In honor of the 160th anniversary of its founding, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, formerly the Diocese of Alton, will hold a presentation of diocesan honors and recognition at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will preside.

From Crazy Horse to Land of Lincoln

On your mark, get set ... uh, rev up the snow blower.

A record-breaking, early-season winter storm that dumped more than 4 feet of snow on western South Dakota caused the cancellation of the annual Crazy Horse Marathon, originally scheduled for Oct. 6. Among the disappointed runners was Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.

Following an allegation of clerical sexual misconduct with a minor said to have occurred over 30 years ago, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has temporarily withdrawn from ministry.

A Special Panel convened to advise Bishop Thomas John Paprocki concerning the matter of Father Thomas Donovan, former pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in Springfield, has concluded that his "gradual return to ministry is appropriate."

Catholic Charities has teamed up with the Walmart Foundation to help address hunger in rural areas of the 28 counties of the Springfield diocese.

Springfield Catholic Charities was one of 12 agencies nationwide to receive a grant from the Walmart Foundation, which was distributed through Catholic Charities USA. The $78,000 grant has been used to purchase two refrigerated trucks that will be used to deliver food to rural families in need.

"God Belongs in My City," a prayer walk to unite Christians in the city of Springfield, will be held Saturday, Aug. 24. Participants will meet at Comer Cox Park at Capitol Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at 10 a.m. and march to the Illinois State Capitol.

Crowd prays for preservation of religious freedom

Over 300 people, many holding signs or waving American flags, gathered for the diocesan Fortnight for Freedom Prayer Rally at noon July 3 at the foot of the Lincoln statue on the east lawn of the Illinois State Capitol Building.

Twenty-seven central Illinois organizations that help the poor have received grants from the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH) sponsored by the Springfield diocese. The awards were made by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at a luncheon June 3 at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield.

A freedom prayer rally for religious liberty, led by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, will be held at noon Wednesday, July 3, at the Lincoln statue on the east side of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. The 30-minute rally will be part of the 2013 Fortnight for Freedom, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has granted leave of absence to a Springfield pastor whose 9-1-1 call for assistance on Nov. 28 circulated widely in the media and on the Internet.