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March 11, 2010 - Parish Schools of Religion3 Minute Roundup
| Call to conversion not about making people feel bad, says pope |
| VATICAN CITY — The Lenten call to conversion is not an attempt to make people feel bad about themselves, but to promote their true good, which is eternal life, Pope Benedict XVI said. Celebrating Mass March 7 at the Rome parish of St. John of the Cross and reciting the Angelus at the Vatican afterward, the pope focused on the day’s Gospel story in which Jesus tells his followers they must convert or they will perish. At the parish, which was founded in 1989, the pope said Lent is “an invitation to the conversion of our lives and to doing appropriate acts of penitence.” The crowd Jesus was addressing in the day’s Gospel story thought that people who met a sudden and violent death were sinners, while the fact that members of Jesus’ audience were still alive meant they had nothing to worry about, the pope said. But Jesus warned them that by not recognizing their own sins and not setting out on the path to conversion, they would not be saved, he said. “During Lent, each one of us is called by God to make a change, thinking and living according to the Gospel, correcting things in our way of praying, acting, working and relating to others,” he said. (CNS) |
| St. Louis seminary exceeds goal in first capital campaign |
| ST. LOUIS — The first capital campaign in the history of St. Louis’ Kenrick-Glennon Seminary exceeded its goal by 21.7 percent, with $60.8 million in pledges. The goal had been set at $50 million to provide repairs, updates and physical improvements to a building that dates to 1931, while increasing its endowment. St. Louis Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, in a letter in the Feb. 26 issue of the St. Louis Review, archdiocesan newspaper, said donations to the “Faith for the Future” campaign are an expression of hope, especially during challenging economic times. The pledges are “a powerful statement of our hope in God’s providence,” he noted. Archbishop Carlson also told the Review that the response to the campaign “shows the people’s belief that we have to form good priests for the future so we can be a eucharistic people.” Frank Cognata, chief development officer of the archdiocese, said the seminary has formed more than 2,700 priests in the past, and the funds will help prepare even more in the future. He said it was especially noteworthy that the campaign was conducted in a down economy and that participation met expectations. More than 2,000 volunteers helped make the campaign possible, with many of them making personal visits to potential donors. (CNS) |
| Religious attacks by media must be rejected, say officials |
| VATICAN CITY — Anti-religious commentary distributed by media outlets can create tensions and incite violence and therefore must be rejected, said Vatican and Muslim representatives. Attacking religion in the mass media especially via satellite television channels must be opposed considering “the dangerous effect” that these broadcasts can have on social cohesion and on peace between religious communities, said a statement issued after the annual meeting of officials from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and from al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. The Vatican released a copy of the statement to journalists March 2. The Feb. 23-24 meeting in Cairo focused on the role religions can play in either causing or preventing religious violence. The al-Azhar meeting was chaired by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the pontifical council, and by Sheik Mohammed Abd al-Aziz Wasil, president of al-Azhar’s permanent committee for dialogue with the monotheistic religions. The meeting’s final statement said greater attention must be paid to the fact that manipulating religion or religious beliefs for political or other interests can lead to violence. (CNS) |
Illinois Catholics bring concerns to state legislators
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Over 1,000 Catholics from throughout Illinois packed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield to overflowing March 3 for Mass that opened “Catholics at the Capitol” day in Springfield.
Food pantry accepting items, donations for Easter food baskets
Sunday, 14 March 2010Holy Family Food Pantry in Springfield is preparing to provide dozens of families with Easter food baskets during the last days of the Lenten season.
Popular Mass reaches landmark in new location
Sunday, 14 March 2010Young Adult Mass ministry celebrates second year – ‘yam-iversary’
The Springfield Area Young Adult Mass, popularly called YAM, recently observed its second anniversary at its new location — St. Viator Chapel in the Catholic Pastoral Center — with a pizza party and Mass on Feb. 14.
Serra Club promotes vocations at Marquette
Sunday, 14 March 2010ALTON — The newly-named Serra Vocations Club of Madison County sponsored a vocations assembly at Marquette Catholic High School on Feb. 3 as part of the school’s Catholic Schools Week celebrations.
Diocesan priests participate in day of prayer and recollection
Sunday, 14 March 2010About 45 priests of the diocese participated in a Day of Prayer and Recollection on the Year of the Priest led by Father Ron Knott, Feb. 23-24 at the Best Western Inn, Carlinville.
Retreat to explore healing power of God
Sunday, 14 March 2010ALTON — Father Delix Michel, pastor, will conduct a retreat from 7 to 8 p.m. nightly from Sunday, March 21 through Wednesday, March 24 at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 717 State St.
Springfield and Belleville dioceses partner for Wading Deeper 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010The Springfield and Belleville dioceses will be the cosponsors of Wading Deeper 2010 — “Discernment: Conversion’s Partner in Christian Initiation” on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 at Holy Family Parish in Litchfield.
Diocesan native professes perpetual vows
Sunday, 14 March 2010PEORIA — 
OSF, has professed perpetual vows as a member of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The profession of perpetual vows is an expression of ultimate commitment to God, to live more and more for Christ and for his Body, the church. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, presided at the Mass of Perpetual Profession at the East Peoria Motherhouse of the sisters on Feb. 11. Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF, major superior, received the vows in the name of the church.
Ss. Peter and Paul hosts Women’s Day
Sunday, 14 March 2010COLLINSVILLE — Catholic inspirational singers and speakers Annie Karto and Matthew Baute will highlight the Women’s Day entitled “Blessed Art Thou” Among Women at Ss. Peter and Paul Church and Parish Center at 207 Vandalia St. on Saturday, April 17. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Quincy elementary schools to host kindergarten round-ups
Sunday, 14 March 2010QUINCY — The four Catholic elementary schools in Quincy will host “kindergarten round-ups” between Friday, March 12, and Monday, March 22 for parents of children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1. Parents and their prospective kindergartners will have the opportunity to meet the kindergarten teachers and aides and tour facilities at each of the schools.
St. Teresa to present Suessical
Sunday, 14 March 2010
DECATUR – Seussical the Musical will be presented by the drama department at St. Teresa High School at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 12 and 13.
SHG, St. John’s Hospital to partner in sports medicine facility
Sunday, 14 March 2010
A St. John’s Hospital AthletiCare sports-medicine facility will be established on the west campus of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield as a result of a long-term collaboration between the two Catholic institutions. The new 3,800- square-foot facility will provide patients and SHG student athletes with licensed physical therapy services, athletic trainer support services, and access on site to local orthopedic surgeons.
Television’s best unexpectedly reflects faith brightly
Sunday, 14 March 2010When discussing religious influences in our lives, there are several common areas: our parents, our parish, our friends and our family all come to mind. Consciously and subconsciously, each strengthens our faith in their own special way.
Shooting for the moon: Thinking big, taking long view
Sunday, 14 March 2010There’s a growing outcry against gigantic institutions and overly grandiose ideas gone awry.
For example, some attribute the difficulties that Toyota is experiencing to preferring expansion over quality control.
Relying on God’s mercy: Are those who commit suicide forgiven?
Sunday, 14 March 2010Q A friend committed suicide recently, after years of treatment for depression. Are such people forgiven? She received a Catholic burial. What about people who kill themselves who have no history of mental or psychological issues? I always believed forgiveness was not possible if one committed suicide. What is the church’s stance? (Iowa)
No greater love: Speakers say celibacy mirrors Jesus’ love
Sunday, 14 March 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Exceptions to celibacy for priests in the Roman Catholic Church can be puzzling, including for young priests enthusiastic about their vocation.
The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, run by Opus Dei in Rome, held a theological conference on priestly celibacy March 4-5 and while no one challenged mandatory celibacy, there were repeated questions about the exceptions made in some of the Eastern Catholic churches and for clergy coming from the Anglican Communion.
Jesus tells story of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness
Sunday, 14 March 2010This short excerpt is taken from a longer narrative describing a significant moment in Israel’s history: the arrival of the Chosen People under the leadership of Joshua into the Promised Land. An important ritual takes place at Gilgal as 12 stones are set up to mark the 12 tribes of Israel. Males are made to be circumcised; cakes are baked and eaten in remembrance of God’s faithfulness. Nomads no more God’s People are now tied to the soil from which they will draw their fruits of harvest to be given to him in thanksgiving!
Daily Readings
Sunday, 14 March 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of March 14 and 21.
Diocesan Datebook
Sunday, 14 March 2010Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese.