ the Divine image and likeness was fully revealed and restored to humanity. To see Jesus is to see the Father, because Christ is the image, the icon (eikon), the sacrament that makes God present to the world. Through the gift of grace, the Church which is Christ's Body, is also called to be the image, the icon, the sacrament which makes present the Lord's wondrous love and mercy. Therefore it is now not only lawful, but most helpful to honor the glorified humanity of Mary and the saints who are themselves "icons" of the Risen Christ. Their holy images are actually windows into heaven. The icons of Christ, the saints and the angels encourage the Church to perceive a graced reality that is eternal. In the Lord Jesus, what was invisible has become visible and what was corruptible has become incorruptible.

In order to read the incarnational message of holy icons, we must first learn their language, which like the New Testament itself is simple, consistent, direct, and without unneccessary embellishments. Ever line, shape, and color has a very specific meaning. The eyes, for example, are usually drawn large and lively to show the inner intensity of the soul. It has been observed that these holy images are full of eyes because they echo the Gospel words: my eyes have seen your salvation (Luke 2:30). The nose is often long and narrow because the saints inhale the breath of spiritual fragrance (Ephesians 5:2). The mouth is usually small because the saints hunger for nothing that God does not provide. The faces depicted in icons often intentionally look out at the beholder rather than themselves being merely looked upon. When Christ is shown, His outer cloak is usually red to remind us that he assumed our human flesh and blood, while his inner garment is the blue of the heavens indicating His divinity. When Mary is depicted, the colors are normally reversed symbolizing her human cooperation with the Divine. The background of the icons is typically gold signifying the glorious and uncreated light that the transfigured saints experience in the beatitude of heaven. All Christian icons are really tangible prayers that celebrate the great goodness and condescension of our God, who in Christ shared our human nature so that we might share His Divine nature.