Catholic men march through Peoria, pack cathedral to show their faith

Published: 2004-05-11

PEORIA, Ill. (CNS) -- Catholic men of all professions should be builders like St. Joseph, strengthening their families, churches and communities through faithful service, speakers told hundreds of men who responded to the Diocese of Peoria's "Call to Catholic Men of Faith" May 1. "We live in the midst of a largely pagan culture, where it is not always clear how a man should act, or how a man should live," Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria told about 900 men who packed St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria for a Mass celebrating the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. "Perhaps more than ever before, we need the example of good St. Joseph," husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, the bishop said. "Joseph never went back on his promises and he never withdrew from his commitments." Hundreds of men from the 26-county diocese braved chilly temperatures and persistent drizzle to take part in the mile-long march. Others took advantage of shuttle-bus service between both locations, or simply assembled at the cathedral for Mass.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .