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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 7 of the VLCFF is now open. This cycle runs from October 10 – November 13, 2021. You do not have to wait until Cycle 1 to start – courses can be taken at any time. Deadline to register is October 6. Visit https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/approved-formation-programs.htm for 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.
Catechesis eNewsletter
Stay updated on news and resources available for Catechesis! I use Flocknote to send out my monthly eNewsletter as well as announcements about activities and events related to the catechetical mission of our parishes and diocese. If you have a parish event or activity that you would like help promoting, please let me know details and I will pass that information along. This resource is targeted toward parish catechetical leaders, but anyone involved with the catechetical mission of the parish may benefit from receiving it. My goal is to have every parish connected to this communication resource. To subscribe, contact Kyle Holtgrave at or text eNews to 84576 to automatically sign up for Flocknote.
Ad Altare Dei Emblem
Members of Scouts BSA are invited to learn more about our faith, particularly through the sacraments, by earning the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem from the Catholic Committee on Scouting. To earn the award, one must be a registered member of a BSA unit (Scouts BSA or Venturing Crew), be in 7th grade through high school age, and active in your unit for at least 6 months to be eligible. A class schedule for the Springfield area during the 2021-2022 school year has been announced, see http://scouts.dio.org for details. For more information or to schedule classes in other areas of the diocese or to be trained as a Counselor, please contact the Catholic Committee on Scouting at or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
New videos for parents/third graders to help prepare them for Confirmation/first holy Communion at Cathedral – Two videos produced by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois can help priests, catechists, teachers, and parish staff communicate the change of having Confirmation and first holy Communion for third graders at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
The first video shows testimony from parents/grandparents from Newton, the furthest Catholic School from Springfield in the diocese, who said at first, they were disappointed when they heard about the change, but after experiencing the trip, they now see the tremendous value. The second video is tailored directly to third graders (although it could also be good for parents to see as well). In this video, Father Marty Smith from our diocese explains to third graders what exactly will happen when the children arrive in Springfield and what will happen at Mass. This video is intended to calm any fears children may have about their trip and the Mass, and he explains what the two sacraments are all about. These videos can be found at oldsite.dio.org/confirmation.
Please use these resources especially in the days and weeks leading up to your trip to Springfield.
Confirmation/First Communion at Cathedral documents in Spanish - In order to better communicate the change of Confirmation/First Holy Communion now taking place at the Cathedral with those who speak Spanish, several documents were translated:
- Bishop Paprocki explains the change
Vatican 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. By means of the panels, one can “virtually visit” the places where the miracles took place. To request all or some of the panels at your parish or organization, 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.
The psychology of an atheist - Dr. Kevin Vost of Springfield has a wild faith journey. Growing up Catholic, he later became an atheist. What drew him to become a non-believer and what ultimately brought him back? Dr. Vost shares his incredible story and discusses his field of psychology and how it ties to our faith. Go to dio.org/podcast to listen and subscribe or search "Dive Deep" on all major podcast platforms.
Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins
All Saints' Day 2021: Because the Solemnity of All Saints, November 1st, falls on a Monday this year, it is not observed as a holy day of obligation this year, though it is still to be celebrated as a solemnity.
Blessing of Graves: The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, November 2nd, is a fitting day for the Blessing of Graves as found in Chapter 57 of the Book of Blessings.
COOP Collections - Parish bookkeeper please submit a check for the proceeds collected to the Office for the Missions. For accountability purposes, funds collected must be sent to the missionary from the Officer for the Missions.
Resources for World Mission Sunday - The following are resources available for World Mission Sunday/World Mission Month 2021:
Upcoming Stewardship Webinars- Open to all and will be recorded!
Lessons Learned from the International Catholic Stewardship Conference (ICSC)
Wednesday, October 6th 11 AM-12 PM. This webinar will cover the best of the conference presentations, speakers, and lessons learned for parish life. We will walk through some of the latest tools and technologies available to help your parish and have plenty of time for questions and answers! This is a great webinar for those looking to refresh or update their parish operations or stewardship toolkit! Register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7891243748911715088
How to begin and grow your Parish Stewardship Ministry
Thursday, November 4th 11 AM- 12 PM. This webinar will cover the challenge of where to begin with your stewardship ministry at your parish. Whether you participated in the Season of Stewardship at your parish or not, you will find some great tips and resources to building up stewardship at this webinar. From starting with a few interested volunteers, we will cover the roadmap to their first few months in ministry, including suggested committee structure, to-dos, and planning. Register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8205270866874495758
Giving & Acknowledgement Opportunities at Year-End
Wednesday, December 1st 11 AM- 12 PM.This webinar will cover the basics of year-end appeals, including Advent stewardship appeals, while providing a focus on acknowledgement for all the good stewardship that has happened at the parish the past year. We will cover some example bulletin examples that can be used at year-end, including tax-incentivized giving opportunities. This webinar will help you cultivate generosity and acknowledgement with the spirit of the season! Register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1206361486103648270
Customized Parish Planned Giving Resource
Are you looking for a way to ensure long-term sustainability of your parish? Would you like to learn how donors can make a lasting gift to your parish without withdrawing or increasing their current income? Planned giving through wills, bequest, estate gifts, IRAs, or life insurance gifts can be a great way for your parishioners to give effectively and sustainably for the parish! We have created a parish planning resource for each parish to share with parishioners. You can view the draft here and we will work with you on customizing it as best as possible. Please contact us if you are interested in this FREE resource for your parish! or 217-321-1121
Season of Stewardship - Important Information for Parishes
If you have signed up for the parish Season of Stewardship we have your parish packets on the way and are ready to answer any questions you may have about the process in person or over the phone. Please reach out to Katie Price to schedule a time: or 217-321-1121. You may also want to review our webpage with information here: https://discipleship.dio.org/
Annual Respect Life Mass and Rosary Walk - This year’s annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass and Rosary Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021, Holy Family Parish, Granite City. Bishop Paprocki will celebrate Mass at 9:00 am, then lead a rosary walk around the abortion facility in Granite City. Lunch and speaker will follow the rosary walk.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Canonical Perspective on Abortion – Actually, excommunication is a censure that should be seen as a medicinal penalty, meaning that it is intended primarily to foster the repentance and reconciliation of the one who committed the act (cf. c. 1312 §1, 1o). Thus, excommunication may be applied only until the offender accepts God’s healing grace and repents, at which time the excommunication is to be lifted in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or by other legitimate means. In other words, the Church has established excommunication as a penalty in cases of abortion to give witness to the gravity of the offense, something not perceived by the secular society, and to assist in the reform of the one who committed or cooperated in the abortion. It is not meant to serve as a permanent stigma for the offender to bear. (PR manual pg 67)
Victorious Missionaries Virtual Fall Retreat - Victorious Missionaries is a spiritual support group for people with disabilities or who were chronically ill. Its purpose is to encourage those with disabilities to reach out to others with disabilities, sharing their gifts and spreading the Good News of the Gospel. Virtual Fall Retreat: Oct 15-17, 2021. Presentation: This is Me! The Power that comes with Knowing Who you are-and Whose you are! Presenter: Danielle Harrison. For more information go to: This is Me – Our Lady of the Snows
NCYC registration open - NCYC 2021 group registration is open. Please visit dio.org/youthministry/ncyc to register.