From Father Al's Pen

Happy Mother’s Day

In describing himself as the good shepherd in our Gospel today, Jesus joined a distinguished list of biblical shepherds: Abraham, his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob were all shepherds; Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when God appeared to him in the burning bush and revealed God’s name; and the great King, David, began life as a humble shepherd-boy. So, despite the poor reputation of shepherds in Jewish society, some of the greatest leaders of the Jews began life as shepherds. We can in some ways include our mothers as good shepherds for us as they tended to us lovingly in our early years.

LFS Graduation - On Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m., the Little Flower School 8^th Grade will have their graduation Mass. I look forward once again to sending them off to bigger and better adventures as they start high school. Please keep in your prayers all of our graduates this year from grade school, high school and college!

A Post from Bishop Paprocki - The Bible tells us, “Make no mistake: God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7). The Pope is the Vicar of Christ. By publishing a picture of himself masquerading as the Pope, President Trump mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy. This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the election of our new Pope. He owes an apology.  Thank you, Bishop!!

Thank you to all of our mothers and those who are examples of motherly love to us!                                                                                                                  

                                                                                        Fr. Al

4th Sunday of Easter

"The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52)

The disciples heard Our Lord's call and were able to spread the Gospel message with strength and vitality. We, too, can experience that same joy if we make room for the Holy Spirit to fill out hearts. When we use our gifts in the way that God intends, He fills us with supernatural joy. A joy that others notice and are attracted to!

Our Parish Family offers prayers and sympathy for the family & friends of

Kathryn "Kit" Corley (Age 7)

Ainsley Johnson (Age 8)

Alma Buhnerkempe (Age 7)

Rylee Britton (Age 18)

Bulletin Sponsor of the Week

This week we spotlight

Henson Robinson Company

 Please support this and all of our bulletin sponsors. 

Stewardship of Treasure

May 3 & 4, 2025

(Weekly Amount Needed: $13,800.00)

Envelopes: $ 9,300.00

Loose:$ 170.00

EFT: $4,455.00

Total: $ 13,925.00

Church Attendance

May 3 & 4, 2025

4:30 p.m. - 152

7:45 a.m. - 91

10:00 a.m. - 273

Total - 516

St. John's Breadline

Thank you to all parishioners that cooked and served this past year for the St. John's Breadline. Thank you for helping feed the hungry in our community. Our 2025 - 2026 year will begin in October. Thank you in advance for supporting this ministry.

Friday, May 30th

Saturday, May 31st

Sunday, June 1st

2025

Caution - Children at Play

Spring/Summer is here! Children are outside walking, riding bikes, playing, etc. The sound of children outside playing is wonderful! Please watch for them when on LF campus and around town as you drive.

Hospitalization

When you are hospitalized or entering the hospital, please have a family member notify the church office at (217) 529-1606 so that we can be of service to you and your family. 

Safe Environment Training &

Background Checks

A Safe Envionment Training class and background check are required for ALL volunteers - active or occasional. If you are a current volunteer and you have not yet logged in to the new CMG website, please email or text Colleen to find out your login information and let Colleen know that you are still an active and current volunteer. To register, please contact: Colleen Olson, 269-519-4588 (call or text) or email at clo2004@gmail.com. All adults 18 years and older must take the class to be eligible to volunteer.

Men's Club

Interested in joining the Men’s Club? 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 12, 2025.  All men of the parish and school are welcome to join us. 

St. Therese Guild

Ladies of the parish, join us for our Tuesday, May 13th Garden Party meeting. We will have a salad potluck, install officers for next year, and have a yarn exchange for those interested in the prayer shawl ministry. Meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. We hope to see you there!  

Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry

For questions and/or to request a shawl, contact Arlene Kocher at

arlene.kocher@gmail.com or 217-306-6413.

 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)

Thursday, May 22, 12:00 Noon: Spring Picnic at Southern View Park. Fried chicken will be provided. Please bring a covered dish to share. Please let Teresa know if you plan to attend. No fee.

Bus Trips: (Dee Stern)

Thursday, June 12: Quincy, Illinois: Underbrink's Bakery, St. Francis Solanus Church, Sprout's Inn, Underground Railroad. $85 per person. Sign up and pay in the church office.

REQUIRED: Covid Vaccinated and (hopefully) fully boosted!

Baptism Preparation Class

This class is required before baptizing your children. 

Please call the church office at 217-529-1606.

New Family Formation Program (Formerly PSR Class)

New Family Formation Program is a family-based catechetical program that helps families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living the Catholic Faith. Practically, it will involve the usual student sessions (K-8th grades) on Sunday mornings. It will, also, have a component of family lessons that can be done at home. This program is open to ALL parish families who are interested. To sign up, call the office or notify Rod Hughes: (217) 899-3762.

RCIC Class

A Parish process for children ages 7-16 who wish to become Catholic.  Classes will meet every Wednesday right after school in Sister Linda's office (Church Office). Contact Sister Linda: 217-529-1606.

Ordr of Christian Initation for Adults (Formerly RCIA Class)

Have you ever wondered what the Catholic Church is all about? Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Catholic Church? In the OCIA, adults who have not been baptized, those adults who have been baptized in other Christian faith communities, and other Catholic adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to enter into full initiation into the Catholic Church. Anyone interested in registering or needing more information should contact Marvin Kocher at penguins13@sbcglobal.net or 217-306-6414.

MASS INTENTIONS

Friday, May 9:

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

(Family)

Saturday, May 10:

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

Sunday, May 11:

7:45 a.m. - Kurt Teeters

(Tom & Jeanette Bland)

10:00 a.m. - Mary O'Bryen

(Kathy O'Bryen)

Monday, May 12:

No Mass

Tuesday, May 13:

7:00 a.m. - James Mills

(Arnold Stun Family)

Wednseday, May 14:

7:00 a.m. - Jane Hurshman

(Linda Wheeler)

Thursday, May 15:

7:00 a.m. - Msgr. James O'Shea

(Little Flower Parish Family)

Friday, May 16:

7:00 a.m. - Sandy Bordenkircher

(Anonymous)

LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday, May 8:

8th Grade Awards & Dinner/Dance

Friday, May 9:

Sports Day

Sunday, May 11:

Mother's Day

Monday, May 12:

No Mass

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

Tuesday, May 13:

8th Grade Class Trip

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

Wednesday, May 14:

8:15 a.m. - All School Mass

8th Grade Graduation

Tuesday, May 20:

Pre-K Graduation

Last Day for Pre-K

Wednesday, May 21:

K-8 Last Day Of School

11:30 a.m. - Dismissal

Monday, May 26:

Memorial Day

No Mass at LFC

Church Office is Closed

Friday, May 30:

Heritage Days Festival

Saturday, May 31:

Heritage Days Festival

Sunday, June 1:

Heritage Days Festival

10:30 a.m. - Mass

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Mostaccioli & Meatballs Family Lunch

The Forge

Attention Young Adults! The Forge is a Springfield-based young adult Catholic ministry to help you stay connected through spiritual and social events. All young adults are welcome!

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

DIOCESE NEWS

Your Action Needed – Legislation that will legalize physician assisted suicide in Illinois has been moving at the Illinois Statehouse. Final votes could be taken up this month. Please contact your state representative and state senator urging them to vote No. You can find who your legislators are and information on the legislation at the Catholic Conference of Illinois website: ilcatholic.org.

The Curia is Hiring! – The Diocesan Curia is hiring 4 full-time positions. They are a Maintenance and Groundskeeper, Database and Parish Service Administrator, Diocesan Liaison and Advocate, and Executive Secretary. If you know anyone who has these skill sets and is interested, please direct them to dio.org/careers.

Watch local documentary, God is Alive, Part II – The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is happy to announce you can now watch the documentary, God is Alive, Part II | Incredible stories of faith and miraculous events in the Midwest. If you are full of faith, clinging to faith, or have lost hope in faith, this one-hour documentary will get you inspired, move you to hope, and fall in love with faith in a whole new way. God is Alive, Part II will take you to Gower, MO, Edwardsville, Ashland, and Chicago to show you miracles still happen, God is alive not matter the circumstances, and including God in your life is what will make the difference. Go to dio.org/documentary to watch. God is Alive (Part 1) is also available to watch there.

Attention college students! Take your faith with you to school! The Newman community at your school would love to connect with you and help you continue your faith journey while away at college. To find out more about the Newman program at your school, visit newmanministry.com/. 

Memorial Day Field Mass – Please join us at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield on Memorial Day, May 26 at 9 a.m. for the traditional Field Mass offered at Father Howard Altar. The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki will be the principal celebrant. Accompanying Bishop Paprocki in procession will be local priests and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Limited seating will be available. Lawn chairs are welcome. Call the Calvary Cemetery office at 523-3726 Monday – Friday 8 a.m.-4p.m. with any questions.

Summer Immersion Experience with Dominican Sisters in Chicago – Single Catholic women ages 18 – 45 are invited to participate in the Dominican Sisters’ Service Immersion Experience in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows participants to engage deeply with the mission and ministry of the Dominican Sisters while serving the local community and discerning their own path in faith and service. The event is scheduled for June 21-25, 2025. Participants will have opportunities for prayer, reflection, hands-on service, and conversation about vocation and Gospel justice. Participants will walk alongside the Dominican Sisters, gaining firsthand insight into their charism of prayer, preaching, community life, and service. Complete the interest form at springfieldop.org/summer. Facilitated by several congregations of U.S.-based Dominican Sisters. For more information call Sister Denise Glazik, OP, at 217-787-0481.  



Interested in attending World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea in 2027? Connect with us! The diocese is organizing a group to go – Are you interested in attending World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea in 2027? Whether you want to go, you are thinking of going, or would just like more information about possibly going, connect with the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to express your interest. Father Zach Samples, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Springfield, is the lead organizer for the pilgrimage for those who are thinking about attending World Youth Day, which is intended for those between the ages of 16 and 35.

Go to dio.org/wyd and fill out the interest form. Note, the exact date of World Youth Day, the cost, and details have not been determined. This is simply an interest form so we can start to gather a group from our diocese now. You do not have to know for sure if you are planning to attend.

DIVE DEEP PODCAST: What You Don’t Know About the Papal Conclave – What happens behind the scenes at the Papal conclave? How does a pope actually get elected? Burning of ballots, verbalizing names, and politicking behind the scenes. Is all that true? Father Chris House breaks down how a pope is elected, what goes on during a papal election, and the rules and unwritten rules.

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.

Carlinville Catholic Charities Beef Raffle 2025 Annual Fundraiser – Carlinville Catholic Charities is selling tickets for a Beef Raffle fundraiser for the opportunity to win 100 pounds of beef. Tickets will be sold at $10 each or 3 for $20 and can be purchased online at cc.dio.org/events/carlinville-beef-raffle, the Carlinville Catholic Charities Area Office, the Catholic Charities Thrift Shop located at the Carlinville Plaza, or from any Carlinville Board Member. Proceeds from the raffle fundraiser will go towards Carlinville Catholic Charities. The drawing will take place on Monday, June 30th at 4:00 p.m. at Carlinville Catholic Charities at 525 W 2nd South St.

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

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:

6/13/2025 – 6/15/2025, St. Peters, MO

8/1/2025 – 8/3/2025, Cape Girardeau, MO

12/5/2025 – 12/7/2025, St. Peters, MO

One Day Marriage Enrichment Retreat – Attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience that will enrich couples’ understanding of the spirituality of marriage and introduce them to a personal couple prayer they can continue at home. This one-day marriage enrichment retreat entitled, “God Chose You for Me,” is an experience designed to deepen the spiritual connection between married couples. Dates and locations for this special enrichment in 2025 include:

• Saturday, May 10 – Cardinal Rigali Center in St. Louis, MO
• Saturday, August 16 – Sacred Heart Parish in Valley Park, MO
• Saturday, September 20 – St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon, IL

This special one-day enrichment is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. To register, go to: stl-wwme.org/communitynews.php

Grief Share

Cathedral parish will be hosting Grief Share, a weekly, faith-based, grief support group. If you, or someone you know, would like help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend, please join us beginning Tuesday, May 6, 1:00-2:30pm in the Cathedral School Library. Grief Share runs for 13 weeks, but guests may join the series at any point and can pick up content they missed during the next cycle. For more information go to https://www.griefshare.org/ or contact Berni Ely @ 899-6637 or jackandberni96@yahoo.com To register call 217/522-3342 or email Vicki at vcompton@cathedral.dio.org All adults, of any or no faith background, are welcome.

Vatican II Faith Formation Series & Jubilee Indulgence

In the Decree on the Granting of the Indulgence During the Ordinary Year Jubilee Year 2025, one of the ways for the faithful to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence is to “participate in popular missions, spiritual exercises, or formation activities on the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, held in a church or other suitable place, according to the mind of the Holy Father.” With that in mind, the Cathedral will be hosting monthly faith formation sessions during which we will delve into the four major Constitutions from the Second Vatican Council. Please join us as we reflect on these important documents, that they might serve to renew our hope during this Jubilee Year, all while being able to also gain an indulgence! January 30, February 20, March 20, April 10, May 15, and June 19. 7:00 pm in the Cathedral Atrium

Majestic Germany Pilgrimage with Fr. R. Dean Probst

August 18-28, 2025. Visiting Frankfurt, Cologne, Hanover, Potsdam, Berlin, Nuremberg, Rothenberg, Munich, Oberammergau, Lindau, Lake Titisee, The Black Forest, Heidelberg and Mainz. Cost $4,599 per person from St. Louis, Mo. Call/text Fr. Dean 217-494-6326 or email rdprobst@gmail.com.  

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.