News Releases

Catholics across Illinois are rallying to save a statewide scholarship program that serves more than 9,000 lower-income children. A town hall meeting sponsored by several schools in the Diocese of Joliet will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Joliet Catholic Academy’s chapel in Joliet (1200 N. Larkin Avenue).

Three Catholic schools in the Diocese of Joliet recently were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023: St. Isaac Jogues (preschool to grade 8) in Hinsdale, St. Joan of Arc (preschool to grade 8) in Lisle, and St. Francis High School (grades 9 to 12) in Wheaton.

Twenty-five Benet Academy students and chaperones traveled to Lisbon, Portugal from July 29–August 7, 2023 to celebrate World Youth Day.

God blessed us with a beautiful evening on Thursday, June 8 for our Eucharistic Procession from Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills to St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale. Bishop Hicks celebrated mass with 1200 participants from area parishes and led the Eucharistic Procession through the streets with throngs of families following in prayer.

On August 14, 2021, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck within 100 miles of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. More than 2,000 people were killed, 12,000 were injured, and 300 were missing.

"On June 18, we celebrate some very special men in our lives — our fathers. The faithful family members who provide for us, guide us, and protect us. Happy Father’s Day one and all!"

All Catholic dioceses in Illinois today issued a summary (attached) of their common processes for handling allegations of sexual abuse of minors against any Catholic cleric who is ministering or has ministered within their respective boundaries.

“Today, during the dedication of the Grotto, the birds were singing, we had light rain falling, and nature is so peaceful when you come here and sit on the benches,” said Carolyn Lauing-Finzer.

On April 12, 2022, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod.  It is entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” 

The Feast of St. Patrick is March 17 and this year it falls on a Friday during Lent.  Catholics age 14 years of age or older honor an obligation to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.