On July 16, 2021, the Holy Father Pope Francis, exercising his authority as Supreme Pastor of the Church, issued a motu proprio — a document of his own initiative — titled Traditionis custodes concerning what had been called the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite and what others call the Traditional Latin Mass.

This motu proprio has caused some confusion and concern as it removes the wide permissions given to all priests by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. With his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI allowed any priest to offer the Holy Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962, the so-called Tridentine Mass (Latin Mass) without the permission of his bishop.

Pope Benedict’s grant followed on the request of Pope St. John Paul II who asked bishops to be generous in allowing the celebration of the form of the Holy Mass celebrated prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Because many bishops were not willing to allow this form of the Mass, Pope Benedict took the matter out of the hands of the bishops and entrusted it instead to the priests. With Traditionis custodes, Pope Francis has returned the matter to the judgment of the bishops in their own dioceses.

After studying Pope Francis’ motu proprio, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki issued a decree implementing Traditionis custodes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois on July 19, 2021.

In his decree, Bishop Paprocki granted a dispensation, “to the extent it may be needed,” from a provision in the motu proprio forbidding the celebration of the 1962 Roman Missal in parochial churches (art. 3). Bishop Paprocki granted this dispensation for St. Rose of Lima in Quincy and for St. Katharine Drexel in Springfield, two parishes that have been celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass for years in our diocese. In essence, Bishop Paprocki’s decree allows for the continuation of the Traditional Latin Mass in these parishes.

Bishop Paprocki also decreed that “priests who already celebrate Mass according to the Missale Romanum of 1962 in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are authorized to continue to enjoy this faculty upon request,” although priests will need to request a dispensation for the Mass to be celebrated in other parish churches according to the Roman Missal of 1962 (art. 5).

The full text of Bishop Paprocki’s decree is available on the web site of the Office for Divine Worship and the Catechumenate, dio.org/worship. 

ALTON — The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George celebrated the first profession of one novice and the reception into the novitiate of four postulants during Mass on Aug. 2.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was the main celebrant of the Mass, held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Alton.

The novice who made first profession is Sister M. Elizabeth Grace Donahue, daughter of Neil Donahue of Lenoir City, Tenn., and Lydia Donahue of Knoxville, Tenn.

Receiving the habit, veil and new religious names were Stacy Butler, daughter of Michael and Cristina Butler of Seabrook, Texas (Sister M. Giorgiana, after Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati); Claire Callahan, daughter of John Callahan of Dugger, Ind., and Toni Taylor of Farmersburg, Ind. (Sister Mary Paul, after St. Paul the Apostle); JinYu Burnham, daughter of Gene and Margene Burnham of Pond Creek, Okla. (Sister Stana Maria, after Blessed Stanley Rother); and Amber Robinson, daughter of Nick and Becky Robinson, of Glen Carbon (Sister M. Magdalena, after St. Mary Magdalene).

The Key Club at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Springfield, has installed its new student officers for the 2021-22 school year. Joey Brown was installed as club president. Additional officers include Vice- President Joe Humphrey, Secretary Ryan Shea, Statistical Secretary Emma Markwell, Treasurer Carter Etheridge and Marketing Chair Ethan Short. Board members are Vivian Zheng, Sylvia Peck and Caroline Lambert. The advisor from the SHG faculty is Caitlin Davis and the advisor from the Kiwanis Club of Springfield is Paul Palazzolo.

Key Club International is the world’s largest student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to perform service, build character and develop leadership. All Key Clubs around the world are sponsored by local Kiwanis Clubs. The Sacred Heart-Griffin club was chartered by Key Club International and the Kiwanis Club of Springfield in 1958.

On June 15, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki celebrated a Mass for parents of priests at Christ the King Parish in Springfield. Approximately 20 priests were at the church to concelebrate with Bishop Paprocki, while their parents were in the pews. Parents drove to Springfield from all parts of the diocese — and some came even more of a distance. Paul and Jan Zawadzki, parents of Father Adam Zawadzki, parochial vicar at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville, came from Westfield, Ind.

Bishop Paprocki said he hopes the Mass, which last happened before COVID, will be celebrated annually. He said the Mass was a celebration thanking God for the gift of love in our families. God’s love is passed on to us through our parents, he said in his homily. “We first know God’s love through our parents.” He also mentioned the significance of this Year of St. Joseph, because of course it was St. Joseph who lovingly cared for Mary and for Jesus as he grew up.

The Mass gives parents the opportunity to celebrate with their sons. It also gives parents — many who came to know one another when their sons were in the seminary — the ability to worship together and visit, he said. His sentiments were evident as parents of priests who had not seen one another in a while embraced and laughed together.

The program provided at the Mass said it celebrated and gave thanks to all parents of our priests and in a special way those who have gone before us into Eternity. Listed were parents who have passed away over the past few years, including Veronica Paprocki, Edward Bonk, Donna Bergbower, Evelyn Ring, Duane Haag, Pius Onyejiaju Chineke, Raymond “Bud” Probst, and Jerry Smith.

Tom and Elaine Arisman, members of St. Agnes Parish in Springfield, were at the Mass for their son Steve Arisman, who is pastor of St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy. They said they are blessed to have their youngest son enjoying his life as a priest.

“He has an outgoing personality,” Tom Arisman said. “He likes people, and they like him.” Elaine Arisman said her son is “extremely happy” as a priest and is “so happy” in his Quincy parish.

Mark and Stephanie Rankin from St. Rose of Lima Parish in Quincy took part in the Mass, where their son Father Dominic Rankin was Master of Ceremonies. They are parents of two children who entered religious life: Father Dominic and his twin sister, Sister Mary Thomas of the Holy Name of Jesus, OP. Mark Rankin said they were born prematurely (28 ½ weeks) and many, many people prayed for them to be healthy and live a good life. He credits his wife’s prayers, in particular, for his children’s religious vocations.

“It was the Lord’s work,” Stephanie Rankin said. “He had a plan for them from the very beginning.”

Elaine Arisman said she is especially uplifted by the number of new priests who are bringing their enthusiastic faith and leadership to the Springfield diocese. “I am so proud of this younger group of guys,” she said. “They really are a dynamic group. They are wonderful and supportive friends to one another. It’s a wonderful thing to witness!”

Men: Gather with guys, grab a beer, and gain some new perspectives on work and its meaning this August in Springfield

Are you a man facing a heavy workload? Perhaps feeling the pressures of your job? Maybe you are just getting worn down by the daily grind? Stout Heart, a new series offered by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois about work, may be exactly what you need to refresh you mind, body, and soul.

Stout Heart will take place at Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Company in Springfield throughout August and will focus on different perspectives about work and its meaning, offering men a relaxed environment, videos that will feed edifying and stimulating conversation on the theme of work/labor, catching up with friends and meeting new ones, and enjoying some free snacks and drinks (for purchase).

“It’s pretty common for men in America today to be far too removed from challenging intellectual conversation in person, not on a screen, and authentic friendship,” said Carlos Tejada, the director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. “Stout Heart is about engaging our intellect on topics that have direct bearing on our lives as younger men (25-45 years old) becoming established in our marriage, family, faith, community, and work. It will also provide a venue for trustworthy friendships to be established and deepened, something no one can flourish without in life.”

Stout Heart takes place for four straight Tuesdays: Aug. 10, 17, 24, and 31, from 7-9 p.m. at Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Company in Springfield (619 E. Washington St.). One does not need to attend every Tuesday as each night has different content on the theme of labor/work.

Pilgrimage procession to Father Tolton gravesite

About 135 Catholics and others devoted to the Venerable Servant of God Father Augustine Tolton, a Quincy native, commemorated the 124th anniversary of his death with a pilgrimage procession in Quincy on July 9. Father Tolton is recognized as the first black priest in the United States and his Cause for the beatification and canonization of sainthood is ongoing in Rome.

Bless me Father, for I have sinned, it has been … . How long has it been since your last confession? For most Catholics, their frequency to this sacrament is anything but frequent. Some go often, some go every year, while some have not been in decades. Are you one of them? Do you think, “What is the point? Why can’t I just confess my sins directly to God?” Are you fearful of going? Are you afraid you do not know what to do? Do you just need some inspiration?

Catholic Times received a third-place award and honorable mention from the 2021 Catholic Press Association Awards for two stories featured in Catholic Times in 2020.

Women living in the Springfield Deanery, which now consists of Macon, Sangamon, Cass, Morgan, Menard, and Christian counties, are invited to a brunch on Aug. 4. from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield to learn about the mission of the Springfield Diocesan Counsel of Catholic Women, how to get involved, and the group’s participation in the Water for Life Catholic Relief Services project. Father Peter Chineke, parochial vicar at the Cathedral and the spiritual advisor of the Springfield Deanery, will share his vocation story. Please R.S.V.P. to Janet Zimmerman, Springfield Deanery president, by July 27: or (217) 494-4743.

Weeklong youth mission program coming to more parishes in July

Children attending Totus Tuus at St. Mary Parish in Paris last month had fun reviewing the Ten Commandments from their teachers Claire McKee and Caitlyn Pendall. Students at St. Boniface in Edwardsville also had fun learning more about Jesus, the sacraments, and the Catholic faith earlier this month. For example, teacher Joe Niemerg showed fifth and sixth grade students that they “have to keep their focus on Jesus” as they looked at a crucifix on the wall.

HIGHLAND — Work on a new gathering space, “Trinity Hall,” has officially begun at St. Paul Parish in Highland, which is the last and largest phase of its campus-wide construction and renovation project.

JERSEYVILLE — When you are a few miles outside of Jerseyville, you can see the spire of St. Francis Xavier Church. In what has been described as standing “majestically as the focal point for the people entering Jerseyville,” this 140-foot spire, has been a reminder for everyone entering the city that the people in this community are deeply Catholic, something that dates back several generations. On July 4, the parish celebrated 150 years, their sesquicentennial jubilee.

For Nathalie Corbett of Springfield, her connection to the pro-life movement is deep and personal. When she was 18 years old, she was told the story behind her biological mother’s pregnancy for the first time. She learned that her mother fell into all of the stereotypes that encourage women to get an abortion. Her mother was young, beginning her career, and it was a one-night stand that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy with twins. To add to the list, while she was pregnant, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctors encouraged her to abort the twins. Instead, she chose life.

In an attempt to get life back to normal for our student-athletes, all seven of the Catholic high schools in our diocese were able to hold a modified version of their sports schedules this school year. However, only those sports that were held in May and June were allowed by the Illinois High School Association to hold a state championship. Two of our schools made history by making it all the way to the championship game.

Catholics from St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville and from across Madison County were “wowed” to read and view 151 true eucharistic miracle stories from across the world over the centuries, depicted through photographs and historical descriptions on panels temporarily set up in the parish center. The parish hosted the display June 5-15. The Vatican Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit was gifted to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and is available to parishes and organizations in the diocese free of charge.

QUINCY — Area Catholics and others devoted to the Venerable Servant of God Father Augustine Tolton, a Quincy native, will commemorate the 124th anniversary of his death with a pilgrimage procession on Friday, July 9 in Quincy. Father Tolton is recognized as the first black priest in the United States and his cause for the beatification and canonization of sainthood is ongoing in Rome.

On Saturday, June 12, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained Father Christopher A. Trummer to the diocesan priesthood during Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.

What is a typical response from a college student when you ask them, “What do you want to do this summer?” Their answer might be to travel. It might be an internship. Others might say “to chill.” Then, there are college students who say they felt a calling from God to something greater, to help advance the Catholic faith to young people in engaging and fun ways.

They are faith-filled Catholics. They are prayer warriors. They are warm and welcoming disciples. They are dedicated to building up the Kingdom of God. On June 5, nearly 100 women from parishes across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois were honored for their outstanding service to their family, parish, and community. Each parish in our diocese has been invited each year for the past 10 years to choose one woman to represent all the outstanding women in their parish.

On June 6, the feast day of Corpus Christi, priests and the lay faithful in every corner of our diocese showed a public display of our faith that as Catholics, we believe the Eucharist is the true presence of Jesus Christ. Parishes held Eucharist processions around their churches or in their neighborhoods, with people walking and praying behind the monstrance.

Thirty miles walking. One day. From Brush Creek in Missouri to Quincy in Illinois. Six students from Quincy University (QU). All friends. A pilgrimage walk to honor the nation’s first black priest, Venerable Father Augustine Tolton.

At his ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on June 12, Father Christopher Trummer looked back at his more than seven years in seminary, particularly last year. That’s when COVID-19 resulted in the change of the original date of his ordination to the transitional diaconate — and that meant he was the only deacon ordained during a Mass when six men, including his brother, were ordained priests. Now, he has had his turn to be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Growing up in the small town of Neoga at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, brothers Christopher and Michael Trummer never dreamed that one day they would both be priests for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Father Chris Trummer, 30, says he thought about it briefly when he was in fourth grade, but Father Michael Trummer, 29, says until he was in college, the priesthood was never on his radar.

Join Bishop Paprocki for a LIVE rosary on June 23

From June 22 to June 29, join Catholics across the country as they pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty, in our diocese, state, country, and around the world.

People in our Catholic school communities reflect and offer their sincere gratitude to all those who made in-person learning possible this past school year 

Illinois legislature finished their spring session May 31

Pro-life advocates in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and across the state are celebrating their hard work of prayer, calling the offices of state lawmakers, and speaking with state lawmakers after the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass legislation that would have repealed Illinois’ Parental Notification of Abortion law. Lawmakers adjourned May 31 after they wrapped up the spring legislative session.