Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

Solemnity of the Annunciation: Women’s Faith, Wine, and Chocolate Night
2026-03-25 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL, 62712, United States
An evening of female companionship with Christ and Our Lady. The evening begins with Mass at 6 p.m. for the Solemnity of the Annunciation and then continues with wine and chocolate (Lenten penances are not obligatory on solemnities) and discussion of being women after the model of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

5:30 Arrival and Welcome
6:00 Mass
7:00 Fellowship and Faith Sharing Discussion
9:00 Depart

Cost: $10
Registration Deadline: March 20
Contact: events@dio.org
REGISTER HERE

Quincy Deanery Council of Catholic Women's Spring 2026 Gathering
2026-03-25 07:45
The Quincy Deanery Council of Catholic Women invites all women of the parish to its Spring 2026 Gathering on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, beginning at 7:45 a.m. at St. Thomas Church (109 E. Spring St., Camp Point). Registration runs from 7:45-8:15 a.m. with a $10 cost per person (cash or check), followed by Mass at 8:15 a.m., Eucharistic Adoration, and the Rosary. A light breakfast will be served at 10:00 a.m., with commission reports, lunch, a business meeting, and a Catholic trivia contest to follow. The guest speaker will be Father Scott Snider, who will present on “Building Catholic Culture.” Participants are encouraged to bring items for the Share Table, as well as donations for Water for Life, the Seminary Fund, Cross Catholic Outreach, Pro-Life Charities, and women’s and children’s socks, soaps, and shampoos for the Ladies of Charity. Register here by March 23, 2026. For questions, contact Susan Asher at 217-653-5074 or asherte@yahoo.com.
Parishes, please print this flyer

Lenten Day of Recollection: He Loved Them to the End: Preparing for Holy Week and Easter
2026-03-22 14:00 - 19:00 | Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL, 62712, United States
Through conferences and personal prayer time, this Lenten afternoon of recollection will help you to reflect on and to experience more deeply the infinite and tender love of Christ for all of humanity and for each of us personally in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. The afternoon will conclude with dinner.
Sunday, March 22, 2026

2:00 Arrival and Welcome
2:30 Conference 1
3:15 Personal Prayer
4:00 Conference 2
4:45 Adoration, Prayer, Rosary and Benediction (Confessions available)
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Depart

Cost: $25 (retreat materials and dinner)
Registration Deadline: March 15
Contact: events@dio.org
REGISTER HERE

WATCH (We are the Church) Retreat in Chatham
2026-03-21 09:00 - 15:00 | St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 East Spruce Street, Chatham, IL, 62702, United States
What is a WATCH Retreat?
A WATCH retreat is a spiritual renewal retreat from a Catholic perspective, open to both adult men and women (18 and older). All are welcome!
This day is an opportunity to step away from the busyness of daily life and focus intentionally on your relationship with Christ and with others. Through prayer, reflection, and community, participants are invited to be renewed in faith and encouraged in their spiritual journey.
This year’s theme: Be Not Afraid!
Additional details:
– Free of charge
– Lunch provided around noon
For more information or to RSVP by March 13, please contact:
Peggy Billhartz: 217-483-2833
Carol Gustafson: gustcm60@gmail.com

Lenten Fish Fry in Greenville
2026-03-20 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-13 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-06 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for a Lenten Fish Fry at St. Lawrence Catholic Church on Fridays in March (March 6, 13, 20 & 27) from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Enjoy fried fish with all the trimmings, plus delicious homemade desserts. Cost: $13. Children 5-10, $8. Children under 5 free.
St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 512 S. Prairie St., Greenville.

Illinois Pro-Life Mass, Rally, & March
2026-03-19 10:00
The Illinois Pro-Life Mass, Rally and March takes place Thursday, March 19. Mass begins at 10 a.m. at the Nelson Center Ice Rink in Springfield. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria will be the homilist. The rally and march will follow at the Capitol.
For more information and to register for the Mass for Life visit https://dio.org/prolife/mass/.
Additional information on the Illinois Pro-Life Rally and March can be found by visiting www.IllinoisProLifeMarch.com.

Mattoon Deanery CCW Meeting
2026-03-16 09:30
Monday, March 16th at Immaculate Conception, Mattoon. Registration 9:30 a.m.-10:15am, Mass at 10:30 a.m., lunch and meeting to follow. It is a St. Patrick’s vigil, so please wear green. Speaker: Father Dean Probst: “Traveling in Europe, Italy and the Vatican.”

Triumph of the Heart movie screening
2026-03-15 14:00 | Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, IL, United States
The Cathedral will be hosting a special screening of Triumph of the Heart – a powerful true story about St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest who chose sacrifice over survival and love over hatred during his imprisonment in Auschwitz.
When a fellow prisoner was selected to die, Fr. Kolbe courageously volunteered to take his place. He then spent his final days ministering to the other condemned men in the starvation chamber-offering prayer, hope, and peace in the face of unimaginable suffering.
This moving film is a profound witness to faith, self-giving love, and the triumph of grace even in the darkest circumstances.
Please note: This film is not suitable for young children.

PreCana at St. Mary of the Assumption, Ste. Marie, IL
2026-03-14 08:30 - 15:30
Saturday, March 14, 2026 – 8:30am–3:30pm at St. Mary of the Assumption, Ste. Marie, IL. Call Parish Office at 618-455-3155. The fee is $50 per couple to cover lunch and expenses of the day.

Jerseyville CCW Deanery Meeting
2026-03-11 08:45
Wednesday, March 11, hosted by the ladies of St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. The Rosary will start at 8:45 a.m. with the Mass following at 9 a.m. at the church. The meeting will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The featured speaker will be Fr. Marty Smith, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church. He will be talking about St. Joseph. Following lunch will be the business meeting and a cakewalk. Everyone is invited to attend.
Contact. Ellen Funk, President Jerseyville Deanery Council of Catholic Women, at embafunk@gtec.com

Protecting Catholic Families Online (Program Two)
2026-03-09 19:00 - 20:30
All are invited to a talk by Dr. Peter Kleponis, a pastoral Counselor and Director of Integrity Counseling Services. His program, titled Protecting Catholic Families Online, on March 9 at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy (another talk on March 8) will focus on Practical Strategies for Protecting Families.
The event is free and open to the public. The talks are from 7-8:30 p.m. You can RSVP at tinyurl.com/talkatsfs or by calling St. Francis Parish at 217-222-2898.
With over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families, Dr. Kleponis specializes in marital therapy, resolving anger, men’s issues, pornography addiction, sex addiction, betrayal trauma and pastoral counseling. He is a devout Catholic, and sees God as the ultimate Healer. Thus, Dr. Kleponis incorporates Catholic spirituality into the therapeutic process. If you are struggling, he wants to help you experience freedom soon.

Protecting Catholic Families Online (Program One)
2026-03-08 19:00 - 20:30
All are invited to a talk by Dr. Peter Kleponis, a pastoral Counselor and Director of Integrity Counseling Services. His program, titled Protecting Catholic Families Online, on March 8 at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy (another talk on March 9) will focus on Understanding the Dangers of the Internet.
The event is free and open to the public. The talks are from 7-8:30 p.m. You can RSVP at tinyurl.com/talkatsfs or by calling St. Francis Parish at 217-222-2898.
With over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families, Dr. Kleponis specializes in marital therapy, resolving anger, men’s issues, pornography addiction, sex addiction, betrayal trauma and pastoral counseling. He is a devout Catholic, and sees God as the ultimate Healer. Thus, Dr. Kleponis incorporates Catholic spirituality into the therapeutic process. If you are struggling, he wants to help you experience freedom soon.

Equip: Quincy Holy Family Fest
2026-03-07 08:30 - 17:30
The Equip: Quincy Holy Family Fest will take place on Saturday, March 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Quincy Notre Dame High School (1400 S. 11th St., Quincy). This one-day event is designed to help individuals and families confidently defend, live, and share the Catholic faith. The theme for the day is “Learning the Faith: Knowing God Helps Us to Love Him,” featuring nationally recognized speakers Megan Murphy and Trish & Pete DeMaio. The day will include Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, talks for adults, teens, and children, games, the Rosary, and more. Registration is $75 and available at quincyholyfamilyfest.com.

Lenten Day of Reflection at Our Lady of Snows Shrine.
2026-03-05 10:00 - 15:00

A Journey to Joy - Bringing Scripture to Life with Drama and Humor
2026-03-01 19:00 - 2026-03-03 19:00
Join us for A Journey to Joy, a three-night presentation by nationally acclaimed performer Frank Runyeon, who brings Scripture to life through engaging storytelling, drama, and humor. Runyeon will perform selections from the Gospel of Luke, explore the Sermon on the Mount, and reflect on Hollywood vs. Faith. Each evening features a one-hour presentation that is both entertaining and eye-opening, as he performs well-known parables and pauses to reflect on how we hear and live these stories today.
Dates: Sunday-Tuesday, March 1-3, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. each evening
Location: St. Aloysius Church
2000 Sangamon Ave., Springfield

Church Fully Alive!
2026-03-01 18:00
Join us for two inspiring evenings on Sunday, March 1, and Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church (700 E. Spruce Street, Chatham). Enjoy light desserts and coffee from 5:00-5:45 PM as we gather to reflect on what life can be like when we are more fully alive in Christ. Featuring Lee Roessler, a passionate Christian musician who invites hearts to hope and strength in Christ, and Joe Farris, an engaging and respected speaker who brings education, inspiration, and encouragement to audiences of all ages. All are welcome!

Retired San Antonio bishop to speak in Taylorville
2026-02-28 18:30 - 2026-03-03 19:30
Please mark your calendars for a Parish Mission, February 28-March 3, presented by Bishop Michael Boulette, retired Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, Texas. Be inspired by dynamic and thoughtful preaching at all weekend Masses and during evening sessions Sunday-Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Taylorville, IL.
All are welcome-please invite your family and friends!

Gospel Mass & Soul Food Dinner
2026-02-28 16:30 - 20:00
In honor of Black History Month, the Black Catholic Commission invites you to a joyful celebration of faith through powerful Gospel music, followed by a soul food dinner and fellowship. It will be held at St. Joseph Catholic (1345 North Sixth Street) in Springfield, IL.
The cost per meal is as follows:
$20 for ages 13 years and above
$10 for ages 6-12
Free for 5 years and under
Come worship, come eat, come be renewed-and bring a friend!
RSVP by February 20 at go.dio.org/J71

Springfield Deanery Council of Catholic Women Winter Meeting
2026-02-28 09:00
All women are invited to attend the Springfield Deanery, Council of Catholic Women meeting on Saturday, Feb 28th at 9 a.m., at Holy Trinity Parish Hall in Stonington, IL. Chuck Martin, Executive Director of the Christian County Coal Mine Museum in Taylorville, will be our guest speaker.
Did you know that the museum has a special display dedicated to daughters of coal miners? Chuck, who is very passionate about the industry, will offer intriguing stories about the first female coal miners and their rich history in central Illinois! The meeting includes: a wonderful breakfast, business mtg, speaker(s), recitation of the Rosary, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, and more! Please use the link below to register on Sign Up Genius
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CACAC2BABFEC43-61968266-stonington#/ or contact Janet DeClerck, Christian County Area Rep for the Spfld Deanery at 217-827-9670 by Feb 23rd.

Cathedral Women's Bible Study - Foretold
2026-02-26, 2026-02-19, 2026-02-12
Join the Cathedral Women’s Bible Study for Foretold, an 8-week series from the Augustine Institute that uncovers how God’s plan unfolds through the Old and New Testaments and continues in our lives today. Led by Dr. Sean Innerst, Foretold reveals the powerful connections between prophecy and fulfillment, reminding us that just as God guided biblical history, He is guiding our stories too. Sessions begin January 8 and meet on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Cathedral School Library, Springfield, Illinois 62703. This study is free and open to all women-come encounter the beauty of God’s plan for you.

Community of Religious Educators (CORE) Catechetical Formation & Networking Day
2026-02-25 10:00 - 14:00
The Community of Religious Educators (CORE) will gather on February 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center, located at 1615 West Washington Street, Springfield, Illinois. This free event is open to all those involved in the catechetical mission of the parish and provides an opportunity to come together for networking, professional development, and collaboration. Participants will also hear the latest updates from the Department for Catholic Education regarding initiatives and policies related to parish formation and outreach. Registration is required and must be completed by February 19, 2026, using the following link: https://dio.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/450/responses/new

SDCCW Lenten Retreat: Heaven Meets Earth - A Journey through the Holy Mass
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-25
Step away from the busyness of life and enter more deeply into the mystery of the Holy Mass at the Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s Lenten Retreat, “Heaven Meets Earth: A Journey through the Holy Mass,” held February 24-25 at Villa Maria Conference Center on Lake Springfield. Led by retreat director Sr. Margaret Schreiber, OP, PhD, this retreat offers spiritual presentations, prayer, Holy Mass, Confession, fellowship, and time for quiet reflection. All women are welcome-bring your sister, your mom, or a friend. Download the registration form, which includes costs/more details. Deadline to register is February 14. For more information, contact Mary Ann Sullivan at 217-822-1928 or Janet Zimmerman at 217-494-4743, and watch for updates on the SDCCW Facebook page.

Interior Freedom Book Study Series
2026-02-16 18:15 - 19:45, 2026-02-09 18:15 - 19:45 | Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL, 62712, United States
Copies of the book, Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe, can be ordered online.
Amazon Link to Order Book
Fr. Jacques Philippe is a spiritual master whose writings are accessible and profound. Join us for this four-week book study of his book, Interior Freedom, in which he helps us to understand how to experience freedom within ourselves in the midst of so many things, internal and external, that are out of our control.
From the description of the book: “In his book, Interior Freedom, Fr. Jacques Phillipe shows us that we possess, each of us, inside of us a space of freedom that no-one can take away. Despite the most unfavorable outward circumstances, we can claim our freedom because God is its source and its guarantee. Without this, we will always be in search for something else to fulfill us, and we will never understand true happiness.”
January 26 Book Study Part 1 (pp. 9-44)
February 2 Book Study Part 2 (pp. 45-80)
February 9 Book Study Part 3 (pp. 81-110)
February 16 Book Study Part 4 (pp. 111-134)
Schedule:
6:15 Arrive and Welcome
6:30 Rosary
6:45 Discussion
7:45 Depart
Cost: $20
Contact: events@dio.org
REGISTER HERE

Diversity Day of Reflection at Our Lady of Snows Shrine
2026-02-16 10:00 - 15:00

Rosary Prayer Service for Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day in Quincy
2026-02-11 13:30
The Annual Rosary Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, at the Our Lady of Lourdes of Ghost Hollow Grotto. The grotto is located at the spring dedicated by Fr. John Carberry of St. Boniface on February 11, 1998, and named by Fr. Francis Lee of St. Rose on March 16, 1997.
The grotto is located at the corner of 4507 Ghost Hollow and Herleman Roads, Quincy, IL 62305.
All are invited. Please dress for the weather and bring a folding chair.
For more information, contact Janice E. Pohlman at 217-257-2400.
