Blessed Sacrament Parish welcomes new residents and visitors. It is wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist

with you. If you are new to the parish, please call the office to register.

Parish of the Blessed Sacrament Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2020

PASTOR: Father Jeffery Grant Parochial Vicar Father Ron Lorilla Deacon David Erdmann Deacon Tom Burns

PARISH OFFICE: Phone: (217) 528-7521 Fax: (217) 528-3137 Website: www.bsps.org

SCHOOL OFFICE: 748 West Laurel Phone: (217) 522-7534 Fax: (217) 522-7542 ww.bssbruins.org

Office Manager: Margaret Antenan

School Finance Manager: Laura Horton

Parish Finance Manager: Lisa Sarnowski

Principal: Dawn Klinner

School Administrative Asst: Nancy Evans

School Secretary: Michele Hinds-Greenwood

Music Director: Jane Hartman Irwin

Parish School of Religion: Call the Parish Office to register

Development Director: Kim Hoffmann

Maintenance Manager: Ed VonDeBur

Bulletin Submissions: Margaret Antenan Email: mantenan@bsps.org

Dear Parishioners:

Sixth Sunday o f Easter

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, January 25 Confessions before Mass 8:00 AM Roberta & John Beall

Tuesday, January 26

Confessions before Mass

8:20 AM Poor Souls’ Shrine

Wednesday, January 27

Confessions before Mass

8:00 AM Intention of the Belz Family

5:30PM Prayer Service

Thursday, January 28

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Patrick Elchleep

Friday, January 29

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Marita Child

Saturday, January 30 8:00AM Michael & Nora Dovonan (Latin Mass) 3:00-4:00PM - Confessions 4:30 PM Jack & Kenneth Leahy

Sunday, January 31– Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:00 AM Arlene & Pat Stapleton

8:30 AM Intentions of our Parishioners

10:30 AM George & Marguarite Hughes

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Our priests will use these Mass intentions in the Private Daily Mass that they are saying.

Monday, May 18

Korey Patrick Jordan Kenneth Spenceley

Tuesday, May 19

Sanctity of Life

Midge Langfelder

Wednesday, May 20

Korey Jordan

Richard & Willa Senger

Thursday, May 21

Quinto J & Mary Jean Cimarossa

James Rush

Friday, May 22

Sue Senger

Bettye Thorp

Saturday, May 23

Doan Tomas

3:00-4:00PM Confession

Solomon Family

Sunday, May 24-Ascension of the Lord

David Martin

Intentions of our Parishioners

Joseph B. Casey

Confessions will be heard Monday– Friday Noon-1pm & Saturday 3-4pm in the Adoration Chapel

Dear Parishioners, Be happy. Be healthy. Be holy. Someone asked me about this little phrase that I have used when talking to parishioners at the end of Mass. “It sounds a little sugary, Father, considering the problems we face.” I certainly don’t mean it that way. I really mean it as a wish and prayer for each parishioner during these difficult times. Be happy. It is hard to be happy when the future seems uncertain. We have lost many things. We cannot go out to eat. We cannot go to the barber or beauty shop. We cannot easily travel or take a vacation. We cannot go to Mass. There are many things we have lost and if we focus on that, I can guarantee we will be unhappy. But I also know that when Jesus was crucified, the disciples were unhappy. They had lost the most important thing in their lives—or so they thought. When he rose from the dead, they began to realize he had never left them. He was very much alive and their joy became something no one could take from them. That is the kind of happiness I want you to have. I want those who are worried and unhappy to discover that. Be healthy. Sometimes we get tired of taking care of ourselves, let alone the lives of others. However, one of the greatest gifts God gives us is our body. As Christians we believe this body will rise on the last day. You cannot separate it from our soul. Reckless behavior that damages our bodies is immoral and indifferent behavior that puts others needlessly at risk is also immoral. The danger of the coronavirus is that there is yet no vaccine to protect us. All we have are pro-active measures to help prevent it from spreading. My prayer is that each of us may receive the physical and emotional stamina to do what it takes. Be holy. Some say self-preservation is the strongest instinct we possess. When push comes to shove, it is natural to choose oneself. However, it is not always the case. Humans are known to make sacrifices for those they love. Jesus died on the cross because his love for us was greater than the debt of our sins. Holiness is based on this love. It is selfless rather than selfish. Holiness is not about praying or studying scripture or theology as much as it is about giving of ourselves. My prayer is that we will never grow tired of giving—even when we think we have run out of things to give. We face difficult times. People’s health is at risk. The fragile economy was not as strong as we thought. Unemployment is high. Emotions are raw. It seems we have lost many things. Yet, Jesus is still alive. We have not lost him. We are tired. We need strength so as not succumb to the physical or spiritual symptoms of the coronavirus. This disease has the power to kill not just the body but the soul as well. Finally we have the opportunity to shine as true disciples of Jesus. Gold is tested in the fire. Living a life of trust, charity, patience, and self-sacrifice in difficult times is the sign of true holiness. So my prayer for each of you remains: Be happy. Be healthy. Be holy. Fr. Jeff

SCHOOL NEWS! SCHOOL CLOSED Here is what Blessed Sacrament is doing to allow you to practice your faith as fully as possible during this crisis.

First of all, there will be no public masses until further notice. Everyone has a dispensation from the weekly obligation to attend Mass. There will be no daily Masses for the public. Mass at Blessed Sacrament can be viewed online - there will be a link on the website. We will tape the Saturday evening Mass "Sine Populo" (without people) and it will be available on Sunday morning. You can make a spiritual communion. You can also call the parish for all other spiritual and sacramental needs.

The parish is not closed - questions can be directed to the parish office at 217-528-7521. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.

Adoration Chapel will remain open and you are encouraged to come and pray. The public hours will remain 5 AM to 10 PM. Please remember that the Chapel is for private prayer. We ask that you not pray out loud or in a way that distracts another person trying to pray privately.

Holy water is available in the dispenser in the chapel. Please bring your own container to take it home. If you are taking large amounts, please see one of the priests to have them bless your water. We will be offering confessions in the confessional off the chapel, every day, Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 PM and Saturday 3-4pm Confessionals are being sanitized daily.

Visit the parish website at www.bsps.org. This is the best way to know what is going on in the parish.

The parish depends on your stewardship and generosity in order to bring sacraments and spiritual services to you. With everything severely curtailed, our finances have suffered. Please remember to mail in your contribution or donate on line, This will help us meet our obligations. Call the parish office to sign up for ACH (automatic contributions). .

A donation to H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People in Emergencies), formerly known as St. Vincent de Paul, will let our parish reach out to our many parishioners who are also suffering financially from this crisis

96th Annual Garden Party - We are so disappointed to cancel this year's June 10 Garden party as a result of social distancing guidelines. As this event approaches its 100th birthday, we thank all of those volunteers who have worked so hard to support this oldest of our parish events. We will definitely be back! In the meantime, we look forward to opportunities to gather as a parish family in the future. Blessed Sacrament School is looking for a middle grades teacher, a Spanish teacher, and multiple classroom aide positions for the 2020-2021 school year. Applicants should send a resume and completed certified (for teachers) or non certified (for aides) school staff application to Dawn Klinner, Blessed Sacrament School, 748 W. Laurel, Springfield, IL 62704 or email klinner@bssbruins.org. More information can be found on our school website www.bssbruins.org. Keep in touch with Blessed Sacrament via email and text! During these days of "virtual" church, it's more important than ever to stay in the loop with our texts and e-newsletter. Sign up on our website www.bsps.org and scroll down to "Receive electronic messages" on the right side of the page or send an email to Lsarnowski@bsps.org with your cell number and email address and we'll sign you up.

Along with other area schools, we are sad to announce that the BSS Vacation Bible School this summer is cancelled. Due to the current community conditions and restrictions, we are unable to safely hold an event at school this summer, and the virtual options did not meet our needs at this time. We are determined that this is not the end of cherished tradition, so we all will look forward to the next vacation bible school in the summer of 2021! All are welcome to participate in our virtual Mass Visit our website at www.bsps.org and click on "Watch Mass" to go directly to the Blessed Sacrament video link. Please join us...

WE WILL BEGIN THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION OUTSIDE OF MASS

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17TH

Hours for the Reception of Communion are:

SUNDAY 9:30-10:30AM

11:30AM-12:30PM

Please enter the north end of the parking lot on Walnut Street and exit the South end on Walnut

Please wear a mask.

Sunday, May 17, 2020 Page 3

OUR PARISH

Please pray for our Recently Departed: Betty Roth Archie Hunt

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

MAY 18-22

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

8:00am-8:20am No Public Masses

THURSDAY-FRIDAY No Public Masses

Saturday, May 23, 4:30PM

NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 24, 7:00AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 24, 8:30 AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 24 , 10:30AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers:

ADORATION HOURS: “Nowhere on earth are you more welcomed, Nowhere on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta) For further information please email Karen Senger at senger@bssbruins.org.

Sunday 1am Tuesday 2am Friday 11am Sunday 2am Tuesday 3am Friday 10pm Sunday 3am Tuesday 6am Saturday 1am Sunday 1pm Wednesday 4pm Saturday 2am Monday 1am Friday 1am Saturday 10am Monday 2am Friday 2am Saturday 11am Monday 3am Friday 3am Tuesday 1am Friday 4am Friday 7am

Page 4 S ixth Sunday o f Easter

Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line

Call the Parish Office 528-7521 Please pray for the intention of :

Lucy Wallner, Jimmie Hill, Robert Farris, Amber, Vernon Spiedger, Terri Burwitz, Rita, Ron, Owen Doak, Kayte, Denise S, Christopher Morgan, Dave, Betty, Ed Pauley, Steve, Hannah Clark, Peter Schofield, Ginny Schofield, Amy Gatewood family, Monica Larch, Austin Fields, Larry Theise, Gwen Bramlet, Richard Judd, John M, Louie Rago, Gwinn, John, Claire, Mary, Ray Roland, Josette, Danielle Loftus, Kitty, Susan, Cindy, Barbara Schuh, Ruth Pohlman, Annie, Barb, Tony, Kurt C, Eric, Lois & Jim Burton, Tom VonBerg, Donna Fitts, Ellen White, Barbara, Rose, Archer Senft, Suzie Culters, Tom J., Judy, Doug, Beth, Camden Spinner, Cindi, Andy Kates, Dave, Sandy H, Jim C., Jason Baird, Jen, Family of Gretchen Hornickle Harrison, Joyln Jensen, Jack Rhinehart, Dorothy Willenborg, Tom, Barry McCollom Tyra Redpath, Steve Kinsella, Destiny Renfro James, Clarita DeLargy, Steve, Karen, Steve, Miles Fifer, Maureen, Charlie Adams, Julie, Bill, Mary Coffey, Craig DeLargy, Brian Meredith, Destiny Jane, Katie Bronken, Cheryl, Fonda, Kristen, Tia, Jeff K., Laura M, Sue, Dave, Leo, Betty, Elizabeth Handrich, Melissa, Mary Jane Harshbarger, Troy, Sharon S, Laura Black James G., Anna Chougry, March, Charlotte, Don Egan, Shandi Chrysler, Andy, Donald Cole, Dave, Leo, Emily Amy, Gloria, Susan McCain, Ray Shaw, Jeanette, Kevin Henry, Gary, Laurie, Gary Bartels, Don John, Dale, Peggy Cadigan, Sarah & Everett O’Connor, Mary, Rocky Tom Acker, Caleb Cross, Callie, Marlene Keldermans, Jeannie Marie Gorman, Dcn. Ben Hoefler, Colleen, Edna Kienzler, Denny McDaniels, Terry Jordan, Janet Ketchum, Michael Mauch, Steve Bartels, Bette Atteberry, William Burkey, Barb Hansen, Helen Rhinehart, Edward, Diana Schumacher, Melissa Brown, Mary, Beverly Rago, Sharon O’Brien. Jim & Cynthia Novello, Becky Wood, Denise Cindy Ramirez, Tod Pierce, Bertha S, Daniel, Janet Nelch, Kim, Bobby, Kathy, Janet Keating, Nicky, Nick, Ben & Monique Gaston, M. Blazis, John P. Steil. Sarah Bice

ACSA (Annual Catholic Services Appeal) Our Parish Assessment $99,544.00 Pledged to the Diocese $53,920.30 Amount Remaining $45,623.70 14% of our parishioners (175 families) have contributed to date ————————————————————————- Project Rachel can help women and men heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 698-4456 Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting & Investigation 321-1155

Parish Collection Target Amount $23,500.00 Sunday, May 3 $22,184.90

STEWARDSHIP (Time / Talent /Treasure)

In the Spirit of Giving

Sunday, May 17, 2020 Page 5