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PSR submissions from each parish/school needed - Catholic Times is accepting PSR articles or photos for its annual PSR issue (which will be in September to time with Catechetical Sunday, but asking for information now before this PSR school year ends). We invite parishes to submit either a PSR article (300 words or less) about your program or a good story or a PSR photo with short caption by May 21 using the online form: https://ct.dio.org/psrissuesubmission Photos should be 300 dpi or better and sent as image files (such as .jpeg or .pdf). Please do not imbed the photo in a Word document. For articles, include your parish name, town, as well as the author. For questions, call (217) 698-8500, ext. 118, or outside of Springfield (800) 677-8708.
It’s time… welcome back to Mass - Bishop Thomas John Paprocki announced that, effective April 11, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days will be modified to be limited to the following groups: Those 65 years of age or older; Those at risk for severe illness due to underlying medical conditions as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Those who care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed; Those women who are pregnant; Those who cannot be accommodated at Mass because the church was at safe-distancing capacity. Those who are sick or came in contact with someone with COVID-19/flu are obligated to stay home and are therefore excused. All other Catholics not in those categories in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, effective April 11, beginning with the Saturday anticipated Masses the evening before. Answers to questions can be found at dio.org/backtomass.
Dive Deep - No more Communion blessings. What now? A January instruction by Bishop Paprocki instituted no more communion blessings across the diocese. Dive Deep tells you what happens now when someone approaches the priest with their arms crossed and why hearing these certain words, “Receive Christ in your heart,” will make a big impact. Go to dio.org/podcast to listen.
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Building the Kingdom, One House at a Time - SPRINGFIELD DEANERY CHECK THIS OUT! Build # 114, the Catholic Build, is moving right along! Spring weather is challenging and occasionally volunteer days will be changed, extended or re-scheduled. Check the Habitat VolunteerHub website to see opportunities that are available, knowing that there is a possibility that the schedule might change. As always, food provision is an important part of a build site. If you are available to assist with food provision or being a Site Host (check volunteers in and out of the build site), please contact Susan Carrigan, or 217-523-2710, ext. 213 Catholicbuild.com
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Diocesan Women of Distinction Celebration - The Springfield in Illinois Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (S.D.C.C.W.) is pleased to announce the Tenth Annual “Women of Distinction” Celebration on Saturday, June 5. This celebration honors one woman from each parish in the Springfield Diocese for her service to God, parish, and community. Your honoree does not need to belong to any parish women’s group. There are no selection rules. By this recognition, you are honoring one lady who represents all the women in your parish.
Mass begins at 10 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Paprocki at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Your parish priests and deacons may join Bishop Paprocki in celebrating the Mass. At the end of the Mass, the Bishop will present each honoree with a WOD Certificate. In addition to the 2021 honorees, this celebration will include the 2020 Women of Distinction. We already have the names of the 2020 honorees. The Cathedral will accommodate “in person” seating for honorees, guests, etc. and provide “streaming” for the Women of Distinction Celebration.
In order that your 2021 honoree’s name appear in the program booklet, the registration form must be received by April 26. Please send your parish registration form to Janet Zimmerman by April 26. Email: or by mail: 1213 Mildred Court; Springfield, IL 62712
Job Opening at the Catholic Pastoral Center: Parish Finance Administrator - The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is seeking a highly qualified and enthusiastic individual to take on the role of Parish Finance Administrator. This role assists the Finance Officer in organizational management by interpreting and utilizing parish managerial accounting and financial information. This position oversees support of parishes through supervising parish audits, developing finance policies, establishing internal controls for parishes, and executing an accounting review program. More information including requirements and how to apply can be found at dio.org/jobs.
Repeal of Parental Notification of Abortion Law - Our bishops have written a letter to the Catholic faithful, urging them to take action against the repeal of the parental notice of abortion law. The Diocesan Pro-Life Resource page contains the letter from the Bishops in English, Spanish and Polish, along with a way to identify one’s lawmakers, and other resources. Please urge your parishioners to contact their lawmaker and tell them to vote “No” on House Bill 1797 and Senate Bill 2190. If the law is repealed it will eliminate a critical safeguard that protects young girls from abuse of human traffickers and rapists.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Diocese: Project Rachel and Related Programs: – How to Begin (or Strengthen) a Project Rachel Ministry in Your Diocese – Screening Volunteers and Staff: Other questions for reflection:
These are questions for personal reflection initially but also for discussion. If these questions are answered in writing, the Project Rachel director/coordinator must treat them as highly confidential. The Project Rachel director/coordinator has an obligation to keep everyone safe in this process and cannot assume that anyone who comes forward to help is in a position to be able to do so. (PR Manual pg 59)
Formation in Preparation for Quinceanera - Is there a young woman in your parish ready to celebrate her Quinceanera? A six month formation program is available through St Alexius Parish. The formation is available in person and virtually. Formation gatherings occur the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month for one-hour. For more information contact Sr Ema,
Rosary for Healing and Protection – April 28, 2021 @ 12:00 PM - Join the Office for Safe Environment in praying the Rosary with special intentions for the healing and protection of those affected by childhood abuse. As we offer our prayers for their healing and the protection of all children, we ask for the intercession of the Holy Family to bless our efforts as we strive to help children around us live the full and abundant life God desires for them. Please join us in lifting their needs in prayer. Where to join in person? Location: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | Where to join virtually? Livestream at oldsite.dio.org/live, Facebook at www.facebook.com/diospringfield or YouTube at www.youtube.com/diospringfield.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - National Child Abuse Prevention month is observed in April. It is a time for heightened vigilance in our homes, schools, churches, and communities. During this time of awareness, there is a special emphasis on the importance of the healing and protection of those affected by childhood abuse. Although each diocesan parish and school, the Office for Safe Environment, and the USCCB work year-round to prevent abuse, April is a time to reaffirm our work and raise awareness that child abuse is preventable. You can find information about prayer opportunities, homily helps, sample social media posts, and sample petitions for Child Abuse Prevention Month at the following link:https://cdn.ymaws.com/usccb.site-ym.com/resource/group/1560f0d7-fee7-4aff-afd2-4cf076a24943/resource_toolbox/capm/2021_capm_booklet__3_.pdf. As brothers and sisters in Christ please join in this national movement to protect God’s children.
Freedom from Fear women's retreat - What are you fearful of? Is something holding you back? How often do you turn to God when you face something fearful in your life? Women needing a spiritual boost during such an uncertain time and anxiety filled world are in luck as the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is hosting “Freedom from Fear,” a women’s overnight retreat May 1-2.
The retreat, led by Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and other women will include presentations, group discussions, personal prayer, reflection time, Mass, Confession, and Adoration. Participants will experience silence and prayer, laughter, and maybe even some tears! The goal is for women to leave refreshed, inspired, and confident to trust God to continue to help them experience freedom from fear in every aspect of their lives.
The “Freedom from Fear” retreat begins Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m. and concludes Sunday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Villa Maria Retreat Center in Springfield (1903 East Lake Shore Drive). The cost is $135 and includes lodging, meals, bottomless coffee/tea, and materials. An optional Friday night stay (April 30) is also available for an additional $50. Go to benotafraid.dio.org to register. The retreat is limited to 20 people.
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