Soldier in war zone thinks of OLQP students
yp-or-dl-olpq-letters-to-soldiers.jpgMaster Sgt. Tomas Lira thinks of home when he reads letters from students at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Bethalto. Lira, now in his second tour of duty in the U. S. Army in Afghanistan, sent a flag that flew over his camp and a framed certificate signed by his Army commander to the school. Students celebrate school’s anniversary with service projects
SHG-works-1.jpgStudents and adults associated with Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield wanted to do something special to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1988 merger of Sacred Heart Academy and Griffin High School. However, simply throwing a party didn't seem appropriate, said Terry Farmer, a 1977 GHS graduate and a SHG parent. While interior work begins, Cathedral parishioners adjust
Cathedral-emptied.jpgPews were removed Sept. 30 from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield and sent off to be repaired and refinished, as interior work steps up at the recently closed Cathedral. Carpeting in the Cathedral was removed, the day after the leave-taking Mass Sept. 28.
Farewell: Cathedral leave-taking ‘bittersweet’ for parishioners
cathedral-farewell.gifThe leave-taking Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, Sept. 28 was "a bittersweet time" said Father Peter Harman, pastor of Cathedral Parish. Springfield area artists host Art for Darfur auction
Franciscan sisters welcome new associates
dl-franciscan-associates-crop.gifThe Hospital Sisters of St. Francis welcomed 10 new associates Sept. 28 during the morning liturgy in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Sister Jomary Trstensky, OSF, provincial superior, accepted the first commitment of Cindy Atkinson, Bruce Compton, Mary-Jo Gardiner, Mike Hemberger, Sister Maureen Irvin, OSF, Ruth King, Billie LeCrone, Mary Staudt, and Debbie Waitkus, Springfield; and Marla Van Lanen, Green Bay, Wis. In addition, 90 associates in Illinois and Wisconsin renewed their commitment ‘Mass on the Grass’ to conclude St. Teresa homecoming
Catholic bishops of Illinois release election-year message
The Catholic Bishops of Illinois, including Bishop George J. Lucas of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, have issued an appeal for political responsibility to help prepare Catholics for the upcoming election and further participation in the political process. {xtypo_info} Click here to read the Bishop's Statement{/xtypo_info}
Couples celebrate long marriages at Cathedral
50th-mass-a.jpgApproximately 125 couples celebrated the last official day of summer this year by traveling to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Sept. 21 for the annual anniversary celebration for couples who have been married for 50 years or longer. Many of the couples were accompanied by family members who joined them at the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop George J. Lucas. Bethalto students spark storm of donations for hurricane victims
p3-bethalto-loadingtruckforlouisiana-016.jpgHaving grown up in Bethalto not far from Alton and the Mississippi River, Andy Sears knew something about flooding. But nothing really prepared the 23-year-old, just starting his teaching career in the Teach for America program at a Louisiana school in a low income area, for the devastation and suffering after Hurricane Gustav tore through the area. Father Heyd keynote speaker for Respect Life Mass, prayer vigil
p3-heyd-mug-shot.jpgFather James Heyd, priest associate for Priests for Life, will be the keynote speaker following the annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass, rosary walk and prayer vigil on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Granite City. Seventeen priests ready to graduate from pastoral leadership program
Mattoon conference to host Sept. 27 ‘Friends of the Poor Walk’
Decatur CC adds two new members to advisory board
Franciscans gather for 150-year jubilee celebration
p16-franciscans-sacred-heart-province.jpgMore than 100 friars in the Sacred Heart Province of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) gathered with friends and supporters for a jubilee Mass Sept. 15 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in St. Louis to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan friars in Teutopolis. Other jubilee celebrations were held earlier this year in Teutopolis, Chicago, San Antonio and Quincy. Catholic Health Association, Aquinas Institute partner for Vocare Center
The Illinois Catholic Health Association (ICHA) board of directors voted recently to become a co-sponsor for the Aquinas Institute of Theology's Vocare Center. The Vocare Center was established in 2008 to serve the diverse needs of leaders in Catholic institutions and congregations as they strive to embody mission and sustain ministry into the future.
Sullivan sees challenges in catechetical ministries
sullivan-rgb.jpgThe arrival of autumn means different things to different people. To Jonathan Sullivan, new director of Catechetical Ministries for the Springfield diocese, fall is bringing his first opportunities to get out among the people who benefit from ministries of the diocesan Curia.
Diocesan churches to celebrate Catechetical Sunday Sept. 21
Each year, the third Sunday of September has been designated by the U.S. Catholic Bishops as Catechetical Sunday, a celebration that honors those involved in catechetical ministry. The theme for this weekend's celebration is "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
St. Paul’s teachings on the sacraments subject of Bible series set for Shumway
Bible studies on St. Paul's teachings on the sacraments will be featured in a series of six sessions held at Annunciation Parish, in St. Mary Church basement in Shumway. Father Daren Zehnle, parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Effingham, will be the instructor.
St. Alphonsus Parish to celebrate 125 years
st-alphonsius-brighton.jpgSt. Alphonsus Parish in Brighton is celebrating its 125th anniversary on Sept. 20 with a Mass with Bishop George J. Lucas presiding. A catered dinner will follow.
Reiske scholarships awarded
yp-or-dl-st-elizabeth-scholarships.jpgNine college students have received $500 or $1,000 scholarships from St. Elizabeth Parish through an endowment in honor of the late Laurine Reiske. They are: Edward Gensert, Meagan Joyce, Sarah Kromray, Lauren Mooshegian, Susan Ratkewitz, Lauren Riggs, and Mark, Mary and Michael Ryan
Parishioners prepare for year-long absence from Cathedral
p1-pic-close.jpgFather Peter Harman, pastor of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Springfield, is taking time this month to help his parishioners pay particular attention to being "part of the church."
Cooney to perform at DAEC
rcooney.jpg Sacred music composer Rory Cooney is the newly-scheduled performer for the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference (DAEC), which will take place Sunday, Nov. 2 through Monday, Nov. 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.
PSR classes for exceptional people to begin Sept. 24
QU ranked in top 35 in Midwest baccalaureate colleges
Quincy University was ranked 33 among the top 35 Midwest baccalaureate colleges in the U.S. News & World Report "America's Best Colleges" list. The ranking is the highest of all area universities and positions Quincy University as a "Tier 1" school in the category.
Diocesan Hispanics to gather for Encuentro Sunday
A diocesan gathering of Hispanics, Encuentro Sunday, will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Dominican motherhouse and Sacred Heart-Griffin High School on Sunday, Oct. 12. The theme of the event, which is planned by the Springfield Diocesan Hispanic Committee, is "What gifts do the Hispanics bring to their respective communities?"
Events marking United Nations day for peace/ceasefire
Area All Schools Mass held at QU
Quincy University hosted the third annual Quincy area All Catholic Schools Mass on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. in Pepsi Arena. Students, teachers and staff from St. Francis Solanus, Blessed Sacrament, St. Peter, St. Dominic, St. Mary (Mt. Sterling) elementary schools, Quincy Notre Dame High School, and Quincy University came together for a celebration of the Eucharist on the QU campus. Bishop George J. Lucas presided at the Mass.
Study day on role of music in worship set for Sept. 27
dl--music-new-janco_steven.jpgA Sing to the Lord Study Day with Steven R. Janco will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at St. Jude Parish Hall in Rochester. Registration, a book sale and a continental breakfast will begin at 8:45 a.m. Bishop, priests of diocese to attend annual clergy convocation
From Sept. 15-18, Bishop George J. Lucas and the priests of the Springfield diocese will be taking part in an annual Clergy Convocation held this year at Eagle Creek Resort and Conference Center, located on the shores of Lake Shelbyville, just outside Findley.