Week of Feb. 26
Nominate a teacher for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award – Do you know a Catholic school teacher who strives for academic excellence with a focus on the Catholic mission? Know a teacher who left a lasting impression on you or your child? Know a teacher who goes above and beyond for his or her students and who lives authentically Catholic? Nominate that teacher for the diocesan wide St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award! Nominations are due by March 10. Go to dio.org/schools/eas
Confession Is More Powerful Than An Exorcism – You’ve seen in the movies the extremeness of an exorcism. But, did you know, Confession is more powerful? Fr. Ambrose Criste, O.Praem., who has performed exorcisms, dives deep into the Rite of Exorcism, what he has experienced as an exorcist, why Confession is more powerful, and tips for how we can fend of evil. 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.
Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins
Lenten webpage – Check out the diocese’s Lenten webpage dio.org/lent where you can find inspiration, resources, and support for your Lenten journey, especially in seeking out the sacrament of confession.
Attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21 – This summer, join tens of thousands of passionate Catholics will travel from every corner of the U.S. to experience the healing power of Jesus Christ, present in the holy Eucharist at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Soak in the Presence of Jesus alongside people of all walks of life – a vivid image of the universal Church. You will participate in beautiful liturgies, lifting your voice in prayer alongside world-class musicians, hear from the most influential Catholic speakers of our day, and make history as part of the first National Eucharistic Congress in nearly 100 years. This is the beginning of a new chapter of faith in America. Will you be there? Register at eucharisticcongress.org.
Here is a graphic to pair with it
Graphic to promote applications for Totus Tuus Missionaries – Every year, Totus Tuus, a popular program for Catholic students in grades first through twelve come to parishes all around our diocese. The Diocese of Springfield is now hiring Totus Tuus Missionaries for the summer of 2024!
*Please put this image in your bulletin/e-blasts and encourage faithful college-aged men and women to apply!
Eucharistic Revival Award – The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Scouts of all ages to help us on our journey through the Eucharistic Revival. By learning about the Eucharist and participating in various spiritual experiences, Scouts can earn the main Eucharistic Revival patch and up to eight additional rockers to circle the main patch. For more information about how to earn these awards, please contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or email scouting@dio.org.
Assisted Suicide: A bill supporting assisted suicide will be introduced this spring legislative session. The website “Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois” offers many resources to explain the dangers of assisted suicide. There will be weekly, 30 minute, informational webinars every Thursday, 11:30 am starting March 7th. Link to the webinar to be published soon.
Looking for spring/summer work? – Calvary Cemetery in Springfield is hiring seasonal trimmers for the spring and summer. These are part-time, temporary positions (mornings and early afternoons). $14/hour. Must be 18 to apply. Call (217) 523-3726 or email director@calvary.dio.org for information.
Project Rachel: Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: For people affected by abortion, September 27-29, 2024, Villa Maria Retreat Center. Cost is $150. Scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee. Please let others know about this healing opportunity. For more information call 217-698-4456, or email projectrachel@dio.org
40 Days for Life in Springfield – The 40 Days for Life Campaign for Lent (2/14/23 to 3/24/24) is underway. We would appreciate your commitment of two volunteers per hour, for safety and friendship, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday through Saturday. Please sign your church up for your preferred date and time and let Mary Jean know at Springfield Right to Life at (217) 523-2700. We look forward to your church members helping us honor the sanctity of LIFE.
Springfield Catholic Charities Annual Fundraiser – Springfield Catholic Charities will be hosting its Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, May 4 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Knight of Columbus Hall, 2200 Meadowbrook Rd. in Springfield. Event tickets are $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets may be purchased on our website at: cc.dio.org/events/springfield-annual-2024-fundraiser or by calling 217.523.4551, ext. 114.
Madison County Catholic Charities Hosts 23rd Help On The Move Annual Fundraiser – Catholic Charities will be hosting their 23rd annual Help On The Move fundraiser on Saturday, April 13 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. The event will be held at Julia’s Banquet Center, 101 Eastgate Plaza in East Alton. The evening will include dinner, drinks, & DJ music, a $10,000 raffle, and other activities. Dar Bryant from the Dream Center and John Rain from Norton Rain Insurance will receive awards for their outstanding service to our community. Dinner tickets are $50 each. Raffle tickets are $25 each or buy 2 and get 1 free. Tickets may be purchased on our website cc.dio.org or by calling 618-462-0634.
Quincy Catholic Charities Hosts – Murder Mystery on a Train – Catholic Charities will be hosting its annual fundraiser “Murder Mystery on a Train” on Saturday, April 6, from 5:00 – 10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn located at 4821 Oak St in Quincy. Ticket prices are $50 each or $350 for a table of 8. Dinner and entertainment are included. There will be a silent auction and cash bar. Tickets can be purchased on our website: cc.dio.org/events/quincy-annual-fundraiser-2024. If you are unable to attend the fundraising event, but would still like to make a donation, you may do so via the website.
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:
4/5/2024 – 4/7/2024, St. Peters, MO
8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024, St. Peters, MO
9/27/2024 – 9/29/2024, St. Peters, MO
10/11/2024 – 10/13/2024, Springfield, IL
Here is a logo you can use as well
Open house planned for Graduate Theology Program – Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is hosting an open house for its Graduate Theology Program in person on the weekend of February 17-18 and online Wednesday, February 21, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Prospective students will get a chance to visit the campus, talk to current students, get questions answered, and stay in free accommodations. Register to attend by February 9. Registration and detailed information are at saintmeinrad.edu/graduate-theology/open-house/.
Saint Meinrad’s Graduate Theology Program offers a master’s degree in theology, as well as specialization certificates in Church history, ethics and moral theology, liturgical and sacramental theology, pastoral studies, scripture, systematic theology, liturgical music, and general theological studies. Graduate certificate programs are available in spiritual direction and in reflective practices.
Those interested who cannot attend the open house may schedule a personalized visit with complimentary accommodations, sit in on a weekday course, and meet with an advisor. To request a personal campus visit, please email apply@saintmeinrad.edu or call 800-634-6723.
*Here is also a flyer you can use*
STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS
March 3, 2024
3rd Sunday of Lent
“You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything…” – Exodus 20:4
How many “gods” do you put before God? “Idols” do not always take the shape of physical things, things we can touch and feel. Those are easy to recognize. Many times they take the form of things we cannot touch and are much harder to spot like pride, power, ego, time, comfort or health. Pray for God’s help to prune our vices and to grow in virtue.
March 10, 2024
4th Sunday of Lent
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” – John 3:16
Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, the gift of His own Son is truly the greatest. How can we ever thank God for a gift like that? God does not ask us to sacrifice our own precious firstborn, but He does ask that we are grateful and generous with our God-given gifts. That we nurture and develop our gifts, and in gratitude, generously give back with increase our time in prayer, our talent in charitable works and our treasure to support the mission and ministry of our parish and greater Church.
March 17, 2024
5th Sunday of Lent
“I will be their God and they shall be my people.” – Jeremiah 31:33
What does it mean to be God’s people? It means we recognize that everything we have and everything we are belongs to God. We aren’t “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has given us. It means we are willing to use our gifts and our lives to care for our family, our neighbors and for people we don’t know, just as God cares for each of us.
March 24, 2024
Palm Sunday
“Pilate again said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?’ And they cried out again, ‘Crucify him.’” – MARK 15:12-13
Jesus told us “whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.” Every day we are presented opportunities to help someone. Every day we have the opportunity to see the face of Jesus in others and be the face of Jesus to others. Every day we pass by someone in need. Pray for the strength and courage to be the answer to someone’s prayer.
March 31, 2024
Easter Sunday
“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” – COLOSSIANS 3:2
On this day we thank God for His Son, Jesus, who died, rose and opened the gates of heaven for us. We celebrate and sing “Alleluia.” Let’s try to keep the joy of this Easter season in our hearts throughout the year! Pray daily and listen for how God is calling each of us to joyfully use our gifts to fulfill His salvation plan.