From Father Al's Pen

4th Sunday of Easter

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, the gospel uses the image of Jesus as the good shepherd. This would have been a confronting image for the initial audience. Shepherds in first century Palestine were far from the idyllic pastoral image that we generally associate with the image. They occupied one of the lowest steps on the social ladder—men of such poor reputation that they could only be trusted to herd sheep; they certainly couldn’t be trusted around other people! Jesus’ use of the image cut two ways: it was a confronting image for the audience; but it was also a challenge to those leaders who had been charged to “shepherd” their people and behaved no better than thieves—Jesus was giving them an image of what it means to be a good shepherd. May we be a true leader to others in the image of Jesus the Shepherd.

First Step Women’s Center - I received a follow up letter to our Baby Bottle Boomerang fund raiser. In the past few months, churches, groups and friends have contributed $7,000 to the organization. Little Flower Parish has given $1,039.94 to the effort. These funds will help the Women’s Center to continue to support the women in our community facing difficult pregnancy choices. Let us continue to pray for them as they prepare to bring a new life into the world. 

Funeral Policy – This week I received some questions about how I determine who is included in the prayers of intercession for the deceased. Basically, my policy is this: I include in the public prayers of intercession anyone for whom I am doing the funeral. Either in church, funeral home service or burial rite service. I will also include a public prayer if the family specifically asks for it.  With HIPA laws of confidentiality, I am unable to just mention someone’s death unless I have approval from the family. That approval is not granted simply because someone is on the prayer line. Express approval must be granted first. Of course, any policy can be reviewed by the Pastoral Council. Just talk with myself or any Pastoral Council member. They can be found on our website under ‘get involved:’ Little Flower Groups.



A Month In: Well, time for my first Cards update: The beginning of the season started with injuries: Half the bullpen, the # 1 starter, the entire outfield. The schedule was one of the hardest in MLB as the Cardinals played all playoff teams from last October. The Offense is ranked 26^th out of 30 teams.  There is a lack of fans in the stands due to one of the worst records in club history last year. So, predictably, they are in last place. However… Cards fans take heart because the injuries are healing and the offense WILL come around. Of course, it will need to because the mighty Cubs are in first place (at least they were Tuesday evening when I wrote this…) Go Cards!

Fr. Al 

Capital Campaign OSV Envelope

You may/may not of noticed that the red Capital Campaign envelope is not in your April envelope packet. This is due to the official end of the Roof Capital Campaign on March 31, 2024. The absence of the red envelope does not mean that your pledge obligation has been met. Please continue to meet your pledge obligation.

The Capital Campaign Pledge Committee

New Church Directories

There are several directories that have not been picked up.

Have you picked up your copy?

Directories are in the church office.

If you had your picture taken, the directory is free to you.

If you did not have your picture taken, the directory is $10.

Bulletin Sponsor of the Week

This week we spotlight

Underfanger Moving & Storage, Inc.

 Please support this and all of our bulletin sponsors. 

Church Attendance

April 13 & 14, 2024

Saturday @ 4:30 p.m. - 158

Sunday @ 7:45 a.m. - 93

Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. - 292

Total - 543

Stewardship in Our Parish

April 13 & 14, 2024

Unavailable at this time.

In Our Thoughts & In Our Prayers

Our Parishioners - At Home

Matilda Cortes

Danielle Loftus

Cherri Payne

Margie Richards

Patricia Zaffiri

Diane & Paul Boll

Joanie Darnielle

Patricia Johnson

Carmen Koches

Jean Pape

Margaret Rollings

Alyce Vespa

Concordia Village

Fran McCue

Mary Bryan Home

Rhonda Roeper

Bill Smith

Sharon Fisher

Brendan Gardens

Beulah White

Lois Hall

Fran Retzda

Richard Zanetello

Lewis Memorial

Marilyn Choudry

Regency Care

Natalie Clarke

Taylorville Care Center

Betty Page

Cedarhurst

Frank Woodcock

Reflections Memory Care

Msg. John Ossola

Barb Wagner

Villas East

Veronica DeRosa

John Underwood

Sherman Memory Care

Doris Clarke

Addington Place

Jane Hurshman

Bryan Manor

Trevor Matticks

The Bridge

Helen Rackauskas

Carriage Crossing

Lea Titone

Mary Jean Glisson

Assisted Living - Wisconsin

Lora Roscetti

If someone moves to a different location, needs to be added, or needs to be removed, please contact the church office. This will help us keep the list updated/correct. Thank you.

Men's Club

LF Men’s Club invites all men of the parish to join them to help make a positive difference in the LF community. Interested in joining the Men’s Club? Regular meeting dates are usually the second Monday of every odd month. They meet in the Parish Center (Gym) at 5:45 p.m. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.  The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024. All men of the parish are welcome to join us.

St. Therese Guild

Little Flower St. Therese Guild will be holding their next meeting on Tuesday, May 14th in the Parish Center at 5:30 pm. The theme for the evening is “Tea Party Celebration” . Enjoy a delightful evening with delicious sandwiches, delectable desserts, assorted teas and more.

 Young At Heart

Are you 55 years old or older? If so, you are welcome to attend any Young At Heart events, trips, etc. The Young @ Heart group has picnics, plays Bingo, attends events - such as musicals and shows, cookouts, wine tasting, dessert socials, etc. They are nice people who enjoy each others company and have a good time when they get together. There is no official membership registration to join. Just attend the events. You are always welcome!



Local Events: (Curt Drew)

Friday, May 17: 12:00 Noon - Annual Picnic, Southernview Park, Fried Chicken provided, bring dish to share.

Bus Trips: (Dee Stern)

Thursday, May 2: Franciscan Monastery in Teutopolis includes a tour and museum, Lunch at Niemerg Steakhouse Restaurant in Effingham, and wine tasting at Tuscan Hills Winery. $68 per person. Register/Pay in the Church Office.  

REQUIRED: Covid Vaccinated and (hopefully) fully boosted!

Mass Intentions

Monday, April 22:

No Mass

Tuesday, April 23:

7:00 a.m. - Tom Kling & Destiny Kling

(Barbara & Walter Kling)

Wednesday, April 24: 

8:15 a.m. - Isaac Weitekamp

(Dennis & V.C. Weitekamp)

Thursday, April 25:

7:00 a.m. - Dolores Dorothy Kleinmeyer

(Mary Ann Rackauskas)

Friday, April 26:

7:00 a.m. - Pete Russo

(Lois Pitz)

Saturday, April 27:

4:30 p.m. - Marie T. Henebry

(Royale & Sharon Campbell)

Sunday, April 28:

7:45 a.m. - Little Flower Parish Family

10:00 a.m. - Marie T. Henebry

(Gary & Marcy McBride)

At Home With The Word 2024

New Bible Study

Available "in person" or "online" - Meeting as one group. The text book will be provided. Meeting for 6 weeks. Begins Thursday, April 18. Last session is on Thursday, May 23.

Call the church office at 217-529-1606 to register.

Thursday, April 18:

12:00 p.m. - Finance Committee Meeting

4:30 p.m. - Scripture Class (Sister Linda)

6:00 p.m. - Pastoral Council Meeting

Thursday, April 25:

4:30 p.m.- Scripture Class (Sister Linda)

Monday, April 29:

No Mass

No School

Wednesday, May 1:

May Crowning

Thursday, May 2:

4:30 p.m.- Scripture Class (Sister Linda)

Thursday, May 9:

4:30 p.m. - Scripture Class (Sister Linda)

Friday, May 10:

Young @ Heart Bus Trip

Join us as we welcome

Keynote Speaker -

Monsignor Jason A. Gray                                

Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation

Hear about the Canonization Process regarding

Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen and much more!

WDCR Decatur Catholic Radio

13^thAnnual Dinner

Thursday, April 25^th   

Mt Zion Convention Center

Doors open 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m.

Reservations $50 pp or $400 Table of 8

To Purchase your Reservations: Please call 217-464-1099

                                      or for a reservation flyer go to: wdcrradio.com 

The Forge

Attention Young Adults! The Forge is a Springfield based young adult Catholic ministry. All young adults are welcome!

More information: @Theforge on Facebook, https://the-forge-online.com/Email contact: Andrew Hansen: andrewhansen1@yahoo.com

DIOCESE NEWS

Year of Prayer Guide: In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis has asked 2024 to be devoted to prayer. In conjuction with this, the Dicastrery for Evangelization has published a resource titled "Teach Us to Pray": Living the Year of Prayer in Preparation for the Jubilee 2025. It is available in English, Spanish, and French (among other languages) here:https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/verso-il-giubileo/2024-anno-della-preghiera.html.

Confirmation of Adults at Pentecost: Bishop Paprocki will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to adults in need of it at 2:30 p.m. on Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Those requesting the Sacrament should contact their Pastor. More information is available through the Office for Catechesis at https://dio.org/catechesis/sacramental-prep/.

A Buddhist Becomes Catholic – Buddhists make up 1% of the US population, but what about Buddhists who become Catholic? Who knows, but you know it’s tiny, yet Dive Deep found one of them! Deena Bell of Springfield joins Dive Deep to share her conversion story from Buddhism to Catholicism. Go to youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. Dive Deep is the podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Fr. Tolton Religious Award - Our local Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Venerable Father Augustine Tolton! The award requirements are patterned after similar programs from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and Scouts of any national program may earn the award. Contact the Catholic Committee on Scouting at scouts@dio.org for details.

Retreats for Catechists - As part of the Evermode Institute formation program, all catechists and parish catechetical leaders participate in an annual retreat. The next retreats are Saturday, April 6 and Saturday, May 4. Dates for the 2024-2025 school year will be announced in Flocknote emails from the Office for Catholic Education (sign up for Flocknote here.) Hospitality is available starting at 9:00 AM with the retreat starting at 9:30. The day concludes around 2:30 PM. The Evermode Institute is at 4867 Laverna Road in Springfield. The entrance will say “South Lobby” on the door. Register expected attendance for either date to catechesis@dio.org. Deadline to register is March 21.

Adult Confirmation - Bishop Paprocki will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults who have been catechized but have not yet been Confirmed on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Details, including suggested formation programs, are posted on the diocesan website at https://dio.org/catechesis/sacramental-prep/. Confirmandi must register for this event by May 9. For more information, contact Kyle Holtgrave in the Office for Catholic Education at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or email kholtgrave@dio.org.

Attend the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage coming to cities in our diocese – You are invited to a once-in-a-lifetime experience being called “our national Emmaus moment,” after the biblical passage in which Jesus walked with two of his disciples along the road to Emmaus. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an unprecedented pilgrimage in which Catholics will pray and publicly follow Jesus in their cities through Eucharistic processions. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to be included in one of the national routes July 8-12. Cities include Collinsville, Alton, Quincy, Girard, Springfield, Effingham, and Teutopolis. Go to dio.org/procession to learn more and register!

Attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21 – This summer, join tens of thousands of passionate Catholics will travel from every corner of the U.S. to experience the healing power of Jesus Christ, present in the holy Eucharist at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Soak in the Presence of Jesus alongside people of all walks of life – a vivid image of the universal Church. You will participate in beautiful liturgies, lifting your voice in prayer alongside world-class musicians, hear from the most influential Catholic speakers of our day, and make history as part of the first National Eucharistic Congress in nearly 100 years. This is the beginning of a new chapter of faith in America. Will you be there? Register at eucharisticcongress.org. 

Very limited National Eucharistic Congress tickets available for nearly half price - The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has pre-purchased weeklong passes to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this July at a discounted rate, and we’d like to offer the opportunity to the people of our diocese.

Passes are $200 (a savings of $160) and can be purchased at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=XebMKt. Confirmation of this purchase will come in an email in which you will receive a payment code. After you receive that payment code, you will then need to register for the Eucharistic Congress itself by going here: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/register. When checking out after clicking a “full event pass,” you will then put in your code during the payment option so the price becomes $0. Lodging, meals, and travel will need to be booked and paid for separately.

Eucharistic Revival Award – The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Scouts of all ages to help us on our journey through the Eucharistic Revival. By learning about the Eucharist and participating in various spiritual experiences, Scouts can earn the main Eucharistic Revival patch and up to eight additional rockers to circle the main patch. For more information about how to earn these awards, please contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or email scouting@dio.org.

Looking for Spring/Summer Work? – Calvary Cemetery in Springfield is hiring seasonal trimmers for the spring and summer. These are part-time, temporary positions (mornings and early afternoons). $14/hour. Must be 18 to apply. Call (217) 523-3726 or email director@calvary.dio.org for information.

Project Rachel: Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5. 

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: For people affected by abortion, September 27-29, 2024, Villa Maria Retreat Center. Cost is $150. Scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee. Please let others know about this healing opportunity. For more information call 217-698-4456, or email projectrachel@dio.org

Springfield Catholic Charities Annual Fundraiser – Springfield Catholic Charities will be hosting its Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, May 4 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Knight of Columbus Hall, 2200 Meadowbrook Rd. in Springfield. Event tickets are $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets may be purchased on our website at: cc.dio.org/events/springfield-annual-2024-fundraiser or by calling 217.523.4551, ext. 114.

New Catholic Times Website – Your local Catholic source for news, inspiration, and learning about the faith just got better. Check out the new Catholic Times website for the latest news, videos, podcasts, interviews, Bishop Paprocki’s column, and more! dio.org/catholictimes/

Retreat for married couples offered – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317. Next ones:

8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024, St. Peters, MO

9/27/2024 – 9/29/2024, St. Peters, MO

10/11/2024 – 10/13/2024, Springfield, IL

Healing Hearts - Children and Teen Grief Support Group

This support group is for any children who have lost a significant person in their life through death. The group is facilited by Chaplain Dee Stern, Psy.D., LCPC - a licensed clinical professional counselor and a grief therapist. Meetings include age-appropriate activities for children 5-18 years of age, light snacks and drinks, and an opportunity for parents to speak with Dr. Stern. HSHS St. John's Hospital Centennial Hall, 800 E. Carpenter Street, Springfield, IL

Parents will meet in the St. Clare room.

Mondays: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For more information, contact the Spiritual Care Office at 217-814-8295, Ext: 20-55675.

Men’s Evening of Recollection 

A Men’s Evening of Recollection will be held Thursday, April 25^th at St John’s Hospital Chapel (800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield), from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The recollection will include Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a meditation given by a priest, time for silent prayer and reflection, an opportunity for confession, a doctrinal talk and Benediction. All men throughout the diocese are invited to attend. The spiritual guidance at the Recollection is entrusted to a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei. Check out: www.opusdei.org

Women’s Day of Recollection

A Women’s Day of Recollection will be held this coming Thursday, April 25, at Sacred Heart Church (730 S. 12^th St., Springfield), from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. There will be a meditation given by a priest, time for silent prayer and reflection, a doctrinal talk, and Benediction. Confession and spiritual direction with the priest will be available. All women throughout the diocese are invited to attend. The spiritual guidance at the Recollection is entrusted to a priest of the Prelature Opus Dei.

SAVE THE DATE and DON’T MISS a special presentation of “Mass Confusion” at St. Agnes Parish on (Thursday, April 18, 2024, 6:30pm). Nationally-known Catholic presenters, Doug Brummel and Dave Wilson, will bring the Mass alive through rich sketches, quirky characterizations, and Holy-Spirit-filled music. Spread the word!

Caregiver Interfaith Volunteer Services

CIVS is a network of religious and community agencies that provides services to adults 60 and over who live independently. Volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and grocery shopping for persons no longer able to leave home.

To volunteer or to receive services call 217-757-6621 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital to find the help that you need. There is no charge for the services, however, donations are appreciated.



WHY WE ARE HERE:

Church of the Little Flower Mission Statement

• Our mission guided by the Holy Spirit is to unite in our common faith, through celebration of the Word and Eucharist;
• form a caring, loving and prayer-filled community, strengthened by the sacraments, that reflects the presence of Jesus;
• bring Jesus' presence to all, especially the poor of our world;
• recognize and affirm the gifts, talents and needs of others.

We journey together imitating the example of our patroness, St. Therese the Little Flower, in doing little things centered in the love of God and one another. We endeavor to make our parish a faith-filled community, a place to meet friends, and a place we call home. 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A bequest can take many forms. You may have designated the parish as a beneficiary in your will, trust or as the beneficiary of an asset such as an IRA, annuity or life insurance. You may also designate your parish as the recipient of a bank checking or savings account with a "transfer-on-death" or "pay-on-death" designation. There are five types of bequests:

Specific Bequest - This is a gift of a specific item to a specific beneficiary. For example, "I give my house to Church of the Little Flower, Springfield, IL." If that specific property has been disposed of before death, the bequest fails and no claim can be made to any other property.

General Bequest - This is usually a gift of a stated sum of money. It will not fail, even if there is not sufficient cash to meet the bequest - even if other assets need to be sold. For example, "I give $50,000 to Church of the Little Flower, Springfield, IL."

Percentage Bequest - This is a convenient way of making sure your heirs and those charities you support receive equal shares, and no one is left out. "I give devise and bequeath my estate to my three children and Church of the Little Flower, Springfield, IL

Endowed Bequest - This bequest allows you to restrict the principal of your gift, requiring the funds to be held permanently and used only the income generated or a fixed percentage. "I give $20,000 to the Church of the Little Flower, Springfield, IL Endowment Fund."

Beneficiary Designation - One of the simplest and cheapest ways to add charity to your estate plan is to change a beneficiary designation on retirement assets, IRAs or Life Insurance. There is no charge to make these changes. Any asset with a beneficiary designation can have a full, partial, or contingent beneficiary. Consult your plan administrator or insurance company for a beneficiary change form. Simply insert Church of the Little Flower of Springfield, IL into the form.