Official Appointment
Hard work, study helps deepen faith, says theology graduate
After spending 30 weekends over the last three years attending classes - and completing countless hours of homework - Julie Miller of St. Mary Parish in Alton is about to graduate from Ave Maria University with a master's degree in theological studies.
Singing God’s praise for 50 years
highland-closeup-choir-director-directing.jpgSam Schwarztrauber likes his part-time work. You can hear it and witness it at liturgical celebrations at St. Paul Church in Highland, where Schwarztrauber is in his 50th year as choir director. The parish is honoring Schwarztrauber at a celebration on Sunday, May 17, after the 11:30 a.m. Mass in the parish hall. Women honored at annual parish prayer breakfast
womens-luncheon.jpgWomen of all ages celebrated Mother's Day a week early at St. John Vianney Parish in Sherman when the parish held its annual Mother's Day Women's Prayer Breakfast on May 3 in the parish activity center.St. John Vianney pastor, Msgr. Carl Kemme, said this was the fourth year that the breakfast has been held. "This is a wonderful way to honor the important role of women in our church," Msgr. Kemme said. "It is an event that grows in attendance every year. We have several generations of family members who attend together - daughters, mothers and grandmothers. Sacred Heart Parish to hold mortgage-burning celebration
Three members of diocese graduate from Aquinas Institute
Effingham hospital recalls tragedy, rebuilding
st.-anthony-memorial-hospital-may_2009.jpgSt. Anthony's Memorial Hospital prepared to honor the memory of the 1949 hospital fire and commemorate the 1954 completion of a new hospital at a "Reflections of Our Past" anniversary celebration on Friday, May 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. The public was invited to join the hospital family for the celebration held in the hospital auditorium. Couple presented with 2009 Pax Joliet award
morris-holy-land-award.jpgJim and Sue Morris might be members of Little Flower Parish in Springfield who live and work in the see city, but they recently received the 2009 Pax Joliet Award for their efforts for justice and peace in the Holy Land. Common sense key, says Bishop Lucas in flu guidelines
p3-priests.jpgBishop George J. Lucas has asked priests, deacons and parish life coordinators to exercise commonsense precautions if the spread of the H1N1 virus becomes a pandemic. Celebrating years of service in religious community
Cathedral project excavation reveals history
cathedral-excavation-1.jpgWorkers who were excavating the yard adjacent to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as a part of its restoration and renewal recently uncovered some history in the form of the foundation and bricks from the original St. Joseph's Home in Springfield. K. of C. #364 hosts parish volunteer appreciation dinner
Chatham parish to host concert
God’s mercy is a gift, says Bishop Lucas at Divine Mercy celebration
Divine Mercy Sunday was celebrated April 19 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield, with Bishop George J. Lucas presiding. The ceremony included Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy, and recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Bishop, priests to gather for annual jubilee celebration
Priests in the Springfield diocese will gather with Bishop George J. Lucas for their annual Priests Jubilee Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, at St. Joseph Parish, Chatham. Seven priests are celebrating their golden jubilees; three priests are celebrating their silver jubilees, and seven priests, are celebrating their 60th jubilee.
Vocation within a vocation
chaplain-donovan.jpgIf the shortage of priests is having a serious impact on parishes throughout the country, it is an even more serious problem in chaplain ministry.
Family festival to kick off capital campaign for new high school
Negro to give Silver Cross recital
Madz Negro will present her Silver Cross piano recital on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. in Dominican Hall of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, 1200 W. Washington St. in Springfield. The daughter of Bill and Lori Negro of New Berlin, she is a sophomore at SHG. SHG to hold Summer Escape enrichment camps and athletic camps
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield has announced it once again this summer will hold Summer Escape, a middle school summer enrichment camp.
Summer Escape is open to all students entering grades 5-8 for the 2009-2010 school year. The camp will be held from June 22-26. Session times are from 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Cost is $80 per session and includes a T-shirt. Registration deadline is Friday, June 5.
Diocese thanked for contribution
St. Ambrose School takes stand against bullying
Benedictine University to sponsor panel discussion on religious worldviews
Father Christopher House, director of the diocesan Office for Vocations will be a member of a panel to discuss “Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent Design, and the Catholic, Judaistic, and Islamic Worldviews” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30 in Beata Hall at Benedictine University in Springfield, 1500 N. Fifth St.
Ten schools begin long-range planning process
Eight Catholic parish schools and two Catholic high schools in the west central Springfield diocese start work this month with a national development firm to begin a self-assessment process that will lead to a long range plan. The Tracy Family Foundation, a not-for-profit private foundation supported by the Mt. Sterling-based Dot Foods, Inc., is covering the costs of Institute School and Parish Development, (ISPD), the Metairie, La.- based consulting firm, chosen to lead the project.
April 26 is DCCW Sunday
April 26 has been designated Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Sunday at parishes in the Springfield diocese that have active women’s organization. On DCCW Sunday, participating parishes will offer information about what the DCCW does and who may join. More information is available in individual parish bulletins or from officers and members of parish women’s organizations.
Father Phil’s passion
vocations-father-phil.jpg The most profound questions of life are posed in philosophy, and it is a fruitful study for children as well as adults. Children’s lives, indeed, are enhanced and enlightened as they become better thinkers and more able to grapple with problems in school and in life using reason and logic and method.
Calling upon master of the harvest
chrism-01.jpgAt the annual chrism Mass April 6, Bishop George J. Lucas listened as close to 70 diocesan and religious priests renewed their commitment to service just after he had announced an upcoming year of prayer for priestly vocations. The bishop told the congregation assembled from across the diocese to fill St. Agnes Church in Springfield that the year of prayer will begin in late 2009.
Abortion rights bill fails to come to vote in Illinois House
Proponents of the controversial House Bill 2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act, failed to bring the bill to a vote in the Illinois House of Representatives before an April 3 deadline.
Rice Bowl grants help 22 central Illinois organizations feed hungry
Twenty-two organizations in central Illinois have been awarded grants from Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl and the Office for the Missions of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Grants were awarded to assist in providing food for the hungry in various parts of the diocese.
Like father, like son
Kesslers-vocations.jpgFather William F. Kessler and his father, Deacon William Kessler, share a unique perspective when it comes to discussing vocations. Both are ordained men in the Springfield diocese.
Father Kessler is pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Pana, and Sacred Heart Parish in Oconee. He was ordained a priest May 29, 1999, by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. His father was ordained a deacon eight years later, on June 24, 2007, by Bishop George J. Lucas, at the Cathedral, in the diocese’s first diaconate class. Deacon Kessler is assigned to St. Ambrose Parish in Godfrey.
Nokomis parish to host performance on Sermon on the Mount
frank.jpgSt. Louis Parish is hosting a performance of Sermon on the Mount and a presentation called Hollywood vs. Faith by film and radio personality Frank Runyeon on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. The performance will take place at the parish church, 311 S. Elm St. in Nokomis.