Week of May 15
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat – Find Peace and Healing. If you or someone you love is grieving the loss of children to abortion, come and experience the healing mercy of Jesus Christ on our weekend retreat. To find information about the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat June 16-18, 2023. For more information call 217-698-4456, or email projectrachel@dio.org. Scholarships are available.
‘Wives, be submissive to your husbands.’ Wait, what? – Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as to the Lord.” That verse has caused a lot of people to scratch their heads. But what does this verse mean? Kara Johnson is a professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology of the Body at Ave Maria University in Florida, she is a PhD candidate, and writing her dissertation on this scripture passage and joins Dive Deep, the official podcast of the Diocese of Springfield. Go to dio.org/podcast or search Dive Deep on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe.
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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.
RSVP to free showing of the premiere of the documentary, God is Alive | Incredible stories of faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois
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. God is Alive takes viewers to Jerseyville, Springfield, Peoria, Quincy, and Decatur and features five stories of incredible stories of faith/miraculous events that most 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. The premiere takes place Saturday, July 8 at Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield at 7 p.m. To RSVP to the free showing and watch the trailer, go to dio.org/documentary.
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Know someone who would make a good deacon or thinking about it?
Called to serve? Come and see – All men discerning a vocation to the diaconate are invited to a weekend experience at the Villa Maria Catholic Retreat and Conference Center on Friday, September 8 (4 p.m.) through Saturday, September 9, (2 p.m.). During the weekend, you will meet the men and wives currently in formation, proctor classroom lecture, join in meals, and have social time. In addition to attending Mass with the deacon candidates and wives, 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 use this link form.jotform.com/231135196152046.
Memorial Day Field Mass in Springfield – Please join us at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield on Memorial Day, May 29 at 9 a.m. for the traditional Field Mass offered at Father Howard Altar. The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki will be the principal celebrant. Accompanying Bishop Paprocki in procession will be a bagpiper, local priests, and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Limited seating will be available under the tent. Lawn chairs are welcome. Transportation will be available to assist visitors from the main gate to the Mass site. Call the Calvary Cemetery office at 523-3726 Monday- Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with any questions.
Effingham Catholic Charities
Effingham Catholic Charities announced May 1st the kick-off of a special capital campaign, The Agape Project, to address critical facility needs at the local charity. In Christianity, agape is the highest form of love, a transcendent sacrificial love that persists regardless of circumstances. The goal of The Agape Project is to raise $600,000 to replace the aging HVAC systems, repair the parking lot and walkways and renovate the onsite food pantry at the Catholic Charities facility. A successful campaign will enable Catholic Charities to maintain the safe harbor provided to those who work, volunteer, and are served at the facility. The public phase of the campaign follows on the heels of a successful major gifts initiative where lead donors have pledged app. $360,000, or 60% of the overall campaign goal.
Those wishing to make a donation can send a check to Effingham Catholic Charities The Agape Project, 1502 E. Fayette Ave., Teutopolis, IL 62467, or make a donation online by scanning the QR code. For more information on the campaign, please contact Maria Kingery, 217-857-1458 ext. 102 or Sister Carol Beckermann, 217-857-1458 ext. 101. All donations to the campaign will remain local and exclusively benefit Effingham Catholic Charities.
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.
Volunteers Needed for Sacraments – The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is looking for volunteers to assist with the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Over 1,200 third graders come to the Cathedral each year from throughout the diocese to receive these holy Sacraments. Please pray about joining the Curia staff in helping to make these events run smoothly. All volunteers need to have Safe Environment on file with their parish. Contact Sister M. Clementia, FSGM for more information (or 217-321-1130), access the sign-up at ome.flocknote.com/signup/84704 or take a picture of the QR code to be sent directly to the site. Thank you!*Note, here is that QR code jpeg*
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