Easter Sunday Mass times throughout the diocese
What is the Triduum?

During Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday (April 2) and includes the Chrism Mass (April 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield), Lent comes to an end before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, which is the beginning of the Easter Triduum. The three chronological days are liturgically one day and from what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops calls “the summit of the Liturgical Year.”

These three days witness the most exalted liturgical celebrations of the year and help us to remember Christ’s Paschal Mystery: His passion, death, and Resurrection. 

The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 6), the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (April 7), and the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Vigil) on Holy Saturday (April 8). On Easter Sunday (April 9), the Church continues to celebrate the Resurrection and triumph of the Lord. 

The Triduum is concluded liturgically with Evening Prayer in the late afternoon or early evening on Easter Sunday. This is the beginning of the Easter season, which are the 50 days from Easter Sunday until Pentecost. 

Triduum schedule around the diocese
The following parishes returned a request from Catholic Times for a listing of their Triduum schedule:

SPRINGFIELD

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m., 10 a.m.  

Blessed Sacrament
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.  (Living Stations at 3 p.m.)    
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

Christ the King
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m.

Little Flower
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7:45 a.m., 10 a.m.

St. Agnes
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m. (Adoration from 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

St. Aloysius
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m. 

St. Frances Cabrini
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m. 

St. Joseph
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

St. Katharine Drexel 
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Adoration until midnight)
Good Friday: 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Divine Mercy Chaplet/confession to follow)                         
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.)
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 9 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Latin), 12:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church (Spanish) 

ALEXANDER

Visitation of the B.V.M.
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

ALTAMONT

St. Clare
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

ALTON

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (Adoration until midnight)
Good Friday: 3 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet after, Living Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.)
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.)
Easter Sunday: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:15 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.)

Ss. Peter and Paul
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (Adoration until 11 p.m., closing with Night Prayer)
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m.

ARCOLA

St. John the Baptist
Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

ARENZVILLE 

St. Fidelis
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

ASHLAND

St. Augustine
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

ASSUMPTION

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7:45 a.m. 

ATHENS

Holy Family
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

AUBURN 

Holy Cross
Easter Vigil: 8:15 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

BETHALTO

Our Lady Queen of Peace
Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

BEARDSTOWN 

St. Alexius
Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. (English), 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) 

BELTREES

St. Michael
Easter Sunday: 9:15 a.m. 

BENLD

St. Joseph
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7:45 a.m.

BETHANY

St. Isidore
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

BRIGHTON

St. Alphonsus
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. 
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 

BRUSSELS

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. 

CAMP POINT 

St. Thomas the Apostle
Holy Thursday: 5:15 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

CARLINVILLE

Ss. Mary and Joseph
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m. 

CARROLTON

St. John the Evangelist
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

CHARLESTON 

EIU Newman
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: Noon 
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m. 

St. Charles Borromeo
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.  

CHATHAM

St. Joseph the Worker|
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m. (Night Prayer at 9:50 p.m.)
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

COLLINSVILLE 

Ss. Peter and Paul
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

DECATUR

Holy Family
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m.

Our Lady of Lourdes
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)

St. Patrick
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

St. James
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday, 8:30 a.m. 

St. Thomas the Apostle
Holy Thursday: 5:15 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:15 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

DIETERICH

St. Aloysius (St. Isidore the Farmer Parish)
Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

EDGEWOOD

St. Anne
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

EDWARDSVILLE 

St. Boniface
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (bilingual)
Good Friday: 3 p.m. (bilingual)
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. (Spanish)

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

EFFINGHAM

Sacred Heart
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

St. Anthony of Padua
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m.

FARMERSVILLE

St. Mary
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

FIELDON

St. Mary
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

FRANKLIN

Sacred Heart of Jesus
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

GILLESPIE

Ss. Simon and Jude
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m.

GIRARD 

St. Patrick
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

GLEN CARBON

St. Cecilia 
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (confession and Adoration from 8-10 p.m.)
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m.

GODFREY 

St. Ambrose
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

GRAFTON

St. Patrick
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

GRANITE CITY

Holy Family
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.

Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

St. Elizabeth
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m. (Adoration until midnight, Night Prayer at 11:45 p.m.)
Good Friday: 3 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet following)
Easter Vigil: 8:30 p.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.) 
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m., Holy Hour with Vespers at 7:30 p.m.) 

GRANTFORK 

St. Gertrude
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

GREENFIELD

St. Michael the Archangel
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

GREENVILLE 

St. Lawrence
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m.

HARDIN

St. Norbert
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

HIGHLAND

St. Paul
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (Adoration until midnight)
Good Friday: 3 p.m. (The Passion Play at 7 p.m.)
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

HILLSBORO 

St. Agnes
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

HUME

St. Michael
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

ILLIOPOLIS 

Resurrection
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m. 
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

ISLAND GROVE

St. Joseph (St. Isidore the Farmer Parish)
Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

JACKSONVILLE

Our Saviour
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m.

JERSEYVILLE

Holy Ghost
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 11:15 a.m. 

St. Francis Xavier
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:15 a.m., 5 p.m.

KAMPSVILLE

St. Anselm
Easter Sunday: 6 a.m. 

KINCAID

St. Rita
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

LIBERTY

St. Brigid
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. 

LILLYVILLE 

Sacred Heart 
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

LITCHFIELD

Holy Family
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m. 
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

MADISON 

St. Mary and St. Mark
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

MARINE

St. Elizabeth
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday:  9:30 a.m.  

MARYVILLE 

Mother of Perpetual Help
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

MATTOON

Immaculate Conception

Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m. 
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday:  8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

MEDORA

St. John the Evangelist
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. 
Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.  

MENDEN

St. Edward
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

MEPPEN

St. Joseph
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at 1 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

MICHAEL 

St. Michael
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m.

MONTROSE

St. Rose of Lima
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m.

MORRISONVILLE

St. Maurice 
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: No service (Stations of the Cross at 3 p.m.)
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m. 

MOWEAQUA 

St. Francis de Sales
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m.

MT. STERLING

Holy Family
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. 

MT. ZION

Our Lady of the Holy Spirit
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m. (Adoration until midnight)
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

NEOGA

St. Mary of the Assumption
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

NEW BERLIN 

St. Mary
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. 

NEWTON

St. Thomas the Apostle
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m., 10 a.m.

NOKOMIS

St. Louis
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m.

OBLONG

Our Lady of Lourdes
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m.

PANA

St. Patrick
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 6 p.m. 
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

PARIS 

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. 

PETERSBURG

St. Peter
Good Friday: 3 p.m. 
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. 

PITTSFIELD

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

PIERRON

Immaculate Conception
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

POCAHONTAS

St. Nicholas
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

QUINCY

Blessed Sacrament
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. (Spanish)

St. Anthony of Padua
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m. (Stations of the Cross at 1 p.m.)
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 

St. Francis Solanus
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. 

St. Joseph
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m.

St. Peter
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.

St. Rose of Lima
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 12:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 10:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m. 

RAMSEY 

St. Joseph
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

RAYMOND

St. Raymond
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at noon
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

RIVERTON 

St. James
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 6 p.m. 
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 

ROCHESTER 

St. Jude
Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

ROBINSON

St. Elizabeth
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 6 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. 
Easter Sunday:  7 a.m., 10:45 a.m.

SAINTE MARIE 

St. Mary of the Assumption
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday:  3 p.m.
Easter Sunday:  8:30 am

SHELBYVILLE

Immaculate Conception
Good Friday: 5 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

SHERMAN

St. John Vianney
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

SIGEL

St. Michael the Archangel
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

STAUNTON

St. Michael The Archangel
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

ST. ELMO 

St. Mary
Easter Vigil: 6:30 p.m.  

ST. JACOB 

St. James
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

STONINGTON

Holy Trinity
Easter Sunday: 9:30 a.m.

SULLIVAN

St. Columcille
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m. 

TAYLORVILLE

St. Mary
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m.

TEUTOPOLIS 

St. Francis of Assisi
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 1 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

TROY

St. Jerome
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

TUSCOLA

Forty Martyrs
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 5:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

VANDALIA 

Mother of Dolors
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

VILLA GROVE

Sacred Heart
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 7 p.m. (Stations of the Cross at 3 p.m.)
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10 a.m.

VIRDEN

Sacred Heart
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. (Adoration until 11 p.m.)
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m.

VIRGINIA

St. Luke
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m.

WAVERLY

St. Sebastian
Good Friday: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 11 a.m.

WHITE HALL

All Saints
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.  

WINCHESTER 

St. Mark
Good Friday: 5 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

WOOD RIVER 

Holy Angels
Holy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday: 3 p.m.
Easter Vigil: 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Her exposure to faith was ‘nonexistent,’ then great-grandparents changed everything
The conversion story of Lianna Garrison of Troy
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor 

Thirteen-year-old Lianna Garrison of Troy didn’t have a typical childhood. She experienced much heartache from her parents. God or any faith for that matter was nonexistent. 

“I was being raised by people that weren’t ready to take on the responsibility of raising children,” Lianna said.

Fortunately, she and her younger sister, Laraina, were able to get out of what was a tough situation and moved in with their great-grandparents, Lisa and Ron Frey. Since that move a few years ago, the two girls have experienced many new things.

“Now that I am here, I am experiencing faith, family, and what a normal childhood is supposed to be like,” Lianna said. “I liked, and still do like, experiencing new things that I have never done before. For example, I recently had my first real vacation to Florida, am in Girl Scouts, and participate in school activities.” 

Since Lianna moved in with her great-grandparents, which started during the pandemic, she started watching church online. Her great-grandparents started talking to her about God, they taught Lianna and her sister how to pray before every meal and to pray before bedtime, adding prayers one at a time. When COVID restrictions were lifted, they started attending Mass together in person. Her great-grandparents also answered any questions she and her sister had about the Catholic faith. 

“When I started going to Mass, I found that I was very curious about everything,” Lianna said. “I wanted to know what being Catholic meant and what it would feel like to be part of the parish community. I like the music and the readings because they are very calming and fascinating.”

That curiosity continued to grow until she decided to join the Catholic Church. Last year, the Triad Middle School student was initiated into the faith at St. Jerome Parish in Troy, receiving the sacrament of baptism, confirmation, and first holy Communion.

“If I had to describe this day, I would say ‘special,’” Lianna said. “I lit the fire outside the narthex. The vigil service was so moving, and then there was a reception afterward. It was just so special beyond words.” 

Lianna says receiving Jesus present in the holy Eucharist for the first time was “fulfilling.” Now on fire for our faith, Lianna has gotten actively involved and says that she loves Youth Group and spending time helping out in the community, the church, and at Vacation Bible School.

“God, the saints, and the Church give me comfort by giving me piece of mind,” Lianna said. “It feels like you don’t need all the answers, just faith. My favorite thing about my faith is having Someone (God) that will always be on my side.”

Thousands descend upon Springfield to give voice to the voiceless
Illinois March for Life included hundreds from our diocese and full Sangamon Auditorium for Mass
By ANDREW HANSEN 
Editor  

If the size of the crowd didn’t catch people’s attention, the joy from the crowd did. For the first time the Illinois March for Life took center stage in downtown Springfield, bringing with it thousands of pro-life advocates from every corner of Illinois, including hundreds from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The list included bishops, Catholic schools, Newman Centers, priests, religious, and lay Catholics.

“It’s really motivational and inspirational to see everyone standing up for the unborn,” said Maria Slagle, a home-school student in Springfield.

“I want every baby to have a chance at life,” said Joe Brangenberg, a student at Marquette Catholic High School in Alton. “There are a lot of people behind the movement. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger. We’re doing something to help prevent abortion one day.”

While the sight of thousands of joy-filled, life-loving people was inspiring to see in downtown Springfield March 21, another sight was just as powerful — a full Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield for Mass before the festivities downtown. There, nearly 2,000 Catholics from across the state heard the Gospel message, listened to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki’s homily, and received Jesus in the holy Eucharist. Other bishops from the state and dozens of priests from our diocese and beyond concelebrated. One funny moment also happened during Bishop Paprocki’s homily. A bird descended from the ceiling and landed by the altar, only to take off again for the ceiling. Without missing a beat, Bishop Paprocki said, “I guess the Holy Spirit is with us too!”

After Mass, busloads of students were dropped off downtown in front of the statehouse for the Illinois March for Life, hosted by weDignify. There, the students heard powerful speeches from Bishop Paprocki, other faith leaders, pro-life leaders, among others during a rally. 

“As people of faith, we come here in peace, prayerfully asking the members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our Illinois state government to harden not your hearts,” Bishop Paprocki said during the rally. “May you find compassion for the lives of the most vulnerable among us, the sacred human lives of unborn babies.”

After the rally, the thousands of people marched peacefully and prayerfully around the statehouse, a powerful witness to lawmakers who were in session that day. Following the march, people went inside the statehouse to lobby lawmakers asking them to protect the unborn, uphold the dignity of human life in all stages, and not pass legislation that attacks crisis pregnancy centers.

“At the age of 1, I was adopted from China and my mom who adopted me brought me back to Texas, so as we go through this pro-life movement, it is such a gift to be adopted and each life is a gift, and even if someone isn’t able to care for them at the time, there are people out there who want to support life in whatever way that is,” said Sister Stana Maria Burnham, FSGM, of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Alton.

“I actually used to live overseas, and my mom was really involved in foster care there for disabled children, so being exposed to that, I really feel like the unborn need to be spoken for, their lives are valued, and there are people who want them,” said Ellie Stahr, a student at St. Teresa High School in Decatur said.

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, states around the country have been going in two different directions — either passing laws protecting the most innocent, the unborn, or passing laws that promote, advance, and/or protect the ability to destroy that precious life in womb. This is why those who believe in the right to life are taking their voices to state capitals, Springfield being one of the most important in the country, as the actions from most state lawmakers and Governor J.B. Pritzker have made Illinois the abortion capital of the Midwest. This year, there are several legislative proposals at the statehouse that would continue and even expand that unfortunate trend. 

“We talk a lot about being pro-life, and I think events like this, that’s what you see is that we are not here to talk about what we are against, but to actually show the joy that life is, and it is worth fighting for,” said Father Rob Johnson, pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Maryville.

In addition to the Mass, rally, march, and lobbying, the entire afternoon, many people spent time in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, turning to prayer in this fight for life.

This summer, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to have Totus Tuus, a fun and faith-filled experience for children coming once again to several parishes across the diocese in June and July.

Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. The program inspires in young people a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and an openness to their vocation. 

Two teams of college-aged teachers are traveling to a different parish each week, hosting the five-day catechetical program for grades 1-12. The week is filled with faith, fun, and friendship. There are messy games and crazy skits, in addition to prayer, learning the sacraments, and going to Mass. The teachers also provide a witness to being an authentic disciple of Christ. The popular program sees hundreds of children participate every year in the diocese. 

“My favorite parts of Totus Tuus were learning the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes and fun ways to memorize them,” said Sophia Llosa, a previous Totus Tuus participant. “I liked that we had plenty of time to have our teachers explain them and talk about them. I also liked learning more about Mass and finally learning the songs for Mass, and I liked the snacks.” 

“I really liked the teachers, and their skits were so funny,” said Delaney Raskie, a previous Totus Tuus participant. “I also met new friends.”

For the schedule below, grades 7-12 are from Sunday-Thursday each week and the program is in the evenings. For grades 1-6, the program is Monday-Friday and starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon.

June schedule:

• June 11-15 (grades 7-12), June 12-16 (grades 1-6): St. Francis Solanus (Quincy), Sacred Heart (Effingham)
• June 18-22 (grades 7-12), June 19-23 (grades 1-6): St. Boniface (Edwardsville), Our Lady of Lourdes (Decatur)
• June 25-29 (grades 7-12), June 26-30 (grades 1-6): Holy Family (Granite City), St. Isidore (Dieterich)

July schedule:

• July 9-13 (grades 7-12), July 10-14 (grades 1-6): St. Katharine Drexel (Springfield), St. Mary (Paris)
• July 16-20 (grades 7-12), July 17-21 (grades 1-6): St. John the Evangelist (Carrollton)

Costs vary by parish. For more information and to sign up your child, call the parish office that is hosting Totus Tuus near you. You can also contact Daniel Heffernan, programming coordinator, Office for Vocations, with questions at .

“Hey Father!” Explain all these vestment colors?
Vincent in Springfield 

The use of color in the Sacred Liturgy is as old as Catholic worship itself. The Church’s choice of colors is not random, though. Moving through the mysteries in our liturgical year allows these colors to help us focus our prayer and worship. Until the time of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216), there was no standardized scheme or codification for the use of liturgical colors. Pope Innocent III promulgated the use of four colors: white, red, black, and green. The exact shades of these colors depended on the dyes that were available in particular places and times.

Our current use of liturgical colors was promulgated in 1570 during the pontificate of Pope St. Pius V (1566-1572). His main objective was the continuation of the massive program of reform for the Church, in particular the full implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent. And so, the liturgical colors we use today were born out of this part of the Church’s history.

So, what is the significance and particular use of specific colors during the liturgical year?

White is the color of the Easter season, Christmas season, feasts of our Lord, and Blessed Mother, non-martyred saints, and other special feasts outside these times. White is also used for weddings, baptisms, and may be used for the Mass of Christian Burial. White signifies joy, glory, light, and purity. Gold vestments may also be worn whenever white is permitted. 

Violet/purple is the color of the Advent and Lenten seasons. It may be used for special penitential celebrations and the Mass of Christian Burial. Violet/purple signifies penance, contrition, and humility. 

Red is used for Pentecost, Good Friday, the feasts of martyrs, and the sacrament of confirmation. Red signifies the “fire” of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ obedience to death on the Cross, and the blood shed by martyrs. 

Green is the color of Ordinary Time. Green signifies hope, life, and anticipation. It is a reminder that the mission of the Church is to share the hope and life of Christ with the world. If one pays close attention, there seems to be an endless variety of shades of green! 

Rose, yes rose and not pink, may be used twice during the liturgical year on Gaudete Sunday during Advent and Laetare Sunday during Lent. Rose signifies subdued rejoicing and anticipation. 

Black may be used for the Mass of Christian Burial and on All Souls Day (and was formerly used on Good Friday). Black is a symbol of death and mourning. 

What about blue? The privilege of using blue vestments in the Latin rite is of two kinds. One kind is granted to some Marian shrines. This was the case of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Mass in 2007 which was held at Austria's foremost center of devotion to Mary. The other privilege is granted to whole countries. For example, all Spanish churches may adopt blue vestments on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and this favor is sometimes also extended to countries once ruled by the Spanish crown. White vestments with blue trimming or motifs are permitted at any time/place it is appropriate.

Just as we decorate our homes for the seasons and holidays of the year, so too, does the Church use color to emphasize the timelessness of our liturgical worship. It is a potent reminder that all of the symbols and traditions of our faith are, as St. Augustine says, “Beauty ever ancient, ever new!” 

Father Joseph Havrilka is pastor of St. Clare in Altamont, St. Anne in Edgewood, and St. Mary in St. Elmo.

The sonogram for baby Noelle Williams, who was miscarried in February 2022.By  DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor 

“A mother is never defined by the number of children you can see, but by the love she holds in her heart,” says grief author Franchesca Cox. No doubt, that’s how countless women feel after having suffered a miscarriage. 

Marie Fleck and her daughter Sarah Williams are two of those women. It has been about 25 years since  Marie and Greg Fleck, who are members of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Springfield, lost two babies in subsequent miscarriages. Fleck, who says she is the mother of seven — two in Heaven, was naturally devastated by those losses. After decades, she grieves those children, still. 

“I never told anyone at the time, other than my husband and my three older daughters. I didn’t quite know how to deal with those feelings, so instead of confronting them and allowing myself to grieve, I buried them. I just pushed the hurt down deep, thinking time will heal those memories.”

Marie and Greg later went on to have another daughter and a son. Fleck says that last born daughter had an important lesson to teach her. When she was about 12 years old, Emily Fleck overheard her parents talking about their miscarriages. “She came back later and said to me, ‘Mom even though you didn’t give birth to those babies, they are still your children and should have names. She decided to name them Matthew and Katharine and I gave them the names James and Therese, after the saints. What Emily did for me that day was the one thing I really needed to bring some sense of healing from my losses. I vowed that I would never forget my children again.” 

Because of her own experiences with loss, Fleck fully understood her second-oldest daughter’s pain, when Williams began having miscarriages. Williams and her husband, Joseph, have lost six children to miscarriages, including a set of identical twins. They have four living children, Clara (9), Grace (8), Nathanael (4), and Timothy (2). The also named their lost children: James, Philip, Francis, Gideon, Sophia, and Noelle. 

“It helped that she had walked the road I was traveling, that she had experienced the same kind of pain,” Williams said. “I didn’t try to make her understand what I was going through — she already knew. She has been a wonderful emotional support to me through the loss of my six children, and my parents have both acknowledged and validated the lives of all of my unborn children.”

On her wedding day, Sarah (Fleck) Williams is shown with her mother, Marie Fleck. Williams says her mother has been one of her main supporters when she has suffered miscarriages, and has rejoiced with her when she has given birth to healthy babies. Williams remembers what it was like having her first miscarriage. “When I miscarried our first baby, James, in the fall of 2016, I was completely devastated. It was rather traumatic, and I ended up with a hospitalization and a blood transfusion,” she said. 

Fleck says she continued her own grieving process when her daughter lost baby James. “I found myself with Sarah, who was expecting her third child. She was having her 12-week pre-natal checkup and I was coming down to be with her. I remember being so excited to see this little one on the ultrasound and to hear the heartbeat,” Fleck says. “But when I got to the doctor’s office the nurse pulled me aside before I went into the room and said, ‘Don’t go in there.’ When I asked why she said, ‘We can’t find a heartbeat.’ What started out as a joyous event, soon turned out to be one of sadness and confusion.” 

When Williams decided to go home and wait out the birth of her lost baby, Fleck went with her. “She waited two days and then it happened. On Nov. 16, 2016, my little grandson entered the world, but not as we had hoped,” Fleck said. “As a mother, I felt totally helpless. To have your child ask you why God took her baby was a question I had to wrestle with. I silently prayed to God to give me the words  that would, hopefully, bring some comfort to my daughter.” 

Fleck was torn apart emotionally as she held her weeping daughter, who in turn held her own lifeless baby in the palm of her hand. “I began to tell her I really didn’t know why God took her baby home. I simply said to her that God’s ways are not our ways. Those babies are His children before they are ours.” 

Fleck told her daughter that she did know it was OK to cry out to God and ask why. “Even Jesus cried out, while hanging on the cross, to His Father, saying, ‘My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?’ When Sarah placed my little grandson in my hand, he fit perfectly into my palm. I sat there in awe of this beautiful little infant and remember counting 10 fingers and 10 toes,” she said. “He was perfect and even had his eyes open, facing toward his mother.”

When Williams asked her mother to baptize the tiny baby boy — because of the emergency situation —Fleck baptized him with the name James Raphael, the name his mother had chosen . “Little did I know until later, that the name Raphael means ‘God’s healer.’ My  little grandson was the healing balm that I desperately needed. After doing this, I told my daughter that it was not a coincidence that I was here, but that I was supposed to be here. 

“That was part of my healing process. God allowed me to see my pre-born grandson at 12 weeks in order for me to come face to face with my losses. He wanted to remind me that my children, whom I had lost so long ago, were not forgotten. … I may not have been able to see them and hold them, or to hear their first cries, but God gave me the privilege to hold my grandson and wanted me to never forget the children I held in my womb so long ago.” 

After losing baby James, Williams said she experienced extreme anxiety and “couldn’t fathom being pregnant again.” “However, my husband and I both knew we desired to have more than two children, and I eventually got up the courage to try again and to let the Lord work. We were able to have our two boys (Nathaniel and Timothy) interspersed between our losses, which was a wonderful blessing, but after losing six babies in a span of six years (2016-2022), I was so broken.” 

In a picture taken when the children were a little smaller, the Williams family poses for a photo. Shown from left to right are Joseph holding Nathanael, Sarah holding Timothy, and their daughters Grace and Clara. Williams says she spent 2022 (after the loss of her last child, Noelle, in February 2022) trying to process her grief. She attended two healing retreats — one at Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry in Vandalia and one at Catholic grief ministry for parents of child loss, Red Bird Ministries in Louisiana. “The Lord and His Blessed Mother have been so good to accompany me through this vale of tears. It has definitely tested and tried my faith, but I am a better mother and a better person for having birthed all my children and my faith would not be what it is today if I had not experienced such acute suffering.” 

Williams thinks it is important that siblings know about lost babies, even if they are very young.  “Our children know about their heavenly brothers and sisters, and we say their names at the end of every family rosary and ask for their intercession,” she says. “It has given my children a much deeper awareness of the communion of saints and where our true home lies. At times my eldest daughter has happily exclaimed, ‘I am the oldest of 10 children!’” 

Williams, who along with her family belongs to St. Agnes Parish in Hillsboro, has advice for people who have a family member or friend who has had a miscarriage. She says that how people react to a pregnancy loss can make a world of difference to grieving parents. “Be gentle, and do not assume that if the parent has other children, this lessens the degree of their loss. A child is a unique and unrepeatable person who can never be replicated,” she said. “Miscarriage is child loss — no matter if the mother was 5 weeks along, or 25 weeks along, she feels the same pain. Be supportive and loving, ask if there is anything you can do to help, and offer a listening ear if they want to talk about it.

“Allow them space and time to grieve, and recognize the life of their child by sending a sympathy card or a small remembrance gift,” she said. “There is nothing more special to parents of loss than someone who validates the life of their child and acknowledges that child by name.” 

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 OB/GYN answers questions about miscarriage/advice for women

Dr. Ann Church, a long-time NFP (Natural Family Planning) only obstetrician/gynecologist who is also trained in NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology) and who is based in Galesburg, feels it is important for all people to understand the frequency of miscarriage, but also the devastation when a woman miscarries a child.   Managing Editor Diane Schlindwein interviewed Dr. Church to get answers about miscarriage and advice for women.

What can you tell us about miscarriage?

Miscarriage, or the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, is fairly common, occurring in one of every five to six pregnancies. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester. Knowing that they are common does not make the loss any easier. Emotional and spiritual support, in addition to medical care, are essential to help women and their families heal after a miscarriage. Sharing the grief of the miscarriage with supportive family members and friends is very important. Many clergy will offer prayers and memorial services for the child. Some organizations will provide burial locations, but this varies widely from place to place. 

What are the main causes of miscarriage?

In the majority of cases, the cause of the miscarriage is not known. We believe that many are due to genetic or chromosomal abnormalities that occur randomly as the new embryo develops, but not specifically inherited from its parents. 

There are a few conditions that may increase the risks of having a miscarriage. These include, but are not limited to: increased maternal age (more than 35 years); underlying health conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or lupus; hormone related conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or abnormal thyroid disorders; some autoimmune or antibody producing conditions; certain infections, especially those that lead to a high fever early in the pregnancy; structural problems with the uterus or cervix such as fibroids that distort the uterine cavity or a weak (incompetent) cervix; and abnormal weight (very underweight or very overweight). 

If a woman miscarries, what is the chance that she will have another miscarriage?

Fortunately, the chances of having a successful pregnancy after a miscarriage is 85 to 90 percent. If you have two miscarriages, the chances are still 75 percent the next pregnancy will come to fruition. If a woman has three or more miscarriages, there is recommended testing that can be offered. 

What is your advice to a woman who had a miscarriage if she wants to have another child?

It is common for women who have had miscarriages in the past to be anxious about future pregnancies. Again, most women will do well in future pregnancies. We recommend a healthy diet and exercise and getting plenty of rest. Avoid smoking and recreational drug use. If the patient has any underlying health concerns, these should be managed prior to conception. Doctors who have an interest in fertility care-based medicine will offer progesterone monitoring and support to help keep the pregnancy going. 

Dr. Ann Church practices with OSF Healthcare in Galesburg.  She has also practiced in South Dakota, New Mexico, and spent a year in New Zealand. In addition to being a NFP only obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Church is also trained in NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology) which aims to discover and treat the root causes of infertility and other reproductive system issues. She and her husband, Todd, who is a Catholic deacon, have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and a 2-year-old granddaughter. 

‘I felt like I wanted to be part of the Church’
The conversion story of Jordan White of Coffeen

By ANDREW HANSEN 
Editor

Growing up, Jordan White was exposed to Catholicism, attending Mass occasionally with his grandparents. He remembers, even as a child, that he was intrigued and thought the Mass was “very interesting.”

Despite that interest, years went by, but it wasn’t until Jordan met his girlfriend and her mom, attending Mass with them, that he was finally nudged toward the faith.

“I felt like I wanted to be part of the Church,” White said. “I had prayed for things, and I really enjoyed going. Also, Father Seth Brown coming to our parish in Vandalia (Mother of Dolors) really inspired me as well.”

White says that he learned the teachings very fast, and especially how the Gospels fulfill the prophecies from the Old Testament. He also felt a connection to St. Jude, even picking the saint for his confirmation saint name. 

“My mom got me into St. Jude, and I had done some research on him, the patron for hopeless causes,” White said. “In my prayer book, there's a prayer I say whenever I am down or feel hopeless. I feel it helps me seek encouragement and works well. My mom had a prayer candle that also had the prayer on it. His feast day also falls on Oct. 28, the day after my birthday, which I didn't know until after I picked him as my saint.”

Being baptized, receiving confirmation, and his first holy Communion last year was a moment he will treasure forever. 

“I felt the presence of our Lord was there,” White said. “It was a very spiritual moment for me in my life.” 

Looking back at his journey to Catholicism, 27-year-old White says what stands out the most is how the angels, saints, and God are all there, listening to our needs and helping us when we pray. What he loves the most about the faith includes many aspects. 

“I feel there are a lot of life's questions that can get answered through the Lord by going to Mass or just by reading a Scripture,” he said. “What I love most about the faith is that our faith helps achieve blessings and holiness to people in the world — the prayers, the Scriptures, and Mass in general. I feel as if we are all disciples of Christ. The Church will forever have a special purpose in this world.”

Eighteen diocesan schools eligible for $10,000 match for scholarship donations
Your donation also gives you 75 percent tax credit

Empower Illinois is excited to share two generous donors are sponsoring a scholarship donation match for eligible Catholic schools in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Gifts made through Empower Illinois for the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program at eligible schools will be doubled up to $10,000.

“Matching gift opportunities inspire greater giving within local communities and help even more students find their best-fit school,” said Anthony Holter, Empower Illinois president. “With five kids remaining on the waitlist for every one scholarship awarded, we look forward to working with our school partners and generous Illinoisans to meet more of this tremendous demand for tax credit scholarships.”

Illinois’ bipartisan Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program provides need-based scholarships to kids from low-income and working-class families to attend their best-fit school. Program donors earn a 75 percent state tax credit on their gift. For example, if an individual donor contributes $1,000, they will receive a state tax credit of $750. Donors can also direct their donations to a school of their choice. Since 2018, the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program has awarded more than 38,000 scholarships totaling more than $308 million.

Donations must be made before April 15 or when the cap is met at your select school to be eligible for the match. For more information on how to donate visit empowerillinois.org/donate or call (800) 616-7606. The schools in our diocese eligible for the $10,000 match are: 

• Blessed Sacrament Catholic School - Quincy
• Blessed Sacrament School - Springfield
• Christ the King School - Springfield
• Father McGivney Catholic High School - Glen Carbon
• Holy Family School - Decatur
• Little Flower School - Springfield
• Our Lady of Lourdes School - Decatur
• Our Saviour School - Jacksonville
• Quincy Notre Dame High School - Quincy
• Sacred Heart-Griffin High School - Springfield
• St. Agnes School - Springfield
• St. Aloysius School - Springfield
• St. Dominic School - Quincy
• St. Francis Solanus School - Quincy
• St. Francis/Holy Ghost School - Jerseyville
• St. Louis Catholic School - Nokomis
• St. Mary School - Mount Sterling
• St. Mary School - Taylorville
• St. Patrick Elem - Decatur
• St. Patrick Grade School - Springfield
• St. Peter School - Quincy
• St. Teresa High School - Decatur
• St. Thomas - Newton

Father Mike Schmitz on what many get wrong about God, prayer 

By ANDREW HANSEN 
Editor 

Two of America’s most popular podcasts are about Catholicism and are hosted by a priest. Let that sink in. Father Mike Schmitz, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, is the host of the popular podcasts, The Bible in a Year (released in 2021) and The Catechism in a Year (released in January). His podcasts have reached No. 1 on the charts, racking up hundreds of millions of downloads. He is also a national speaker, offers weekly homilies on iTunes, and has appeared in videos for Ascension Presents on YouTube, garnering tens of millions of views. Catholic Times Editor Andrew Hansen sat down with Father Schmitz on Jan. 5 in St. Louis during the SEEK23 Conference to talk faith, prayer, and how we can get loved ones to return to Church.

You travel the country meeting thousands of people. In your conversations with people, what have you found is the most compelling thing about the Catholic faith that people either don’t know or under appreciate?

The individual is very important. I know people who have said like, “The Eucharist was something I never knew. I never realized the importance of the Eucharist until this moment where everything clicked, everything changed.” Others, who will say, “I was so confused, and it was the Church’s authority, and I realized, wait a second, all Christianity comes from the Catholic Church. Jesus founded this. When I got the piece of authority, it was everything.” Or people who have devotion to Our Lady. All those big pillar type things. 

Ultimately, if there is something that I keep going back to, it is that regardless of what someone knows about the Church or the Lord, the most basic truth most Christians are raised with is this truth that they hear many times that God loves you. Most Catholics don’t actually believe that God loves them. They think God merely tolerates them. I have seen the difference. The difference between a person who is like, “I heard that God loves me, but what I really think is that He is OK with my existence, but if I am lost to Him forever, it doesn’t really matter to Him. Or, if I am close to Him, that doesn’t really matter to Him. I don’t really matter to Him.” As opposed to, the cross means something. There is a reason, and the reason isn’t because God tolerates you, it’s because He actually loves you and loves you in a way that you can never live up to. To let that truth break into a person’s heart, it changes everything. I think every Catholic needs to know that.

We’ve seen the statistics that only about 30 percent of Catholics attend Mass. If you had 30 seconds with someone who has fallen away from the faith and doesn’t attend Mass, or maybe only goes on Christmas and Easter, what would you tell them?

I would first say, ask the question, “Why? If you are not coming to Mass, how come?” The most compelling argument, and it could be, I’m kind of lazy. I’ve talked to people about how come they haven’t been to Mass, and ever since the lockdowns, how come you haven’t come back to Church? “I don’t know, I just kind of got out of the habit.” That’s the only reason! There is no deep thing like, “I hate the Church, or I don’t think it’s true.” It’s just they kind of got out of the habit. So, my first question I would ask is, “Has anyone asked you or invited you back if you are not going to Mass … how come?” Then, we can start talking. Someone can say, “I’ve never seen the point.” OK, let’s talk about that then. Or it could be something along the lines of, “I don’t really think that Catholic Church is right on X, Y, and Z.” OK, we can talk about that.

But, we treat people like a problem, as opposed to people. They are names, not just numbers. I think part of that means asking them, “What is your experience?” Bishop (Robert) Barron has this whole thing on the four main reasons why people, young people, have stopped going to Mass. Some of them are that they don’t like the Church’s teaching on some kind of aspect of morality. Others it was because they stopped going and no one asked them back. That’s a pretty wide gamut, a pretty wide range of reasons people are not there.      

What is your advice for people when they are trying to persevere or need help, so they turn to prayer, but then “God didn’t answer their payer” and they feel like “God left them hanging”?  

The fourth pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is on prayer. One of the subsections is called, “The battle of prayer.” It’s one of my favorite sections in the entire Catechism. It talks about this. It says that the witness of the lives of the figures in the Old Testament, New Testament, the great saints, and even Jesus Christ Himself, all testified to this: Prayer is a battle. It’s a gift of grace, but it’s also a determined response on our part that is difficult, it’s a battle. The recognition of it that it is hard to persevere in prayer, well, yeah, in fact, that term faithfulness means steadfastness. It ultimately means perseverance in so many ways. It means other things as well. It’s that image of Moses, as his hands extended with Aaron and Hur holding up his arms as Joshua is battling the Malachites. That sense of, as long as he stood there, the Israelites would win. But, if he didn’t have that prayer, if his hands drooped down, the Malachites had the better end of the battle. 

There is something in there that points to us that God is here, God is working, God is active, but He is also calling upon our participation and cooperation with Him in that intercession. So, there is this recognition of prayer is going to be a battle and part of that battle is against whom? First, against ourselves because we can find a thousand other things to do rather than pray. Then, a battle against the tempter who does everything he can to keep us from union with the Lord. You and I were made for union with God. The evil one hates that so he does everything he can to keep us from going to prayer. 

So, I have the inclination to go to prayer, even the idea and plan to go to prayer, and that’s when this distraction or that distraction … even when I show up, what happens? Well, there is dryness, there is distraction, there is this question like, “Why am I not heard?” 

The Catechism addresses this. It says, “Why do we complain about not being heard in prayer.” The response is just remarkable because the response was written by a man who while he was writing that fourth pillar of the Catechism, he was in a basement in Beirut as it was being bombed out. So, he wasn’t this person in this really comfortable, five-star hotel or home saying, “Prayer is a battle.” No, he was literally in a battle as he is writing about this. 

Why do we complain about not being heard? He said in the first case, this should strike us as being remarkable that when we are praising God or thanking Him, we are not particularly concerned about whether or not He hears our prayers. I pause there, and I am thinking, “You’re right!” If I need something from God, then I’m on my knees, my hands are folded in the right way, and I am saying all the right words, and I need You to hear me. But when I am thanking God, I am kind of like, “Oh yeah, by the way God, thank you for that.” I’m so casual about it. When it comes to thanking God or praising Him, I am not particularly concerned about whether or not He hears my prayers, but he (the writer of this part of the Catechism) goes on to say, “We demand to see the results of our prayers when we are asking for something. That reveals our image of God.” Is God a Father who cares for us and loves us, and who will only give us good things? Or, is God basically our ATM, he’s our divine slot machine, or vending machine where we go up to Him because we need something. I think that is the key.     

What is one thing you have learned about the Bible or the Catechism as you’ve done your two podcasts?

The biggest surprise in the Bible were the prophets. The prophetic books, I have read them, but in a scattered way. All throughout Advent, we always read from the prophet Isaiah. But, I’ve never read Isaiah Chapter 1, verse 1, to the end of the book of the prophet Isaiah. Oh, and also along the way, trying to figure out what is he saying, what is he exactly communicating? But, here I am recording a podcast, I am going to read Isaiah, and at the end of this, I am going to have to tell people who are listening, “Here is what he just meant.”

So, I had to take the time to really dig in and say, “OK, when Jeremiah is writing, what is he saying when is talking about this prophet from Ephraim. What is Ephraim again?” So, that was really helpful for me because I need to at some point, I guess, an expert for the day, that was huge for me — to know the prophets and to realize the prophets were speaking to a particular people at a particular time then, and those words also spoke to me.    

We see the pews not as full as we’d like and a lack of involvement in our parishes and schools. It can be deflating. What gives you hope for our Church?

One, were at SEEK23. There are 17,000 Catholic college students who are encountering the Lord Jesus, and it’s not just about this week for them. They are here because on a daily basis, there are missionaries on their campuses who are investing in them, who are walking with them, and saying to them, “Here is how you say ‘yes’ to Jesus right here, right now in your life.” I see that happen every day. 

Also, when I read the letters and emails who did The Bible in a Year or are doing the Catechism in a Year, who have said, “I am 76 years old, I left the Catholic Church 50 years ago, but I listened to the Bible in a Year last year, and my life has changed, and I went to confession for the first time in 50 years.” Or, others saying, “I was a committed atheist. I started listening to The Bible in a Year, and I wasn’t sure why, but here I am and now believe.” I hear that all the time. There was another email that said, “I was completely lost, and here I am. God has found me.” Those are incredible signs of hope.

Answers taken from Andrew Hansen’s interview with Father Mike Schmitz on Dive Deep, the official podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. To hear more from their conversation, go to dio.org/podcast or search Dive Deep on all the major podcast platforms.

Is there any benefit to praying in a sacred language such as Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic? Is it true that exorcisms are more effective when the priest prays in Latin? – Jake in Springfield 

In answer to the first question as to whether there is any benefit to praying in a sacred language such as Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, I would say yes, at least in part. When I say, in part, I mean that it is beneficial that some parts of the Mass are prayed in these ancient languages, such as the Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) in Greek, the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and Angus Dei (Lamb of God) in Latin, and the Amen (so be it) and Alleluia (Praise the Lord) in Hebrew. Saying these prayers in these ancient languages connects us across the centuries with the historical roots of our liturgy. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, hence they are sometimes called the Hebrew Scriptures. Most of the New Testament was written in Greek, while the principal language of the Eucharistic liturgy became Latin as Christianity spread though the Roman Empire.

Since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been celebrated primarily in local vernacular languages throughout the world. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, issued by Pope Paul VI in 1963, provided that “the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites,” but opened the door to the use of vernacular languages “since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 36). This is reflected in canon 928 of the current Code of Canon Law, which says, “The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language or in another language provided that the liturgical texts have been legitimately approved.”

Some people find that participating at Mass celebrated in Latin, whether the traditional liturgy of the Council of Trent (Tridentine Mass) or the new order of the post-Vatican II Liturgy (Novus Ordo), to be spiritually beneficial for them, seeing Latin as a sacred language reserved these days for prayer. Others find the vernacular more beneficial to understanding what is being said in the prayers of the Mass. Hence, some combination of the ancient and the vernacular languages may be also beneficial in prayer. 

With regard to whether exorcisms are more effective when the priest prays in Latin, there is some difference of opinion among exorcists about this. Some exorcists see Latin as more effective, saying that the Devil hates Latin because it is the universal language of the Church. Others argue that what is actually far more important is for the exorcist to be truly a man of God rather than focusing on the language used in the rite. Indeed, Latin is not taught as extensively to seminarians as it used to be. An exorcist with little training in Latin who stumbles through the rite using words he does not understand will be less effective than a priest using the vernacular who understands the nature of the spiritual battle taking place and is himself fighting that battle in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago on Jan. 24, 2003, by Pope St. John Paul II. Bishop Paprocki was named the Bishop of Springfield in Illinois on April 20, 2010, by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and was installed as the ninth bishop of Springfield in Illinois on June 22, 2010.