The liturgy will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. More than 50 bishops are expected to attend, including Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, the principal consecrator; and the former bishop of the Springfield diocese, Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha.
Seating for the installation is by ticket only, so for many Catholics in the diocese and elsewhere, watching on the Internet may be the only opportunity to witness the liturgy.
“With limited seating in the Cathedral, it will be possible for thousands to view the installation Mass through our live web stream,” said Msgr. Carl Kemme, diocesan administrator. “This will allow many more throughout this diocese and beyond to participate in this great event in the life of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.”
Also being planned for the month of September is a Mass of Welcome series in the seven deaneries of the diocese.
“With the installation coming so late in June — June 22 — our thinking was right after that people might be heading into vacations. It makes sense to wait until fall,” Bishop Paprocki said in the May 20 interview with Catholic Times.
The deanery Masses will all be at 7 p.m. at the following times:
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Effingham Deanery, Wednesday, Sept. 1, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Teutopolis.
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Alton Deanery, Tuesday, Sept. 7, at St. Boniface Parish, Edwardsville.
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Jacksonville Deanery, Wednesday, Sept. 8, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Carrollton.
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Litchfield Deanery, Thursday, Sept. 9, at Ss. Mary and Joseph Parish, Carlinville.
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Decatur Deanery, Thursday, Sept. 23, at Holy Family Parish in Decatur.
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Quincy Deanery, Monday, Sept. 27, at St. Peter Parish, Quincy.
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Springfield Deanery, Tuesday, Sept. 28, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Chatham.
In addition, Bishop Paprocki said he plans to continue Bishop Lucas’ practice of parish visitations.
“When we work on the calendar for 2011, I’ll start doing parish visitations,” Bishop Paprocki said. “At that point, I hope to get around to visiting as many parishes as I can.”