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January 21, 2021 Parish Link
Catechesis
Adult Confirmation - Bishop Paprocki will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults who have been catechized but have not yet been Confirmed on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Details, including suggested formation programs, are posted on the diocesan website at oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/adult-confirmation.html . Confirmandi must register for this event by April 30. For more information, contact Kyle Holtgrave in the Office for Catholic Education at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or email .
Parish Grant Program - The parish grant program from the Religious Education and Catechist Formation Endowment funded by the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope campaign is now taking applications for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Two grant programs are available for parish use – the Catechist Formation Grant and Media & Enrichment Materials Grant. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 15, 2021. Early submission is encouraged so any deficiencies on the application can be corrected prior to this deadline. Applications are available on the diocesan website at oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/parish-grants.html.
Office for Catechesis eNewsletter - Stay dated on news and resources available from the Office for Catechesis! I use Flocknote to send out my monthly eNewsletter as well as announcements about activities and events related to the catechetical mission of our parishes and diocese. If you have a parish event or activity that you would like help promoting, please let me know details and I will pass that information along. This resource is targeted toward parish catechetical leaders, but anyone involved with the catechetical mission of the parish may benefit from receiving it. My goal is to have every parish connected to this communication resource. To subscribe, contact Kyle Holtgrave at or text eNews to 84576 to automatically sign up for Flocknote.
Catholic Schools
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award – Do you know a Catholic school teacher who strives for academic excellence with a focus on the Catholic mission? Know a teacher who left a lasting impression on you or your child? Know a teacher who goes above and beyond for his or her students and who lives authentically Catholic? Nominate that teacher for the diocesan wide St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award! Nominations are due by March 5. Go to dio.org/schools/eas.
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Catholic Times
Issues with U.S. Postal Service – Catholic Times is aware of several locations in our diocese that have not received their Catholic Times recently or have been getting the magazine late. Unfortunately, it is out of our control as the U.S. Postal Service is responsible for mailing our magazine. You can read the latest edition of Catholic Times by visiting ct.dio.org. The online version flips just like a magazine. You can also subscribe to receive the online edition of Catholic Times to your inbox by going to: ct.dio.org/subscribe. We ask that you continue your tithe of $15 to your parish to offset the costs of production and mailing of the magazine. Thank you!
Communications
No more Communion blessings – Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, Bishop Paprocki issued a new instruction which ends blessings during Holy Communion and replaces blessings with the priest, deacon, or extraordinary ministry of Holy Communion saying to the person, “Receive Christ in your heart.” This video can be shared with your deacon(s), extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and parishioners which explains why we ended the practice of Communion blessings, and why it’s important for the person to hear the words, “Receive Christ in your heart.” Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Tqqk236_A
Hey, Father! LIVE! - Understanding Catholic teachings can be tough. Hey, Father! LIVE! will help. Join Father Daren Zehnle and Father Jeremy Paulin as they answer your questions about Catholicism LIVE on Feb. 10 at noon. Watch LIVE or on replay by going to facebook.com/diospringfield or youtube.com/diospringfield or dio.org/live. Send your question early or during the broadcast to or text it to 217-203-5100.
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Dive Deep - From fear to feminine genius. Join Dive Deep, the official podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, as we plunge into our fears. This four-part series in January dives deep into the pillars of fear: pain, regret, failure, and comparison. Subscribe to listen at dio.org/podcast.
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We want to share your great photos! – Got a great photo? Whether it’s of school life, parish life, or home life, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is wanting to promote Catholic life in action. Through Catholic Times, social media, videos, or marketing materials, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois wants to share your great photo to spread the joy diocesan-wide. Submit your photo or photos by going to oldsite.dio.org/submitphoto
Missions
Collection for the Church in Latin America - Please inform parishioners about the upcoming collection for the Church in Latin America. Gifts help fellow Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean who are rich in spirit, but lacking in material resources, to participate more fully in the life of the Church. Collection proceeds support training for seminarians and religious men and women; pastoral care of the sick; formation for lay leaders; family and youth ministries; and religious education for all age groups. For more information, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.
Pro-Life Activities and Special Ministries
40 Days for Life - There are two opportunities in our diocese to participate in a 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil. Your presence on the sidewalk matters. The "no show" rate goes up to 75% when people are praying outside of an abortion facility. Now more than ever your prayers are needed.
- Granite City: Sign-ups are open to adopt a day for your parish to pray in Granite City for 40 Days for Life! Go to 40daysgc.com to find out more about how to lead and sign up. Contact us at 618-206-6220 and . An informational meeting is coming soon! Kick Off Rally on Sunday, February 14 at 1pm at Hope facility in Granite City featuring Pastor Roy Rhodes and Pastor Aaron Turner.
- Springfield: Calling all prayer warriors! Sign-ups are now open! Encourage your parish to adopt a day of prayer on the sidewalk or sign up individually for an hour each week. Go to www.40daysforlife.com/springfield to find out more about how to sign up. Now more than ever your prayers are needed. Contact us at 217-523-2700 or
DCJH Grant Opportunity - The Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH) is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 funding cycle. Organizations and projects that focus on changing and improving the conditions of low-income people within the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are eligible to apply for a DCJH grant. The deadline for submitting a grant application is February 22, 2021. Early submission is encouraged so any deficiencies on the application can be corrected prior to this deadline. Details about the grant is located at: oldsite.dio.org/dcjh/home.html. Or interested applicants can call the Office for Pro-Life, Missions, and Special Ministries 217-321-1161.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Diocese: Project Rachel and Related Programs: – How to Begin (or Strengthen) a Project Rachel Ministry in Your Diocese: Family members and friends of those struggling in the aftermath of abortion can similarly become more knowledgeable about the abortion experience, get acquainted with the Church’s post-abortion healing ministry, and acquire information and brochures to share with the post-abortive friend or family member, directly or by casually leaving brochures where they will be noticed. (PR Manual pg 57)
Youth Ministry
Mirror the March - On Friday, January 15 it was announced that the March for Life 2021 in Washington, D.C. is going to be a small group of pro-life leaders with everyone else participating virtually. Providentially, many of you were already planning on participating in your own home, school, college, or parish. The prayer for an end to abortion and the public witness to the Respect for Life are not limited to one day a year, in one location. We appreciate your courage and commitment to the most vulnerable and invite you to participate as we Mirror the March across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Please visit dio.org/youthministry/mfl for more information.
Totus Tuus - Totus Tuus is a summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith through evangelization (sharing Jesus Christ), catechesis (teaching about Jesus Christ), Christian witness (showing the impact of Jesus Christ) and Eucharistic worship (encountering Jesus Christ). Our week-long Program assists parents and parishes by supplementing the work they are currently doing with and for their youth. Parish registration is now open and we are also accepting applications from college students to work the Totus Tuus program. Please visit dio.org/youthministry/tt for more information.