Mon - Thurs: 8:00 - 5:15
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Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation
Registration for the next cycle for online courses through the University of Dayton’s VLCFF program is now open. Certificate programs are available for catechesis, leadership in ministry, youth ministry and more! As a diocesan partner, you can register for courses at a discounted cost of $50 for 5-week sessions and $40 for 3-week seminars. English and Spanish courses are available. All courses in the VLCFF can be used to help with the Catechist Formation Process. Visit https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/approved-formation-programs.htm for more information. Or contact Kyle Holtgrave at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Community of Religious Educators (CORE)
The next CORE meeting is Thursday, January 13 at 10 AM at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield. CORE is for anyone involved in the catechetical mission of the parish at any level. To register, please contact Kyle Holtgrave at or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Ad Altare Dei Emblem
Members of Scouts BSA and Venturing from the Boy Scouts of America are invited to learn more about our faith, particularly through the sacraments, by earning the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem. 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. The next Ad Altare Dei class is Sunday, January 23 at 5:30 PM. The class meets at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Decatur. Classes do not need to be taken in order – Scouts may join in at any time. For more information, contact Kyle Holtgrave, (217) 698-8500, ext. 154 or email .
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 (), including if 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!
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
National Gathering on Christian Initiation: The next National Gathering on Christian Initiation: A Conference for Catechemunal Ministers and Pastoral Leaders will be held in Chicago July 13-14, 2022 and will focus on the theme, “Evaluating and Revitalizing the RCIA in Your Parish.” For more information, visit www.NGCI.org or contact Michal Ruzicki at or (773) 579-4900 ext. 3531.
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
MCA Christmas E-greeting Cards: The Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) has set up a website for people to send Christmas e-greeting cards using winning designs from their annual Christmas Artwork contest. One of the winning entries is from our diocese! If interested in this opportunity to send an e-greeting card for Christmas, here is the link: eGreetings (missio.org)
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.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Canonical Perspective on Abortion – (continued) - Please note carefully, however, that an excommunicated person, although outside the sacramental life of the Church and unable to exercise authority of ministry within the Church, still remains a member of the Church – still is a Catholic. Moreover, an excommunicated person is not prohibited from attending Mass or other public acts of worship, nor from taking part in private acts of prayer or devotion. In fact, these should be encouraged so as to help the excommunicated person to become contrite, to reform his or her life, and to aid in the repair of injustice and scandal committed by the act of abortion.
The matters summarized above regarding church law are complex, most especially the questions of who acts as an accomplice in the act of abortion and who has actually incurred the penalty for the act of abortion. If you have any further questions about abortion and canon law, you may want to contact a canonist in your diocese or a priest who can assist you in a confidential manner. (PR manual, p69)
There is a free LED lights offer for diocesan properties. Click here for more information.
March for Life in Springfield - The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois invites you to join us for a diocesan-wide pro-life Mass and march event on Friday, January 21 in Springfield at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. march to the Illinois Capital. Like last year, the diocese has decided to forego a trip to Washington, D.C., and focus on a local march. The Mass and march are intended for 7th-12th graders, college students, and adults. RSVP here: https://oldsite.dio.org/youthministry/mfl
Click here to download a flyer to give to students and families.