Mon - Thurs: 8:00 - 5:15
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(217) 698-8500
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Community of Religious Educators (CORE) - Mark your calendars for a pre-Thanksgiving gathering and celebration on Thursday, November 11 at 10:30 at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield! We will meet in the second-floor conference room for fellowship and a meal. I have invited Sr. M. Consolata Crews, FSGM, to join us and tell us more about the areas of ministry that she is supporting in her role as the director of evangelization and formation services in the curia. RSVP by November 4 so I can plan food accordingly, , or call (217) 698-8500, ext. 154.
Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation - Registration is now open for the next cycle of the University of Dayton’s online learning program that runs from January 17 – February 19, 2022. Individual courses or one of the certificate programs can help sharpen skills as catechists and administrators. Scholarships are available through the Religious Education and Catechist Formation Endowment. Visit https://oldsite.dio.org/catechesis/approved-formation-programs.htm for more information about VLCFF and how courses align with the Diocesan Catechist Formation Process. Contact Kyle Holtgrave, Director for Catechesis at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154 or for more information.
Your Christmas Mass schedule needed - Catholic Times will be publishing Christmas Mass schedules, which will appear in the Dec. 12th issue. If you would like your parish/parishes included, please complete the online form by Nov. 22. It can be found here: ct.dio.org/christmasschedule. Thank you in advance!
Answering your questions on dying and death — The diocese has put together an easy to navigate and comprehensive look at end-of-life issues. Go to dio.org/funeral for questions like: Why should one pre-plan their funeral? If my loved one is dying, what should I do? Why must one insist on Catholic funeral rites? Why should one pray for the dead? Who should one insist upon being buried in a Catholic cemetery? Also covered is the issue of cremation, among other topics. As the month of November is dedicated to praying for the dead, now is a good time to learn more about dying and death from our Catholic faith perspective.
Seminarian Tree for your parish - You’ve heard of an Angel Tree, but we would like to introduce you to a Seminarian Tree. This year, we have printed cards with information about our seminarians on them. If you wish, we can send you cards of all the seminarians to place on a tree to display. Then, parishioners can pull off a card and commit to praying for that seminarian all year. Parishioners can choose to mail them a birthday card or Christmas card letting the seminarian know they are being prayed for. Check out our tree for inspiration. If you are interested in receiving seminarian cards, please email Amber at .
In need of more vocation posters? - If your parish/school is in need of more vocations posters, which features our seminarians, please email Amber Cerveny: .
Vatican Eucharistic Miracles of the World display available – 151 true Eucharistic miracle stories from across the world over the centuries, depicted through photographs and historical descriptions on panels that can be temporarily set up in the parish centers, gyms, or large meeting rooms, are available to parishes and organizations in the diocese free of charge. The Vatican Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit was gifted to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and presents some of the principal Eucharistic miracles that took place throughout the ages in various countries of the world, and which have been recognized by the Catholic Church. By means of the panels, one can “virtually visit” the places where the miracles took place. To request all or some of the panels at your parish or organization, contact Cindy Callan at 217-698-8500, ext. 137 for further information. Or email her at . When requesting panels for a showing, please consider sufficient lead time.
Men interested in the diaconate? There are three informational meetings in different parts of our diocese for men interested in becoming a deacon. The first takes place in Jacksonville at the Knights of Columbus Hall (320 East State) on Saturday, November 13 from 9-10:30 a.m. The second takes place in Mattoon at Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center (320 N 20th Street) on Tuesday, November 16 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. The third takes place in Quincy at the St. Francis Parish Center (1721 College) on Sunday, November 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. The meetings will present information for those interested in the Permanent Diaconate Formation 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 the Church. If interested, and if married, wives are welcome and encouraged to attend. For questions, email Deacon Sorrell: . You can also visit dio.org/diaconate.
Blessing of Graves: The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, November 2nd, is a fitting day for the Blessing of Graves as found in Chapter 57 of the Book of Blessings.
Save the Date: The Dioceses of Belleville and of Springfield in Illinois are again co-sponsoring Through the Doorway, a workshop on an aspect on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on January 23, 2022 at 2620 Lebanon Avenue, Building 6, in Belleville. The workshop will address the question, “What key beliefs need to be addressed in the period of the Catechumenate?” Additional information and registration materials will follow.
CRS Rice Bowl Workshop - Catholic Relief Service (CRS) is offering two workshops on Wednesday, November 17th to help prepare for CRS Rice Bowl 2022. Each workshop is 1.5 hours long. Please encourage your school and parish leadership to participate in this interactive workshop, along with other school and parish leaders within our diocese and across the country. This is a workshop that will help prepare us for CRS Rice Bowl 2022. The 1.5 hour workshop is offered twice on Wednesday, November 17, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Leaders interested in attending should select the session time that works best for their schedule. register
CRS Rice Bowl Order Reminder: Have you updated your Rice Bowl orders for Lent 2022? You can update your order or contact info in one of three ways, if you have not:
Important: The last day to reduce or cancel existing orders is Nov. 12th. New orders or additions can still be added through Lent. Thank you for all you do to assist those in need.
Central America Migrant Crisis - There is an escalating migrant crisis in Central America. CRS has been supporting migrant shelters along the Mexico–Guatemala corridor as they expand and adapt their assistance to meet people's heightened needs, and in a context of change and uncertainty. Go to the Office for the Missions webpage to read CRS’ Factsheet about the crisis and how you can help them provide humanitarian relief.
Calling All Young Artists – Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) has an annual Christmas Art Contest competition for students from K-8th grade. Winning artwork will be on display General information and entry form can be found at: MCA Artwork Contest Entry Form (missio.org). Please share this information with school principals and art teachers.
Upcoming Stewardship Webinar- Open to all and will be recorded!
Giving & Acknowledgement Opportunities at Year-End
Wednesday, December 1st 11 AM- 12 PM.This webinar will cover the basics of year-end appeals, including Advent stewardship appeals, while providing a focus on acknowledgement for all the good stewardship that has happened at the parish the past year. We will cover some example bulletin examples that can be used at year-end, including tax-incentivized giving opportunities. This webinar will help you cultivate generosity and acknowledgement with the spirit of the season! Register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1206361486103648270
Customized Parish Planned Giving Resource
Are you looking for a way to ensure long-term sustainability of your parish? Would you like to learn how donors can make a lasting gift to your parish without withdrawing or increasing their current income? Planned giving through wills, bequest, estate gifts, IRAs, or life insurance gifts can be a great way for your parishioners to give effectively and sustainably for the parish! We have created a parish planning resource for each parish to share with parishioners. You can view the draft here and we will work with you on customizing it as best as possible. Please contact us if you are interested in this FREE resource for your parish! or 217-321-1121
Season of Stewardship - Important Information for Parishes
If you have signed up for the parish Season of Stewardship we have your parish packets on the way and are ready to answer any questions you may have about the process in person or over the phone. Please reach out to Katie Price to schedule a time: or 217-321-1121. You may also want to review our webpage with information here: https://discipleship.dio.org/
Annual DCJH Collection: November 20-21, 2021 is the annual collection for the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH). Donations make it possible to provide hope and assistance of food, clothing, housing, education and medication to local people living in poverty. 100% of the contributions goes to fund orgnaizations within our Diocese. Please promote this collection and encourage parishioners to give generously. If you miss the opportunity to help through your parish collection, you can still contribute by mail or by going to oldsite.dio.org/dcjh. The mailing address is: Catholic Pastoral Center, DCJH, Pro-Life Activities and Special Ministries, 1615 West Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702
Short Tidbit from Project Rachel: The Canonical Perspective on Abortion – The following persons are not subject to an automatic penalty for procuring a successful abortion, although a lesser penalty might still be imposed as a result of a church process (cf.c. 1324)
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: There will be a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for people affected by abortion March 25-27, 2022, at the Villa Maria Retreat Center. The cost is $150, but scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee. Please let others know about this healing opportunity. For more information go to: oldsite.dio.org/plasm/project-rachel.html , call 217-698-4456, or email