Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Springfield, IL

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Maintenance vs. Mission

There are two kinds of Catholic  parishes in the US these days.  Maintenance parishes and mission  parishes. Maintenance parishes are  primarily concerned with maintaining  the status quo, keeping current  parishioners happy and involved, and  believing that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix  it”. Parishes driven by a culture of mission, on the other hand,  seek to help all people, parishioners and non-parishioners,  encounter and fall in love with Jesus so that their lives only make  sense when fully committed to Christ. Mission parishes seek to  grow disciples who understand their call to make Christ known in  the world and transform the culture. Maintenance parishes are  shrinking and dying Mission parishes are growing and thriving.  Cathedral is a mission-focused parish.

During the past nine months our staff and clergy have combined  to offer a dozen short- and long-term adult faith formation  courses open to all in the Springfield area. Equipping disciples  with an understanding of the faith is essential to living that faith in  a world that is frequently hostile to Christianity. But we have also  focused on providing opportunities for the un-churched or  disengaged to find encouragement and hope. Over 100 guests  and team members have renewed their relationship with Jesus  through our parish Alpha courses. We are reviving a pro-life  ministry that will keep our parish focused on caring for our most  vulnerable, and we are seeking to understand how trauma keeps  people from realizing their full potential so that we can be part of  a healing process.

This is a very exciting time for the Church and for the Cathedral  community. The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in our parish and  in the lives of parishioners and guests. Christianity is no longer a  spectator sport; indeed, it was never meant to be. Here are three  things you can do to be part of the mission focus at the  Cathedral.

Smile and make room in the pew.

Next weekend is Easter. There may be many people in the pews  who don’t often attend Mass. Instead of secretly resenting them  for taking “your” pew or making it difficult to find a parking place,  extend to them the love and mercy God has for you and all His  children by sitting in the middle of the pew so you are ready to  welcome and smile at those who will share it with you.

Attend Alpha and/or invite a friend to attend.

The next Alpha course is starting on June 10. Postcards are  available to help you extend an invitation. Alpha can help you  connect in a more intimate way with Christ and with the Christian  community. And Alpha is an essential tool for a mission-focused  parish. But it is only successful if parishioners become an  invitational engine.

Pray for help in discovering your own mission.

Your task as a missionary disciple is to proclaim and witness  Jesus Christ, and he has given you unique gifts to carry out that  mission. If you have not yet discovered how God has equipped  you, ask the Holy Spirit for enlightenment, understanding and  wisdom.

Cathedral will continue to offer ways for individuals to meet Jesus  and experience conversion. We are committed to growing  disciples and are interested in your ideas for how we can better  facilitate that. Please join us in asking for the Holy Spirit to inspire  us that we may discern and follow God’s glorious plan for our  parish.

 Vicki Compton is the Coordinator for Faith Formation and Mission  at the Cathedral. She can be reached at  [email protected].

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Liturgy

Sunday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Saturday Evening Vigil – 4:00PM
Sunday – 7:00AM, 10:00AM and 5:00PM

Weekday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM and 5:15PM
Saturday – 8:00AM

Reconciliation (Confessions)
Monday thru Friday – 4:15PM to 5:00PM
Saturday – 9:00AM to 10:00AM and 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Sunday – 4:00PM to 4:45PM

Adoration
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 4:00PM to 5:00PM

 

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Parish Information

Parish Address
524 East Lawrence Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62703

Parish Office Hours
Monday thru Thursday – 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Fridays – CLOSED

Parish Phone
(217) 522-3342

Parish Fax
(217) 210-0136

Parish Staff

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