Week of August 28
The Holiest Adventure days for moms/daughters and fathers/sons coming this fall – sign up now – Are you craving screenless quality time with those your children? Join Catholics in our diocese for The Holiest Adventure – mother/daughter edition and father/son edition. These are two separate adventure days for moms and their daughters and dads and their sons. The days will be packed with fun activities, Mass, adoration, and delicious food. The mother/daughter edition is Saturday, September 16 and is for moms and their daughters in grades 4-9. The father/son edition is Saturday, October 14, and is for dads and their sons in grades 4-9. Both events are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The mother/daughter edition will be at the St. Francis Convent, 1 Franciscan Way, Alton, IL 62002. The father/son edition will be at The Villa Catholic Life Center, 1903 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL 62712. To register, go to dio.org/events. Cost is $40.00 per mother/daughter or father/son pair. Each additional child is $5 extra. For questions, email Daniel Heffernan at dheffernan@dio.org.
Or you can use this graphic in your bulletin
Here is also a poster you can hang in your vestibule/school.
You are invited to a historical diocesan-wide celebration at the BOS Center in Springfield – To celebrate the Diocesan Year of the Eucharist and the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the See city from Alton to Springfield, the Eucharistic Congress is taking place Saturday, October 28 at the BOS Center in Springfield. This dynamic experience will include nationally recognized Catholic speakers, adoration, confession, and Mass. The arena will be packed with thousands of Catholics from across the diocese. To attend, contact the parish office as each parish in the diocese is given a specific number of available seats. You can inquire about reserving a seat through the parish office starting July 1, or if you are interested in volunteering, you can register now! For more information on the event or volunteering or financially supporting/sponsoring the event, visit dio.org.
Here is the main graphic you can use
Here are other graphics, including flyers: One, two, three, four, five, six
The Man of the Shroud Exhibit coming to Vandalia – You are invited to see a replica of the Shroud of Turin, which is believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus, and to learn about the history and science behind it by experiencing The Man of the Shroud Exhibit, coming to Mother of Dolors Parish in Vandalia for display Sept. 8-14.
The Center for the Study of the Passion of the Christ and the Holy Shroud has developed a moving and informative mobile exhibit on the Shroud of Turin. The centerpiece is a full-length canvas replica of the Shroud made by the Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association, Inc. In addition, the mobile exhibit contains a large, crucified corpus showing the wounds of Christ corresponding to the passion narrative in the Gospel accounts and the wounds shown on the Shroud. The exhibit contains over 31 popup display banners detailing the history and science of the Shroud.
To check it out, visit Mother of Dolors Parish Center at 705 N. St. Clair St., Vandalia, IL 62471. There is no charge, and it’s open to the public.
The exhibit is open on the following days and times:
Sept. 8: 5-7p.m.
Sept. 9: Noon-2 p.m.; 5-7 p.m.
Sept 10: 1-4 p.m., with Shroud scholar Mark Antonacci giving a talk at 2 p.m.
Sept. 11: 10 a.m.-noon; 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 12: 10 a.m.-noon; 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 13: 10 a.m.-noon; 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 14: 10 a.m.-noon
On Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17, Father Lawrence Carney will give a retreat on the “Devotion to the Holy Face” at Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry in Vandalia, which will also include the Man of the Shroud Exhibit. More information can be found by visiting: osmm.org.
Here is an image of the Shroud you can use to pair with this promotion
Know someone who would make a good deacon or thinking about it?
Called to serve? Come and see – All men of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois discerning a vocation to the Holy Order of Deacon are invited to a weekend experience at the Corpus Christi Priory, 4867 LaVerna Road, Springfield Illinois on Friday, September 8 (4 p.m.) through Sunday, September 10, (noon). During the weekend, you will meet the men and wives currently in formation, proctor classroom lecture, join in meals, and social time. In addition to attending Mass with the men, their wives and the Norbertine Fathers, you will participate in the Liturgy of the Hours and Morning and Evening Prayer. Wives of men discerning a vocation are invited and strongly encouraged to attend.
To register for this event please us this link https://form.jotform.com/231135196152046
Here is a graphic you can use to pair with the announcement.
Annual Respect Life and Rosary Walk – This year’s annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass and prayer procession is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at Holy Family Parish in Granite City. Bishop Paprocki will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m., followed by a prayer procession around the abortion facility in Granite City. Lunch and speaker will follow the procession.
Respect Life Essay Contest – The American Life League is having an essay contest for middle and high school students. For essay prompts and information to submit essays go to: https://www.all.org/clsp/2023-pro-life-essay-contest. Essays must be submitted by November 6.
Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women announce convention, “Christ is Alive”– Wednesday, Sept. 27, will be the 95th annual Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (SDCCW) Convention. This year’s program, “Christ is Alive,” takes place from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Griffin High School’s west campus in Springfield. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will be the main celebrant of the Mass at St. Agnes Church at 11 a.m., which is next to the school campus. Key-note speaker, Cathy Becker, the director faith formation for St. Agnes Parish, will give a talk titled, “New maps for a new landscape.” Her talk will guide participants in looking at the changing landscape of people involved in our faith, find the fixed landmarks, and how to chart a new map with new routes to bring people back to the faith, engage new seekers of the faith, and find hope in our faith. Registration is $50 and includes morning refreshments and lunch. Register through your parish or find the registration form on dio.org. Questions, contact Janet Zimmerman at Janetzim14@yahoo.com or 217-494-4743.
National Catholic Youth Conference – NCYC is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service and empowerment for Catholic high school teenagers that will be hosted on November 16 – 18, 2023 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The event includes inspiring keynote speakers, breakout sessions on a variety of topics for teenagers and the celebration of Holy Mass with people from all over the country. Registration for passes to NCYC is being coordinated through the Office for Catholic Education to get a discount. The price for passes increases October 1. For more information, please contact Kyle Holtgrave at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154 or emailkholtgrave@dio.org.
The Agape Project (Effingham) – Effingham Catholic Charities announced that its special capital campaign, the Agape Project, has achieved its fundraising goal of raising $600,000 to address the facility needs of the local charity. All donations to the campaign will remain local and exclusively benefit Effingham Catholic Charities. In Christianity, agape is the highest form of love, a transcendent sacrificial love that persists regardless of circumstances. “We have been overwhelmed by the response to our campaign. The incredible generosity and support of so many people reinforces the fact that we are all blessed to live in such a loving and compassionate community,” stated Beth Lindvahl, the campaign committee chair. “I am also so grateful to all of the campaign committee members who dedicated themselves to this effort and remained determined to see it succeed.” Donate to Catholic Charities of Effingham County at cc.dio.org.
New, free-to-watch documentary features Central Illinois miracles and incredible stories of faith – In a world full of selfishness, hardships, and despair, more and more people are asking, “God, are you up there?” God is Alive, an original documentary, created and produced by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, answers that question in an adventurous, impactful, and local way, and that will inspire and energize your faith life. God is Alive takes viewers to Jerseyville, Springfield, Peoria, Quincy, and Decatur and features five stories of incredible faith/miraculous events that you will be surprised to learn about and touch on many things people struggle with such as prayer, feeling unforgivable, and dealing with an incredible hardship.To watch the documentary, go to dio.org/documentary.
The backstory of the making of our documentary, God is Alive – Thousands have watched our documentary, God is Alive | Incredible stories of faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois, and it has inspired them and impacted their relationship with God in profound ways. So, how did this unique project even come about? What was the inspiration, how was it filmed, what happened behind the scenes, and what were some funny moments? Go to dio.org/podcast or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. After listening to the podcast, watch the documentary at dio.org/documentary.
Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins
Got cereal? – St. John’s Breadline in Springfield needs donations of cereal to help fight food insecurity, starting with the most important meal of the day! All donations can be brought to the back service delivery door every day from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wonder what it’s like to be a Catholic sister? Come and see – More women than you might realize sense God drawing them toward a life of fulfillment and happiness as Catholic sisters. Often, they miss the opportunity to explore because they aren’t sure what to do once tuned in to this prayerful intuition. Walking the path of vocation discernment begins, for many women, with a “Come & See” weekend at a residence of Catholic sisters. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., have eleven such events scheduled throughout 2023-2024. There are six in-person weekends and five virtual events planned for September 2023 through December 2024. Single Catholic women ages 21-45 are welcome to register for any—or more than one—of each event. The first event is in-person September 15-17, 2023. Registrations for that and all events are now being accepted at springfieldop.org/comesee.
Here is photo you can use as well
Visit the Cathedral in Springfield or Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton, receive an indulgence! – The diocesan-wide Year of the Eucharist going on now has a heavenly treasure of our Catholic faith attached to it. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki received permission from the Holy See, granting a plenary indulgence to those who make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield or Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton (the “Old Cathedral”) now through Dec. 8. One must also partake in the other usual conditions to receive this indulgence by going to Confession, receiving the Eucharist, and saying prayers for the intention of the Pope. These acts “may be carried out several days preceding or following the performance of the prescribed works. But it is more fitting that communion and the prayer for the pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed” (Handbook of Indulgences, Norms for Indulgences, 23.3). An indulgence a gift and grace that remits the temporal punishment due to a sin.
Project Rachel – Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5.
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 one:
8/4/2023 – 8/6/2023 – St. Peters, MO
9/29/2023 – 10/1/2023 – St. Peters, MO
12/1/2023 – 12/3/2023 – St. Peters, MO
Here is a logo you can use as well
Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents Marriage on Tap STL – Join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 6:00 pm for an evening of dinner and marriage enrichment at Rosalita’s Cantina in Des Peres, MO. Our guest speaker will be Bishop Mark S. Rivituso, and his presentation is entitled, “Eucharistic Love Reflected in Marital Love.” The evening is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Buffet dinner is $54 per couple/$27 per person. Cash bar will be available. Advanced registration is required and must be postmarked by September 12, 2023. For more information, check out Marriage on Tap STL on Facebook or email us at marriageontapstl@gmail.com.
STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS – SUMMER
September 3, 2023
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 10, 2023
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 17, 2023
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 24, 2023
Stewardship Awareness Sunday in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
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.