Annual Mission Mass draws students, faculty from all over diocese 

Cecilia Arena of St. Boniface School in Edwardsville is shown with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.  She was recognized for her artwork, which earned not only a diocesan level award in the Annual Missionary Childhood Christmas Artwork Contest, but was also recognized at the national level. 

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor 

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was the main celebrant and the homilist for the annual Missionary Childhood Association Mission Mass on Oct. 8. Faculty members and parents brought children from all over the diocese to participate in the Mass, which was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 

In his homily, Bishop Paprocki pointed out several statues in the Cathedral that depicted saints who were missionaries, including St. Peter, St. Paul, St. James the Greater, St. Patrick, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Dominic, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who is also known as The Little Flower. 

In speaking of St. Thérèse, Bishop Paprocki said, “She was very aware that every person was an important part of the Body of Christ, the Church. So, none of us should see ourselves as unimportant to the work of the missions. We must always see ourselves as being on-mission.”  

Also at the Mass, Fathers Steven Arisman, John Burnette, Joseph Havrilka, and Michael Meinhart concelebrated and Father Jason Stone attended in choir dress.  Father Dominic Vahling was Master of Ceremonies. 

Immediately after Mass, Michael Carlson, the new director of Pro-life and Missions, talked to the children, saying, “Students can change the world, even at your age. You can make this world a place of justice and love. Today this Cathedral is full of young missionaries.”

Hazel Glenn and Carter Johannsen stand with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki after they accepted the first place for per capita donation award for St. Louis School in Nokomis. 

Carlson went on to acknowledge the top five schools for per capita donation to the Missionary Childhood Association for the 2024-2025 school year. Those top five schools were: fifth place, St. Boniface in Edwardsville; fourth place, St. Agnes in Springfield; third place, St. Mary in Taylorville; second place, St. Mary in Brussels; and first place, St. Louis in Nokomis. A special PSR participation award went to Sacred Heart Church in Virden. 

Carlson also acknowledged the local artwork winners along with a national winner for the annual Missionary Childhood Association Christmas Artwork Contest for the 2024-2025 school year. The local winners (one boy and one girl for each level) were: Abilene Clavin, St. Louis School, Nokomis and J P Thoele, St. Dominic School, Quincy for grades 1-2; Madison Jade Luces, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Decatur and Daniel Albright, St. Louis School, Nokomis for grades 3-4;  Cecilia Arana, St. Boniface School, Edwardsville and Cody DeMoss, St. Dominic School, Quincy, for grades 5-6; and Norah Arbogast, St. Francis Solanus School, Quincy and Cooper Kane, St. Ambrose School, Godfrey for grades 7-8. 

Cecilia Arana (St. Boniface, Edwardsville) was also a national award winner for the MCA Christmas Art Contest. A reproduction of her art will be displayed at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Her framed original art will be hung in St. Boniface. 

Photos by Diane Schlindwein