Bishop Thomas John Paprocki continues to make his way around the 28 counties in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, to celebrate a Mass of Welcome and Reception in each on the diocese’s seven deaneries.

So far Bishop Paprocki has visited four deaneries — Effingham, Alton, Jacksonville and Litchfield; and by the time Catholic Times is published, he will have visited the Decatur deanery Sept. 23, to celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, Decatur.

On Monday, Sept. 27, he will be in the Quincy Deanery, to celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Peter Parish, Quincy. On Tuesday, Sept. 28, he will be in the Springfield Deanery, to celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham.

Father Christopher House, vocations director for the diocese, serves as Bishop Paprocki’s master of ceremonies for each deanery Mass. But he also has another responsibility, Bishop Paprocki announces at each stop. Father House is there as a resource to answer questions and provide assistance to anyone contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, or feels called to religious life.