Dominican Sisters install new leadership team
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield have elected leadership for the 2009-2013 term, and officially installed their new team during a liturgy June 28 in the Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, in the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters. On June 29, the congregation began its Chapter of Affairs, a quadrennial meeting; at which members of the congregation make decisions about how to proceed with its mission during the coming years.
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Archbishop Lucas ordains 12 to diaconate
On Saturday, June 20, Archbishop-designate George J. Lucas celebrated his last ordination in the Springfield diocese by ordaining 12 men to the sacred diaconate.
Nokomis churches send truckload of supplies to hospital in Ecuador
During the season of Lent the Nokomis Ministerial Alliance, a group of five churches working together to help make a difference in the lives of the very poor, was able to raise over $27,000 to assist a hospital in Quito, Ecuador. The funds they contributed will provide the Tierra Nueva Foundation with more than $131,000 worth of high quality medical equipment and supplies to serve people at Un Canto a la Vida (A Song for Life) hospital. Congratulations, Class of 2009
Knights of Columbus names Family of the Year
BRIGHTON — The Lyn Miller family of Brighton is the Illinois State Council Knights of Columbus Family of the Year. Lyn and Colette Miller and their children, Lea and Michael, were honored at the annual K. of C. state convention held in Lombard. The Miller family was selected from among several hundred families submitted by 90 statewide districts. Archbishop Lucas to be honored at farewell reception
All Catholics in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are invited to a farewell reception in honor of Archbishop-designate George J. Lucas on Thursday, July 16, at Christ the King Parish, 1930 Barberry Drive in Springfield.
Archbishop Lucas to receive pallium from pope
Pope Benedict XVI will bestow the pallium, symbolizing an archbishop’s authority and unity with the pope, on Archbishop-designate George J. Lucas during Mass June 29 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish building new church
NEWTON — Construction is under way to build a new St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Newton. The new church will be built on the western edge of the church property, with the narthex on the east side of the church. Liturgical services will continue to be held in the present church while the new church is under construction.
Franciscans elect American as new world-wide leader
New Franciscan vicar general is 1977 graduate of Quincy University
ASSISI, ITALY — On June 5, five days short of the first anniversary of his election as provincial minister of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart (St. Louis), Father Michael Perry, OFM, was elected the vicar general of the entire world-wide Order of Friars Minor.
Christ the King in Springfield offers workshop on marriage after divorce
A workshop on new marriage in the Catholic Church after divorce will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 22 at Christ the King Parish Center, 1930 Barberry Drive in Springfield. The evening is free and open to the public.
23 make commitment as Springfield Dominican associates
Twenty-three women and men made formal commitment as associates of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield during Mass at the Dominican motherhouse on May 17. As Dominican associates, they accept God’s call'to embody the Dominican charism, hear and proclaim God’s Word, and promote the dignity of all persons. They join the sisters and other associates in prayer, study, community, and ministry.
Native of diocese ordained to priesthood
DUBUQUE, Iowa — Steven Michael Garner, a native of the Springfield diocese, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB, for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, May 23 in the Cathedral of St. Raphael.
SHG announces 2009 Hall of Fame inductees
Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP, of Jackson, Miss., and Terry Farmer of Springfield are the 2009 inductees of the Sacred Heart-Griffin High School Hall of Fame. The induction took place at the SHG graduation ceremony May 24 at Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield.
Deacon candidates, Class of 2012, instituted as readers
Fourteen men who are studying for the diaconate in the Springfield diocese were instituted as readers on Sunday, June 14, at 11 a.m. Mass at Christ the King Church in Springfield. Archbishop-designate George J. Lucas was the principal celebrant with Msgr. David Lantz and Father Paul Emile Tang Abomo, SJ, concelebrating. Father Chris House was master of ceremonies, Deacon Al Laabs and Deacon Leo Bistak assisted, and Larry Smith was bookbearer.
Eleven to be ordained as deacons of diocese
Archbishop-designate George J. Lucas will ordain 11 men from the Deacon Class of 2009 and one diocesan seminarian to the Order of Deacons on Saturday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Springfield. A reception in the parish hall will follow.
The Class of 2009 is the second deacon class to be ordained in the Springfield diocese.
Congratulations Class of 2009
The staff of Catholic Times would like to congratulate the following seniors on their high school graduation!
Office for Missions to co-host Holy Land pilgrimage
The Office for the Missions in the Springfield diocese has assumed responsibility as one of the hosts of a pilgrimage of peace to the Holy Land during the upcoming Advent season. The 12-day pilgrimage begins Monday, Nov. 30 and runs through Friday, Dec. 11.
World’s fair makes local appearance
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach will host “2009 World’s Fair” from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at its facility on the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse grounds near Springfield.
Bishop Lucas named to head Archdiocese
lucas-omaha-steps.jpgPope Benedict XVI has named Bishop George J. Lucas to succeed Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss as the Catholic Archbishop of Omaha, Neb. The appointment was announced Wednesday, June 3, in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
In Omaha, the announcement was made June 3 during a 10 a.m. news conference at the St. Cecilia Cathedral Cultural Center.
Sister parishes celebrate silver anniversary
haiti-story.jpgHIGHLAND - It's a long way from the Springfield diocese, but over the last 25 years St. Paul Parish in Highland has been reaching out spiritually and financially to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Haiti. That's why early in May, Bishop Yves-Marie Pean of the Diocese of Gonaives and Msgr. Max Leroy Mesidor, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, paid St. Paul parishioners a visit to thank them for their support and to celebrate their silver anniversary as sister parishes. Beginning back in 1983, students at St. Paul School under the leadership of their then-principal Rose Mersinger, donated money they had raised for the missions to assist in building a school in the hills of Gonaives. The next year, adult parishioners became involved as well.
Father Knuffman honored at retirement open house
Parishioners from Holy Family, Athens, and St. Peter, Petersburg, will host an open house retirement celebration for Father Donald Knuffman from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Knight's of Columbus Hall, 2200 South Meadowbrook Road, Springfield. A short program will begin at 3 p.m.
National Council of Catholic Women brings Leadership Day to Illinois June 6
PEORIA - Catholic women in Illinois are invited to a leadership training and development program sponsored by the National Council of Catholic Women from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 6 at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 NE Madison.NCCW trainers from Florida and Rockford will conduct the seminar. The seminar topics range from promoting spirituality to membership development.
Shares still available at La Vista Community Garden
la-vista-little-boy.jpgGODFREY - La Vista Community Garden, founded in 2003 by Father Maurice Lange, OMI, is now in its seventh year at the Oblate Novitiate on Levis Lane in Godfrey. Father Maurice's mission was to help raise local awareness of the benefits of an organic, community-supported garden. He also wanted to call people's attention to ecological factors and how everyone and everything affects everything else.Many of its members have been shareholders since the first year. "Oh we wouldn't miss being part of it for anything," said a shareholder as she and her husband stood with their plastic tubs, ready to pick their allotted six quarts of strawberries. "My son and his family have come on board too."
Bishop George J. Lucas Named To Head Archdiocese of Omaha
Bishop George J. LucasSPRINGFIELD — Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop George J. Lucas of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to succeed Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss as the Catholic Archbishop of Omaha, Neb. The appointment was announced Wednesday, June 3, in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Farmersville parish makes reluctant decision to close St. Isidore School
p3-st-isidore.jpgSt. Isidore School in Farmersville will close at the end of this school year. Parents and supporters of the 88-year-old St. Mary Parish school received a letter dated May 14 notifying them of the decision to close the K-8 grade school and preschool. The last day of class at St. Isidore will be May 27. Summer Events
Summer Mass Times
Sister Luddon celebrates 60th Jubilee
Sister Marguerite Luddon, CDP, is celebrating 60 years as a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence. She was born in Venice in the Springfield diocese, with a home parish of St. Mark there. She entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in St. Louis in 1949. The former Sister Mary Laurence took final vows in 1956. She earned a bachelor of arts in education from Harris Teachers College in 1972.
Six local programs receive CCHD grants
Six programs in the Springfield diocese will receive grants totaling $17,000 in the local distribution of funds collected in the annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection.