When the new English translation of the Roman Missal is officially implemented on the First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 26-27), Catholics in the Springfield diocese will have to re-learn some of the familiar responses of the Mass.

This year's topic for the annual regional workshops for teachers and catechists will be on "The Parish, the School, and the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition." In addition, though the regionals are traditionally geared for school faculty and catechists, this year they will be expanded for other interested people such as parish staff, liturgical ministers, musicians, choir members, liturgy committee members, adult formation ministers and others. The regional workshops are co-sponsored by the diocesan Office for Catechesis and the Office for Worship and the Catechumenate.

Consistency and transparency is the goal for a year-long rollout of standardized financial software for parishes in the Springfield diocese.

When the new translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition is implemented on the Nov. 27, the First Sunday of Advent, Catholics will experience some noticeable changes in the words of the Mass. Most impacted of all, perhaps, will be priests. Not only will they have to learn and proclaim the new texts themselves, but they will have to help parishioners become comfortable with responding and praying with the new translation.

The story of Father Augustus Tolton, first acknowledged black Catholic priest in the United States and candidate for sainthood, is available on the Springfield diocese’s website at www.dio.org/tolton.

The state of Illinois has notified Catholic Charities in the Springfield, Joliet, Belleville and Peoria dioceses that they are no longer eligible for state foster care and adoption services contracts.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has given permission for parishes in the Springfield diocese to gradually introduce some of the people's parts of new musical Mass settings in anticipation of the Nov. 27 implementation of Roman Missal, third edition.

A Sangamon County judge ruled July 12 that Catholic Charities of the Springfield, Joliet and Peoria diocese may continue to serve children in their foster care and adoption services program.

After more than a year of grass roots discussion and hard work, the 2010 Parish Pastoral Plan has been presented to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and approved for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

A celebration of the 125th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Augustus Tolton will be held Sunday, June 5, in Quincy, beginning with Mass at 3 p.m. at St. Peter Church, 2600 Main St.