Week of March 25
Webinar about Assisted Suicide – Learn more about why legalization of assisted suicide is not good for Illinois. Join a weekly, 30-minute, informational webinar every Thursday, 12:30-1:00 pm. Email dmoore@dio.org to get a link to join the webinar.
Illinois March for Life Mass – Individuals, families, and groups can register for the Illinois March for Life Mass by going to the diocesan website: www.dio.org and clicking on the image for the March.
Job openings at the curia – The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is hiring! The Diocese is looking for dynamic individuals to fill our open positions: Internal Auditor, Director, Office for Safe Environment, and Safe Environment Assistant. Please share with your community about our open positions, you can find them at dio.org/hr/employment-listings.
A Buddhist becomes Catholic – Buddhists make up 1% of the US population, but what about Buddhists who become Catholic? Who knows, but you know it’s tiny, yet Dive Deep found one of them! Deena Bell of Springfield joins Dive Deep to share her conversion story from Buddhism to Catholicism. 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
Attend the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage coming to cities in our diocese – You are invited to a once-in-a-lifetime experience being called “our national Emmaus moment,” after the biblical passage in which Jesus walked with two of his disciples along the road to Emmaus. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an unprecedented pilgrimage in which Catholics will pray and publicly follow Jesus in their cities through Eucharistic processions. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to be included in one of the national routes July 8-12. Cities include Collinsville, Alton, Quincy, Girard, Springfield, Effingham, and Teutopolis. Go to dio.org/procession to learn more and register!
Click here to download a pdf of the map and schedule
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
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.
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
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:
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
STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS
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.
April 7, 2024
Divine Mercy Sunday
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own…” – Acts 4:32
All that we are and all that we have is a gift from God! Think of your family, your friends, your life, your talents and your money – these are all gifts from God! We aren’t really owners of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has blessed us with. We are called to be grateful and generous with all of our gifts for the benefit of others.
April 14, 2024
3rd Sunday of Easter
“Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ But they were startled and frightened…” – Luke 24:36-37
Throughout the day we have many opportunities to “see the face of Jesus” in others and to “be the face of Jesus” to others. Do we take that opportunity to provide “peace” to those we encounter or are we afraid of what others will think of us and do nothing? Pray for the strength and courage to live a “God-centered” life and not a “self-centered” life.
April 21, 2024
4th Sunday of Easter
“I am the good shepherd…and I lay down my life for the sheep…and they will heed my voice.”
– John 10:14-16
When you pray, do you only ask Jesus for the things that you want? Do you ever ask Jesus what He wants from you? How do you listen for His response? Many times Jesus responds in “quiet whispers” that are not so obvious. So, take time every day, in silence, to actively listen for His voice.
April 28, 2024
5th Sunday of Easter
“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” – 1 JOHN 3:18
Regarding our Catholic faith, do you “walk the talk?” Do your actions reflect what it means to be a good disciple? Are you an active participant at Sunday Mass? Are you joyful when participating in parish ministry? Do you give gratefully and generously with your financial support to your parish and other Church needs? If not, it’s not too late to start!
May 5, 2024
6th Sunday of Easter
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:12-13
Do you love Jesus? Do you consider Him your friend? Jesus says that if we love Him we would be willing to offer whatever we have to Him, not because we want praise and glory, but simply because we love Him. Does your giving seem mechanical out of obligation or do you share freely out of love?
May 12, 2024
Ascension of Our Lord
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
– 1 John 4:15
How strong is your faith? When you have an opportunity to either defend or clarify a question about our Catholic faith, do you do it? Or, do you remain silent so that others don’t think you are weird? Pray for the courage to be strong in all circumstances and to joyfully share your witness with others.
May 19, 2024
Pentecost Sunday
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
All of us are blessed, regardless of our own individual circumstances. God has given each of us many gifts. How we use those gifts is our gift back to God. For God’s plan to work, each must do what we are called to do. Guess what? We are not all called to do the same thing! For God’s plan to work you have to do what God is calling you to do and I have to do what God is calling me to do.
May 26, 2024
The Most Holy Trinity
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…” – Romans 8:16-17
If we are heirs to the kingdom of God, shouldn’t we work to build up His kingdom? Shouldn’t we be good stewards of our inheritance, using our time in prayer, our talent in charitable works and our treasure to care for the Church that God has left to us? Our Church is a treasured heirloom from God. Do we treat it that way?
June 2, 2024
Feast of Corpus Christi
“Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them and they all drank from it.” – Mark 14:23
Jesus, the perfect steward, gave thanks, just before He gave Himself up for us, completely for our salvation. He offers us the same chance to drink from His cup. In the bread and wine, we meet Christ personally. If we follow Him, drinking from His cup means we offer our own self-sacrifice, using all of our gifts for the benefit of others and to do His work on earth.
June 9, 2024
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” – Mark 3:24
Within your parish community, do your ministries collaborate with each other or do they compete against each other? Do your parish ministries work for the greater glory of God or do they work for the glory of the people running them? The primary goal of parish ministry is not to increase Mass attendance, increase the number of volunteers or increase offertory. The primary goal is to be one Body of Christ that helps people take one step closer to Jesus. If it’s not doing that, it’s not worth doing.
June 16, 2024
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
We are all accountable for all of the gifts God has given us – our time, our talent and our treasure; everything we have and everything we are. Each of us is accountable not only for our own life but for the lives of others as well. One day God will ask each of us what did we do with the gifts we were given. How will you respond?
June 23, 2024
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The he asked them, ‘Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’” – Mark 4:40
Do you really trust God? Is God your first choice or last resort? Is your faith something you just do on Sunday or do you live the Gospel message every day of the week? Many of us know about God. How many of us have a personal relationship with Him? Start now, open your heart to receive our Lord. Talk and listen to Him every day. Move your discipleship from head knowledge to heart knowledge.
June 30, 2024
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“…as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.” 2 CORINTHIANS 8:14
One of the tenants of living a grateful and generous lifestyle is giving without expecting anything in return. It is important that we not only grow, nurture, and share our gifts; but that we also teach our children and encourage others to do the same. This is the communal aspect of our Catholic faith. We are the “Body of Christ.” We are called to be dependent on each other and not live in isolation.