Week of Nov. 13
Watch the talks from the Eucharistic Congress speakers – Everyone loved the speakers at the diocesan Eucharistic Congress Oct. 28 in Springfield! Now you can not watch their inspiring, funny, thought provoking, and uplifting talks. Go to dio.org/catholictimes and click on videos. While you’re there, you can check out a recap video of the historic day and watch the Mass. Note, Dr. Scott Hahn’s talk is not able to be published due to contract stipulations.
Heaven or Hell: How God judges – It’s one of the deepest theological questions – judgement. What is the particular judgement and the last judgement? Will we know everything in heaven? Will we know if our loved ones are in hell? Ultimately, what does the Church say about what will happen at your judgement? Father Peter Harman, who holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America, joins Dive Deep. Go to dio.org/podcast or youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe.
Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins
Answering your questions on dying and death – Catholic Times has put together an easy to navigate and comprehensive look at end-of-life issues. Go to dio.org/funeral for questions like: Why should you pre-plan your funeral? If your loved one is dying, what should you do? Why must you insist on Catholic funeral rites? Why should you pray for the dead? Why insist upon being buried in a Catholic cemetery? Also covered are the issues of cremation/spreading ashes, among other topics. As the month of November is dedicated to praying for the dead, now is a good time to learn more about dying and death from a Catholic perspective.
New Catholic Times website – Your local Catholic source for news, inspiration, and learning about the faith just got better. Check out the new Catholic Times website for the latest news, videos, podcasts, interviews, Bishop Paprocki’s column, and more! dio.org/catholictimes/
Father Yunker Lithuanian Student Assistance Fund – Applications are now being solicited for college scholarship grants under the Father Yunker Lithuanian Student Assistance Fund. Qualifications: Applicants must have Lithuanian ancestry and must be a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church. Complete application must be received by the close of business on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Details and application can be downloaded from foundationforthepeople.org or dio.org/schools.
Support for the Missions – #iGiveCatholic: Please consider putting this graphic in your church bulletin the weekends of November 18-19 and November 25-26.
MCA Christmas Artwork Contest: Calling All Young Artists – Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) has an annual Christmas Artwork Contest for students from K-8th grade. Entries should be sent to the Office for the Missions no later than January 31, 2023. For information on submitting an entry go to: dio.org/missions/missionary-childhood-association.
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:
12/1/2023 – 12/3/2023, St. Peters, MO
2/2/2024 – 2/4/2024, St. Peters, MO
3/15/2024 – 3/17/2024, Cape Girardeau, MO
Here is a logo you can use as well
STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS
November 19, 2023
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you have been faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.” – MATTHEW 25:21
God calls us to nurture and develop the gifts He has given us and then generously return a portion with increase. He doesn’t want us to waste or hoard the gifts He has given us. He expects us to grow our gifts, to use them wisely, and to be generous with them. Unfortunately, many of us are not generous in proportion to all that God has given us. God asks us to be generous with all our gifts, especially the one that means the most to you.
November 26, 2023
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
“…whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.” – MATTHEW 25:40
Most of us are generous when it’s convenient for us. We are generous when we have the time or the money. But, real generosity is the opposite of that. It means giving of one’s time, money, compassion, forgiveness or mercy when it’s not convenient to us, when it’s not on our schedule, but on the other person’s timeline.
December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent
“Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” – Mark 13:33
We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. We make our lives too busy. We plan our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to how God is calling you right now to help build His kingdom on earth.
December 10, 2023
2nd Sunday of Advent
“Prepare the way of the Lord…” – MARK 1:3
We are all called to live a holy life. We are all called to invite others to live holy lives. Living a stewardship lifestyle, being grateful and generous with our gifts, puts us on the path to holiness and is an example for others to be holy, too. We are responsible not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. How are you helping others get to Heaven?
December 17, 2023
3rd Sunday of Advent
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 thessalonians 5:16 – 18
This scripture reading sums up Stewardship. “Rejoice always” means place your trust in God; He will provide all that you need. “Pray constantly” means prayer should be a running conversation with God throughout the whole day, every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances” means even in bad situations, thank God. Suffering a little bit helps build empathy for others in similar situations and shows our dependence on God.
December 24, 2023
4th Sunday of Advent
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” – Luke 1:28
After Jesus, we look to Mary as an ideal steward. Her entire life was lived in obedience to God’s call. Mary teaches us to live with joy for all we have been given. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Mary reflects the light of Christ. Like Mary, we are called to reflect Christ’s light to the world through our gratitude and generosity.
December 31, 2023
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
“…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” – colossians 3:13
Forgiving is one of the hardest things for people to do. We can’t give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness first before we can give it to others. Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation and receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then, share the gift of forgiveness with someone – a family member, a friend or a co-worker. Pick up the phone or text someone right now.