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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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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!
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.
Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins
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.
Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe - Please use the bulletin announcements provided to promote the annual collection for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe (CCEE). Donations are used to train seminarians and lay leaders, support social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral and catechetical centers, schools, church construction and renovation, and evangelization through Catholic media. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/ccee. The collection is on Ash Wednesday. Bulletin announcements, in English and Spanish, are for the week before the collection, the weekend before the collection, and after the collection.
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Rice Bowl Homily Reflections during Lent - A resource of homily reflections throughout Lent is available on the CRS Rice Bowl website. Each homily reflection is a YouTube video that lasts 5-10 minutes.
CRS Rice Bowl Resources - Resources for families, parishes, schools and universities to prepare for the annual Rice Bowl collection are located on the CRS Rice Bowl website.
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.
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 – Developing Interest Through Awareness: Many in the general public are unaware of the emotional and spiritual suffering that often follows abortion. The reality of that experience can change the hearts of those who favor abortion because they think it may be a “good choice” for a woman who has an unplanned pregnancy. (PR Manual pg 57)
New FCC Rules for Multi-Line Phone Systems - The FCC has decided to establish minimum rules for all multi-line telephone systems (including VOIP systems) owned by nonprofit and for profit entities. These rules also apply to schools. Kariʼs Law requires phone systems manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after February 16, 2020, to enable users to dial 9-1-1 directly, without having to dial a prefix to reach an outside line, and to provide for notification (e.g., to a front desk or security office) when a 911 call is made. Ray Baum's Act requires that a “dispatchable location” be conveyed with 911 calls – including street address of the calling party, room number, floor number, or similar information necessary to adequately identify the location of the calling party. The law does not require you to purchase new hardware. If your system was installed after February 16th, 2020, check with your vendor to make sure it is complaint. If you are considering a new phone system, ensure that it meets the above criteria. Once installed or configured, pre-arrange a test with administrators of your local 911 call center to ensure your new system is compliant.
Preventing Targeted Violence in Faith Communities – Sign up to receive free virtual training on threat assessment for churches, presented the U.S. Secret Service. The material presented is geared toward clergy, church staff, and church safety personnel. The training will take into account the unique considerations of faith leaders as they address both the spiritual and safety needs of congregants and the surrounding community. This is not active shooter response training. Date: March 2. Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Platform: ZOOM (Link provided after registration). Registration: Email with your full name, title, organization, and email address. Register by Feb. 24.