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Planning for Confirmation at Cathedral - An informational webinar is planned for Wednesday, January 5 at 1:00 PM to answer questions you may have about celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. To register for this webinar, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3067750011064393229. Information for Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Cathedral Church is available at oldsite.dio.org/confirmation.
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.
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.
CRS Rice Bowl Order Reminders: Has your parish and school updated your Rice Bowl orders for Lent 2022? If you have not, you can update your order and contact info in one of three ways:
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)
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, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. We will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. march to the Illinois State Capital. The Mass and march are intended for 7th-12th graders, college students, and adults. Please RSVP . Download a flyer.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: Appendices – The Role of the Priest with Those at Risk of Aborting Due to an Adverse Prenatal Diagnosis: Today, nearly every pregnant woman is exposed to a number of diagnostic tests designed to discover problems with the baby or pregnancy. A problem diagnosis will usually cause the doctor to recommend a termination of pregnancy. The doctor may honestly believe that it is “easier” or less risky to end the pregnancy early. He may state that it is more compassionate to “let the baby die now.” He’ll assure the parents that no one has to know. Often though, in reality, his advice may be motived by the fear of a malpractice or a “wrongful life” lawsuit, in which the parents seek lifetime support from the doctor’s insurer, claiming that the doctor failed to advise them fully about the extent of their child’s disabling conditions.
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.