Catholic Times

LAST CALL: Your Christmas Mass schedule needed - Catholic Times will be publishing Christmas Mass schedules, which will appear in the Dec. 12th issue. If you would like your parish/parishes included, please complete the online form by Nov. 22. It can be found here: ct.dio.org/christmasschedule. Thank you in advance!

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:

1. send Catholic Times an article of 250 (or so) words or:
2. send a picture with a caption.

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.

Communications

Answering your questions on dying and death — The diocese has put together an easy to navigate and comprehensive look at end-of-life issues. Go to dio.org/funeral for questions like: Why should one pre-plan their funeral? If my loved one is dying, what should I do? Why must one insist on Catholic funeral rites? Why should one pray for the dead? Who should one insist upon being buried in a Catholic cemetery? Also covered is the issue of cremation, among other topics. As the month of November is dedicated to praying for the dead, now is a good time to learn more about dying and death from our Catholic faith perspective.

In need of more vocation posters? - If your parish/school is in need of more vocations posters, which features our seminarians, please email Amber Cerveny:

Diaconate

Men interested in the diaconate (Quincy and Litchfield areas) - There are two informational meetings in different parts of our diocese for men interested in becoming a deacon. The first takes place in Quincy at the St. Francis Parish Center on Sunday, November 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. The second is in Litchfield at Holy Family Parish Center on Friday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. The meetings will present information for those interested in the Permanent Diaconate Formation which begins in the fall of 2022. Applications are being accepted at this time. The Permanent Diaconate is open to men between the ages of 32 and 57, who are active in the practice of our faith, and who desire to grow in their relationship with God and in their service to the Church. If interested, and if married, wives are welcome and encouraged to attend. For questions, email Deacon Sorrell at .

Divine Worship and the Catechumenate

Book Orders: The order form for the 2022 annual books from Liturgy Training Publications is available here on the website for the Office of Divine Worship and the Catechumenate. Orders may be submitted through Teresa Gray at

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?” Additional information and registration materials will follow.

2022 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar: The Diocesan Liturgical Calendar for 2022 is available at dio.org/worship/liturgical-year.html.

Finance

2021 Parish Tax Packets were emailed to parish bookkeepers, pastors, and parochial administrators. This is a guide for tax preparation for employees, priests, and independent contractors. For questions, contact Chrissy Maher in the Department for Financial and Parish Support Services.

Missions

CRS Rice Bowl Order Reminder: Have you updated your Rice Bowl orders for Lent 2022? You can update your order or contact info in one of three ways, if you have not:

1. Update and mail back the tear off portion of the Rice Bowl thank you mailing (sent last Spring and again this Fall).
2. Call the Merkle customer service number at 1-800-222-0025 to update by phone.
3. Update your order online at: https://crsmaterials.crs.org/us-materials/crs-rice-bowl/?_ga=2.64501932.221082871.1630513915-1456821990.1610547863.

Important: The last day to reduce or cancel existing orders is Nov. 12. New orders or additions can still be added through Lent. Thank you for all you do to assist those in need.

Central America Migrant Crisis - There is an escalating migrant crisis in Central America. CRS has been supporting migrant shelters along the Mexico–Guatemala corridor as they expand and adapt their assistance to meet people's heightened needs, and in a context of change and uncertainty. Go to the Office for the Missions webpage to read CRS’ Factsheet about the crisis and how you can help them provide humanitarian relief.

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.  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.

Parish Vitality and Mission Advacement

Upcoming Stewardship Webinar- Open to all and will be recorded!

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/

Pro-life and Special Ministries

Gospel Choir:  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.  

November Word of Life:  November’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) - Therefore, for a person to be automatically excommunicated that person must have procured a successful abortion or have positively cooperated in a successful abortion and

• Have possessed full use of reason
• Have been at least eighteen years of age
• Not have been ignorant of the fact that church law includes the penalty of excommunication for the crime of abortion (this is different from simply knowing that abortion is a serious or mortal sin; church law presumes that Catholics are not ignorant of the law by which they are bound: see c. 15 §2)
• Have been able to exercise his or her free will and not have been operating out of grave fear, serious heat of passion, inadvertent drunkenness, or any other similar mental disturbance.  (PR Manual, p68)