From changing diapers and taking children to Mass, to family rosaries and balancing work and family life, come next year, eight men will add another vocation to their lives as they will all be ordained to the holy order of deacon.

“I am very pleased to have these eight men in their last year of formation,” said Deacon Dave Sorrell, director of the Office for the Diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. “They have proven to be men of good character and continue to discern their call to holy orders.”

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 When Father Chris Comerford was a boy growing up in Decatur, the warm months brought with them a plethora of good times — school was out, he celebrated his birthday on June 9 and best of all, Cardinals baseball was under way.

“One of my favorite joys of the summer was going down to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play. I’ve always been around the game of baseball. It’s my favorite sport,” he says.

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The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is pleased to announce the following who have been recognized by their parish as the “Our Lady of Good Counsel 2020 Woman of Distinction”:

Carolyn Adams, St. John Vianney, Sherman; Linda Andruska, St. Elizabeth, Marine; Michelle Shafer Bertolino, St. James, Riverton; Linda Best, St. Michael the Archangel, Staunton; Pam Blackorby, Sacred Heart, Franklin; Norma Brust, St. Isidore, Bethany; Barb Butler, Christ the King, Springfield; Mary Jo Cerny, St. Agnes, Hillsboro; Judy Colburn, Sacred Heart, Effingham; Kay Conder, Annunciation, Shumway; Penny Cooper, St. Joseph, Springfield; Karen Costello, Holy Family, Granite City; Rita Devore, St.

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Biking for Babies, a pro-life nonprofit aiming to renew the culture of life one pedal stroke and one pregnancy resource center at a time, was supposed to be riding through Springfield July 17 and have a fundraising event at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The young adult missionaries were planning on riding across the country on four routes, with groups starting in Wisconsin, Ohio, Mississippi, and Colorado. Due to different coronavirus related restrictions in each state, however, they have decided to ride within the boundaries of Wisconsin and not ride through Central Illinois.

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In late May, the phone on my desk started ringing. “Catholic Charities. How can we help you?” A cracked, male voice met my ears. “Yes, ma’am. I was wondering if you all did anything to help with medical bills? My — my mother’s in a coma, and we just can’t pay, and — and they won’t let me see her.” My heart sank. At that late point in the day, all I could do was tell him to call back the next morning. It didn’t feel like anything close to enough.

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ALTON — The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George will celebrate the first profession of four novices and the reception into the novitiate of three postulants during holy Mass at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 and the final profession of six junior sisters during holy Mass at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3. The split ceremonies are due to the safe distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will be the main celebrant of both Masses, held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Alton.

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Some ask, “What do I talk about?” Anything can be a topic of conversation: difficulties in prayer, temptations, struggles with good or evil desires, victories or defeats, noble aspirations, worries, joys, sorrows, defects, and sins. In addition, struggles with work, ministry, family, friends, or social relations are subjects for discussion in spiritual direction.

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I read with great interest the new assignments for many of our priests in our dioceses (effective July 1), along with the titles: dean, parochial administrator, pastor, rector, parochial vicar and pastor emeritus. It’s all “Father” to me. Would you please explain these different titles and responsibilities?

— MaryBeth in Pittsfield

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Bishop Paprocki's public schedule for the weeks of July 12 and 19.

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Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese

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