Catholic Education

Community of Religious Educators (CORE) - The next CORE meeting is Thursday, November 17 at 10 AM at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield. CORE stands for Community of Religious Educators and is a regular gathering of religious educators for ongoing professional development, insights into diocesan initiatives and for networking with one another. Lunch is provided. Please register by November 10 by contacting Kyle Holtgrave at or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.

Introduction to Scout Religious Emblems and Recognitions - The Catholic Committee on Scouting is hosting a webinar to introduce some of the religious emblems and awards that are available for Scouts and adult leaders to earn. This event will be hosted Sunday, October 30 at 7 PM and is open to adults and Scouts. Various religious programs will be discussed and there will be plenty of time for question and answer throughout the session. For the meeting link, please contact Kyle Holtgrave at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154 or email . Information about the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting can be found at http://scouts.dio.org.

Communications

If you have a new employee in recent months that needs to be added to this Parish Link communication, please email me their name and email address. Also, if you have a new employee who will handle your parishioner list for Catholic Times subscriptions, let me know their contact information as well. Thanks! Andrew Hansen:

Catholic Times

Your Christmas Mass schedule needed - Catholic Times will be publishing Christmas Mass schedules, which will appear in the Dec. 11 edition. If you would like your parish/parishes included, please complete the online form by Nov. 14. Note, if you have several parishes, please submit seperate submissions, one for each church. It can be found here: ct.dio.org/christmasschedule. Thank you in advance!

Human Resources

Sexual Harassment Awareness Training – The State of Illinois requires all paid staff to complete an annual Sexual Harassment Awareness Training. Information about the training, how to complete it, and for coordinators can be found at oldsite.dio.org/humanresources/important-documents.html.

Job openings - The Curia is currently hiring! Open positions are:

- Staff Accountant

- Director, Office for Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth

- Director, Department for Catholic Education.

Job postings can be found at oldsite.dio.org/jobs.

Missions

Mission Mass:  This year’s Mission Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 11:00 am, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 

World Mission Sunday:  This year’s World Mission Sunday (October 23) theme is:  “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)  We are celebrating the 200^th Anniversary of the Propagation of the Faith, started by Pauline Jaricot.  Donation from World Mission Sunday go to support mission priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders who proclaim the Gospel, give witness to our Lord, and respond to the greatest need of vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions.  Here are parish resources to help prepare for this world-wide event: 

 The Pope's Message: English  Spanish 

 Preaching Mission:  October 1 - WMS22_PreachingMission_October12022_EN.pdf

 Preaching Mission:  October 16 - WMS22_PreachingMission_October162022_EN.pdf

 Preaching Mission:  October 23 - WMS22_PreachingMission_October232022_EN.pdf

 Mission in Scripture:  October 1 - WMS22_MissionInScripture_October12022_EN.pdf

 Mission in Scripture:  October 16 - WMS22_MissionInScripture_October162022_EN.pdf

 Mission in Scripture:  October 23 - WMS22_MissionInScripture_October232022_EN.pdf

 World Mission Sunday General Intercessions:  WMS22_Gen-Intercession_EN.pdf (missio.org)

Parish Vitality and Mission Advancement

International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) Conference Recap October 18 at 10 a.m. - click here to register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5043131503652750351

The Parish Vitality and Mission Advancement Teams are heading to the ICSC conference the first week of October. We will come back with a wealth of tools, resources, and helpful tips for parishes and schools; you will NOT want to miss this webinar recap! 

Missed the recent Stewardship Webinars? - Get a head start on your annual parish stewardship discernment process. Updates and more information at this webinar. 2022 Parish Season of Stewardship Overview and Updates: Recording click here

Do your ministries need some energy? Are your ministry leaders tired, stressed, or out of ideas? What would it look like if we jump-started the engine in your parish ministries? Check out this webinar for more. Rev-Up and GO!

Looking to network ideas with other parishes? How about learning initiatives and ideas that have worked well around our diocese? This webinar will highlight the amazing stewardship work being done in parishes of all varieties from across our diocese. Joining the webinar is Bob Zeller from Our Saviour, Jacksonville, and Megan Beheny-Bennett from Holy Family, Decatur. Parish Stewardship Panel: Recording Click Here

Pro-life and Special Ministries

Day of Prayer and Reflection:  The Black Catholic Commission is hosting Days of Prayer and Reflection in Beardstown, Collinsville, Decatur, and Springfield.  These days of reflection are in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII.  Each day of prayer and reflection is an opportunity to reflect on God’s word and share thoughts on what faith-filled actions our diocese and parishes can do to make our Church thrive.  For specific dates and additional information go to:  https://oldsite.dio.org/plasm/black-catholic-commission.html  

Racial Justice Workshop:  Our Lady of the Snows is having a workshop about our call, as Catholics, to address racial justice, Saturday, November 5, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Click here for more information

Resources to Prepare for the Upcoming Election:  Here are some resources to help parishioners prepare for the upcoming election and form their conscience:  USCCB document on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship; Prayer Before an Election, Guidelines on Political Activities for Parishes and Catholic Church Organizations from the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI); and the diocesan policy on Political Activity and Voter Education. 

Walking with Moms in Need:  Our diocese will be joining USCCB and other dioceses in a national effort called Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.  Parishes are encouraged to participate in this year-long initiative to assess needs of pregnant and parenting moms of young children in our parishes and our neighborhoods and improve communication about resources available to these local pregnant moms and families in need.  Information about this Year of Service can be found on the USCCB website or calling the diocesan Office for Pro-Life Activities and Special Ministries: 217-321-1161.