VOL. 54 NO. 16 – APRIL 21st, 2019 THEME FOR EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD: On this day of days

we offer a joyful sacrifice of praise to the Father who raised his Son from the dead. Let us be intent upon the life Christ offers us, Christ our Passover who has been sacrificed.

MASS INTENTIONS:

Easter Vigil, Saturday 4-20 8:15 pm -- For Our Parish at St. Augustine’s

Easter Sunday 4-21 8:30 am – Frank Gregson

Tues. 4-23 8:00 am – A Special Intention Wed. 4-24 8:00 am – Norbert Wittenauer Thurs. 4-25 8:00 am – Deceased of Amann & Voellinger Families Fri. 4-26 8:00 am – Eileen Wagner Sat. 4-27 5:00 pm -- For Our Parish at St. Augustine’s Sun. 4-28 8:30 am – Charlie Kreher

ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY HECKER, ILLINOIS 62248

REV. VON C. DEEKE, PASTOR PARISH OFFICE 473-2217 FAX 473-9141

E-MAIL ADDRESS: staug@htc.net PARISH WEBSITE: staugustineofcanterburyhecker.weebly.com

To contact Father Von when not in Parish Office, Cell #618/214-6852 St. Vincent de Paul Help Line 618/792-4059

House of Neighborly Service Help Line 618/939-8680 Confessions: are heard each Saturday night from 4 to 4:45 pm and each Sunday from 8 to 8:20 am. Parish Office Hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed from 12 noon to 1:00 pm for lunch.

ORGANIZATIONS BLESSED VIRGIN ALTAR SODALITY – The

ladies meet the first Tuesday In September, November, January & March at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. Details regarding the annual Christmas Party and Spring Breakfast are shared in the bulletins closer to those dates.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – meet the second

Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. Any changes or special activities are given elsewhere in the bulletin.

QUILTING – ladies meet to quilt each Tuesday in the

Parish Center from 8:30 am to 3:30 p.m. except during the summer. Any questions call Margie Holle at 473-2944 or Alice Kuehn 473-2817.

PARISH COUNT: 192 OUR SACRIFICE MADE TO GOD: 4-14-19 Sunday Envelopes (94) - $2,183.00 Loose – $408.00 Youth (3) - $3.00

Scholarship Fund - $2,868.00

(Total Donated since 8/1/2018)

Thank you very much for your generosity!

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK Saturday, April 27th; 5pm Sunday, April 28th; 8:30am Ushers: Walter & Alice Krysnoski Ushers: Diane & Jerry Mollet Greeters: Walter & Alice Krysnoski Greeters: Diane & Jerry Mollet Servers: Murphys Servers: Gregsons Lector: Eric Schreder Lector: Betty Schreder Extraordinary Ministers: Kevin Schreder, Extraordinary Ministers: Dennis Biffar, Annette Schreder and Ruth Wittenauer Roger Cortner and Tiffany Gregson

OFFERTORY FAMILIES Sat. 4/27 – Mike Kern Family Sun. 4/28 – Marilyn Haudrich Sat. 5/4 -- Carrie Koester Family Sun. 5/5 – Doerr Family Sat. 5/11 – Sue Hepp Sat. 5/12 – M/M Josh Heck

REMINDER – please make sure that all flowers &

decorations at the St. Augustine Cemetery are attached to the monuments or are in vases attached during the upcoming mowing season (April to October). Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Please pray for the following:

Darlene Frisch, Ellen Daniels, Edith Boling, Dave Bruss, Aaron & Dorothy Vogler, Janet Hayes, Maxine Linnertz, Kathy Lynn Kromat, Ray Mavers, Rita Helfrich, Robert & Alice Mueller, Bob Dennler, Bob Reed, Pam Wilderman Woodward, Shirley Wittenauer, Madalyn Killebrew, Stephanie Amann Stosberg, Ranetta Adams, Nancy Grohmann, Sheila Zubrzyski, Lowell Powell, Renee Krebel, Kristen Christ, Bonnie Casey, John Joseph Materniak, and Beverly Moskop. Submitted names will remain on the prayer list for one month’s time. Please call the Parish Office 473-2217 to submit names for the prayer list.

There will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration following the 8:00 am Mass on Friday, May 3rd, from 8:30 to 9:30 am.

DIOCESAN EVENTS

RESPECT LIFE CORNER Easter Joy – This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! The darkness of the winter

is gone and the gloom of Good Friday is behind us. Today is a wonderful day to celebrate Christ’s

love for us. Learn, Act, Connect, Pray: Let us go forth today with a song in our hearts. After you

leave Mass, do you ever have a few lines of a hymn that stick with you the rest of the day? The song

resonates in your heart so much that you want to sing it or carry the tune in your heart the rest of the

day. That’s joy! Let’s share it! Share joy with everyone you encounter today – smile, be happy, greet

strangers, go out of your way to be nice to people. Slow down. Appreciate the small moments of joy

today, and then share it with others.

ANNUAL SPRING BLESSING OF THE FARM

All are invited to the Annual Diocesan Spring Blessing of the Farm, which will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 1:00 P.M. at Frey Farms. Frey Farms is located at 22251 County Rd. 700 E; Dahlgren, Illinois 62828. Frey Farms can be arrived at by traveling on Interstate 64, taking exit 100 south (toward McLeansboro) onto IL-242 going 3 miles to turn right onto Belle Prairie Rd. (or travel north of McLeansboro on IL-242 to turn left onto Belle Prairie Rd. 3 miles south of I-64). Turning west onto Belle Prairie Rd. travel exactly 1 mile. Just past some gravel piles, veer right turning onto Grubb Memorial Drive heading north traveling for ½ mile. Next, veer left turning onto County Road 2200 N. heading west for 1 mile. Then turn right onto County Road 700 E. heading north for ½ mile. Farm will be on your left with a two-story white home. “Farm Blessing” signs will also lead you to the farm. Those attending are invited to bring seed and soil in marked containers along with animals and farm machinery to be blessed. Food will also be collected for the needy of the area. Please join us for food and fellowship following the Blessing!

Easter Blessings

We pray that God may bless you and your loved ones with the peace, the

hope and the love that the Lord gave to us all through the Resurrection

of Jesus.

Ministries and Agencies Funded by

The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal

Catholic Diocese of Belleville

COMING AREA EVENTS FLYERS WILL NOW BE LOCATED IN A 3-RING BINDER AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO CHURCH. FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT THE BINDER IF

YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT AN EVENT.

April 28th – Sunday Funday; Immaculate Conception Columbia; 1-4pm; Board Games, Card Games,

Attendance Prizes; Raffle, Envelope Lottery; snack & dessert bar; Email questions to cl605@aol.com. April 28th – Quilt/Cash/Ham Bingo; Prairie du Rocher American Legion; 1pm; Lunch 11am; Paper Cards,

Attendance Prizes; Lottery Ticket Raffle, Quilt Raffle; Hosted by Our Lady of Good Counsel, Renault. May 7th – Noon Luncheon & Card Party; St. Luke’s Belleville; $8; Cards, Games; Ham, German Potato Salad

BINGO - BINGO - BINGO on Monday nights at CKL of I in Swansea. Bingo (no machines) begins at 7pm

and proceeds benefit Althoff Catholic High School. Food and drinks are available Euchre -- Every Thursday afternoon starting at 1:00; St. Michael’s Paderborn (9/6/18-5/23/19)

Flower Donations during Easter were made in memory of the following:

Cyril & Emma Haudrich; Wally Amann & Michael Amann; Bill & Jeannie Happel, Eckart Families, Biffar Families, & Brueggemann Families; Gilbert E. Birkner, Evelyn Wittenbrink, & Frank Gregson; George H. Christiansen and Bryan & Danny Keeney; Marion & Dean Keim and Henry & Mae Doerr Gilbert E. Birkner, Donald Schmitt, & Sylvia Weiss; Edmund H. Eckart, Dale Griffin, Bill & Jeannie Happel, Charlie Kreher & Georgia Eckart; Deceased of Kreher & Eckart Family; Quentin & Veronica Gregson, Amie Gregson, Frank Gregson & Bobby Pauketat; Dale Griffin; Gene & Teresa Triller and Kenny Grohmann; Darrell Grohmann & Elmer Haudrich Family; Don Haudrich & the Leo Toenjes Family; Dennis Holle; Deceased Members of John & Alice Kuehn Family; Friends & Family of the Mollet/Wittenauer Family; Deceased Members of Wiegard, Neary & Wittenauer Families; Clem Orlet; Edward & Helen Kohler, Victor & Elizabeth Papenberg, Fern Papenberg, and Kathy & Kadin Baxmeyer; Edward J. Parker; Deceased Members Powell & Huss Families; Eugene & Flora Reno; Deceased of Schaefer & Wiegard Families; Roscow & Stellhorn Families; Grace Volpert; Deceased of Kern-Neary-Wittenauer Families.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY APRIL 28TH, 2019

Will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 1411 Cross Street, Shiloh, IL from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; Adoration, Devotional Prayers; Sacrament of Reconciliation (1:30-2:50); Blessing of Divine Mercy Pictures (bring your picture); Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Benediction; Veneration of a 1st Class Relic of St. Faustina Kowalska Join others in praying the Divine Mercy Novena at St. Clare Parish starting on Good Friday, April 19th at 2:30pm and continuing the next 8 days at 3:00 pm.

Easter is our greatest feast of the Liturgical year. Our redemption has been accomplished and Jesus has overcome death and sin. This is what we commemorate through each celebration of the Eucharist which allows us to receive our Lord in Holy Communion. We must pray, encourage and work to promote more priestly vocations so that we can continue to have the opportunity of receiving Holy Communion. Look this week to encourage a young man to consider entering the seminary to discern a priestly vocation.

ENCOUNTER THE RISEN CHRIST We prayed, fasted and gave alms – and now we celebrate Easter joy! Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl challenges us as we encounter our Risen Lord to bring the hope of Resurrection to a world in need. Don’t forget to turn in your CRS Rice Bowl if you haven’t already. There is a basket at the front entrance to church.

The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal 2019 …Blessed to receive, chosen to give

A most heartfelt thanks to all those who have already responded with a gift to The 2019 Catholic

Service and Ministry Appeal. If you have not done so as yet, there’s still plenty of time. One-time

donations or pledges – in any amount – are needed and can be made through your parish or

at www.diobelle.org (click on “Giving to the Diocese”). Your generosity supports 15 agencies

and programs that daily serve thousands of people. Please consider making your gift today or at

any time you are able in the coming months. We also ask for your prayers for the success of this

year’s appeal and all those we serve. Thank you and may God bless you always.

Our parish participation goal for the appeal is 58 households and our financial target is $6,000.00. Please be as generous as you are able. Pledges to Date: 28 $4,040.00 67% of Total Goal

NEWS FROM GIBAULT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL…

Plant Sale Gibault presents its annual plant sale. Customers can purchase

plants, grown in the Gibault greenhouse by agriculture students,

and purchase hand-painted pots, crafted by art students! Where: Gibault greenhouse (back of the school)

When: Saturday, April 27, Saturday May 4, and Saturday May

11 8:00AM-1PM

What: flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetable plants

GCHS Bi-monthly E-newsletters Gibault sends out bi-monthly electronic newsletters with

videos, pictures, news, and events! Don’t receive these? E-mail

Kara Hoke (khoke@gibaulthawks.com)to be added to our list,

and please note your alumni year, if applicable! The Youth Ministry of Ss. Peter and Paul which also includes the youth

from St. Augustine’s now has a new social platform…INSTAGRAM! The new Pastoral Associate of Youth Ministry, Mrs. Catherine Burkart, has set up an Instagram Account which she will use to promote prayer and social opportunities. Any youth interested can follow on ssppyouth_waterloo. GroupMe. This is a new social media platform that the teens are using. It is a large group text option. Students can invite other teens to join or students can join by following the link below. https://web.groupme.com/join_group/44062372/mlpvgk

GROUND BREAKING CELEBRATION Join us as we Break Ground for the New St. Vincent de Paul Night Drop-in Center; Saturday, April 27th at 11am; 3718 State Street; East St. Louis. Refreshments following. For more info call 618/394-0126 or email pat.hogrebe@gmail.com.

SPPCS Field Day (Picture Attached)

SPPCS participated in their Spring Service Day on Friday April 12th.

Our students spread out around the city of Waterloo to help do some

spring cleaning. We helped out at the Bellefontaine House, the

Morrison-Talbott Library, City Hall, The SeeMore Inn and the SPPCS

& SPPCC Grounds. Some of our students also visited Cedarhurst &

Garden Place to visit with the residents and sing for them.

2019 - 2020 SPPCS Registration is now open! Please register online

at www.sppcs.org. Once you have completed the online portion, you

will receive your registration packet. Remember, any family who

completes the registration packet & returns it on or before April

15th will receive a $25 credit to their 2019 - 2020 Fundraising account!

2019 - 2020 Preschool Registration -- Registration for our Early

Childhood Learning Center is still open and can be done online

at https://www.sppcs.org/early-learning-center-registration or by calling

the school office. Be sure to hold your spot for next year!

Donate Today with Empower Illinois -- Empower Illinois connects

Tax Credit Scholarship Donations to Illinois students whose education

opportunities may be limited by household income. By donating to

Empower Illinois, you can help make a child's dreams come true and

donate online at empowerillinois.org/donors/.

WATERLOO Queen of Hearts BENEFITS SPPCS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT The SPPCS Queen of Hearts fundraiser is in full swing. $1 tickets are on sale at the Stubborn German Brewing Company in downtown Waterloo during normal business hours. Drawing is at 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday. Please contact the school office for more information at 618-939-7217. (You must register with the program before purchasing tickets.)

Do you know a man who needs a break from his busy life? Someone who is looking for a closer relationship with God? The ACTS weekend inspires, encourages, challenges and so much more. It is put on by lay men, for lay men, with the support of our parish priests. Through this weekend, you will get to know the men in our parish who are searching for the same things you are. Won’t you join us on the journey? Registration forms can be found on the parish website (www.ssppcc.org). If you have any questions, please contact Father Sebastian at 618/939-6426, Ext. 12; Dave Miskell 618/406-4250 or our local representatives

Brian Smith 618/973-4539 or Ryan Grohmann 618/473-3311.

Ss. Peter & Paul Men’s ACTS Retreat

April 25-28, 2019

2019 GOLF OUTING – 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE (BEST BALL) – SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH

Acorns Golf Links, 3933 Ahne Road, Waterloo; Entry Fee - $320 per team or $80 per person; 12:30pm Check In; 1:00 pm Lunch; 1:30pm Shotgun Start A portion of this year’s proceeds will be donated to the Gibault Catholic High School golf program in honor of the late Craig Range. Call John R. Green 618/939-7217 Ext. 14; 618/972-5836 or greenjg325@gmail.com for info or reservations or sponsorship details.

Ss. PETER & PAUL SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTS “MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA” Presented by Tina Carrico

Tuesday, April 23rd from 7:15-8:15pm in the Adult Faith Formation House The mother/daughter relationship is a very special relationship. Join us for a special mother/daughter evening together and learn a little about the history of Tea while sampling finger sandwiches, scones and sweets…and of course, tea! Tina, our presenter, previously owned her own Tea House in Waterloo. Feel free to wear your favorite hat. Space is very limited! You must call Karen at the Parish Office 939-6426, or email her at

kseaborn@ssppcc.org to reserve your place at the table. You are encouraged to call soon!

The First Glorious Mystery

THE RESURRECTION

1. The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb on the evening of Good

Friday.

2. His soul descends into the realm of the dead to announce to the Just

the tidings of their redemption.

3. Fearing the body of Jesus will be taken, the chief priests place guards

at the tomb.

4. On the third day Jesus rises from the dead, glorious and immortal.

5. The earth quakes as the angel rolls back the stone, the guards flee in

terror.

6. The holy women coming to anoint the body of Jesus are amazed and

frightened to find the tomb open.

7. An angel calms their fears: "He is not here. He has risen as He said."

8. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen and Peter and two disciples on the

way to Emmaus.

9. That evening He appears to the apostles behind locked doors: "Peace

be unto you... do not be afraid."

10. Jesus breathes on them and gives them the power to forgive sin.

Spiritual Fruit: Spiritual Fruit: Let us pray that the resurrection of our Lord

Jesus will give hope and joy to Catholics and Christians around the world to unite

and pray for an end to violence and oppression.

EMAIL PHISHING SCAM

Beware…there is an email phishing scam targeted at church-goers!! The basics of the scam are that church members get an email from their minister requested them to make a contribution to the church by buying and sending in gift cards. The emails seem harmless enough. They have the local pastor’s name and an email address that looks legitimate, but upon further inspection, the email address is actually different than the one the church normally uses. In some instances, the sender’s name may look correct but is missing a single letter. In a new version of the scam, the phishers are using text messaging to try and fill up the collection plate in their favor. One report out of Delray Beach, Florida, asked the victim to purchase several gift cards, take a photo of them, & send these photos to the “pastor.” That sounds innocent except for the fact that gift cards contain numeric code that allows the scammers to turn the gift cards into actual purchases. In the case of the Delray victim, the phishers landed a really big fish -- $10,500 in gift cards! “The key to protecting yourself from this scam is to first be skeptical whenever you get a request to wire money or make a payment through any form of gift card because once money has been wired or sent in the form of a gift card, it is gone forever, which is why these are favorite methods of payment for scammers,” warns Steve Weisman of Scamicide. “As for gift cards, once you provide the numbers from the gift cards, the scammers utilize the gift cards to make purchases that they quickly sell in order to get cash.” “No church solicits gift cards nor does the IRS which is why when someone is posing as a religious institution or the IRS asks for a payment through a gift card you can be sure it is a scam. The second thing that we all should do is always confirm the legitimacy of any request for a donation of any kind before making a payment,” Weisman said. Be cautious...despite the lack of confidence consumers have in the government, the government can actually be of help in situations like this – especially the consumer friendly Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

1. Don’t text back. Legitimate companies won’t ask you to verify your identity through unsecured channels, like text or email.

2. Don’t click on any links within the message. Links can install malware on your device & take you to spoof sites to try to get your information.

3. Report the message to your cell phone carrier’s spam text reporting number. If you’re an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, or Bell customer, you can forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) free of charge.

The best advice might be to forward any suspicious emails or texts to the FTC via

spam@uce.gov. The FTC recommends that you also cc the organization impersonated in the email/message!

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows – Visitor Center

The Call to Everyday Holiness - A Day of Reflection; Sponsored by the Victorious Missionaries

Presenter: Fr. Salvador Gonzalez, OMI; Saturday, May 4, 9:15 a.m. – 6 p.m.

What is holiness? Do you consider yourself to be holy? In his Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate: The

Call to Holiness in Today’s World,” Pope Francis wishes to once again bring the call to holiness to the forefront

for people of our time. We will explore the key points of the Pope’s insights and find practical ways to

incorporate holiness in our daily lives. Fr. Salvador Gonzalez, OMI will explore this call to holiness with us.

Cost: $70 lunch & dinner included; For more info call 618.394.6281. Register online at snows.org/reflections

Spring Day of Prayer – Catholic Council of Catholic Women

Metro-East Vicariate Spring Meeting

Thursday, April 25th, 2019

St. Michael’s Paderborn8:30 am Registration in Parish Hall; 9:30am Mass

10:45 am Presentation by Fr. Roger Karban

12 noon Lunch in Parish Hall

1pm; Short MEV Meeting; 1:55pm Closing Reflection

PLEASE CALL DEBBIE HARBAUGH, 618/971-8021 NO LATER THAN APRIL

17TH IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING!!!

7TH ANNUAL DERBY DASH – ST. AGATHA – NEW ATHENS

Get your running/walking shoes on! It's time for St. Agatha School's 7th Annual Derby Dash on Saturday, May 4! The 5K begins at 9am, the 1/2 Mile Fun Run will start at approximately 10am. There is a CASH PRIZE again this year! The top male & female finisher will get $50 CASH EACH! Entry fee $20 if received by April 8, $25 if received after April 8 or on the day of the race. T-shirts are guaranteed to those who register by April 8. The 1/2 Mile Fun Run is a $10 entry fee. Medals are guaranteed to those who register by April 8. Toolen's Running Start will be timing the race again this year! Visit http://www.athlinks.com/event/derby-dash-5k-168764 to sign up online or visit St. Agatha School's website to print the form: http://school.stagathaparish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Derby-Dash-Entry-Form.pdf

ADULT BASKET STAND – if you have baskets or decorative containers, if you have items to put in baskets, you are encouraged to bring early. Barb Bruss will put the baskets together for you!! Just drop off at the Parish Office on Mondays or Thursdays and leave at the front entrance to Church. A plastic bin will be there for your items. We will NOT be using the usual plastic bags this year so don’t worry about those! You are welcome to drop off now rather than waiting til picnic week!!!!

QUILTS FOR BINGO – Letters and postcards were mailed last week. Please return your postcard as soon as possible. You may drop in the collection basket or put in the office door mail slot.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH, 2019

To everyone who made a donation to the 5th Sunday Second Collection held March 30th & 31st. A total of $409.00 was received. A check to Fontebella Home in the amount of $204.50 and a check to St. Vincent de Paul in Waterloo in the amount of $204.50 was distributed this week. Thank you very much for your generosity!!!

As you are reviewing your finances for the year, please consider remembering St. Augustine’s Parish in your estate plans…also remember that it is possible to have Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) or gifts of $100,000 or less made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. This is only available to individuals aged 70 ½ or older…you should check with your tax or financial advisor to set this up. Thank you for considering St. Augustine’s!!!!

FINANCE COMMITTEE AND PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

Joint Parish Council Meeting with Ss. Peter & Paul – Monday, April 29th, 7pm, at Ss. Peter & Paul’s meeting room at the far west end of the school building.

Quarterly Finance Committee Meeting, Thursday, May 2nd at 7:30 pm in the Korte Annex

Quarterly Parish Council Meeting, Monday, May 6th, 7pm in the Parish Center.

INVITING ALL LADIES OF THE PARISH ANNUAL SPRING BREAKFAST

SUNDAY, MAY 5TH, 2019 FOLLOWING THE 8:30 AM MASS ST. AUGUSTINE’S PARISH CENTER

The Knights of Columbus will be making and serving breakfast to us this year; so in order to have enough for everyone, we would ask that you call in your RSVP no later than Wednesday, May 1st. You may call the Parish Office, 473-2217; Debbie Harbaugh, 618/971-8021; or Annette Schreder, 473-2925 or email the Parish Office at staug@htc.net.

Please pray for our young people who will be receiving the Sacrament of

First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation this spring.

First Communion here at St. Augustine is on Sunday, May 5th, 8:30am Mass. First Communicant is: Emelia Doerr

Those being confirmed this spring are: Emma Day (Ss. Peter & Paul); Taryn Gregson (St. Michael, Paderborn); Abby Grohmann (Ss. Peter & Paul); Brady Heck (St. Michael, Paderborn); Lilly Heck (St. Michael,

Paderborn); and Cailee Mudd (St. John, Red Bud).

Bishop’s Mass for Wedding Anniversaries June 2, 2019

On Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 1:30 PM Bishop Edward K. Braxton will celebrate a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter honoring the sacrament of Matrimony. All couples celebrating their Twenty-Fifth, Thirtieth, Fortieth, Fiftieth, as well as, all years from 60 on up, Wedding Anniversaries will be recognized. The Bishop asks all Jubilarians WHO ARE CELEBRATING 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 AND MORE YEARS OF MARRIAGE and/or their family members to send the names and addresses of those celebrating their Jubilee Wedding Anniversary to the Parish Office as soon as possible. If your personal invitation does not arrive, or if you do not send the parish your names, you are still most welcome to attend. Family members and guests are welcome as well. The Cathedral is handicap accessible.

April 5, 2019

Coordinator of Respect Life Ministry

The Diocese of Belleville is seeking a part time (20 hours per week) Coordinator of

Respect Life Ministry. The Coordinator works to promote the Catholic Church’s position

on life issues: abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, assisted suicide, cloning, capital

punishment, stem cell research, quality of life, social justice, human rights and dignity.

This includes addressing issues about prison ministry, immigration, human trafficking,

marriage preparation and natural family planning. The Coordinator works with parishes,

schools, national organizations, ecumenical organizations, and legislators to emphasize a

respect for life from conception, through every developmental stage, to natural end, and

to affect positive change.

Essential qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree; professional knowledge, training or

certification needed plus 1 – 3 years experience. Practicing Catholic required with

thorough knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings, practices and

organizational structure.

To apply send cover letter with resume and preferred salary range to Human Resources,

Diocese of Belleville, 222 S. 3rd St., Belleville, IL. 62220. FAX to 618-722-5020; email

to humanresources@diobelle.org. Application Deadline: May 1, 2019

From the Catechism…Matrimony

Let’s look at some paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony: 1641 "By reason of their state in life and of their order, [Christian spouses] have their own special gifts in the People of God." This grace proper to the sacrament of Matrimony is intended to perfect the couple's love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they "help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children." 1642 Christ is the source of this grace. "Just as of old God encountered his people with a covenant of love and fidelity, so our Savior, the spouse of the Church, now encounters Christian spouses through the sacrament of Matrimony." Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another's burdens, to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ," and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love. In the joys of their love and family life he gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb: “How can I ever express the happiness of a marriage joined by the Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels, and ratified by the Father? . . . How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master, undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh. Where the flesh is one, one also is the spirit.” (Tertullian, AD 160-220) So, we see that God gives grace, that is, strength and help, won by Jesus on the Cross, to married couples to strengthen their union and help their love to grow.

- Fr. Von Deeke