Mon - Thurs: 8:00 - 5:15
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Catechist Formation Process - The Catechist Formation Process is designed to help every member of the faith community grow closer to God and be formed in the faith to be more effective catechists. This process can lead to formal diocesan recognition for adults, whether professional or volunteer, who participate in a variety of formation opportunities. Per diocesan policy, all catechists, whether they teach in a school or parish catechetical program, must actively seek formation through the diocesan Catechist Formation Process. For more information about the Catechist Formation Process and a link to the revised handbook, please go to https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/catechist-formation-requirements.html. Or contact Kyle Holtgrave, Director for Catechesis, at or (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Catechetical Sunday – September 19, 2021- Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to commission catechists for their ministry in the parish for the school year. A sample commissioning service is included on the diocesan website at https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/recognition-of-catechists.html. For more suggestions on ways to celebrate Catechetical Sunday in the parish, contact Kyle Holtgrave, Director for Catechesis in the Office for Catholic Education at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or .
Community of Religious Educators (CORE) - The next CORE meeting is Thursday, September 30 at 10 AM via webinar. CORE is for anyone involved in the catechetical mission of the parish at any level. The main presentation will be from Ruah Woods on human anthropology and St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. To register for this webinar, please contact Kyle Holtgrave at or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Help people get to confession – The July 25 edition of Catholic Times featured a comprehensive look at confession: why, how, and where to go to confession; inspirational stories and quotes; and what our priests think about the powerful sacrament. If you are a priest, lay parish leader, PSR instructor, and/or Catholic school teacher, you can use this document (taken from Catholic Times) to help your instruction when teaching people about the sacrament, explaining why they should go, or if one needs inspiration or a tutorial on how to go to confession.
Dive Deep: 10 myths about going to confession - Going to confession can be scary. There are plenty of false ideas about confession that may be holding you back from receiving the grace of this sacrament. Dive Deep debunks 10 myths and offers advice and encouragement to receive God’s mercy. Go to dio.org/podcast to listen and subscribe.
Promoting Tax Credit Scholarship Program – The tax credit scholarship program, part of Illinois’ Invest in Kids Act, is a win-win-win. The first win is for the students, who despite financial hardships, can now attend Catholic schools, be surrounded by our positive and holy values, and receive a higher academic experience. The second win is for our schools, who now have these students in their classrooms. The third win is for donors, who receive a 75% state income credit on their donation.
Here are several documents that can help your parish/school promote the tax credit scholarship to parents, your school community, business leaders, and church donors. Attached are several documents to help you do that:
Bobby Sylvester, Regional Director of Empower Illinois (the organization that coordinates and grants all the scholarships), can visit your school/school board/parish council to answer questions:
SDCCW convention - The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (SDCCW) are inviting all women of the diocese to their 92nd annual convention called “Living God’s Plan for Life, Love and the Family” on Wed. Sept. 29 at Hamilton’s South Ballroom (110 N. East Street, Jacksonville) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bishop Paprocki, along with priests of the diocese, will celebrate 11 a.m. Mass for the convention attendees at Our Savior Catholic Church in Jacksonville and join in the banquet luncheon directly afterward at Hamilton’s.
Coleen Kelly Mast, a Quincy native who is a motivational speaker and popular radio host on more than 250 Catholic Radio Stations via the EWTN network and Sirius Satellite Radio, will have morning and afternoon talks, entitled “The 4 heart Healthy Habits for Holiness” and “LoveEd: Witnessing the Truth in Today’s Confused World.”
Parishes are asked to promote the event using this flyer, putting this registration form in public areas, and putting raffle ticket forms in public areas (50-50 raffle and quilt raffle).
The Curia is Hiring! - We are hiring for two positions:
Please check out our listings at oldsite.dio.org/jobs and include them in your parish bulletins!
Are you being called to be a deacon? There is a special information meeting at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Alton on Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. for men interested in becoming a deacon for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Deacon Dave Sorrell (director of the Office for the Diaconate) will present information for those interested in the Permanent Diaconate Program 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 their parish. If interested, and if married, wives are welcome and encouraged to attend. For questions, email Deacon Sorrell: . You can also visit dio.org/diaconate.
Give Aid to Haitians Affected by Earthquake - A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Saturday, August 14. Thousands are injured and many more have lost their homes and loved ones. Your gift will help provide essential relief, likely to include clean water, sanitation, shelter and emergency supplies, giving immediate aid to families affected. To donate go to: https://support.crs.org/donate/haiti-earthquake
CRS Resources for School & PSR Teachers - As school is beginning teachers may be interested in knowing about resources available to compliment curriculum. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has an on-line Resource Center with lesson plans for elementary and high school students. The lesson plans teach young people about Church teaching while helping them learn about some of the realities facing our brothers and sisters in different countries around the world. Go to https://www.crs.org/get-involved/resource-center/institution/school
Mission Mass - Save the date.This year’s Mission Mass for our schools is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. More information to follow.
National Catholic Certification Program in Health Care Ethics - Do you know anyone interested in getting certified in health care ethics? The National Catholic Bioethics Center is offering a Certification Program in Health Care Ethics. It is an intensive learning experience in Catholic bioethics. This program is ideal for those working in clinical settings such as health care workers, chaplains, or members of ethics committees. Those involved in the pro-life movement and Catholic secondary school teachers of religion and science have also found it to be of great benefit. Click here for more information and to register. Last day to register is August 31, 2021.
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: Additional Healing Services: Masses and Retreats
Working with Retreat Models:
- Retreatants should be screened as well. Anyone who reveals suicidal thinking, active substance abuse, or an apparent psychological disorder that could prove disruptive should be encouraged to postpone going on the retreat. Inquiring about medications being taken for depression or anxiety may signal the intensity of any psychological disorder.
- A procedural protocol should be in place in the event a retreatant required mental health or medical care during or following the retreat. In the event a family member needs to be contacted, appropriate contact information should be provided in advance by each retreatant. (PR manual pg 63)
Monthly Pro-Life Intercessions and Bulletin Quotes - September’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
Our Lady of the Snows Presentation – Suicide Prevention - Our Lady of the Snows is hosting QPR Suicide Prevention Training, September 8, 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Candlelight Vigil, 7:30 pm. For more information go to: https://snows.org/events-2/
NCYC registration open - NCYC 2021 group registration is open. Only 85 tickets remaining. Please visit dio.org/youthministry/ncyc to register.
Play Like A Champion Today Middle School Coaches Clinic - Play Like a Champion Today deals withtough sport issues by promoting:
Join us September 12 from 2-5 PM at Christ the King Parish Hall, Springfield for a Middle School Coaches Clinic. Registration cost is $25. To register, go to dio.org/youthministry/sports.