Thank you to the many parishioners who have submitted your good faith intention cards during the Season of Stewardship! There is still time to send yours in to the office. However, are you wondering why you are being asked to do this? Why is this important?
When you commit to doing something, you likely have the best of intentions to see it through, right? You may right down your goal or tell others about it to help hold yourself accountable. The form helps us identify how we are currently stewards or how we would like to be stewards of our time, talent, or treasure in the future. Many of you are already incredibly generous and involved- thank you! By filling out the stewardship form you help the parish staff identify needs in the parish. We need to ensure that our ministries remain vibrant and welcoming with volunteers. The forms also help us plan the spiritual and financial resources for the year ahead. We want to make sure we can continue to bring to you the high-caliber faith formation programs, services, and special Liturgies, which have become the norm at Cathedral! We need your support and participation in this effort.
As we enter into the Season of Advent, we begin a new commitment to discipleship and stewardship in the Parish! Below we have a few ideas to challenge ourselves during Advent. Watch the Parish eblast and facebook page for more stewardship challenges and videos that will hopefully serve as great resources for you and your family this Advent!
- Begin the Season of Advent in prayer and in gratitude by joining us at the Novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception! The Novena begins December 1st and runs through December 9th. Each night a different preacher will offer a homily on a different aspect of Marian theology and devotion. Join us Dec. 1st thru 8th – 7:00PM; the last night and closing Mass, December 9th at 5:15 Mass.
- Serve at the Breadline with your family this Advent (https://cc.dio.org/programs/st-johns-breadline)! St. John’s Breadline in Springfield serves a hot, nutritious meal in a clean, positive environment. The St. John’s Breadline has volunteer opportunities available seven days a week. Shifts are available Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shifts are also available on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Breadline is located at 430 N. 5th St. Springfield, IL 62702. Contact them at (217) 528-6098 for more information.
- Have a family Advent wreath! The traditional Advent wreath – a crown made from branches of holly, spruce, or straw (or cardboard, fabric, dried flowers, etc.) with four candles (three purple and one rose) that you light in the course of the four weeks of Advent, is a great family tradition! Find a great article with resources for your Advent wreath here: (http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/about-advent-wreaths.cfm)
- Make a NEW family Advent tradition by joining us at the Cathedral Lessons and Carols (Sunday, December 15th – 7:00PM at Cathedral), the Late Advent Holy Hour (Tuesday, December 17 – 7:00pm at Cathedral) or at the first annual Rorate Coeli Mass, which is a Mass in candlelight on Sat. December 14th at 7am!
If you have any questions regarding your stewardship form or how you can grow deeper in your relationship with God this Advent, please contact Katie Price at kprice@cathedral.dio.org.