Four area Illinois State Knights of Columbus council's from District 76 have been recognized as award winners for outstanding programs during the 2006-2007 fraternal year. The announcement was made at the Knights of Columbus headquarters in New Haven, Conn.

Just over a month after Nick's health problems began, Lisa's 22-year-old daughter Megan Reeves unexpectedly collapsed and passed away on July 15. The young woman and her fiancé had been boating on the river near Beardstown on one of the hottest days in 2006. Lisa believes the heat contributed to Megan's death.

Science labs, classrooms, a school chapel, large music room and individual practice rooms, huge multipurpose rooms, and a gymnasium are just some of the new school facilities which were built at Catholic high schools in the Springfield diocese, in part by funds raised in the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope campaign.

Tuition assistance totaling $120,085 from the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope education endowment is available for distribution to diocesan schools for the 2007-2008 school year. The figure represents a $21,985 increase from the previous year's total distribution of $98,100.

PSR Class for Exceptional People (religion classes for the developmentally disabled) will begin later this month at Blessed Sacrament School in Springfield. The classes are open to all developmentally disabled children and adults, ages 7 and up, from the greater Springfield area.

A spirituality workshop under the direction of Father Albert Haase, OFM, will be held Oct. 5-7 at the new Chiara Center located on the motherhouse grounds of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. Influenced by the writings of spiritual masters throughout the centuries, the workshop will examine some key themes including the true and false self, growth toward freedom, prayer, and the spiritual journey.

Twenty-six parishes in the diocese recently received checks totaling $172,559.11 in the final distribution to parishes from the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope Campaign. Final distribution of parish sharing funds was made Aug. 17 as the diocese closed the books on the campaign after completion of the fifth pledge year. Since the campaign began in January 2002, over $2.8 million has been returned to parishes - well over the $2.4 million originally estimated at the beginning of the campaign.

Two diocesan seminarians spent 10 weeks of their summer break at the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) at Creighton University, a Jesuit Catholic University in Omaha, Neb. Steve Thompson and Joel Robert Heine, both who are about to enter their second year of theology at Mundelein Seminary, were in intensive spiritual formation from May 29 through Aug. 4.

Catholic School for Me (CS4Me), a group of Catholic parents, teachers, and pastors, has commissioned a feasibility study for a possible new Catholic high school in southern Madison County to serve primarily the Illinois communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Bethalto, Troy, Maryville, Collinsville, Highland, Marine and Granite City.

The 86th annual Knights of Columbus Cooperative Bar-B-Cue, will be hosted by Springfield Council 364 on Sunday, Aug. 26 from 2-7 p.m. at 2200 Meadowbrook Road.

Sister Janet Folkl, CDP, has been elected general superior of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Sister Martha Yang, CDP and Sister Monika Mrosek, CDP are the new general councilors. The

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary Parish) in Assumption is celebrating its sesquicentennial with two special Masses the week of Aug. 12.