Mon - Thurs: 8:00 - 5:15
Hours
(217) 698-8500
Phone
Resources for Catechist Formation - The University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) offers a variety of online formation courses to help with catechist formation and general ongoing adult formation and enrichment. Registration for Cycle 5 of the VLCFF is open to July 13. This cycle runs from July 18 – August 21, 2022. You do not have to wait until Cycle 1 to start – courses can be taken at any time. Visithttps://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/approved-formation-programs.htmfor more information about VLCFF and how courses align with the Diocesan Catechist Formation Process. As a member diocese of the VLCFF program, session fees are reduced to $50 per course or $40 per seminar. Spanish language courses are available. And VLCFF has several certificate programs, too. Contact Kyle Holtgrave, Director for Catechesis in the Office for Catholic Education, , for complete details.
New policies/updates to existing ones:
Eucharistic Revival webpage - The nationwide Eucharistic Revival kicks off this Sunday. Go to oldsite.dio.org where you can visit our diocesan webpage dedicated to the Eucharistic Revival, events in our diocese, how people can sign up for updates, how people can get involved, etc. A bulletin annoucement is available to help you promote this. This logo can also be downloaded to use to help your promotion.
Eucharistic Revival promotional video - We posted this promotional video of the Eucharistic Revival to the diocese's social media channels on Thursday. Please share it. You can also use this video link in your e-communications with parishioners when promoting/discussing the Eucharistic Revival in your parish.
Eucharistic Miracles of the World display available – 151 true Eucharistic miracle stories from across the world over the centuries, depicted through photographs and historical descriptions on panels that can be temporarily set up in the parish centers, gyms, or large meeting rooms, are available to parishes and organizations in the diocese free of charge. The Vatican Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit was gifted to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and presents some of the principal Eucharistic miracles that took place throughout the ages in various countries of the world, and which have been recognized by the Catholic Church. To request all or some of the panels at your parish, contact Cindy Callan at 217-698-8500, ext. 137 for further information. Or email her at . When requesting panels for a showing, please consider sufficient lead time.
Apostolic Letter on Liturgical Formation: The Holy Father Pope Francis published Desiderio desideravi, an Apostolic Letter on the Liturgical Formation of the People of God. The official English translation of the Apostolic Letter may be read here: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/20220629-lettera-ap-desiderio-desideravi.html.
New Employee Sexual Harassment Awareness Training - Beginning July 1, this training will be transitioning from VIRTUS’ Anti-Harassment Training to Catholic Mutual Group’s (CMG) Sexual Harassment Awareness Training. This training is mandatory per Illinois law to be completed annually by all paid employees. This training will be housed in the same database as the new Safe Environment programs, CMG Connect. There was a slight delay in the program, but it will be up and running by mid-July. For more questions, please contact Erin Danaher at .
Roe v. Wade decision - thank you!: Thank you for your efforts and actions that led to the overturning of the Roe v. Wade court decision. It took almost 50 years of prayers, novenas, offering of sacrifices, fasting, and marches but we did it! The Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Praise God, and thank you for your efforts and the actions of your parishioners.
PLASM Survey: Please mail your parish survey to the Officer for Pro-Life, Missions, and Special Ministries as soon as possible.
Ameren Lighting Incentives - Ameren Illinois, through approved contractors, is offering lighting upgrades with incentives. They will come to your facility, assess your current lighting, and provide you with a proposal showing incentives and payback period for your part of the project. We have been able to benefit from this program in our Catholic Charities offices throughout the diocese and in some of our parishes. If you would like to find out more, please contact the person at the bottom of the flyer. Please let me know if you have any questions. Greg Fleck, Director for Property, Buildings and Cemeteries: 217-321-1195
Ameren program replaces fluorescents to LED at no charge - An Ameren incentive program is available for churches and schools that involves receiving LED tubes to replace fluorescent bulbs in ceiling fixtures, some outdoor lights, and gymnasium lights. This program provides light bulbs and fixtures only, at no charge, but someone else must install the bulbs. For more information and to order the lights, please click here.
New adult safe environment awareness training - Beginning July 1, the adult safe environment awareness training will be transitioning from VIRTUS’ Protecting God’s Children to Catholic Mutual Group’s (CMG) Safe Haven. This training, offered on a fully virtual platform, allows the user to complete the course on their own time and provides more engaging content than past trainings. The virtual platform will also allow for background checks to be completed electronically. The results of training and background checks will all be housed in one database, CMG Connect. Fingerprint processes will be unchanged, but results will be housed in the database as well. As of July 1, only the new training and background checks will be accepted. Instruction on these new programs were held on June 15 and 22 for pastors, principals, and parish Safe Environment Coordinators. If you missed these webinars, please contact Alison Smith at .