This year’s ornament is based on a photograph taken by Catholic Times reporter Cathy Locher. “The ornament depicts the Cathedral as it appeared before the restoration began,” said Terri Hempstead, director of development for St. Joseph’s Home.

“There are people who have collected the ornaments since the very beginning and have every one,” said Hempstead. “This is the first church we’ve featured.

“However, this ornament is particularly close to our heart at St. Joseph’s because we have had such a close relationship with the diocese,” she said. “In fact, St. Joseph’s Home was located on Sixth and Lawrence, where the Cathedral now stands, before the See City was moved to Springfield.”

Each 24-karat gold-plated ornament is boxed and includes a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. The ornaments are produced in a limited edition.

This year’s ornaments, as well as ornaments from all years except for 1993 and 1995, are for sale for $23 each at St. Joseph’s Home at 3306 S. Sixth St. Road in Springfield. Visitors to St. Joseph’s website, www.saintjosephshome.org can see all 17 ornaments.

The 2009 ornaments are also for sale for $26 each at the following locations:  Heartland Credit Union, St. John’s Hospital, Pease’s Candy, Pleasant Nursery, Wild Birds Unlimited, Bank of Springfield, Tinsley Dry Goods, Illinois State Museum and www.abelincoln.com.

For more information on this year’s ornament or those from earlier years, contact Terri Hempstead at (217) 529-5596.