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Catholic Schools Week submissions needed - Catholic Schools Week begins on Jan. 30, 2022. Catholic Times will be featuring the annual Catholic Schools Week special section in our January edition. We would like every school to participate in this special section in recognition of Catholic education. Each school has two options and one way to submit your piece. You can either:
You will submit this using the online form here: https://www.jotform.com/form/92934909594979
When you submit your article or photograph about your school, the topic is up to you, with one exception — no sports stories. The stories should be typed and double-spaced with a limit of 250 (or so) words. Photos should be 300 dpi or better and sent as an image file (such as .jpeg or .pdf). Everything must be submitted through the link above. Submissions must be made by Thursday, Dec. 16.
Please use this as an opportunity to highlight something unique at your school, even if it has occurred within the last few months. Whether it is an event, some of your students did something amazing, how your school gives back, something your students will be doing in 2022 that is exciting — anything that highlights Catholic education and especially your school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Your parish mailing list - Over the past several months, Cindy Callan and Laurie Weakley from Catholic Times have contacted every parish in our diocese asking for each parish's mailing list so the Catholic Times mailing list is up to date. Thank you to the parishes who worked with Catholic Times to get this accomplished to ensure the right people and new parishioners receive the magazine. We understand this was a major task, so to avoid having to do a major review of your parish mailing list in the future, a reminder to please send all address and name updates to Cindy () and Laurie (), includingif a parishioner is no longer part of your parish, or if a new parishioner joins your parish. Every parishioner in our diocese is supposed to receive the magazine, so we appreciate you sending us these updates. Thank you!
Go on an ADVENTure - This Advent, join us as we go on an ADVENTure! Where are we going? Get on board to find out. Head to oldsite.dio.org/ADVENTure to sign up and secure your ticket. Reflections, articles, stories, and activities to prepare you for Christ. Are you ready?
Downloadable graphic here: ADVENTure.png
Year of Saint Joseph: The Year of Saint Joseph concludes this coming Wednesday, December 8, 2021.
Through the Doorway: The Dioceses of Belleville and of Springfield in Illinois are again co-sponsoring Through the Doorway, a workshop on an aspect on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on January 23, 2022 at 2620 Lebanon Avenue, Building 6, in Belleville. The workshop will address the question, “What key beliefs need to be addressed in the period of the Catechumenate?” Registration is now available at https://dps.diobelle.org/dps/worship/news
A reminder that the Illinois minimum wage increases again on January 1, 2022. It increases from $11 an hour to $12 an hour. More information can be found here: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/FLS/Pages/minimum-wage-rates-by-year.aspx.
Calling All Young Artists – Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) has an annual Christmas Art Contest competition for students from K-8th grade. Artwork for national winners will be on display in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Throughout Advent and Christmas 2022. General information and entry form can be found at: MCA Artwork Contest Entry Form (missio.org). Please share this information with school principals and art teachers.
Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: As we celebrate the Christmas season let us continue to pray for those in need around the world that continue to suffer due to natural and man-made disasters. Sean Callahan, president and CEO of CRS, recently returned from Afghanistan and saw first-hand what people are facing. CRS’ commitment to serving Afghan families in need started 20 years ago which puts CRS in a unique position to continue to support those in need. We ask for your support of their efforts through prayer, fasting, and financial donation to the following website: https://support.crs.org/donate/support-afghanistan
DCJH Collection Envelopes: In order to assist the Office for Pro-Life Activities, Missions, and Special Ministries in establishing ongoing connections among the faithful that contribute to the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH), please send our office the DCJH contribution envelopes or a list of contributors names and addresses.
Gospel Choir: Calling all Catholics - The Diocesan Black Catholic Commission is planning to have a Gospel Mass February 27, 2022, St Aloysius Church, Springfield. Those interested in singing in the Gospel Choir for this Mass should contact Donna Moore at , or 217-321-1161.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: There will be a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for people affected by abortion March 25-27, 2022, at the Villa Maria Retreat Center. The cost is $150, but scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee. Please let others know about this healing opportunity. For more information go to: oldsite.dio.org/plasm/project-rachel.html , call 217-698-4456, or email .
Word of Life: December’s edition of Word of Life is now available. Word of Life is a monthly resource for parishes. The resource is available in both English and Spanish, in both PDF or Microsoft Word formats.
Each monthly issue contains information such as: intercessions for life, quotes for your bulletin, and art for your bulletin, webpage or Facebook page.
The following link will direct you to the webpage that lists all current and past editions of this resource - http://dio.org/plasm/word-of-life.html
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Canonical Perspective on Abortion – (continued) - Looking at what it means to be excommunicated, the penalty of excommunication forbids a member of the Church (cf.c. 1331)
• “To have any ministerial participation in celebrating the sacrifice of the Eucharist or any other ceremonies of (public) worship whatsoever” (c. 1331).
• “To celebrate the sacraments or sacramentals and to receive the sacraments” (c. 1331)
• To discharge “any ecclesiastical offices, ministries, or functions whatsoever or to place acts of governance” (c. 1331) (PR Manual, p.69)
St. Lucy Mass: Xavier Society for the Blind will be hosting their annual Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Lucy on December 13, 2021, 11:00 am. The Mass will be livestreamed from St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City: https://xaviersocietyfortheblind.org/
Send prayer intentions to: . Intentions will be placed on the altar at the beginning of Mass.
There is a free LED lights offer for diocesan properties. Click here for more information.