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Are you currently in the process of decking your halls? Are you donning your gay apparel? Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la, la la.

For many people, Thanksgiving weekend signals the beginning of the Christmas season. The tree goes up. Lights twinkle inside and out. Only a few weeks before Christmas, we think. Hardly enough time for all the shopping, the parties and good cheer associated with the season. How much Christmas can we cram in before Dec. 25?

Gathering with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for blessings received is a much cherished tradition in homes across the nation. While it is not always physically possible to be with loved ones on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving remains a very special day for remembering and giving thanks. Our thoughts and our prayers are always with our loved ones.

Now that the presidential election is over, we have turned our attention to solving some of the problems facing our nation - and these problems are serious indeed.

This past weekend, a remarkable one thousand- plus Catholic school teachers, catechists, religious, priests, youth ministers, musicians, RCIA team members, parish staff members and volunteers gathered together in Springfield for the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference.

This weekend, Catholics celebrate All Saints Day on Saturday and All Souls Day on Sunday.

On All Saints Day, Nov. 1, we honor even the unknown saints - all those who remained faithful and now share in God's glory.

As we give thanks and recognition to priests for all they do, and pray for their continued spiritual well being on Priesthood Sunday, Oct. 26, we pray that those called to priesthood vocations will hear and answer the call.
cover_stjoseph.jpgcover_stjoseph.jpgLike so many people who knew Father Robert Franzen, my family and I are saddened at the loss of a priest who served so well and so long in this diocese. Father Franzen, who passed away on Oct. 11, was not only the former editor and the head of our editorial board at Catholic Times, but for about 15 years, he was also our family's pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Chatham.
Much of the news in the past couple of weeks has concerned the crisis in the banking industry and on Wall Street. Because of poor judgment - some say greed - a number of financial giants have toppled. After a false start, the U.S. Congress managed to agree on a $700 billion bailout plan that will shore up faltering banks long enough for them to restructure their debt and/or assets.
Welcome to October. This month is one to not only enjoy autumn in its entire splendor but also to take time to contemplate and pray for the respect of all life, from womb to tomb. That's why in this issue of Catholic Times, you will find a 20-page section devoted to life at all its stages.
Unless you live in a big metropolitan area such as Chicago, it's hard to be an Illinoisan and not be aware of agricultural cycles. In the Springfield diocese, the majority of our parishes are in rural areas. The people who till the land, plant the seeds and harvest the crops may be sitting next to you in the pew - or you might be involved in agriculture yourself.

In an election year, and with a new president coming to Washington, it is essential for citizens to keep up with the issues, facts and developments in order to be able to make a fair and sound judgment when voting for candidates running for public office.

Here is an editorial from Catholic Times similar to one that ran about this time four years ago  - and about four years before that.

With the coming of September, many of our children and grandchildren are not only spending more time on homework, but they're also spending free hours participating in organized sports. From the very youngest soccer participants to the big brawny college football players, time spent on the field of sport is a lot of work, but it should be at least somewhat enjoyable. In short, exercise and sports are supposed to make us feel good.

Labor Day, which we celebrate this year on Sept. 1, was founded over 120 years ago by New York area labor unions to honor workers, especially those in manufacturing and construction trades.

Ready or not, the new school year is here. Most of the 43 Catholic grade schools, all six Catholic high schools and the majority of public and private schools in the Springfield diocese are already open for the new school year. The hopes and prayers of so many people go out to the students, teachers, school administrators and staff, and families of everyone involved in the educational system. Their success is our success. They are our future. They need our support and our prayers.

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