St. Joseph Parish

The 2006-2007 Annual Catholic Services Appeal will begin on the weekend of September 16th & 17th. The theme for this year's Appeal is "Together in Hope." Christ calls us to consider our gifts and to return a portion of them to him through our parish and the larger Church, our diocese. Joining with the other parishes in our diocese, we can all work together to care for the Church by sharing God's gifts through the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.

The programs, services, and ministries supported by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal meet the larger diocesan needs of Catholics and others in the Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois. This weekend, Bishop Lucas will be sending a letter to each Catholic household in the diocese asking for your support. The diocese serves each of us, and our financial support is needed to continue God's work in the diocese.

Please pray for the priests of our diocese as they gather this week for their annual convocation. This begins with a Memorial Mass for the parents of Bishop Lucas on Monday and concludes with lunch on Thursday. Every year, time is set aside for our priests to receive spiritual refreshment, enjoy fraternity, and relax in the company of Bishop Lucas.

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.

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.

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.

The African Ensemble of Central Illinois will be the musicians for the 11 a.m. Mass at Christ the King on July 23rd. This group sings as guests at various churches in Central Illinois and shares their African Catholic Christianity through customized active and joyful celebrations. At the same time, their celebrations are a form of prayer for their native African continent. The celebrant for Mass will be Fr. Emmanuel, who is visiting Christ the King Parish from Jinga, Uganda.

Rachel post-abortion scripture and support group will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at St. John's Hospital Conference Room F from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. This is sponsored by the Office for Social concerns. For more information, email projectrachel@dio.org or tmmcma@aol.com and/or call 217-689-8500, ext. 130. If you know someone who is suffering from the pain of abortion, please invite them to come.

Blessed Sacrament Parish will hold a three-day Lenten Mission with Father Richard Simon of the Archdiocese of Chicago on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings March 8th through March 10th. The sessions, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will focus on why a loving God allows evil to exist; the Christian path through grace to salvation, providing participants a special opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and God's covenant promise in the Eucharist with the celebration of Mass. Please join us in this wonderful opportunity to reflect on God's immense love during this blessed Lenten season. For more information, call the parish rectory at 217-528-7521.

The Church of St. Jude in Rochester, IL is hosting an Isaiah Parish Mission - March 12-15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Isaiah Parish Mission is four nights of prayer, scripture, music, and talks about faith. It is a time of spiritual renewal and openness to God's love, a time to reflect and pray. You will not only experience a deepening understanding and renewal of your own faith, but the Mission provides an opportunity for you to introduce your friends and family to dynamics of living, personal faith.

Father Richard Chiola will present two evenings of adult education at St. Cabrini Church Hall, 1020 N. Milton, Springfield, at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 2 and 9. Father Chiola will help participants understand the relationship between the Sunday Scriptures, Catholic faith, and daily life.

The Diocese of Springfield will be hosting a Parish Social Ministry Training on the weekend of February 24-26, 2006, at Siena Hall of the Mother House of the Dominican Sisters. Jack Jezreel, national speaker, justice educator, and founder of JustFaith will be the presenter. The training is being offered on a regional basis and will be co-hosted with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Belleville and the Archdiocese of St. Louis. If you would like more information, please contact the Diocesan Office for Social Concerns or the Office for the Missions at 217-698-8500.