Hundreds of kids in the Springfield area are learning about their faith lives and having a great time this summer, thanks to Vacation Bible School leaders and their many assistants. Moreover, because it’s always good to save time and money, several parishes have been taking turns using one VBS package and passing on some locally-produced decorations as well. This year Blessed Sacrament Parish, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Agnes Parish and Christ the King Parish — all in Springfield — and St. Jude Parish in Rochester have been sharing the Group kit, called Shipwrecked, Rescued by Jesus. St. Joseph the… Read More

This article’s title adorned the banner behind Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as he spoke to a gathering in the Cathedral Atrium after Mass on June 24 (above) to celebrate religious freedom, a weeklong event of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Issues of religious freedom are many in Illinois and beyond, according to Bishop Paprocki who sits on the Bishops’ standing committee on religious freedom.This article’s title adorned the banner behind Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as he spoke to a gathering in the Cathedral Atrium after Mass on June 24 (above) to celebrate religious freedom, a weeklong event of… Read More

On June 23, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis celebrated the Jubilee — the anniversary of first profession of vows — of nine sisters in St. Francis of Assisi Church. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and Father Richard W. Weltin was the homilist.   Read More

BEARDSTOWN — On Saturday, July 14, St. Alexius Church in Beardstown will be celebrating the 180th anniversary of its establishment with a 4 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, with other priests concelebrating. Following Mass there will be a church picnic and celebration at the parish hall.   Read More

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, but with prayer, perseverance and some assistance from caring individuals, new good things can happen. That’s what the Springfield Dominicans have discovered with the launching of a new ministry of mutual support for young women. The mission of Cor Unum — which is Latin for “one heart” — includes opening a house in Springfield to welcome women for prayer, community, socializing and for a few women, a place to live. Plans for this new ministry originally began in 2015 but were stalled in 2017 when original housing plans fell through. Read More

How do we receive the Eucharist in a holy manner? Aside from being in a state of grace, there are practical steps to be taken to benefit the most from this blessed encounter: Read More

Bishop Paprocki's public schedule for the weeks of July 8 and 15.  Read More

Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese. Read More

The recent tragic deaths of designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain have dramatized what The New York Times calls the “public health crisis” of suicide, underscored when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the U.S. suicide rate increased almost 30 percent from 1999 to 2016. Read More

Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of May 13 and 20. Read More