Week of October 17
He grew up non-Catholic, was thinking marriage, then became a priest – The Story of Father John Titus, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Mattoon and St. Columcille in Sullivan, is a road not taken too often to priesthood. At one point, he says that marriage was “on the horizon,” but then he had this “crazy thing.” Go to dio.org/podcast 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
REBOOT! – Chris Stefanick, an internationally acclaimed Catholic speaker, author, and TV host will present REBOOT!, an experience of learning how to better apply the beauty and genius of the Gospel to every aspect of life at the Effingham Performance Center Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets at reallifecatholic.com/see-chris-live/.
.
*Or you can download this graphic to promote REBOOT*
Catholic Children’s Home “Love With All Your Art” Fundraiser – “Love With All Your Art” fundraiser will be a night to remember with music, dancing, art, and an auction to benefit the Catholic Children’s Home. Contact 618.465.3594, ext. 333 or 335 to buy tickets. We hope to see you November 5th!
Support Madison County Catholic Charities and Fr. McGivney Catholic H.S. – When you buy a raffle ticket from the Father McGivney Catholic High School Luck of the Griffin Mega Raffle, you have the chance to win $100,000. Select Catholic Charities of Madison County as your charity of choice and we receive $10 from every ticket sold.
Day of Prayer and Reflection: The Black Catholic Commission is hosting Days of Prayer and Reflection in Beardstown, Collinsville, Decatur, and Springfield. These days of reflection are in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII. Each day of prayer and reflection is an opportunity to reflect on God’s word and share thoughts on what faith-filled actions our diocese and parishes can do to make our Church thrive. For specific dates and additional information go to: https://oldsite.dio.org/plasm/black-catholic-commission.html
Project Rachel: Trust in the mercy of God’s love. Do you know someone who is carrying the grief and sorrow of past abortions? Share with them the Good News of God’s merciful love. Call Project Rachel for a confidential referral to those who can help: 1-877-RACHEL-5. Pray that many will seek and receive the gift of God’s infinite mercy.
Racial Justice Workshop: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is having a workshop about our call, as Catholics, to address racial justice. The workshop is Saturday, November 5, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information and to register go to: https://snows.org/journey-to-justice-retreat/.
The Week Before World Mission Sunday
We Celebrate World Mission Sunday Together Next Week: Next week, October 23, we join Catholics around the world for the celebration of World Mission Sunday. We are called to offer our prayers and financial help for the Church’s missionary work in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and parts of Latin America and Europe. When you contribute to the World Mission Sunday collection, you make it possible for the Pope to provide mission support to: • 844,000 catechists teaching the faith • 258,540 Religious Sisters caring for children and families • 38,140 seminarians preparing for the priesthood • 26 million children in primary schools • 12,000 clinics caring for the sick and dying • 8,750 homes for orphaned children and the elderly. Please be generous in next week’s collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Missions. Thank you
World Mission Sunday
Be the Lord’s ‘Witnesses’ in Prayer and Support this World Mission Sunday: Today, World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis reminds us that in Baptism we are all called by the Lord to be His missionaries: “You shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Joining Catholics worldwide this Sunday, we offer our prayers and generous financial support, through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, to the Pope’s missions. Your prayers are most treasured, and they, along with financial help offered today, WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, answer Christ’s call to be His witnesses. Thank you!
The Week After World Mission Sunday
Thank you for your participation on World Mission Sunday! Thank you for participating on World Mission Sunday last weekend! Through your generous contributions to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, you are Christ’s witnesses, building the Church in the Pope’s missions around the world, feeding the poor, and aiding the missionaries who are sharing the Gospel worldwide. May God bless you for your compassionate missionary spirit
Retreat for married couples offered in St. Peters and Springfield – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. The next two IN-PERSON weekend experiences are listed below. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317.
12/2/2022 – 12/4/2022 – Courtyard Marriott, St. Peters; 3/17/2023 – 3/19/2023 – Villa Maria Conference Center, Springfield, IL
Here is a logo you can use as well
Meet Our Sisters Tour – Bulletin copy for Oct. 23
If there is no sister present in your parish community:
Create a culture of vocations. Join the Meet Our Sisters Tour. The Catholic sisters of Illinois invite you join the Meet Our Sisters Tour, an annual event celebrating National Vocation Awareness Week, November 6-13. Mark your calendar and take some time that week to visit c4wr.org/most2022 for inspiring in-person and virtual events, discernment resources, and moving stories and videos about the impact of Catholic Sisters on education, healthcare, and the social and spiritual lives of Individuals and communities in Illinois and around the world. Brought to you by Communicators for Women Religious, communications professionals who support the ministry of Catholic Sisters.
If there is a sister present in your parish community, and with her permission:
Sister N. invites you to hop on the Meet Our Sisters Tour. Sister N., our TITLE, is one of dozens of Catholic sisters of Illinois who want you to join them for the fourth annual Meet Our Sisters Tour, a celebration of National Vocation Awareness Week, November 6-13. Mark your calendar and take some time that week to visit c4wr.org/most2022 for inspiring in-person and virtual events, discernment resources, and moving stories and videos about the impact of Catholic Sisters on education, healthcare, and the social and spiritual lives of individuals and communities in Illinois and around the world. Brought to you by Communicators for Women Religious, communications professionals who support the ministry of Catholic Sisters.
Springfield Catholic Charities board members needed – If you are a resident of Cass, Christian, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, or Scott County, we need you! The Advisory Board meets 6 times a year in a hybrid form of online and in-person. The Advisory Board assists the Area Director in carrying out the mission of Catholic Charities. For more information please contact: Patrick McConnell Springfield Catholic Charities Area Director 217-523-4551 x 114 / .
*Parishes can also show this video to help promote the food pantry and its needs.
| Bulletin Shorts |
| Bulletin Shorts for October and November in Year C – 2022 |
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 23 October 2022
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18. Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18. Luke 18:9-14.
Does God Have Favorites? The first reading asserts that while God, indeed, attends to everyone, there is special attention to the cries of the poor, the weak and the oppressed, the widow and the orphan. (This is why the Church has a preferential option for the poor. See Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2443-2449.) The gospel parable of Jesus contrasts the prayers of a self-righteous religious leader with a despised and shady business man. The question: who is justified. The point: be humble.
Why does God, who loves and cares for everyone, favor the poor, the week, the oppressed?
What does this tell me about my own prayer?
Since good prayer leads to good action, what mercy work will I do for those crying out in need?
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – 30 October 2022
Wisdom 11:22–12:2. Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14. 2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2. Luke 19:1-10.
Whom Does Jesus Seek? The short of stature Zacchaeus runs ahead, climbs a tree, and seeks Jesus as he passes by. But Jesus stops, seeks Zacchaeus out, and invites himself to dinner. This story, as is all of the gospel, is about us, too. In our seeking Jesus, we discover he has been seeking us. All. The. Time.
Why does Jesus want to stay with me?
How does his invitation to stay with me urge me to change some behaviors?
How does all of this help me to be more generious? What mercy work will I do this week?
All Saints, Solemnity – Tuesday, 01 November 2022
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. 1 John 3:1-3. Matthew 5:1-12a.
Do We Stand Among the Saints? Saintly, holy behavior is described in the gospel beatitudes today. The Second Letter of Saint John tells us, “we are God’s holy children now.” We do not have to wait to be dead to be holy. Pope Francis wrote to us on holiness – Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World. He urges us to be holy ourselves (it is possible) and to look for the saint next door (they do exist).
What holiness will I seek out in those I see today?
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) – Wednesday, 02 November 2022
Each community chooses from the list of 31 readings. Here is one to start: Romans 14:7-12.
Why Pray for the Dead? Because those who have died are on the last journey to God, we pray to help them on the way. We hope that others will pray for us when it is our turn for that final journey.
For whom will I pray today?
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – 06 November 2022
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14. Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–3:5. Luke 20:27-38.
What Is This Resurrection? The Bible readings have something to say about faithfulness. The brothers Maccabees remain faithful to the Lord even while facing torture and death. Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians – and us – God is faithful and, thus, be faithful in return. In conversation with the Sadducees, Jesus says that as important as this life is, resurrected life is more so and will be much more than we imagine.
How will I be faithful this week?
To whom will I be faithful?
How will I keep my focus on resurrected life and not let prosperity of this life get in the way?
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Feast – Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12. Psalm 46:2, 3, 5-6, 8, 9. 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17. John 2:13-22.
Why Are Churches Important? Today we celebrate the dedication (setting aside for holy action) of the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome – Saint John Lateran. It reminds us that we set aside church buildings as places for the Church, the People of God, to pray and worship. The building is important only because the People whom God has chosen are more important.
How will I revel today in being part of the holy People of God, the Church?
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – 13 November 2022
and World Day of the Poor
Malachi 3:19-20a. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12. Luke 21:5-19.
Why Should We Care for the Poor? The first and gospel readings are responses to the long and tedious waiting for the Lord to come again. It might not be pretty while we wait for this unknown time. What shall we think? How shall we behave, then? Pope Francis, among a long list of popes, tells us to care for the poor. Read again the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, Chapter III, nos. 63-72.
Why are there still poor among us?
Who are the poor among us – in my town, in my neighborhood?
What will I do to help?
Thirty-Fourth or Last Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity – 20 November 2022
2 Samuel 5:1-3. Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5. Colossians 1:12-20. Luke 23:35-43.
Who Is This Beloved Son? In today’s gospel, we hear the conversations of the two thieves with Jesus. It is talk about the Kingdom of Heaven. The second reading is worth rereading all week long. It describes what we believe about this beloved Son, this firstborn from the dead, this Jesus the Christ.
Spend time with the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds that affirm what we believe.
How can I fall more and more in love with this beloved Son?
What can I do and say to make my way to heaven?
Thanksgiving Day (Canada) – Monday, 10 October 2022
Thanksgiving Day (USA) – Thursday, 24 November 2022
Thanksgiving Day (Australia) – Wednesday, 30 November 2022
So many choices. Pick one of these: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. Ephesians 1:3-14. Colossians 3:12-17.
NOTE – THIS IS THE END OF BULLETIN SHORTS: Let Us Always Give Thanks. This brings to an end this season and the seven-year series of weekly Bulletin Shorts. It has been a blessing for me to ponder and write, to publish and share them. I am most grateful to all who have proofed and edited, who have printed and emailed, who have shared and used.
– Eliot Kapitan, Springfield, Illinois USA, .