Councils and Synods to Civil Rights

Join PJ Oubre from our diocesan Archives Office, as he continues to explore the lives of the four men buried in the crypt of the Cathedral. This discussion will focus on the lives and work of Bishops O’Connor and McNicholas.

Cathedral Atrium, Wednesday, February 24^th, 7:00pm

Walking With Purpose  - Women’s Bible Study

Opening Your Heart is the starting point in the Walking With Purpose Bible studies series.  Opening Your Heart will take you on an exciting journey closer to the heart of God.  Join us as we explore the core questions that we need to wrestle with if we want to experience all that God has for us.

How can I conquer my fears?

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in my life?

What does the Eucharist have to do with my friendship with Christ?

What are the limits of Christ’s forgiveness?

Why and how should I pray?

What is the role of suffering in my life?

What challenges will I face in my efforts to follow Jesus more closely?

Contact Vicki Compton at [email protected] or 217-522-3342 for more information or to reserve your spot.  The series will begin in March, but study journals need to be ordered so reserve your spot soon. We will meet on Thursday mornings, from 10:00am-11:30am.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me Mt 25:35

What does the Gospel demand of us in living out this passage?  Join Deacon Mick Palazzolo and Erica Smith as they help us understand how to respond to the needs of our neighbors who are chronically homeless.

Monday, March 1 @ 7:00pm, Cathedral Atrium

Jesus calls every one of us to follow him. While we try to follow this call, our utter rejection of suffering impedes our genuine experience of love - because sufferingand love are mysteriously inseparable that a rejection of one is a denial of the other. Hence, Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical letter, Spe Salvi, states that "it is when we attempt to avoid suffering by withdrawing from anything that might involve hurt, when we try to spare ourselves the effort and pain of pursuing truth, love, and goodness, that we drift into a life of emptiness, in which there may be almost no pain, but the dark sensation of meaninglessness and abandonment is all the greater. Join Fr. Peter as he offers short reflections on suffering as a means of healing and spiritual maturity.

Wednesdays, March 10th and 24th @ 7:00PM, Cathedral Atrium

"Single-parent-household" is a term that sanitizes and belittles the real anguish felt in the heart of a mother or father who finds themselves raising their children alone. Are you carrying that cross? Or, do you know someone who is? As we approach the feast of the Our Lady's Annunciation and Our Lord's Passion - as Mary enters into her challenging motherhood and Christ embraces His own sufferings - let us join together in prayer before the truest and most faithful of Fathers and entrust this particular cross to His care. Child care provided.
Monday, March 22 @ 7:00PM, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

During this Year dedicated to St. Joseph, Catholics are being invited to give special attention to this great saint who played such a pivotal role in Salvation History. Although the Scriptures are silent on anything that he may have said, the witness of his life speaks volumes to us on what kind of man he was, and how we can learn from his example as we continue to strive to be disciples of Jesus.
Mondays, May 3, 10, & 17 @ 7:00pm in the Cathedral atrium

St. Peter, once wrote to his persecuted brothers and sisters back in Asia Minor these tremendous words: "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." Have you been persecuted for something your Christian faith asks you to do? Are you uncertain how to respond to arguments nowadays levied against Christ, the Church, or the Sacraments? Are you, or someone you know, unconvinced by the Church's teachings? Join Fr. Dominic Rankin for a conversation on those "hard topics" over which we find our faith challenged: Jesus' resurrection, the Eucharist, purgatory, Mary … the Pope, the scandals, Galileo … a male priesthood, cohabitation, contraception, gender… all these topics and more will be candidly discussed, all questions will be received, and we will come away with our Hope renewed in Christ!

Wednesdays, April 14, 21, & 28 @ 7:00PM in the Cathedral Atrium