St. Joseph Parish

This year the diocesan Adult Education Conference "Created in God's Image" will be held October 29-30, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference will offer daily prayer and Eucharist as well as breakout sessions and specialty workshops for all adult Catholics, Catechists, Clergy, Educators, DREs, Liturgists, Musicians, RCIA Teams, and Youth Ministers. The Keynote Speaker will be Christopher West, and John Angotti will offer the Sunday Evening Concert. For more information contact Chris Malmevik at the Office for Catholic Education at 698-8500.

We are called to be compassionate as God is compassionate. (Luke 6:36) What does the compassion of Christ look like in the modern world? What is my responsibility toward the poor? How do I become someone who really cares for and acts on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable? This fall, a new and challenging thirty-week program called Just Faith will be offered for the first time in our area that helps to answer these questions through reflection, study, prayer, and community. The program is designed to empower and transform participants so that they can become voices for the voiceless and agents of God's good news to the poor. If you are interested please call Sr. Maureen Ivin at 522-3386, Sr. Mary Ellen Backes at the parish office at 544-7426, or Vicki Compton at 321-1120.

This year's prize is a 1995 Buick Century 4 door vehicle with only 22,000 miles on it. Tickets are available with the Auction invitation or through the school office. Don't forget to take a chance!!!

The Sacred Heart-Griffin Fall Junior Cheerleading Camp will be held on Saturday, September 2nd from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the SHG West Campus. The camp is open to all students in grades K-8. For more information, please call 553-1131 or 899-4888.

Catholic Charities will be holding a Scrap-Booking Day on Sat., Sept 30th to benefit the "Crisis Assistance Office." It will be held at St. Cabrini Parish Center from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 3020 N. Milton. Lunch and dinner and snacks will be provided. During the fiscal year 2006, the Crisis office served 3,971 families (11,729 individuals) through assistance with rent, utilities, food assistance, advocacy, case management, medications, gas vouchers, personal identification cards, and tornado relief. For more information, or to register, call Janet at 523-2450.

A reunion is being planned and we are looking for lost alumni of St. Agnes Grade School classes of 1979 and 1981. The reunion will be on Saturday, October 7, 2006. Please contact Brigit Leahy at 217-698-0383.

The Catholic Tri-Parish of Buffalo, Niantic/Harristown, and Illiopolis is having a pork chop dinner and raffle, Sunday September 10, on the parish grounds at 5th and Anne Streets, Illiopolis. Dinner in the air-conditioned hall includes a pork chop sandwich, home-made potato salad, baked beans, apple sauce, pie or cake. Serving is from 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cost: Adults $7.50, children (to age 10) $5.00.

Sacred Heart Church, Virden will host their 14th Annual Fried Chicken Dinner on Sunday, September 10, 2006 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Service at the K.C. Hall, 1320 N. Dye in Virden. Carry outs are available. Cost: Adults $7.00, Children (5-12) $3.50. Children under 4 are free.

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Program provides mentoring support, education, and practical assistance to pregnant aid parenting women in Springfield, Chatham, Jacksonville, and Beardstown. Volunteer mentors are needed at all locations. A free, two-part session will be held on September 18 and 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the EAS office, 319 N 5th Street. Please call 757-6025 if you would like to attend.

As an alternative to an individual Mass Intention, parishioners may enroll loved ones in the St. Joseph Society. The fall enrollment (September-November) will begin in just a few weeks. If you would like to enroll someone, please complete an enrollment form and return it to the parish office no later than August 21st. Forms can be found at all the entrances of the church. A donation of $20.00 may be directed to St. Joseph Parish or to St. Joseph School.

Interested in using your skills to assist iin our parish nurse ministry? Please come to an informational coffee/tea on Sunday, August 20th at 9:30 in the chapel. If you can't make the meeting, but would like more information, please call Diane at 544-3997 or the parish office at 544-7426.

Volunteers are needed to help with the gardens and grounds at Jubilee famr, as well as assisting with activities, projects, and events. This is an excellent opportunity to earn service hours. If you or a group can give a bit of time, please contact Jubilee farm at 217-787-6927 or email: jubilee_farm@sbcglobal.net. Snacks will be provided.

The Riverton Knights of Columbus, Council 3914, wish to announce that their First Friday Fish Fries are back. The first fish fry of the new season will be held September 1 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Carry-outs are also available.

Please mark your calendar for October 1, for 2:30-3:00 p.m in Springfield and come out and join in this prayerful, peaceful witness to the truths that "Abortion Kills Children," "Adoption: the Loving Option," "Jesus Forgives and Heals."

The Office for Family & Youth Ministry is hosting a celebration for couples throughout the diocese who have been married 50 years or more. This celebration will include a Mass with Bishop Lucas, renewal of wedding vows, and a reception. It will be held at the Cathedral in Springfield, on September 17, 2006. A musical program will precede the liturgy, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Mass will begin at 2:00 p.m. If you know of anyone celebrating 50 or more years of marriage who would like to receive an invitation, please send their name (include his and her first names), address and the number of years they have been married to: Office of Family & Youth Ministry, 1615 W. Washington, Springfield, IL 62702 or email ddausman@dio.org. Telephone: (217)698-8500, ext 121.

On September 30, Koinonia of Springfield will mark its 30th anniversary with a celebration to be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This one-day event starts at 11:00 a.m. with a greet and mingle in the fellowship hall (basement) and continues until 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited. Many activities are planned, including Mass and dinner. For details, call 522-2634 or 522-0595.