Saint Patrick’s Church Girard
Rev. James Palakudy, S.A.C., Pastor
Christ the King The 34th Sunday
Nov 22nd, 2020
Our Tri Parish Units
Saint Patrick’s Parish Office Cindy Dorner, secretary
(217) 299-3007
745 W Center Girard, IL 62640
For Parishioner Hall rental call: Phone: (217) 299-3007 Mon – Thurs
9:30am -12:00 Mailing Address
P.O. Box 105 Girard, IL. 62640
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.stpatgirard.com
Sacred Heart Parish Office
Marcella Rosier, secretary (217) 965-4545
722 North Springfield Street Virden, IL. 62690
E-mail: [email protected] Web page for Masses www.sacredheartvirden.com
St. Benedict Church (Holy Cross Parish) Donna Kuenstler & Lola Caruthers, secretaries (217) 438-622 P.O. Box 168 Auburn, IL 62615 E-mail: [email protected] Rev. James Palakudy, pastor
Contact Information Rev. James Palakudy, Pastor Office Phone: (217) 438-6222
Rectory Phone: (217) 438-6196\ Deacon Rick Schnetzler
Cell Phone: (217) 971-5125 E-mail: [email protected]
Artificial Intelligence: We pray the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind.
FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR: St. Patrick’s, P.S.R.:
Terri Joslin, coordinator Phone: (217) 416-4271
BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE: Please contact the parish office. For marriage, please
contact the parish office at least six months in advance.
DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE:
Child abuse reporting and investigation number (217) 321-1155
ANOINTING OF THE SICK/HOME VISITS: If you or a loved one is in need of this sacrament or in
need of a visit and Holy Communion, please contact Fr. James
THE SACRAMENT OF PENNANCE Confessions are heard beginning thirty minutes
prior to the weekend Masses ant at 5:30 on Tuesdays. Appointments may also be made.
RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (R.C.I.A) If you are a non-Catholic and are interested in being
Baptized or you are a Baptized Christian and are interested in coming into full communion with the
Church, please contact Fr. James or Dcn. Rick.
MASS SCHEDULES/INTENTIONS
Saturday (Vigil) Nov 21 4:00 pm Girard For deceased Kights of Columbus members
(Virden Council 2321)
Saturday Nov 21 5:30 pm Auburn Joe & Dory Maley (Ron & Barb Maley)
Sunday Nov 22 8:15 am Auburn Joe & Margaret Bartolazzi Lary & Bob Bartolazzi)
Sunday Nov 22 10:15 am Virden Elsie Venverthloh ( Catherine Murphy)
Monday Nov 23 No/Mass Auburn
Tuesday Nov 24 6:00 pm Auburn Andrew “Drew” Keown ( Larry & Lori Bobell)
Wednesday Turkey Day
Nov 25 7:30 am Virden Living & Deceased of the Linda Carter Family (Linda Carter)
Thursday Nov 26 7:15 am Virden Margaret Bartolozzi (Joe Maynerich)
Friday Nov 27 No/Mass Auburn
Saturday (Vigil) Nov 28 4:00 pm Girard Gerry Neff (Kenneth & Andrea Ferro Violet)
Saturday Nov 28 5:30 pm Auburn Ryken Bailey (Caruthers Family)
Sunday Nov 29 8:15 am Auburn Beverly Hemberger (David & Susan Dixon)
Sunday Nov 29 10:15 am Virden Living & Deceased of the Jim & Pat Allen Family (Jim
Allen)
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Sat Nov 21 Sat Nov 28
Server: Not at this time Server: Not at this time
Server: Not at this time Server: Not at this time
Reader: Mike Walter Reader: Mike Walter
E.M.H.C: Vanessa Reinhart & Kim Eldridge E.M.H.C: Vanessa Reinhart & Kim Eldridge
Ushers: Not at this time Ushers: Not at this time
Our Finance council members are Annette Cole, Kris Eldridge, Bill Hart, George Hart, Taurie Jones, Terri Joslin,
Tom Reinhart, Diane Rogers, Amy Smith, Jim Walker, and Mike Walter. Any concerns or Ideas please let them know. Our meetings are the second Thursday of each month unless otherwise announced, at 7pm.
WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Bishop-Approved Capt. Camp (1 On Line) $ 100.00
Camp for Justice & Hope (3 envelopes) (1 envelope On-Line)
$ 75.00
General Fund (16 envelopes) ( 7 Online) $ 1,160.00
Immac. Conception (1 envelope On-Line) $ 30.00
TOTAL $ 1,365.00
Capital Campaign 2020
As of Nov 14 $ 100.00
Now Total $ 6,140.00
From the Diocese
Six Grows to Nine. We get the start of the Corporal Works of
Mercy in Matthew 25. Two more are added over time. Pope
Francis adds one more. These are the behaviors by which each
will be judged – actions toward others are, in fact, done for and to
God. What we think is important. What we may say is also
important. But what we do is key, is more important. Here is the
list: Corporal Works of Mercy ¨ Feed the hungry ¨ Give drink
to the thirsty ¨ Shelter the homeless ¨ Clothe the naked ¨ Visit the
sick ¨ Visit the prisoners ¨ Bury the dead ¨ Give alms to the poor ¨
Care of our Common Home.
Who does not have enough that I will feed?
Whom will I welcome?
How will I be responsible for the earth?
The Annual Collection for the Diocesan Campaign for Justice and Hope (DCJH) will be the weekend of November 21-
22. It will be held in all parish churches in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. This is our opportunity to help our
neighbors in our own communities. 100% of the money collected stays LOCALLY! Approximately 159,000 people live
below the poverty line in our diocese. The collection is one way we can be a good Samaritan to those among us that are
hungry, lack proper shelter, require clothing and/or need assistance finding employment. There is a DCJH envelope in
your November box. If you miss the opportunity to help through your parish collection, you can still contribute in several
ways:
By mail: Catholic Pastoral Center, Pro-Life Activities & Special Ministries, attn. DCJH, 1615 W. Washington St.,
Springfield, IL, 62702.
Online: with a credit card by going to www.dio.org/dcjh
The pain and sorrow of a past abortion need not endure for a lifetime. Call Project Rachel for a confidential, non-
judgmental referral to those who can help: 1-877-RACHEL-5.
Be Not Afraid to PRAY BIG! We currently have 16 seminarians, which is great! But wouldn’t 40 be better?? YES!!! We
invite you to pray a Hail Mary EVERY DAY at 4:40 for our diocese to have 40 seminarians. 4:40 for 40 Seminarians!
What are you afraid of? - Most people would agree we are living in fearful times. We invite you
to not ignore the fear or succumb to it, but rather to invite Jesus into your fears so that they can be
overcome. Visit benotafraid.dio.org to explore and experience your fears and find resources so you
can have peace, hope, and courage.
Respect Life
“I do not believe the promises of the Declaration of Independence are just for the strong, the independent, the healthy.
They are for everyone-including unborn children.”
George W. Bush
St. Patrick General
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
www.stpatgirard.com online giving is now available!!!You can setup for weekly contributions, or make
it a monthly contribution. Also the Capital Campaign is online and so are utilities. It’s easy just go to
our website and click on Donate here, and follow the instructions or come and see me “Cindy” and I
will help you out.
We will be passing out our new missals starting this week.
We would like everyone to send us your phone number. You can call 217-299-3007, text or call me at
217-710-5909, or by e-mail. Not everyone is getting the prayer chain, some numbers may have
changed. This is to update our records. Thank you.
If you are planning to attend our Christmas Celebration you must call in and be put on a list.
Donations for Christmas Flowers will be accepted. Remember to say who they are for.
The Sacraments with Bishop Robert Barron – Matrimony & Holy Orders The sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders are fundamentally about mission. Though differing in scope and nature, both are critical to the life of the Church and, indeed, the world. In the eyes of God, it is not merely the individual, but rather the married couple, who are the primary foundation of human society. Those who receive the sacrament of Marriage do not simply express a romantic inclination to each other, but also testify to their belief that God has called them to this love and entrusted it to them as their primary mission in life. While marriage itself is a sign of God’s love, there is even a more mysterious sign. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, men are conformed in their very souls to the person of Christ. This identity is not meant to serve the recipient of the sacrament as a source of self-aggrandizement, but instead is meant to serve the mission of the Church. From the earliest day, the Church has seen fit that priests should live as Jesus did, in single-minded devotion to God and to the Church, so when people see and come to know the priest, they might see and come to know Christ. The last session Matrimony & Holy Orders, part of The Sacraments DVD series with Bishop Robert Barron, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22, 6:30 pm at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Virden. In conjunction with the DVD series, we will explore the doctrines of each sacrament as beautifully defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
In light of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's announcement that the State will enter into Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions, I know many of you have had questions on our plan going forward. Please find attached the document titled, Illinois Tier 3 Restrictions & Emerging Data Regarding COVID-19: Guidance for Parishes and Schools of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. This document answers questions concerning Masses, Sacraments, Funeral Liturgies, schools, faith formation programs, social gatherings, and staff issues. We hope this is helpful for you as you work with your parish councils, school leadership, and COVID 19 Parish Response Teams. We ask that you and your response teams, which you formed back in June during your reopening certifications, review the materials at https://www.dio.org/parishreopeningplan
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, as well as our Chancellor and General Counsel Jim Bock. Katie Price and Father Daren Zehnle can also help with questions concerning the guidelines in relation to Parish Life and Hospitality (Katie) or the Liturgy and Sacraments (Father Zehnle). Erin Danaher is also available for any questions concerning staff or general employment issues in light of the new State guidelines.
With prayers and gratitude for all you do,
Msgr. Hoefler
Rev. Msgr. David J. Hoefler
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Catholic Pastoral Center
1615 W. Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62702-4757
(217)698-8500
Illinois Tier 3 Restrictions & Emerging Data Regarding COVID-19: Guidance for Parishes and Schools
of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Tier 3 COVID-19
restrictions Nov. 17, which take effect Nov. 20 across the state. While the restrictions impact many
businesses, sports, and meetings, there are no new restrictions being imposed on schools or religious
services. Nonetheless, information from local health systems, county health departments, and the
Illinois Department of Public Health indicate that COVID-19 case volumes are significantly higher
than in the spring, when the first restrictions were implemented in Illinois. This increase in cases and
hospitalizations is beginning to challenge health care capacity in some areas. Thus, it is important to
remind the faithful of our parishes and families of our schools about the importance of our safety
protocols. To date, these measures have worked effectively, and, after many months of successful
implementation of our safety protocols, we have not seen any evidence of “hot spots” associated with
Mass attendance or in-person school attendance. Our protocols are working and we need to ensure that
we continue to take them seriously. In light of this new information, below are some additional points
of guidance for parishes and schools: Masses, Sacraments, and Funeral Liturgies can still occur using
current safety measures which follow the Illinois Department of Public Health’s guidance for religious
services. This means our churches can still offer Mass to the public, continuing to limit capacity to 25%
and practicing safety measures such as mask wearing, safe distancing, and roping off every other pew.
Offering other Sacraments can also continue using those same safety measures. While the Tier 3
restrictions announced Nov. 17 by the Governor include that “funerals are limited to 10 family
members of the decedents, not including staff,” it is our understanding that this refers to secular funeral
gatherings and funeral homes, however, a Mass of Christian Burial comes under religious liberty/First
Amendment protections and the IDPH Worship Guidance. Therefore, parishes in the Diocese of
Springfield in Illinois can still offer funeral liturgies, provided the aforementioned safety measures are
used. We should remind the faithful of the ongoing dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation. We
should also remind the faithful that anyone who is sick, awaiting a test result, or who has been recently
exposed to someone with COVID should remain at home. Schools were not included in the Tier 3
restrictions announced on November 17th. Schools in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois can
continue to operate with in-classroom learning using the current safety measures in place. This includes
mask wearing, safe distancing, cleaning procedures, and quarantine procedures. Schools should
continue to closely monitor the health and safety of their school community and make operational
decisions based on their own situation. If school leaders determine it is best for students to learn
remotely due to the number of COVID-19 cases, operational challenges associated with mandatory
quarantines, and/or other specific conditions in the local community, then the Diocese of Springfield in
Illinois will support that decision. Faith formation programs, including PSR and RCIA, may continue
to meet while practicing safety measures such as mask wearing, safe distancing, and appropriate
cleaning precautions. Parish leaders may implement electronic/remote formation programs. Social
gatherings, celebrations, and special events should follow the Tier 3 guidelines, limiting in-person
groups to 10 or fewer people and seeking to avoid unnecessary meetings and events. Meetings of parish
organizations should be held electronically. Staff may be allowed to work remotely if their position
allows. Be flexible with your staff while still providing all essential functions for the parish and school.
As stated, please refer to local health guidance, including city guidance, to review your workplace
guidelines and safety protocols.
Extended Penance Hours Saturday, December 12
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. St. Patrick Church, Girard
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
Sunday, December 13
7:45 - 8:10 a.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Sacred Heart Church, Virden
Saint Patrick’s Parish (Including Masses at area churches:
Sacred Heart, Virden & Holy Cross, Auburn)
Come Home For Christmas 2020
Upcoming Holy Day Schedule Immaculate Conception, Monday, December 7
6:30 p.m. St. Patrick Church, Girard
Immaculate Conception, Tues., December 8
7:00 a.m. Sacred Heart Church, Virden
6:00 p.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
Mary, Mother of God, Thurs., December 31
4:00 p.m. St. Patrick Church, Girard
5:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Church, Virden
Mary, Mother of God, Friday, January 1st
9:00 a.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
Christmas Mass Schedule Thursday, December 24th
4:00 p.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
(Overflow will be available at
Holy Cross Parish Center)
4:00 p.m. St. Patrick Church, Girard With
Father Teddy
5:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Church, Virden
Friday, December 25th
8:00 a.m. St. Benedict Church, Auburn
9:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Church, Virden