Author: Amy Brinker

LENTEN COURSE IN PRAYER

January 31, 2023

Beginning the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday Chris Cotter will present, “Six Weeks to Deeper Prayer: A Lenten Journey with the Carmelite Saints.” The
purpose of this course is to help each participant deepen their relationship with God through a more intense life of prayer. The first meeting will be 10 AM Tuesday, February 21 in the Church Undercroft. To register for this six-week course please call the parish office at 937-653-1375. If you have questions call or text Chris at 937-508-9481.

From the Pastor: NE-1 Family of Parishes Name

January 28, 2023


Together with the Parish Councils of Champaign and Logan Counties, we have come to a strong consensus on the name for our Family of Parishes. We will be called the Mary, Queen of Angels Family of Parishes! Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions for our name. Since three of our churches are named after our Blessed Mother (Immaculate Conception, St. Mary, and St. Mary of the Woods), it seemed fitting to go with a Marian name. The reference to the angels incorporates St. Michael Church, as well as all the churches that say the prayer to St. Michael at the end of Mass.

There were many people who wanted the name ‘Our Lady of Fatima,’ but this name was taken by another family of parishes very early in the process. However, the title ‘Mary, Queen of Angels’ connects with the angel of Fatima.

I personally think ‘Mary, Queen of Angels’ is a beautiful title that reveals the high honor in which Mary is held, even in Heaven. As one parishioner pointed out, I had an image of Our Lady of the Angels on my ordination card. We are blessed to have such a powerful intercessor for our family of parishes!

Champaign County Parish Council

January 24, 2023

After collecting nominations from parishioners, our new Champaign County Parish Council has been formed! We had our first meeting on January 10th . I am excited to have a council comprised of leaders representing all four churches that have a love for the Catholic Church and a desire to work together cooperatively to strengthen our churches and the family of parishes as a whole.

The Parish Council is an advisory group to the pastor that helps to bring feedback and ideas from parishioners to guide his decisions. The representatives also will help with communication from the pastor back to parishioners. With six parishes in the family, I will rely on parish council members to help with communication. We now have one parish council for Logan County and one parish council for Champaign County. In the future, we will look at cooperation between the councils so we have a forum to discuss issues pertaining to the family of parishes as a whole in addition to a forum to address issues specific to each county.

I encourage you to become familiar with the Parish Council representatives and feel free to discuss ideas and suggestions for the future with them.

Parish Council Members: Allan Baker, Gideon Day, Kevin Day, Beth Diehl, Gary Edwards, Teresa Hill, Melissa Miller, Mark Navarre, John Schipfer, Dan Shinton, Elle Spinner, Ethan Snyder.

2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)

January 9, 2023


It is time to kick off the 2023 Catholic Ministries
Appeal throughout the archdiocese! More than
anyone in the world, the Catholic Church teaches,
feeds, and heals. In our local community, this happens
through the Catholic Ministries Appeal.
Also, If we exceed our parish goal for the CMA, 50%
of our over-goal stays right here in our parish.
Please prayerfully consider supporting this year’s
CMA. For more information or to donate online,
please visit CatholicAOC.org/CMA. Thank you!

Parish Contributions

Parishioners from any of the Champaign County Parishes who wish to receive a statement of parish contributions for the year 2022 for tax filing purposes should call the parish office before January 25, 2023. Statements will be mailed out at the end of January, 2023

Novena in Memory of of Pope Benedict XVI

January 5, 2023

Please join us in praying the Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

The Secretariat for Divine Worship of the USCCB has posted the novena for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI https://www.usccb.org/novena-pope-benedict-xvi. It is available as a PDF download. The prayers are appropriate for a period of mourning and should begin on the day of the funeral – today, Thursday, Jan. 5. They will conclude on Friday, Jan. 13.

Behind the Scenes at Mass

November 30, 2022

BEHIND THE SCENES AT MASS

An Advent Exploration of our

Holy Spaces and Practices

Join us for a four-week deep-dive into the behind-the-scenes aspects of our Holy Catholic Church and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

As the outside world puts more and more pressure on us to shop and party our way through the “Holiday Season,” we will be slowing down, taking a deep breath, and celebrating Advent, with an eye toward the coming of Christ Jesus. There will be no “homework.”

Learn about the Sacred spaces and practices that you likely have never seen or noticed, the reasons behind so many of the things that take place in the Church, and the numerous hands that carry out the necessary preparations for our  Sacred Liturgy.

Sessions are in the undercroft at St. Mary Church.

Sessions continue on December 5, 12, and 19, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., and will include time in the church and time in the undercroft, along with seasonal snacks and beverages. Sessions will end by 8:00 p.m.

CHURCH WEEK AT RURAL KING

April 5, 2022

Our organization has registered with Rural King’s Church Week! WHAT TO DO | Shop at any Rural King store or online at www.ruralking.com April 7-20, 2022. Submit receipts to www.ruralking.com/churchweek. Receipts must be dated April 7-20, 2022 and be submitted to the website by May 6, 2022. Once the event has ended, 10% of each valid and qualifying Rural King receipt’s total (after sales tax) will be donated to the registered Christian organization chosen by YOU!