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.
Diocesan Datebook
Sunday, 14 March 2010Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese.
Over 400 aspire to full membership in Catholic Church
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Some 400 persons wishing to become Catholic or be fully initiated in the church participated in the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of baptized candidates, held Feb. 20 and 21 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
Save the date: DAEC will be Nov. 7-8 in Decatur
Sunday, 28 February 2010
The 2010 Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 7 and Monday, Nov. 8. This year’s DAEC will be held at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, breaking from the traditional Springfield venue.
School board announces closure of Springfield’s St. Patrick
Sunday, 28 February 2010
The nearly 100-year-old St. Patrick Catholic School on Springfield’s southeast side will close at the end of this school year.
Diocesan Web site offers variety of resources for Lenten season
Sunday, 28 February 2010
People in the Springfield diocese and beyond who want to learn more about the Lenten season now have one more resource available to them. A new Lenten resource page is currently on-line at www.dio.org/lent.
Obituary - Sister Julia Becker, OSU
Sunday, 28 February 2010
ALTON — Ursuline Sister Julia Becker (Sister Mary John) died Feb. 12 at the Ursuline Queen of Peace Healthcare Community, age 95.
Obituary - Sister Grace Jokerst, OSU
Sunday, 28 February 2010ALTON — Ursuline Sister Grace Jokerst, born Inez Julia Jokerst, died Feb. 9 at the Ursuline Queen of Peace Healthcare Community, age 95.
Seminarian David Curtin
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Father Richard Chiola, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Springfield and director for the ongoing formation of priests for the Springfield diocese, was elected the next president of the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy at their 37th annual meeting in San Mateo, Calif., Feb. 10. His term will begin in February 2011, and until then he will act as president-elect and a member of the governing board for NOCERCC.
Seminarian receives ministry of lector at St. Meinrad
Sunday, 28 February 2010
ST. MEINRAD, Ind. — David Curtin, a seminarian for the Springfield diocese, received the ministry of lector on Feb. 9 in St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, installed the lectors.
Official Appointment
Sunday, 28 February 2010Official appointment from the office of the Diocesan Administrator.
SHG receives grant for safe driving campaign
Sunday, 28 February 2010Sacred Heart-Griffin High School’s Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) team has been approved for the Illinois Department of Transportation: Operation Teen Safe Driving grant. The group received $2,000 to create a campaign that encourages teens to buckle up and drive safely. The campaign is called “Safely Drive to Stay Alive!”
Bethalto parish to offer Lenten mission
Sunday, 28 February 2010BETHALTO — The parish family of Our Lady Queen of Peace will host a Lenten mission from 7 to 8 p.m. each evening from Sunday, March 7 through Thursday, March 11. The mission will be led by Father Frank Sherry of the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy from the monastery in Auburn, Ky.
Cathedral offers opportunity for adult confirmation
Sunday, 28 February 2010Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha, former bishop of the Springfield diocese, will return to Springfield shortly after Easter to celebrate confirmation at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Diocesan Datebook
Sunday, 28 February 2010Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese.
March 3 rally to bring Catholic concerns to legislators
Sunday, 14 February 2010Catholics from throughout Illinois will be in Springfield on Wednesday, March 3, for the second Catholics at the Capitol. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, from the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the Illinois bishops of the dioceses of Rockford, Joliet, Peoria and Belleville, and the administrator of Springfield are the hosts for the event sponsored by the Catholic Conference in Illinois (CCI), the public policy legislative arm of the Illinois bishops.
Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17
Sunday, 14 February 2010The season of Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and ends just prior to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 1, when the Easter Triduum begins. Lent is the principal penitential season in the church year.
Funeral held for father of Father Long
Sunday, 14 February 2010CLINTON — Paul “P.D.” Long, father of Father Jeffrey Long of the Springfield diocese, died Jan. 28 at Manor Court, age 68.
Parish receives $3,000 grant from CHFS
Sunday, 14 February 2010
TROY — Catholic Holy Family Society (CHFS) recently announced that St. Jerome Parish was selected to receive a $3,000 Church Grant Award.