EFFINGHAM DEANERY — Sometimes the good a person does during his lifetime continues even following his death. So is the case of the late Tony Hoene — a member of St. Anthony Parish in Effingham who passed away in 2010.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, approximately 40 volunteers gathered in the St. Cabrini parish center to bag and distribute thousands of loaves of bread to churches and synagogues in and around the Springfield area. The 8,000 loaves were provided by Schnuck's and most were sold later that evening or the next day for Breadline Sunday.

Just in time for decorating your holiday Christmas tree — or if you need a special gift to share — St. Joseph's Home in Springfield is offering its 20th annual city ornament for sale.

Catholics should declare 'Jesus is Lord,' says keynote speaker

In his Monday, Nov. 5 keynote address, Father Robert Barron spoke to over 600 individuals, stating right off, "It is a joy to be here with you and it is a joy to be talking about Jesus, my favorite topic."

Joe Paprocki, national consultant for faith formation at Loyola Press in Chicago, was on hand both days at the DAEC discussing a topic he knows well: sharing the Catholic faith with others. His sessions were highly attended.

In a DAEC presentation called "How Your Life Story Can Change Someone Else's: Using Personal Stories for Conversion and Catechesis" Marc Cardaronella admitted that he hasn't always been a fan of "putting himself out there" to help others grow in their faith. However, a mentor kept reminding him to tell stories about himself during catechetical presentations.

Walt and Judy Unger of Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Maryville came to the DAEC to speak to their fellow diocesan Catholics about social justice. In their session "Go Forth, to Love and Serve the Lord: Battling Poverty and Fighting for Justice," they spoke from many years of experience — experience studying Scripture, fighting poverty and generally helping others. Judy is JustFaith facilitator at her parish, while Walt is RCIA coordinator and a catechist.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki gave the closing address at the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 5. His topic: The only thing preventing us from living faith fully and sharing faith freely is sin.

MARYVILLE — Freshman year of high school was barely under way for Alixandria Horstmann when she experienced an unexpected illness that doctors predicted would keep her out of classes for four to six weeks.

ST. LOUIS — Bishop Thomas John Paprocki finished the St. Louis Rock-N-Roll Marathon on Oct. 21 in four hours, 22 minutes and 53 seconds. It was his 19th marathon.