From Father Al's Pen

5th Sunday of Easter

At first glance in the Gospel for today, it appears that there is a certain ruthlessness about the image of the vinedresser pruning the vine: perform or perish! However, the process of cutting away and pruning branches is an incredibly nurturing action; it is removing the unproductive portions of the plant so that the vine has an even better opportunity to produce fruit in the next season. It is an act of love; not an act of economic rationalism. Within our own lives, we are called to make decisions about which of our thoughts and actions are life-giving (fruit-bearing) and which are unproductive; negative; crippling; life-diminishing. If we are able to “prune” our life-diminishing thoughts and actions, we allow ourselves the freedom and the ability to really flourish. Feelings of jealousy, greed, resentment, self-doubt and lack of confidence can limit our ability to be fully alive just as addictive and harmful behaviors can physically take away our ability to perform at our best.

May Days! - This week begins one of busiest months in the parish and school. With the early Easter, the month of April was pretty slow, but that will change quickly. On Wednesday, the school will celebrate May Crowning. At the end of the All-School Mass, we will have the traditional crowning of Mary ceremony. In our LF tradition, we will have the 8^th grade pinning ceremony as well. While the 8^th grade families will be present, anyone in the parish is invited to attend this Wednesday at 8:15am.

LFS Musical - This coming weekend is the annual Little Flower grade school musical. This year the kids are performing ‘School House Rock:  Live Jr.’ Show times will be on Friday and Saturday evening at 6pm in the Parish Center. One of the songs will be: “Conjunction Junction, What’s Your Function”. Remember! Come and enjoy a fun show and the talent of our school children.

Have a great 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.

"Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth." -

1 John 3:18

Regarding our Catholic faith, do you "walk the talk?" Do your actions reflect what it means to be a good disciple? Are you an active participant at Sunday mass? Are you joyful when participating in parish ministry? Do you give gratefully and generously with your financial support to your parish and other Church needs? If not, it's not too late to start!

Bulletin Sponsor of the Week

This week we spotlight

United Community Bank

 Please support this and all of our bulletin sponsors. 

Church Attendance

April 20 & 21, 2024

Saturday @ 4:30 p.m. - 137

Sunday @ 7:45 a.m. - 135

Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. - 193

Total - 465

Stewardship in Our Parish

April 20 & 21, 2024

(Weekly Amount Needed    $13,800.00)

Envelopes:                             $10,775.14  

Loose:                                    $     135.00

EFT:                                        $  7,701.00

Total:                                       $18,611.14

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 29:

No Mass

Tuesday, April 30:

7:00 a.m. - Marie Henebry

(Jeffrey & Kathleen Hainline)

Wednesday, May 1: 

8:15 a.m. - Marie T. Henebry

(Gary & Marcy McBride)

Thursday, May 2:

7:00 a.m. - Mary Ann Laub

(Mike & Linda Murphy)

Friday, May 3:

7:00 a.m. - Helen Clarke

(Larry & Debbie Lucas & Family)

Saturday, May 4:

4:30 p.m. - Bev Schwartz

(Sue Feger)

Sunday, May 5:

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

10:00 a.m. - Jeannette Becker

(Dennis & Marcia McCormick)

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, 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:

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

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

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.

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.

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.