The Catholic Schools of the Dicoese of Springfield in Illinois welcome you to their Winter/Spring Open Houses! Come and experience the difference Catholic education can make in the life of your child by contacting your local Catholic school today!

The follow list includes all schools for whom we have dates; additional schools will be added as we recieve their information.

Alton

SS. Peter and Paul
January 27; 10am

Marquette Catholic High School
Dedication for New Addition – TBA Spring 2013

Bethalto

Our Lady Queen of Peace
January 27; after all Masses

Edwardsville

St. Boniface School
January 26/27

St. Mary
February 10; 11:30am–1pm : Preschool Registration and Open House & Kindergarten Open House
March 17; 11:30-1pm: Kindergarten Registration & Preschool Open House & Registration
March 14; 7-8:30pm: All School Learning Fair & Community Open House

Effingham

Sacred Heart
K-8 Open House: February 5; 4:30-7p
Kindergarten Sneak Peek: February 5; 6:30-7:30p

Saint Anthony Grade School
March 12; 1-6:30pm

St. Anthony High School
February 6th; 7pm

Granite City

Holy Family
January 28; 7-8pm

Godfrey

St. Ambrose Catholic School
March 3; 10:30am-1pm

Jacksonville

Routt Catholic High School
March 7; 7-8:30pm

Maryville

St. John Neumann Catholic School
January 27; noon-2pm

Fr. McGivney High School
January 13; 2-4pm
April 7;4-6pm

Newton

St. Thomas School
March 19; 4:30-6:30pm

Quincy

Quincy Notre Dame
February 17; 1pm-3pm

Blessed Sacrament
Preschool: February 19; 6-7pm
K-8: March 4; 5:30-6:30pm
Kindergarten Round-Up: March 14; 1-3pm

St. Dominic
Preschool: February 21; 6-7pm
K-8: March 5; 5:30-6:30pm
Kindergarten Round-Up: March 8; 1-2:30pm

St. Francis
Preschool: February 12; 6-7pm
K-8: February 27; 6-7pm
Kindergarten Round-Up: March 11; 9:30-11:30am

St. Peter
Preschool: February 27; 6-7pm
K-8: March 7; 5:30-6:30pm
Kindergarten Round-Up: March 15; 9:20-11am or 12:50-2:30pm

Springfield

St. Patrick Catholic School
January 22; 6:30-8pm

Blessed Sacrament
February 19; 6:30-8pm

Cathedral School
February 27; 6:30-8pm

Christ the King
January 27; 10:30am-12:30pm
February 28; 5-7pm

Little Flower School
February 20

St. Agnes
January 27; after all Masses
February 25; 6-7:30pm

Taylorville

St. Mary's School
January 27; noon-1:30pm

In our diocese’s new social media policy we recommend that pastors delegate the day-to-day management of institutional social media accounts. This is both because a) pastors’ time is best spent on other aspects of their ministry, and b) most pastors are not interested in the day-to-day management of institutional social media accounts.

But how should they choose who to coordinate social media on their behalf? What characteristics make a person a suitable social media manager for a parish?

1. Choose someone who uses social media. This should be self-evident, but I’ve learned not to take these things for granted. You don’t want a social media manager who will be doing all their learning “on the job.” Make sure that the person you choose has an interest in and some experience with social media — at the very least they should be on Facebook. Ideally they should have accounts on multiple sites and a good sense of what works on each.

2. Choose someone with connections. The hardest part of managing a social media account is finding out what’s going on that could be shared. Picking someone with strong connections around the parish increases the chances that they will hear about events and other content to share.

3. Choose someone trustworthy. Again, this probably goes without saying, but your social media coordinator will be speaking on behalf of your ministry, so you want to choose someone that is well spoken, a good writer, and who knows how your parish markets itself and communicates with both internal and external audiences. This will help ensure that what they put out on social media platforms is in line with your parish’s character, mission, and goals.

4. Choose someone who isn’t scared of math. To make the most of your social media accounts you’ll need to keep track of various statistics such as reach and interactions. The good news is that most social media platforms do a good job of tracking these for you. Of course, your manager will still need to check the stats from time to time to see what impact your social media outreach is making.

What other traits make for a good social media manager?

Last week my family and I took a short vacation to Green Bay, Wisconsin. We enjoyed the usual sites, including a visit to the National Railroad Museum (for the kids) and a tour of Lambeau Field (for my wife and me).

But the highlight of the trip was on the second day when we drove 20 minutes to Champion, Wisconsin, to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. This shrine is located at the spot of the only Church-approved Marian apparition in the United States.

In 1859 Adele Brise, a youth Belgian immigrant, saw a woman in white standing between two trees. She was frightened by the vision, which reappeared a second time the following Sunday as she was walking to Mass. She asked a priest for advice and he told her she should ask it, "In the Name of God, who are you and what do you wish of me?"

On her way home the lady appeared again and Adele did as she had been instructed. The lady replied, "I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same." Adele was also told to "gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation."

Adele dedicated the rest of her life to catechizing the children of rural Wisconsin, walking from community to community and later founding a school at the spot of the apparition. (It was closed in the 1920s and is now a sandwich shop, but some of the original blackboards are still hanging up!)

Adele Brise is a wonderful example of the humility and perseverance needed for catechists today. The Blessed Mother’s call to “teach them what they should know for salvation” remains our calling whether as parents, catechists, Catholic school teachers, youth ministers, RCIA team members, or any number of other roles we play in our lives.

I pray that, during this month of Mary, the Queen of Heaven will pray for you and all the catechists of our diocese so that we may fulfill her son’s will to make disciples in his Church.

Our Lady of Good Help, pray for us!

Every year in late winter my mother spends a weekend at our house helping me to paint a room. This little tradition started the first year after we moved into our house and so far we've completed the living room, the boys' room, our daughter's room, and now the hallways. It's a lot of work -- especially taping off all the windows and woodwork in an old house like ours -- but it's worth the effort for the clean, pristine walls afterward.

(Not that they stay that way with ten little hands in the house, but that's another story.)

This year as I was rolling a fresh coat over scratches and smudge marks, I thought about how painting a wall is a lot like the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. A wall, when it is first constructed, is a plain thing, not quite white, until it receives the first coat of paint; then it is clean and unblemished. But over time the wall accumulates hand prints and dirt, gouges and pencil marks. Some are due to carelessness, some are deliberate. But in the end the wall is less attractive and in need of some care. So we break out a gallon and with a fresh coat of paint the wall is healed and made new. This process can repeat itself many times over the lifetime of a house; it takes patient care and effort to ensure that the walls are kept fresh over the years.

The wall is like our souls. The first coat of paint is our baptism, through which the stain of original sin is washed away. But we fail to take care of the wall and, through sin, it is marked and beaten. But through the sacrament we can wash away the smudges of sin and heal our souls. This process repeats itself many times over a lifetime through dedication and a deliberate intention to confess our sins and receive absolution.

So this Lent, make sure you get yourself a fresh coat of paint by revisiting the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Mandato general de HHS se queda igual, viola los derechos de conciencia y la libertad religiosa Congreso tiene que actuar para arreglar el problema

Durante muchos años, los obispos de EE. UU. han apoyado el acceso al cuidado de la salud que afirme la vida de todos. En el curso del debate sobre la reforma al sistema de cuidados de la salud en el Congreso ustedes recibieron un número de circulares urgentes de parte de USCCB pidiendo legislación que avanzara la meta de ofrecer cuidados de la salud que verdaderamente fueran universales y afirmara la vida: defendiera políticas federales aceptadas por largo tiempo contra el financiamiento del aborto, protegiera los derechos de conciencia y no dejara a los inmigrantes en una situación peor.

El 20 de enero de 2011, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS, sigla en inglés) reafirmó una regulación que exige que casi todos los planes de salud cubran la esterilización, los abortivos y la contracepción. La regla daba una exención a los "empleadores religiosos," pero excluía a los que dan servicio o emplean a personas que no profesan la misma religión. Esto era tan estrecho que no cubre a la gran mayoría de organizaciones religiosas, incluso hospitales, universidades y organizaciones católicas de servicio que ayudan a millones cada año.

Después de escuchar el alboroto de muchos grupos, el 10 de febrero, la Administración de Obama emitió un mandato final "sin ningún cambio". Además, la administración dio a algunas organizaciones religiosas caritativas una prórroga de un año para cumplirlo y prometió emitir más regulaciones para "acomodarlas". Sin embargo, bajo esta futura "acomodación" nuestra organizaciones caritativas, hospitales y universidades todavía serían considerados ciudadanos de segunda clase dentro de los círculos religiosos, y todavía se verían obligados a pagar cobertura que viola sus convicciones religiosas. Esto es inaceptable.

Urgentemente necesitamos legislación para corregir las amenazas del mandato a la libertad religiosa y los derechos de conciencia. La Ley de Respeto a los Derechos de Conciencia se ha introducido en el Congreso (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) para asegurar que quienes participen en la compra de seguro de la salud “retengan el derecho de proporcionar, comprar o afiliarse a una cobertura de salud que sea conforme a sus creencias religiosas y convicciones morales".

Para movilizar a los católicos para que contacten el Congreso, USCCB les ofrece el volante adjunto. Al igual que con nuestros esfuerzos pasados sobre la reforma al sistema de salud, les pedimos que lo compartan con sus parroquias y organizaciones y agencias católicas lo antes posible. Aunque la legislación cambie, el lugar para la acción que se anota en el volante puede cambiar rápidamente.

Encontrarán más información en www.usccb.org/conscience. ¡Muchas gracias por sus acciones urgentes y oraciones para este esfuerzo nacional!

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The exemption provided for "religious employers" was so narrow that it failed to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations -- including Catholic hospitals, universities, and charities -- that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified for the exemption, because it excludes those who mainly serve people of another faith. On February 10, the Obama Administration made this rule final “without change”; delayed enforcement for a year against religious nonprofits that were still not exempted (our charities, hospitals, and colleges); and promised to develop more regulations to “accommodate” them by the end of that additional year. But, as explained below, that promised “accommodation” still forces them to pay for “services” that violate their religious convictions.

The original rule that violated our religious liberty so severely has not been changed, but finalized. After touting meaningful changes in the mandate, HHS instead finalized the original rule that was first issued in August 2011 “without change.” So the offensive definition of “religious employer” -- which excludes our charities, hospitals, and colleges because they serve people of other faiths -- is still in place, and those institutions are still subject to the mandate.

HHS has promised some kind of “accommodation,” but only after the election.

HHS said it would take an additional year to develop more regulations to “accommodate” religiously-affiliated charities, schools, and hospitals that still fall outside the “religious employer” exemption. The impact of these additional rules will not be felt until after the election, the only point of public accountability for the Executive Branch. This eliminates an important incentive for HHS to provide the best protection for religious liberty

The promised “accommodation” — even at its best — would still force our institutions to violate their beliefs.

Under the proposed “accommodation,” if an employee of these religious institutions wants coverage of contraception or sterilization directly from the insurer, the objecting employer is still forced to pay for it as a part of the employer’s insurance plan. Since there is no other source, the funds to pay for that coverage must come from the premiums of the employer and fellow employees, even those who object in conscience.

There is no exemption for objecting insurers, secular employers, for-profit religious employers, or individuals.

The U.S. bishops defend religious liberty for all, and so have repeatedly identified all the stakeholders in the process whose religious freedom is threatened by the mandate -- all employers, insurers, and individuals, not just religious employers. Now, all insurers, including self-insurers, must provide the coverage to any employee who wants it. In turn, all individuals who pay premiums have no escape from subsidizing that coverage. And only employers that are both non-profit and religious may qualify for the limited “accommodation.”

We urgently need legislation to correct the mandate’s threats to religious liberty and conscience rights. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) to ensure that those who participate in the market for health insurance “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.”

ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or FAX letter:

• Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.
• Send your email to Congress through www.usccb.org/conscience.
• Additional contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE: “Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama administration’s decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation’s health care system are respected.”

WHEN: Now is the time to build co-sponsors and support. Please act today! Thanks!

Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will be holding open houses in the coming months for families interested in choosing Catholic education for their children.

“These informational sessions will give families an opportunity to experience the difference Catholic education makes in the lives of students as they make school decisions for the 2012-2013 academic year,” said Jonathan Sullivan, director of catechetical ministries for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Families interested in learning more about Catholic education in their area can visit on the following dates:

Alton

• Ss. Peter and Paul – Sunday, January 29 (11 AM)

Brussels

• St. Mary – Saturday, January 28 (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

Decatur

• Our Lady of Lourdes- Monday, January 30 (9:00 AM - 2:30 PM)
• St. Patrick- Tuesday, January 31 (8 AM through lunch)
• St. Theresa High School- Tuesday, March 20 (Freshmen Open House: 6:00 PM)

Edwardsville

• St. Boniface – Saturday, January 28 (5:15 PM) and Sunday, January 29 (9:15 AM – 7

Effingham

• St. Anthony of Padua Grade School - Thursday, February 21 (6:30 PM)
• St. Anthony of Padua High School - Wednesday, February 1 (7:00 PM)

Granite City

• Holy Family - Monday, January 30 (6:30 - 8:30 PM)
• St. Elizabeth - Sunday, January 29 (11:30AM - 1:00PM)

Jacksonville

• Routt Catholic High School - Thursday, March 1 (7:00 PM)

Hardin

• St. Norbert – Sunday, February 5 (8 AM – 12 noon)

Maryville

St. John Neumann- Sunday, January 29 (12:00 noon)

Newton

• St. Thomas the Apostle - Kindergarten Open House: Thursday, February 23 (4:30 PM)

Quincy

• Blessed Sacrament – Tuesday, March 13 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
• Quincy Notre Dame High School – Sunday, February 19 (1:00 - 3:00PM)
• St. Dominic – Tuesday, March 6 (5:30PM - 6:30 PM)
• St. Francis Solanus – Wednesday, March 7 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
• St. Peter – Monday, March (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)

Paris

• St. Mary- Monday, March 15

Springfield

• Blessed Sacrament- Tuesday, January 10 (6:30 PM)
• Cathedral School- Wednesday, January 18 (6:30 PM)
• Christ the King- Thursday, January 12 (6:00 PM)
• Little Flower- Tuesday, January 17 (6:30 - 8:00 PM)
• St. Agnes- Wednesday, January 11 (6:30 PM)
• St. Aloysius- Thursday, January 19 (6:30 PM)
• St. Patrick- Tuesday, January 24 (6:00 PM)

Taylorville

• St. Mary – Sunday, January 29 (12 noon)

Additional locations and dates will be posted as we recieve them.

As I have done the past two years, I'd like to offer five book selections that I read the previous year to "jump start" your reading pile! These books come with my highest recommendation and are sure to be a blessing to you.

• Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, by Fr. James Martin, SJ (2011) - I can't imagine anyone else having written this book. Fr. Martin's signature wit and gift for bringing spiritual topics to the masses makes this not only a delightful read but a probing search for joy in the faith.
• Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet, edited by Brandon Vogt (2011) - I fully expect the next generation of Catholic media creators to cite this book as a powerful inspiration. The essays contained within highlight some of the best Catholic work being done on the web.
• Practice Makes Catholic, by Joe Paprocki (2011) - Joe's latest book outlines the Catholic faith through five principles: sacramentality, community, justice and the dignity of human life, reverence for Tradition, and a disposition towards faith and hope. A great read for any Catholic looking to deepen their practice of the faith.
• Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, by Pope Benedict XVI (2011) - In this, the second volume of the Holy Father's reflections on the life of Christ, the pope's humble spirit and gift for explaning the truth of the faith in simple, lucid terms is in full effect as he unpacks the mysteries of Christ's death and resurrection.
• The Catholic Briefcase: Tools for Integrating Faith and Work, by Randy Hain (2011) - This book is a must-read for anyone who has wondered how to live out their faith the other six days of the week.

If you have any recommendations that you've read in the past year, share them in the comments!

Photo by Thomas Hawk / FlickrCC

Every year it seems that the cultural observance of Christmas starts a little bit earlier. Stores are constantly seeking to lengthen the time they have to sell holiday items; this year I even saw some stores with Christmas decorations in stock before Halloween!

While this is understandable from a commercial point of view, it clashes with the Church's observance and understanding of Advent -- that time of both preparation for Christmas and anticipation for the Second Coming of Christ.

How can we keep Advent in a culture that has forgotten this important liturgical season?

• Put up an Advent wreath in your home. Light it during meal time with your family.
• Start each day in prayer and reflection. Many parishes provide a booklet of reflections for use during Advent; you can also purchase such booklets from a local Catholic bookstore or online Catholic supply store.
• Utilize a site such as the University of Creighton's "Praying Advent" page for daily prayers and audio reflections.
• Don't decorate your house or trim your tree until the week before Christmas and leave the decorations up throughout Christmas Time.
• Attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation, either at a parish reconciliation service or at your parish's normal time.
• Find or download an album of Advent music (yes, they do exist!) to play during the season.

For the record: This year Advent begins on November 27. The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord begins on December 25 and ends on January 1 (the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God). Christmas Time begins the evening of December 24 and runs until January 9 (the Baptism of the Lord).

Have a very blessed Advent season; Come, Lord Jesus!

The Office for Catechesis, in conjunction with local parishes, will again offer faith formation courses for adults across the diocese. These courses, which are open to everyone, are designed to help Catholics grow in their faith, respond to questions about the Church, and make faith-filled decisions in their lives.

Catechists and Catholic school teachers may also attend these classes for credit in the diocesan catechist formation process.

The complete schedule follows.

For more information about any of these courses or other faith formation activities, contact Christine Malmevik, associate director for catechesis, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (217) 698-8500.

The Acts of the Apostles (Little Rock Scripture Study)
Sept 12, 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14; 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Maria Carmody; St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Hardin)
Contact: Maria Carmody; (618) 576-2662

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Debbie Sanders; Ss. Peter and Paul Parish (Collinsville)
Contact: Parish Office; (618) 345-4343

The Great Adventure Bible Series
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31; 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Sr. Therese Flerlage, O.S.F.; St. Cecilia Parish (Glen Carbon)
Contact: Parish Office; (618) 288-5523

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Sept. 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 16, 30; Dec. 7; 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Helen Crusen; St. Jude Parish (Rochester)
Contact: Dan Frachey; (217) 498- 9197 x23

Getting Started as a Catechist, Roles of the Catechist and Person of the Catechist
Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6; 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Marsha Chomko; St. Jerome Parish (Troy)
Contact: Marsha Chomko; (618) 667-6571; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Sept. 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20; Dec. 4, 11; 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Dan Merriman; St. Jude Parish (Rochester)
Contact: Dan Frachey; (217) 498- 9197 x23

The Sacraments
Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 8:30–10:00 a.m.
Rev. David Zimmerman; St. Mary Parish (Paris)
Contact: Secretary; (217) 466-3355

Person of the Catechist, Roles of the Catechist, Getting Started as a Catechist
Sept. 29; Oct. 6, 13; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.; St. Joseph Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.; (217) 544-7426

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov. 8; 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Pat Ellis; Ss. Peter and Paul Parish (Collinsville)
Contact: Parish Office; (618) 345-4343

Liturgy and Sacraments – Part One
Oct. 27; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.; St. Joseph Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.; (217) 544-7426

I Believe, We Believe
Oct. 29; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Cathy Becker; St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Cathy Becker; (217) 744-0578

Introduction to the Learner
Dec. 10; 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cathy Becker; St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Cathy Becker; (217) 744-0578

Prayer and Spirituality
Feb. 25; 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cathy Becker; St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Cathy Becker; (217) 744-0578

Person of the Catechist
April 28; 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cathy Becker; St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Springfield)
Contact: Cathy Becker; (217) 744-0578