With the 2011-2012 school year just about to get under way, principals and teachers all over the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are ready to share their knowledge with the thousands of young people who attend Catholic schools, says Marilyn Missel, associate superintendent of Catholic schools.

The Springfield Noon Lions Club recently donated just over $4,000 to apply toward the purchase of a field vision machine for St. Clare's Health Clinic in Springfield.

“Every now and then you have an experience, one that will remain with you forever — purposeful, fun and challenging,” says Maria Zumbahlen of her recent week chaperoning and taking part in Catholic HEART Workcamp (CHWC).

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will be travelling to Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 15 to run the Kansas City Marathon with LIFE Runners, a team of pro-life runners dedicating to spreading the Gospel of Life and raising funds for pro-life charities. October is, of course, the month the Catholic Church celebrates life from birth to natural death.

From now until the end of August, people in the Springfield area have a chance to get an up-close look at photographs that not only portray history, but bravery and kindness. They also inspire hope, says Rabbi Michael Datz.

When Father Dan Willenborg was ordained to the priesthood his father, Francis Willenborg Sr., told him, “Be a priest of and for the poor.” Now, by serving as chaplain to both the Taylorville Correctional Center in Taylorville and Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, Father Willenborg says that he feels he is fulfilling the role his late father suggested.

Prayer and spirituality central to young participants

The annual Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) was held June 19-24 on the campus of Benedictine University in Springfield. This year 37 individuals, including youth participants and their leaders, spent the first days of summer concentrating on leadership and communication skills, liturgy planning, community building and group dynamics.

Early summer is the traditional time for parishes to get new priests. Beginning this summer, Catholics in the Effingham area will be welcoming not only a new pastor, but a new team of priests and a deacon who will be serving them in several parishes.

On Saturday, May 28, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained Father Brian Alford to the diocesan priesthood. At 32, Father Alford, who grew up in Troy and lived in Maryville as an adult, is now the youngest diocesan priest in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and many of the priests of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will take part in the annual priests’ retreat for 2011 in early June. The retreat, which will be held at King’s House retreat center in Belleville, begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 5 and ends at 11 a.m. Friday, June 10.