Bishop Paprocki will be featured in an EWTN special July 2 at 8 p.m. “Holding These Truths Again: Reclaiming Our Founding Principles” is an excellent program as our country celebrates 250 years! Set a reminder to tune in to EWTN!
Here is a flyer to use as well
Called & Sent: A summer retreat for high schoolers – Join other high schoolers looking to learn more about God’s Highway to Heaven. Hear from priests, religious, and lay speakers diving into the heart of the Church – the Eucharist. Called & Sent will be July 18-23 at the Villa Maria Retreat Center in Springfield. To learn more, go to dio.org/events or contact Fr. Zach Samples, Promoter of Vocations, at [email protected].
Couple options to pair a graphic with it:
Called and Courageous Women’s Conference in Springfield Coming in October – Life is full of highs and lows, and it can be hard to see where God is in the middle of it all. At this year’s Catholic Women’s Conference, discover how to trust God in the messy, real moments of everyday life. Learn how your emotions influence your spiritual life and how to challenge the lies that lead to self-criticism, comparison, and discouragement. You’ll leave with practical tools to learn how to recognize God in your daily life, grow in prayer, and live with greater confidence in your identity as a beloved daughter of God. No matter what your season of life – single, married, divorced, widowed, young adult, or retired – you’ll find encouragement, community, and hope. When? Saturday, October 10. Christ the King parish Center, Springfield. Women ages 18+. Cost $30. For the full schedule, speaker information, and registration, visit go.dio.org/cac. Even if you are on the fence about God, remember: God is not on the fence about you.
Or, you can use this flyer to hang in your church/school or hand out to women
Catholic Traditions From The Gospel of James – There is a Gospel of James! Who wrote it, when, and what are the themes and traditions Catholics get from this Gospel? And Why did the Church not recognize it as fully inspired by the Holy Spirit? Go to youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. Dive Deep is the podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Family Life is Messy Being a good parent starts with being a great spouse, but being a good parent or even a great spouse is hard, messy work. And we’re not meant to do it alone! So find podcasts like “Fighting the Slow Drift in Marriage”, courses like “Pizza and Parenting”, blog articles like “How to Have a Conversation About Finances without Arguing”, and guides like “Parenting as a Team” that can turn your messy family’s journey into an adventure at messyfamilyproject.org. If you want to pray with your family, you need to play with them first. Questions? Contact Gracie with the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 217-321-1124 or [email protected].
The 2026 Esper Figueras Memorial Golf Outing Benefiting St. John’s Breadline – The Esper Figueras Memorial Golf Outing is a special event where we remember the life of our dear Esper by raising money for the St. John’s Breadline in Springfield, IL. Esper was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, friend, and golf buddy. She loved golfing and volunteering at St. John’s Breadline. The Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Lincoln Greens Golf Course, 700 E Lake Shore Drive. The registration fee of $80 includes green fees, cart, lunch, dinner, 2 drink tickets, and 2 door prize raffle tickets. The 50/50 raffle will benefit the St. John’s Breadline. Registration and lunch will be from 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Opening remarks will be from 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon. The shotgun start / 4-person scramble begins at 12:00 noon. Dinner and awards will follow golf. Awards will be given for first place foursome, men and women longest drive, and closest to the pin. R.S.V.P. by June 25, 2026 at esperfiguerasmemorialgolfouting.com/rsvp. You may also email: [email protected] or mail a check to 72 Pine Cove, Springfield, IL 62712. Your presence at the Esper Figueras Memorial Golf outing helps to support this worthy cause.
Or, here is a graphic you can use instead
Carlinville Catholic Charities Notre Dame vs. Rice Raffle Fundraiser – Carlinville Catholic Charities is now selling raffle tickets for this year’s highly anticipated Notre Dame vs. Rice football game to take place at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The fundraiser offers participants the chance to win 4 game tickets, a parking pass, and a special Notre Dame gift basket filled with Notre Dame themed merchandise. It also includes a $100 American Express gift card.
Online raffle tickets are available for $25 each and may be purchased at cc.dio.org/events/notre-dame-2026. Physical tickets are also available at the Carlinville Catholic Charities office (525 W. Second South Street) in Carlinville or at the Catholic Charities Thrift Shop (20 Carlinville Plaza). Proceeds from the Notre Dame Raffle fundraiser will directly support the programs and services of Carlinville Catholic Charities. The drawing will take place on Friday, August 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the Catholic Charities office.
Or, here is a graphic you can use instead
Retreat for married couples offered – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317. Next ones:
7/31/2026 – 8/2/2026, Cape Girardeau, MO
10/9/2026 – 10/11/2026, Springfield, IL
One day enrichment experience for married couples – Worldwide Marriage Encounter invites married couples to experience “God Chose You for Me,” a one-day, seven-hour enrichment experience designed to strengthen your relationship and deepen your spiritual connection. Hosted by a priest or deacon, a married couple, and a surviving spouse, this inspiring program helps couples grow in unity through prayer, reflection, and meaningful conversation. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in O’Fallon, IL, or Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish in St. Charles, MO. The cost is $100 per couple, which includes lunch. To register or learn more, contact Eric and Terry Engholm at (931) 994-7882, email [email protected], or visit wwme.org.
STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS
June 28, 2026
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“…whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 1o:38
Pope Benedict XVI said “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness”. “Comfort” puts me first. “Picking up your cross and following Jesus” puts God and others first. Why settle for comfort when you can achieve greatness! Pick up your cross, ask Jesus for guidance on using your gifts and live the life God intended for you!
July 5, 2026
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” – Matthew 11:30
When we think of being good stewards, we may think that God is asking too much of us when He calls us to generously share our time, talent and treasure. However, we must remember that we are not “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has given us. All He is asking is that we give back a small portion, in gratitude, of what He has already given to us.
July 12, 2026
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word but then the cares of the world and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” – Matthew 13:22
Does the lure of riches and material goods choke God out of your life? Are you so caught up in earthly activities that you have no time for God? Gratitude and generosity are virtues that we should strive to do on a daily basis. Every decision we make either takes us one step closer to God or one step further away. What we receive at Mass every Sunday should be shared with others all the other days of the week as well.
July 19, 2026
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field…He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.” – Matthew 13:24, 37-38
As children of God, we are all “good seeds”. We are blessed by God with the potential to accomplish much good in the world. We fulfill God’s plan when we spend time in prayer every day, use our skills to help others and share our financial gifts to help build God’s kingdom on earth. Through our example of gratitude and generosity we sow “good seeds” on earth and ultimately help each other get to Heaven!
July 26, 2026
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Do you really trust God? Do you really believe that God will provide all that you need? Faith is a challenge for everyone at times. Putting our trust in God, in everything we do, in good times and in bad, means that God’s plan for our lives may be quite different than what we planned. When one door closes, another one opens. Trust in God, His plan is always better.
August 2, 2026
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to them, ‘There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves’.” – Matthew 14:16
This is what Jesus said right before he fed the five thousand men. How often do we really place our trust in Jesus when the situation looks grim? With Jesus, no gift is too small or insignificant when offered with love. But, we have to do our part. We should trust that Jesus will provide all that we need. We need to believe that Jesus has a better plan in store for us.
August 9, 2026
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.” – Matthew 14:29
When you hear Jesus calling, do you responded immediately and trust that He knows what He’s doing? If so, you are walking on water! When we say “yes” to Jesus, we feel the power of his presence in our lives. We can feel the freedom it gives us! Listen how Jesus is calling you to live the extraordinary life He has intended for you.
August 16, 2026
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” – Romans 11:29
God has a special mission in mind for each of us. He has given us the gifts we need to accomplish that mission. We are called to be good stewards by using those gifts to do the work that He has planned for each of us. If we deny our gifts or fail to use them as God calls us to use them, then some part of His work will be left undone. Each of us has a part in God’s salvation plan.
August 23, 2026
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” – Romans 11:35
St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give God anything – He already owns it all. God made everything, including us. Since we are made in His image, we too, are called to be generous. How we use our God-given gifts becomes our gift back to Him. Gratitude for all we have been given opens our hearts to joyful generosity! And, through our generosity, we just may be the answer to someone else’s prayer.
August 30, 2026
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” – Matthew 16:26
St. Francis of Assisi said, “Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else.” We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent and treasure to gain more of the world’s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God’s values and not the values of the material world.
September 6, 2026
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel…” – Ezekiel 33:7
Many of us are generous with our gifts. However, many of us are not generous in proportion to the gifts we have been given. How often do we give at the minimum level required? Remember, the Lord calls us to nurture and develop our gifts and to give back with increase. He calls us to be generous with all the gifts, especially the one that means the most to us.
September 13, 2026
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14:8
This is the essence of stewardship – everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. We aren’t “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts that God has given us, especially our very own lives. Pray to God, daily, and ask Him how He is calling you to the live the life that He intended for you.
September 20, 2026
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last”. – Matthew 20:16
You’ve heard the saying “it’s not where you start, but how you finish.” This certainly applies to this Bible passage. We have a responsibility not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. We are called to generously share our gifts with others, not hoard them for our own use. Our sincere gratitude and cheerful generosity will help us live “God-centered” lives and not “self-centered” lives.
September 27, 2020
Stewardship Awareness Sunday in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Do nothing out of selfishness; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves…” Philippians 2:3
Pride and ego are hard things to control. We see how others act or dress and think we are superior to them. We idolize our own self-image. But, if we truly believe everything is a gift from God, we recognize all the people that God has put in our lives as gifts! We are grateful for how they enrich our lives. Pray every day for the people in your life: your family, your friends and those who make you angry.