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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. 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.
Annual Parish Catechetical Leader Survey - One goal of this office is to keep an accurate list of parish catechetical leaders in the diocese along with a snapshot of catechetical ministries offered by all parishes. To help accomplish this goal, a brief survey has been mailed to all parishes. This survey is intended for the person who serves the parish in a leadership role over all the parish’s catechetical programs as delegated to by the pastor or parish administrator. Some parishes refer to this position as the director of religious education (DRE), though many other titles exist. If you have not received this survey, please contact Kyle Holtgrave, director for the Office for Catechesis at or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Local Course Information - Parishes that host local courses for ongoing faith formation can have these courses evaluated for credit in the Catechist Formation Process and also have these courses advertised on the diocesan website at https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/local-courses.html. Please contact Kyle Holtgrave in the Office for Catholic Education at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154 or email for more information.
Are you a priest and have a Mary garden, flower garden, or vegetable garden - Catholic Times is looking for information on priests in the Springfield diocese who have a Mary garden, flower garden, or vegetable garden so that we can run a summer feature in the magazine. Please send contact information to Diane Schlindwein or Andrew Hansen: or before July 13. Thank you.
Parish mailing lists – This summer, please work with Cindy Callan who handles subscriptions for Catholic Times to go over the mailing list of your parishioners. Catholic Times wants to ensure all new parishioners receive the magazine and anyone who has moved away or died doesn’t keep receiving the magazine to avoid unnecessary costs. Whomever in your parish handles your mailing list, please email Cindy at letting her know that you are the contact person for this. Then, Cindy will email you the mailing list Catholic Times has on file for your parish. We then ask you to review that list Cindy sends you and to add any parishioners who are not on the list and delete anyone who is no longer an active parishioner. We understand this is can be an arduous task, but we thank you very much for helping us keep our mailing lists as accurate as possible.
Dive Deep – Do we really have free will? Scientists and theologians have debated the free will question for centuries. Hear what scientists discovered and how you can answer this question from a Catholic theological perspective in this episode of Dive Deep. Go to dio.org/podcast to listen and subscribe.
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.
Annual Anti-Harassment Training - All paid staff should be receiving emails from Virtus when their anti-harassment training anniversary date it approaching. Please remind them to complete the required training and have any new employees complete the training as well. For more information, please contact Erin Danaher at or Debbie Maynerich at
COOP Collections - As a reminder: The manner of taking up the collection for COOP Missionaries is determined by the pastor. Parishioners should make donation checks payable to the parish. The missionary should not take envelops or the funds collected from the parish, nor a list of names of contributors. Please do not publish the address of the mission organization in the bulletin. Envelopes with the groups’ mailing address are not allowed. No missionary group may employ professional soliciting agencies while making an appeal in the parishes of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. At the time of the appeal, no subscriptions to magazines or periodicals are to be promised or solicited. No child sponsorships or other relationships may be solicited. Parish bookkeeper please submit a check for the proceeds collected to the Office for the Missions within thirty (30) days of the missionary’s visit.
Biking for Babies - Biking for Babies, a pro-life organization connecting young adults with a passion for athletics to pregnancy resource centers, will bike into Springfield on July 16, 2021. All are welcome to attend their mission event at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Mass begins at 5:15 pm Mass, enjoy dinner, then cyclists will share about their approach to building a Culture of Life amidst our nation’s current war on human dignity. For more information about Biking for Babies to go: www.bikingforbabies.com/give. To RSVP for the event contact Vicki Compton at: 217/522-3342 or email . Biking for Babies is partnering with three pregnancy help centers within our diocese: First Step Women's Center (Springfield), Choices Pregnancy & Health (Charleston), ThriVe Metro East (Godfrey).
Faith and Justice Internship with the Office for Pro-Life Activities and Special Ministries - The Office for Pro-Life Activities and Special Ministries is offering a paid internship for Catholics. The internship is to promote the diocesan Justice and Hope program and gain experience working on behalf of those in poverty. The internship will provide opportunities to develop relationships with community leaders and reflect on Catholic social teaching. The internship starts September 2021 with an hourly rate of $14/hour. Catholics with good writing abilities, willing to speak publicly, able to drive, and who have an interest in Catholic social justice are encouraged to apply. Visit https://oldsite.dio.org/plasm to download the application. Application and resume must be submitted by July 16th. Contact Donna Moore with any questions: , 217-321-1161.
Pre-Cana in Spanish - The Diocese of Belleville is having a Pre-Cana session in Spanish. The next Pre-Cana class for Hispanic couples is being offered October 16, 2021. If you know of any Hispanic couple that is interested in attending have them contact Carlos and Efrend Garcia at: 618-632-1755, cell phone: 618-520-3404, or .
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: Launching and Promoting the Project Rachel Ministry: Promoting the Project Rachel Ministry – At the beginning of the ministry, it is helpful if the bishop makes a public statement announcing the ministry and explaining how it operates and what services will be provided. The local Catholic paper can interview the bishop, director, and/or a priest involved in Project Rachel ministry to promote the work. Radio stations and local television stations may also be willing to broadcast stories concerning the launch of the Project Rachel ministry. (PR Manual pg 61)
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - There will be a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for people affected by abortion August 13-15, at the Villa Maria Retreat Center. Please let others know about this healing opportunity. Scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee. A flyer is available at the following link: oldsite.dio.org/plasm/projectrachel.
“Viable” - For the MANY people hurting, in silence, from a past abortion that desperately need to hear a message of HOPE and HEALING, or for those interested in knowing about the effects of abortion, there are 8 OPPORTUNITES to see the life-altering play – “Viable”! The play, "Viable” is showing in Effingham, Bethalto, and Alton July 10-12. This FREE stage production follows a journey of forgiveness, renewal, and hope through the eyes of one woman who carried a burden of despair.
Please share details of these MULTIPLE (free) performances with your church, networks, and Social Media platforms. (permission to copy and paste) For more information about the play and its main sponsor, and to register to attend, go to: www.SupportAfterAbortion.com/viable/.For any questions contact Donna Moore, or 217-321-1161.