From Father Al's Pen

6th Sunday of Easter

Have you ever thought what it really means when Jesus commands us to love one another? At first, it seems like a simple commandment: I can love my family; my friends; I can even feel love for some people I’ve never met. But there was a condition that Jesus placed on the command: love one another as I have loved you. How did Jesus love? Without restriction and without seeking something in return. He loved those that no one loved and he even loved those who hated him and sought his downfall. Can I love those who hate me? Those that others ridicule and despise? Can I love without counting the cost?

Priest Jubilee Day! - Last week we celebrated our diocesan priests with Jubilees this year at the Villa Maria. Our speaker was Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, NB, and our former bishop! Our Jubilarians this year:

25 years: Frs. Larry Brunette, Peter Harman, Bill Kessler, Augustine Koomson and Sajimon Kuriakose

50 years: Fr. Don Blickhan

60 years: Monsignors Jim O’Shea & our own Monsignor John Ossola

75 Years: Fr. Irenaeus Kimminau, O.F.M., & Fr. John Ostdiek, O.F.M.



May Events – This week two fun events take place at LF School. On Thursday, we honor the class of 2024 as our 8^th grade has their Awards Dinner and Dance. Then on Friday the whole school looks forward to the sports day. A fun event for all the kids. Pray for nice weather! Lastly, thanks for the hard work of all of those involved with our musical this year!

Let’s enjoy some warmer weather this week!

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.

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15: 12-13

Do you love Jesus? Do you consider Him your friend? Jesus says that if we love Him, we would be willing to offer whatever we have to Him, not because we want praise and glory, but simply because we love Him. Does your giving seem mechanical out of obligation or do you share freely out of love?

Bulletin Sponsor of the Week

This week we spotlight

Car X Auto Service

 Please support this and all of our bulletin sponsors. 

Church Attendance

April 27 & 28, 2024

Saturday @ 4:30 p.m. - 143

Sunday @ 7:45 a.m. - 107

Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. - 220

Total - 476

Stewardship in Our Parish

April 27 & 28, 2024

Not available



In Our Thoughts & In Our Prayers

Our Parishioners - At Home

Larry McMasters

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 at the 3rd Street pavilion. - Fried Chicken provided, bring dish to share.

Bus Trips: (Dee Stern)

Thursday, May 10: 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, May 6:

No Mass

Tuesday, May 7:

7:00 a.m. - Al & Mamie Rauker

(Charmain Cunningham)

Wednesday, May 8: 

8:15 a.m. - Isaac Weitekamp

(Dennis & V.C. Weitekamp)

Thursday, May 9:

7:00 a.m. - Mark & Rosemary Caselton

(Family)

Friday, May 10:

7:00 a.m. - Maria Pia

(The Templeton Family)

Saturday, May 11:

4:30 p.m. - Little Flower Parish Family

Sunday, May 12:

7:45 a.m. - Mary O'Bryen

(Adam & Katie Henkel)

10:00 a.m. - Mary Pat Madonia

(Chad Jenkins & Rebecca Grosser)

At Home With The Word 2024

New Bible Study

Available "in person" or "online" - Meeting as one group. The text book will be provided free. 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, May 2:

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

Friday, May 3 & Saturday, May 4:

6:00 p.m. - "School House Rock - Live" in the Parish Center

Thursday, May 9:

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

Friday, May 10:

8:00 a.m. - Young @ Heart Bus Trip

Sunday, May 12:

Happy Mother's Day!

Monday, May 13:

5:45 p.m. - Men's Club Meeting

Tuesday, May 14:

5:30 p.m. - St. Therese Guild Meeting

7:00 p.m. - Confirmation & First Communion @ Cathedral

Wednesday, May 15:

6:00 p.m. - 8th Grade Graduation Mass

Thursday, May 16:

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

Sunday, May 19:

Pentecost Sunday

Thursday, May 23:

1:30 p.m. - LF School Dismisses for the Summer

May 25 - May 31:

Father Kemme on vacation

May 25 & 26:

Cross Catholic Outreach Priest at LFC

Monday, May 27:

Memorial Day

Church Office Closed

No Mass at LFC

9:00 a.m. - Traditional Field Mass at Calvary Cemetery

Tuesday, May 28:

No Mass

Wednesday, May 29:

No Mass

Thursday, May 30:

No Mass

Friday, May 31:

7:00 a.m. - Mass (Fr. Samuel)

Heritage Days

Saturday, June 1:

Heritage Days

Sunday, June 2:

Corpus Christi

Heritage Days

10:30 a.m. - Mass under the big tent

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Family Lunch under the big tent

4:00 p.m. - Raffle Drawing

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

Celebrate Memorial Day by attending the Memorial Day Field Mass – You are invited to the Memorial Day Field Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield on May 27 at 9 a.m. The Mass will be at the Father Howard Altar. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki is the celebrant. Accompanying Bishop Paprocki in procession will be priests and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Limited seating will be available under the tent. Lawn chairs are welcome. Transportation will be available to assist visitors from the main gate to the Mass site. Call the Calvary Cemetery office at 523-3726 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. with any questions.

What you never knew about the process of becoming a priest –What does a diocese look for in a man who wants to become a priest? What are red flags? What evaluations occur? What about the cost of education and what exactly do seminarians learn? Becoming a priest is a lot more than than an application and going to school. Dive Deep sits down with Brian Alford, Director of the Office for Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 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.

The Curia is Hiring! – We are looking for passionate individuals for the roles of Director, Office for Safe Environment, Safe Environment Assistant and Internal Auditor. Please visit dio.org/jobs for more information.

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.

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

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

Celebrate Memorial Day by attending the Memorial Day Field Mass – You are invited to the Memorial Day Field Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield on May 27 at 9 a.m. The Mass will be at the Father Howard Altar. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki is the celebrant. Accompanying Bishop Paprocki in procession will be priests and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Limited seating will be available under the tent. Lawn chairs are welcome. Transportation will be available to assist visitors from the main gate to the Mass site. Call the Calvary Cemetery office at 523-3726 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. with any questions.

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.

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.