By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor  

It started with Father Jeffrey Goeckner, pastor at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville, approaching parishioner and artist Nancy Jatcko in 2018. To celebrate the parish’s jubilee, Father Goeckner’s celebration plan included having paintings of St. Boniface, several other saints, and Venerable Father Augustine Tolton, the nation’s first black priest who grew up and ministered in Quincy, hang inside the church. 

“The opportunity to paint holy men and women for those who walk through St. Boniface's doors was an incredible opportunity,” Jatcko said. “It was a blessing to be able to tell stories about the saints, especially Father Tolton.” 

Using oil on canvas, Jatcko created this masterpiece (right), which was hung and blessed for veneration by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at St. Boniface during the jubilee Mass and celebration of the parish on Sept. 15, 2019. It hangs inside the church today. 

“I felt invited to a private encounter with this holy and courageous priest,” Jatcko said. “As I painted, I reflected on his life and the sacrifices he made as the first black priest in our country to bring the Gospel to the people of Quincy and, eventually, Chicago. The task of doing him justice seemed daunting at first, but there was a special connection to Father Tolton through another great saint to whom I have long had a devotion, St. Katherine Drexel. Father Goeckner had seen a portrait I had painted of her and asked if I would take on the St. Boniface project. St. Katherine Drexel had been responsible for sending support to Father Tolton as he ministered to his parishioners in Chicago. I would say that divine providence definitely had a hand in the portrait of Father Tolton.”

Father Tolton was born into slavery in 1854 in Missouri. In 1862, his mother and siblings made a daring escape across the Mississippi River to Illinois. After settling in Quincy, he went to school at St. Peter’s Catholic School. Tolton later went to seminary school in Rome because no American seminary would accept a black man. Thinking he would minister in Africa, once he was ordained, he was instead sent back to Quincy, where he arrived to thousands of supporters. Known for his incredible singing and homilies, Father Tolton spent several years in Quincy before transferring to Chicago. He died of heatstroke at the age of 43 on July 9, 1897, and is buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Quincy. Pope Francis declared him “Venerable” on June 12, 2019, the second step of four to becoming a saint in the Catholic Church.

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, see page (WHAT) to learn five things you probably didn’t know about this holy man who lived a life of heroic virtue.

What you didn’t know about Venerable Father Augustine Tolton of Quincy
by Anna Fitzroy

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we look at one of the diocese’s own, Father Augustine Tolton. Born a slave and affectionately known as “Gus,” Father Tolton is known as the first black priest in the United States. Pope Francis declared him “Venerable” in 2019, and he is currently buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Quincy. Here are five other facts about Father Tolton, who is on his way to becoming a saint!  

1. He attended an all-white school
   In 1865, Gus was enrolled at St. Boniface School in Quincy, 95 years before Ruby Bridges attended the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana. He withdrew from St. Boniface after just one month because many of the white parents threatened to leave the parish or remove their children from the school. Later, Gus attended St. Peter School at the insistence of the pastor, Father Peter McGirr.

2. His favorite hymn was Holy God, We Praise Thy Name 
   After Father Gus was ordained in Rome, he returned to Quincy as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, the parish for black Catholics. A brass band played his favorite hymn, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name as the train pulled into the station. He was greeted by a cheering crowd of thousands, a carriage for him to ride in, and an escort to St. Peter Church. 

3. He was mistakenly reported dead
   Father Gus sent out the customary cards commemorating his first Mass, which carried the phrase “in memoriam.” This was mistaken as a death notice, and the report that he had died was circulated a few months before he returned to Quincy from Rome. Father Gus later explained the obvious error to the Quincy Journal.

4. He played the accordion
   Father Gus was a talented accordionist and enjoyed playing music with his friend Fred, who accompanied him when he was reassigned to Chicago. Father Gus was also known for his beautiful singing voice and for speaking with an easy and graceful eloquence.

5. He came in second in the ‘Favorite Priest’ vote of 1889
   Even after he moved to Chicago, the people of Quincy still loved Father Gus. A few days after he left, the St. Rose Society of St. Peter Parish called a vote for their favorite priest. Father Gus came in second at 201½ votes, behind Father Brennan’s 213, but ahead of his old pastor FatherMcGirr at 98 votes. 

For more information on the life of Father Tolton and his cause for sainthood, go to dio.org. 

Anna Fitzroy lives and works in Springfield.

A holy time of preparation 
Lent begins March 2

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor 

Lent is the 40-day, penitential season of preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday (March 2) and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday with the beginning of the paschal triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday — April 14-16). 

Pope Francis has said this of Lent: “Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion.” 

So, consider taking advantage of the Lenten season by reading Scripture, attending daily Mass, practicing self-control by fasting, giving alms, or by doing an act of charity. Remember, Lent is not just about abstaining from luxuries but is about seeking true inner conversion of heart. 

Lenten regulations

All the Christian faithful are urged to develop and maintain a voluntary program of self-denial (in addition to the Lenten regulations that follow), serious prayer, and performing deeds of charity and mercy, including the giving of alms. 

Abstinence — Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday (March 2) and all the Fridays of Lent. 

Fasting — Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast on Ash Wednesday (March 2) and Good Friday (April 15). On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is permitted. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person’s needs, but together these should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.

Remember, to disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. 

According to section 1447 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church did not establish the private practice of penance until the seventh century. Given that this practice was adapted from Irish missionaries inspired by Eastern monastic tradition, couldn’t and shouldn’t the Church consider adopting a private confession (between God and man) and incorporate that into a group service as is commonly done around Easter and Christmas instead of confessing to God through a priest? In my opinion, more Catholics would receive this sacrament more often.
- Pat in Granite City

What you propose has never been part of the Church’s tradition or her understanding of the power of the sacrament of penance, which is also sometimes called confession or reconciliation. Jesus established this sacrament of forgiveness when he said to the Apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23). Nowhere in the Gospels does Christ Jesus tell us it is enough to confess our sins directly to God; neither is such a notion found in the other writings of the New Testament. It simply is not a Biblical idea.

Rather, Jesus entrusted his authority to forgive sins to his Church, to his Apostles, who in turn entrusted this authority to their successors, the bishops, and also to the priests of the Church who act in the person of Christ. If these ministers of the Church are to determine which sins to forgive, they must know what the sins are. This is why the sacrament of penance requires the confession of sins to a priest. This Biblical foundation of the sacrament cannot be forgotten, nor can it be diminished.

It is true that the Church only began to implement an individual confession of sins to a priest around the seventh century, what the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the “private” confession of sins. This happened late in the history of the Church because it took some time for the Church to come to a deeper understanding of the power of the sacrament entrusted to her. Prior to this time, the Church understood that the only sins that could be forgiven through this sacrament after baptism were those of adultery, apostasy, and murder, and that these could only be forgiven once. When these sins were confessed, they confessed publicly before the gathered assembly of the faithful after which the bishop or priest absolved the penitent and imposed a heavy penance that could take years to fulfill. The Irish monks helped the Church arrive at a deeper understanding of the mercy of God active through this sacrament.

It would be impossible for the Church to do away with the ministry of priests and bishops in the sacrament of penance because they are part of the will of the Lord for his Church, and the Church cannot contradict the intentions of her Founder. That the Holy Spirit was given by the Lord Jesus to the Apostles for the forgiveness of sins is recalled in the first half of the formula of absolution: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins.” 

It is my hope and prayer that more people avail themselves of the grace of confession. If you or someone you know is afraid to go to confession, it is important to remember that when one enters the confessional, the priest will walk and help you through it. So as Scripture reminds us, do not be afraid, because what lies on the other side after confession is forgiveness of our sins, a clean slate, and your relationship with God restored.

Father Daren Zehnle is pastor at St. Augustine Parish in Ashland and is the director for the Office of Divine Worship and the Catechumenate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 

Growing up in a strong Catholic family, Lauren Jatcko’s faith has always been important to her (the Jatckos are parishioners at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville). But little did she know that her strong faith would be the shared enthusiastic connection between her and her now fiancé Joey Pruski. 

Jatcko and Pruski first stumbled upon each other via social media. Pruski was a touring musician from Texas, and Jatcko was a nanny at the time in Illinois. They became friends and kept in touch, but it was nothing more than just casual exchanges. One day, Pruski reached out to Jatcko and invited her to one of his shows so they could meet. 

“Though I had no intentions of sparking anything beyond the friendship we had built, I happily agreed,” Jatcko said. “We met a month later, and to our surprise, we had a lot in common. One of the very first things we discovered was that we were both Catholic! In that moment we both couldn't stop smiling and exchanged stories about how it was growing up in the Church.”

Fast forward to today, and now the happy couple is engaged, with the wedding to take place at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Kosciusko, Texas.

Jatcko and Pruski’s courtship and soon-to-be marriage is a refreshing reminder that despite growing numbers of couples choosing not to get married in the faith of the Church, there are still many young people who understand the importance of it and desire to enter into this holy sacrament. 

“We both firmly believe that to have a strong and lasting marriage, God must be the center of it,” Jatcko said. “Marriage is a sacrament, and we look to treat it as such. We have both been raised as Catholics and want to continue growing stronger in our faith together as one, and for the future of our family.” 

As the couple prepares for their wedding day, Jatcko says what they are looking forward to most is starting and raising a family and instilling the values and faith their parents instilled in them into their new family. 

“We believe that our Catholic faith will guide us in giving the other compassion and forgiveness as Christ gives us,” Jatcko says. “We believe that prayer is the binding ingredient to keep a marriage strong and solid. Faith strengthens all.”

Cutline

Edwardsville native Lauren Jatcko and Joey Pruski are engaged and will exchange vows at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Kosciusko, Texas. 

By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor 

They came from every corner of our diocese to pray together, worship together, receive the Eucharist together, and march together — all for one purpose: for the protection of human life. 

About 700 clergy, religious, teachers, students, and other lay Catholics from across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois packed the streets of downtown Springfield to participate in the Springfield March for Life Jan. 21, raising their voices in prayer for the unborn and most vulnerable and protesting unjust laws that attack the dignity of human life. Marching past the Statehouse, Illinois Supreme Court building, and Governor’s Mansion, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki led the group in peacefully praying the rosary for an end to abortion and a greater respect for human life. This year marked the 49^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Jan. 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. 

“Life begins at conception, so we should protect it and fight for that,” said Audrey Lasarge, a student at Sacred Heart School in Effingham.

“Babies can’t defend themselves,” said Ella Farris, a student at Mattoon High School. “They’re completely defenseless. They need someone to fight for them. That’s us. We’re here to fight for the lives that can’t fight for themselves.”

“Especially with our culture today, they want to really silence us, and they want to make us think that we don’t have a group, and that we don’t have enough numbers,” said Jacob Mizera, a student at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. “I think we do. That’s proved in the march as we have 700 people, and it’s really exciting to make our voices heard and show people that this is a popular idea (fighting for life), and this is the truth.”

The day began with Catholics first joining together for a Life Mass at 10 a.m., celebrated by Bishop Paprocki at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Concelebrating with the bishop were 14 priests from across the diocese. The Mass was also livestreamed on the diocese’s YouTube and Facebook channels so schools who could not make the trip could participate virtually. 

In his homily, Bishop Paprocki reminded the faithful to stay hopeful and continue to act and speak up for life. “Most mothers and fathers who consider aborting their children do so because they are afraid,” Bishop Paprocki said. “They are afraid they will not be able to care for their children. We in the pro-life movement must expand our already extensive efforts through our women’s centers, our pregnancy centers, and our Catholic Charities programs to offer life affirming and healing services to women in crisis, either by helping them to have access to the resources they need to care for their babies or if they are not able to do so, to assist them in giving up their children for adoption to the many adoptive parents that are ready, willing, and able to care for them. These are just some of the ways that we are called to end the scourge of abortion with the help of God’s grace.”

After the Mass, most everyone bundled up but did their best to embrace the below freezing temperatures to participate in the prayer march in downtown Springfield. While praying the rosary, the marchers prayed for vulnerable mothers contemplating having an abortion, those who work in the abortion industry, mothers who are struggling financially or emotionally, for lawmakers to enact laws that defend the sanctity of human life, and for a greater respect for life, including an end to abortion. The march in Springfield passed buildings of each branch of government before returning to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Benediction. 

“I believe in being pro-life, and I want to protect everyone who can’t be protected,” said Gracie Harman, a student at Sacred Heart School in Effingham. “It makes me proud that there is a group where we all believe in the same thing.”  

“We are the prolife generation, and I think having a really large turnout for events like these really helps impress upon everyone that we’re going to make sure that we’re going to have a positive impact in getting rid of abortion,” said Rick Wright, a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Those attending the Mass and Springfield March for Life came from schools across the diocese including St. Anthony High School in Effingham, Sacred Heart School in Effingham, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield (the student choir sang at Mass), Christ the King School in Springfield, and Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon. 

Parishes sending students and/or adult lay Catholics included St. Isidore in Dieterich, Immaculate Conception in Mattoon, Our Lady of Lourdes in Decatur, Blessed Trinity in Brussels, St. Mary in Alton, St. Charles Borromeo in Charleston, Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville, St. Francis Xavier in Jerseyville, St. Brigid in Liberty, St. Francis Solanus in Quincy, St. Raymond in Raymond, St. Alexius in Beardstown, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit in Mt. Zion, St. Luke in Virginia, St. Paul in Highland, Annunciation in Shumway, St. Joseph the Worker in Chatham, Mother of Dolors in Vandalia, St. Thomas the Apostle in Newton, St. Francis of Assisi in Teutopolis, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Alexander, St. Mary in Pittsfield, Sacred Heart in Virden, St. Ambrose in Godfrey, St. Agnes in Hillsboro, St. Anthony in Effingham, Sacred Heart in Effingham, Christ the King in Springfield, Holy Ghost in Jerseyville, St. Joseph in Springfield, Holy Family in Decatur, Blessed Sacrament in Quincy, St. Agnes in Springfield, Annunciation in Shumway, St. Thomas in Camp Point, Cathedral in Springfield, Holy Family in Granite City, St. Jude in Rochester, St. Louis in Nokomis, St. Columcille in Sullivan, St. Rose of Lima in Montrose, and Ss. Mary and Joseph in Carlinville.

The Eastern Illinois University Newman Center also had students participate as well as sisters from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Alton, the Knights of Columbus State Council, and Calhoun for Life. 

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor 

In 2021, Shelly Sands, president of Missions International and a teacher at Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, traveled to Guatemala to meet with the bishops and priests of Jalapa, Jutiapa, Izabal, and Petén. She says those holy and devoted men expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the assistance they receive from sister parishes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and other places. 

The purpose of Missions International, which is based in Highland, is to evangelize unreached people with the Gospel of Christ, bringing glory to God, through the transformation of lives and lifestyles of remote groups of people. They aim to establish churches, medical clinics, and homes among the unreached people groups of Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They also cultivate ministry partners and create opportunities for teams of people to go on mission trips.

Missions International also has a “sister parish” program that involves connecting Catholic parishes in the Caribbean and Central and Latin Americas with “sister parishes” in the United States, who then provide spiritual and financial assistance to their sister parish. Sands’ home parish, St. Paul Parish in Highland, has a sister parish in Haiti. 

According to Sands, there are 19 parishes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois with sister parishes in Guatemala, nine parishes with sister parishes in Haiti, and one parish with a sister parish in Venezuela. 

“I can’t even begin to express the overwhelming joy of being able to sit and talk with the pastors of our sister parishes (in other countries),” Sands said. “They are so grateful.”

Padre Teodoro, pastor of one of the sister parishes, explained to Sands just how much support from sister parishes in our diocese has meant during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“What everyone needs to understand is not only were their churches closed much longer than ours, but the priests did not get paid,” Sands said. “They rely on the donations, money or food, from their parishioners to survive. Without contact with parishioners, the pastors of our sister parishes were left with little resources.” Sands added that she wishes the parishes in our diocese could have heard Padre Teodoro express his gratitude as his words of thanks were so authentic. 

“After he finished his expression of thanks, one by one all the other pastors stood and stated that they, too, gave thanks to God for their brothers and sisters in their sister parishes,” Sands said. “The pastors of Guatemala were amazed that during our struggle we continue to support them. This was a true act of love, just as Jesus would do. I could feel in my heart their loving gratitude and continued support of all of us.” 

For example, after a devastating earthquake in Haiti in August 2021, Missions International organized an unique effort where several hundred faith-filled volunteers from schools and parishes in our diocese spent hours packing food into boxes for those impacted by the earthquake. A total of 22,680 servings were packed and delivered to the hungry in Haiti by Hospital Sisters Outreach in Springfield. An extra $900 from the donation for Haiti earthquake relief was sent to the religious order of St. Joseph the Apparition, who “do wonderful work in Haiti,” Sands said.  Those donations have all been distributed and used and did much to help the sisters assist “the poorest of the poor that have suffered from the earthquake,” she said. 

Learning about the ten martyrs of Quiché 

While Sands was in Guatemala, she also heard devastating stories of some martyrs who gave their lives for their faith during the 1980s. “You may have heard of Father Stanley Rother who was martyred in 1981 and beatified in 2017. During the civil war in Guatemala many Catholics were killed,” she said. Those included including 12-year-old Juan Berrera Méndez, known as Juanito, three priests who were missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and six lay men in Quiché, all who were beatified in April and are known as the Ten Martyrs of Quiché. 

“They are just a few of many, and their story is one most don’t know,” she said. “In this area of Guatemala, if you were Catholic, you either buried your Bible, became Protestant, or were martyred. Most catechists were on the death list … . In Quiché, for seven years during the late 70s and early 80s the military occupied the Catholic churches, and the diocese had to be closed. When the bishop of Quiché returned to Guatemala City, he was to write a report, but he wrote the truth, and he too was martyred.”

Sands was especially moved by the story of the young catechist Juanito, who was tortured, crucified, and shot because he never denied his faith. She said that a torture chamber was created by the military. There was a small well on the parish grounds where they threw the bodies of 37 people, including mothers and babies, Sands said, noting that a Franciscan nun shared details of the torture which were very disturbing. “Inside the church the floor had to be torn up to find the remains of others,” she said. “Upon entering this parish, you truly are standing on ground that was watered with the blood of martyrs.”  Now the church only houses the remains of Juanito.

According to Sands, traveling to Guatemala is always life changing. “We have no idea how fortunate we are,” she said. “Our faith is one of beauty and strength. The light that is shining in those who survived during these troubling times of Guatemala is so bright. Words cannot begin to describe it.” 

Announcing the 2022 trip to sister parishes of Guatemala

Missions International will be organizing a trip to sister parishes of Jalapa, Jutiapa, Izabal, and Petén July 10-16, 2022. There will be limited room based on restrictions due to COVID.  These restrictions can change and will be explained at the first meeting for those interested in traveling. 

Each sister parish will be restricted to two-to-three people on the trip. It is always good if you have someone traveling who is fluent in Spanish, but if not, a translator will be provided in Guatemala. 

You will spend three-to-four nights and four-to-five days in your sister parish depending on your previous travels to Guatemala.  Accommodation can vary depending on your sister parish.

You will spend two-to-three nights and one-to-two days in Guatemala City at the retreat center for the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.  At the retreat center there will be speakers focusing on Guatemalan history, culture, and martyrs.  You may also choose to visit Antigua during this time. You will enjoy a dinner with the pastor of your sister parish the night before traveling to your sister parish.

Both flights will be early morning flights getting travelers into Guatemala and the United States by midafternoon.

If you are interested in this trip, please email   before Feb. 28, 2022, to receive future information about the meeting for this trip.

The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (SDCCW) is offering four $1,000 scholarships to recognize outstanding Catholic female high school seniors.  Applicants will be judged on how they exemplify the SDCCW’s mission values of leadership, faith, and service.

Young women who are interested in applying for the scholarship should contact their high school principal, high school guidance office or parish office for applications.  The application, essay and two letters of recommendations are required.  The application deadline is April 1, 2022.

Scholarship winners will be notified in May and honored at the Women of Distinction Banquet in July.

SDCCW is an affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women and actively promotes the Catholic faith through service and leadership.  The council is comprised of representatives from the deaneries of our Springfield diocese.  More scholarship information is available by contacting Mary Ann Sullivan at .

Catholics are invited to a Gospel Mass and soul food lunch in Springfield, hosted by the Black Catholic Commission. Taking place on Sunday, Feb. 26, the Mass starts at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church on Springfield’s north end. Father Fredrick Chima Mbiere, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Illiopolis and St. John Vianney Parish in Sherman, will be the celebrant. The soul food lunch follows Mass and is $5 per person. 

“The Gospel Mass and soul food lunch is an event acknowledging Black History Month,” said Donna Moore, director of the Office for the Office for Pro-Life Activities, Missions, and Special Ministries for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. “It’s a time to celebrate and honor the Lord, remember the past, acknowledge the present diversity among Catholics, and to embrace opportunities for inclusiveness in the future.”  

If you want to attend the lunch, please RSVP so enough food is prepared. You can call Donna Moore at (217) 321-1161 or email her at  .

By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor

Pope St. John Paul II said that “The very evangelization of modern culture depends to a great extent on the influence of the media." That is what Covenant Network and Relevant Radio, two Catholic radio networks that have affiliate stations in our diocese, are doing on a daily basis.

Adam Wright wakes every morning at 5:15 a.m. to host Roadmap to Heaven on Covenant Network, which is based in St. Louis. The 7-8 a.m. live show is broadcasted throughout 43 stations in 10 archdioceses/dioceses in the Midwest and south, including several cities in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 

Wright’s show continuously features several priests from our diocese who discuss diocesan events, Catholic family life, Catholic news in our region, and Catholic theology. Wright also interviews Bishop Thomas John Paprocki every other month about diocesan, national, and international Catholic news. Wright’s show combines humor and authentic Catholicism in a fast paced, yet easy to consume way, all in effort to help you become a saint.

“Roadmap to Heaven is your ‘local’ dose of daily inspiration to strive for holiness,” Wright said. “It takes faith, perseverance, commitment, and a lot of grace to have that daily conversion and choose Christ. We feature stories about everyday Catholics who are in the same walks of life as our listeners.”

Covenant Network has several affiliates across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. This includes 88.9 FM in Springfield, 106.3 FM in Beardstown; 95.9 FM in Carlinville; AM 1080 in Edwardsville; 91.3 FM in Effingham; 102.5 FM in Mattoon; 92.1 FM in Pittsfield; 93.7 FM in Quincy; AM 1410 in Taylorville; and 96.9 FM in Williamsville. The mission of Covenant Network is simple: evangelize the Catholic faith. 

Covenant Network itself is an affiliate of EWTN’s global Catholic radio and features other popular programming such as The Doctor is In with Dr. Ray Guarendi, Open Line (taking your faith-based questions live), Catholic Answers (apologetics and evangelization), and the praying of the rosary, among other informative and inspirational programming. 

“It never fails that we meet listeners who found answers to their questions listening to Covenant Network,” Wright said. “Whether it was something keeping them away from the faith or an impediment to growing in their faith, listeners have found the answers they needed because of the programming on Covenant Network.”

If you would like to donate to Covenant Network, you can visit OurCatholicRadio.org or call (314) 752-7000 or (877) 305-1234.  

Relevant Radio, another Catholic radio network, which has 182 affiliates nationwide, has stations in Decatur and St. Louis (which can be heard in the Metro East area of our diocese). Like Covenant Network, Bishop Paprocki is a frequent guest on Relevant Radio’s national programing, including the Patrick Madrid Show in the morning and the Drew Mariani Show in the afternoon. The rosary is also prayed nightly at 7 p.m.

WDCR, 88.9 FM and 96.5 FM in Decatur, is an affiliate of Relevant Radio. They recently celebrated 10 years of serving listeners in Macon County. 

“WDCR with the help of Relevant Radio broadcast the true word of God,” said Jim Comerford, president of the WDCR board said. “Catholic news is provided in a timely manner by members of the clergy and hosts who are up to date on Catholic teachings. If you have questions about what is said the host are available by phone or email.” 

WDCR offers a local program called Catholic and Company. Airing three times on Thursdays at 8 a.m., 5 p.m., and 10 p.m., hosts Father Chris Comerford (pastor of Ss. James and Patrick Parish in Decatur), Dave Slade, Katherine Smith, and Sharon Shilawski, highlight what is going on in the Catholic community locally and in the diocese. 

You don’t have to be in Macon County to listen. You can listen live and find archived podcasts of the shows at wdcrradio.com. You can donate to WDCR by going to wdcrradio.com or calling (217) 464-1099. 

“WDCR is a listener supported radio station,” Jim Comerford said. “The great support of our listeners has allowed us to continue to grow and to add options such as streaming to make listening convenient. Our listeners are the greatest! They go all out for us.”

Relevant Radio also has affiliates in the St. Louis area: 95.1 FM and 1380 AM (Spanish). Relevant Radio’s guiding principles include being faithful to the Magisterium and Catechism of the Catholic Church, being united to the bishops, and being under the protective intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The stories of impact Catholic radio is having on people is tremendous. Wright says that every year, they hear from multiple listeners who have fallen away from the faith, sometimes for years, because of a question or doubt that became an impediment. 

“Through God’s grace and one of our Catholic Radio bumper stickers and yard signs, they end up tuning into Covenant Network and find a solid, thorough answer to the question that kept them away,” Wright said. “These stories are usually very moving as the impediments were very difficult for these listeners.”

Jim Comerford says that when he hears someone has returned to the Catholic church after listening to WDCR, they are doing their job.  

“We have one couple who joined the church after listening and are very active members of their parish,” Comerford said. “We understand we are God’s helpers and will continue to work to let everyone know God loves them.”

Then, there is the funny story involving Father Michael Berndt, parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Effingham. He said that while he was a priest in Springfield and went out for lunch, a man ran into the store and paid for his lunch after seeing Father Berndt walk inside the establishment. The man said he wanted to pay for Father Berndt’s lunch because he heard Father Berndt’s vocation story interview on Covenant Network and was grateful for his priestly vocation.  

Cutlines

Adam Wright, host of Roadmap to Heaven on Covenant Network, prepares to go LIVE in the studio based in St. Louis. Covenant Network has 10 radio station affiliates in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 

Father Chris Comerford, pastor of Ss. James and Patrick Parish in Decatur, is one of the hosts of Catholic and Company on WDCR in Decatur.