Desk fund video wins big bucks in Big Lots contest
big-lots-presentation--bob-in-st.-louis-147.jpgIt is not that people at St. Francis of Solanus School don't like antiques. But considering some grandparents of St. Francis students remember sitting in the very same school desks when they went to school there, the desks have become a safety hazard.
Ugly garden veggies help teach lesson in life
dl-garden.jpg Shareholders in the Community Supported Garden at La Vista in Godfrey are not only experiencing a bountiful harvest this summer, they are gaining some insight about life, as they read the CSG La Vista newsletter.
Enrollment workshops offered for Catholic school parents
The diocesan Office for Catechesis is sponsoring free workshops on "The Role of Parents in Catholic School Enrollment Management," according to Barbara Burris, associate director of school planning. Those invited include parents, school board members, development directors and supporters of Catholic education.
Cathedral restoration campaign comes to successful conclusion
The campaign to raise funds for the restoration and renewal of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield has been a resounding success.
Web Exlusive: Cathedral Campaign Final ReportYouth take work to HEART
chwc08-202.jpgThis summer, a good number of youth from around the diocese gave up some free time, trying to make a difference in lives of people in various parts of the United States. They set out to spend a week assisting others through Catholic HEART Workcamp (CHWC).
Faithful Citizenship means promoting common good, says speaker
p3-rosenhauer.jpgFaithful Citizenship is not a new idea, a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' official told Bishop George J. Lucas and a group of clergy, deacons and parish leaders who gathered at Villa Maria Catholic Life Center in Springfield on Aug. 22.
Registration open for on-line VLCFF courses, Sept. 2-Oct. 16
Registration begins Sept. 2 and continues through Oct. 16 for on-line courses through the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) initiative of the University of Dayton. Since June 2006, the Springfield diocese has been a partner with VLCFF.
Free concert to benefit monastery destroyed by fire
john-michael-talbot2.jpgJohn Michael Talbot will give a free concert at St. Pius V Church in St. Louis on Tuesday, Sept.16. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 3310 S. Grand Blvd. A ticket is required for admission. Free-will offerings taken at the concert will go to rebuild the Little Portion Hermitage Monastery in Eureka Springs, Ark., destroyed in a fire April 28.
Eight join ranks of Catholic school principals
principals.jpgLate August is always an exciting time for both educators and children. As the 2008-2009 school year begins, seven Catholic grade schools and one Catholic high school in the Springfield diocese are under new leadership. Earlier this month, these men and women were at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield to learn more about leading a Catholic school and to meet one another and share ideas.
Chatham parish deep into preparation for Why Catholic?
How deep is your faith? That's the question parishioners at St. Joseph the Worker in Chatham will begin answering this fall during the parish's implementation of the Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism program.
Father McGivney Catholic High School to open in fall 2011
A new Catholic high school serving southern Madison County will open in the fall of 2011, according to a joint announcement by Bishop George J. Lucas and Doug Villard, president of the board of directors of the parents group Catholic School for Me.
Father Zimmerman named dean of Decatur Deanery
Bishop George J. Lucas has appointed Father David Zimmerman dean of the Decatur Deanery, for a period of five years, effective Aug. 12.
DCCW to hold 80th annual convention, Oct. 12
dl-dccw-convention-speaker-conroy.jpgThe Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its 80th annual convention Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Hamilton's in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Deanery will serve as host. The theme for the convention will be "Mary, Star of Hope."
Effingham perpetual adoration enters 15th year
dl-perpetual-adoration.jpgPerpetual adoration participants filled St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Chapel in Effingham July 24 to celebrate the 15th anniversary and commemorate the over 130,000 hours of perpetual adoration at the chapel. The celebration included an outdoor living rosary, Mass and reception.
For Branyan family, showing cattle is hobby for all members
state-fair-winner-2-of-2.jpgFor city dwellers walking through the livestock and poultry barns at the Illinois State Fair and stopping to watch the competition in the show rings gives them a glimpse of rural life. For farm families, "showing animals at the fair is really a hobby, a family hobby," says Chelli Branyan, of rural Assumption, whose youngest daughter and son each won awards showing animals at the fair.
Students cool at Cathedral Grade School
cathedral-ac.jpgWhile students have been on break this summer, workers have been wiring Cathedral School in Springfield for air conditioning, assuring students will be more comfortable now that school has resumed, said Casey Wichmann, the school's development director.
Healing Mass to be held in Decatur
Father Glenn Fontana of East Moline will once again celebrate a Healing Mass and Healing Service at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Decatur, at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14. The theme will be "Forgiveness." A period of adoration and prayer will be followed by the Healing Service.
Diocese thanked for contribution
Sister Janice Bader, CPPS, executive director of the National Religious Retirement Office, recently sent a letter to the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield, thanking those from the Springfield diocese who contributed to the Retirement Fund for Religious in 2007. The annual collection is usually held the second Sunday of Advent in most parishes across the country.
Registration begins for Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference
daec2008logo.jpgThe Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference (DAEC) will take place Sunday, Nov. 2 through Monday, Nov. 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The DAEC is held every other autumn and is sponsored by the Office for Catechesis in the Department of Catechetical Ministries. It is made possible, in part, by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.
Postulants to be received, novices to make profession of vows
dl-fsmg-profession.jpgThe Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George will celebrate the profession of vows and the reception into the novitiate of several sisters during Mass on Aug. 15 at St. Mary Church here. Six novices will make their first profession of vows, and four postulants will be received into the novitiate.
Working together helps fill local food pantry shelves
img_9192-small.jpgThanks to the efforts of Deputy Grand Knight Pat Pappa of Council 4179, employees at County Market in Chatham and a lot of generous grocery shoppers, the shelves of Catholic Charities' Holy Family Food Pantry in Springfield have recently been better stocked.
Couples to celebrate 50-year marriages at Cathedral
Bishop George J. Lucas invites couples married 50 years or more to attend a wedding anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
Seven make first vows as Oblates
Sister Chaminade recognized as Franciscan peacemaker
dl-sr-chaminade.jpgSister Chaminade Kelley of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, was among more than 40 women and men recognized as Franciscan peacemakers during the 42nd annual Franciscan Federation Conference held July 23-27 in Denver, Colorado.
Seminar, retreat to be held on ‘original thinking’
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield and Springfield College in Illinois-Benedictine University will sponsor a seminar on Sept. 4 and retreat on Sept. 5-6 on the "Art of Original Thinking." Both events will be held at the Chiara Center in Springfield and are open to the public.
Life of St. Paul depicted in stained glass at Highland church
dl-st.-paul-stoning.jpgWhen Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Year of St. Paul to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the apostle's birth, the Holy Father called on people to reflect on the life and writings of St. Paul.
Waverly parish to celebrate 150th anniversary of founding
dl-st.-sebastian.jpgSt. Sebastian Parish in Waverly will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding at a Mass of Thanksgiving there with Bishop George J. Lucas presiding on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. Father Angel Sierra, St. Sebastian pastor, will concelebrate.
Cathedral capital campaign draws to successful conclusion
The generosity of Catholics in the Springfield diocese has resulted in a successful campaign to raise funds for the preservation and renewal of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Solemn assembly for Year of Reconciliation Aug. 2 at Cathedral
The eighth and final solemn assembly in the 2008 Year of Reconciliation in Springfield will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. The theme of the solemn assembly will be "Justice and Mercy."
Legion of Mary Day of Recollection held
A Legion of Mary Mystical Rose Comitium Day of Recollection was held June 14 at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Springfield, led by Father Daniel Willenborg.