Please consider joining †Bishop Paprocki at the ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ Prayer Rally for Religious Freedom at the Lincoln Statue on the grounds of the Illinois State Capital in Springfield on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 12:00 Noon. The prayer rally will be 30-45 minutes only.

Reflection for Day One

In the opening chapter of Declaration on Religious Liberty, the Council Fathers at Vatican II forthrightly declared that “the human person has a right to religious freedom.” This right is founded upon the intrinsic dignity of the human person. From God’s revelation we know that the dignity of human beings resides in their being created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:27). Like God we are intelligent beings with free will. Because of this we can know the truth and perform God-like actions, such as being loving, kind, forgiving, etc. Reason itself, in knowing what a human being is, confirms that we possess a dignity and worth that exceeds the rest of creation and that cannot be violated, but rather needs to be protected and fostered. What human beings believe concerning God is of supreme importance. Religious belief lies at the very center of who we are in relation to what is most central and cherished in our lives. Therefore, the Council insists that the religious convictions of individuals or groups should never be coerced but must be held freely, protected by a civil constitutional right. What challenges to religious liberty do you see within our contemporary world? When the Council says that religious liberty must be upheld “within due limits,” what would fall outside of “due limits”? What religious belief would seriously offend the moral order or a just law?

It’s Kirchenfest time!  We have Kirchen Crew shirts are available for purchase at the rectory.

We are still in need of some Stand Chairman.  Please contact us to find out where you can help!

It is never too early to start collecting prizes for IDOODIT!  Drop them off at the rectory, or look for the box in the back of church.  Thank you!

If you are interested in helping out with the Kirchenfest, please contact one of our chairs listed below.  We truly appreciate your help and volunteerism. Thank you.

General Chairman:   Annie Lutostanski-Thomae   618-363-7479

Food Chairman: Steve Kessmann    618-781-7490

Games Chairman:   Brad Scott          618-791-2832

Distribution Chairman:   Blake Kohlbrecher    618-210-5850

OR REACH US BY EMAIL:

Annie Lutostanski-Thomae:   annie_luto@yahoo.com

Steve Kessmann:   stevekessmann@hotmail.com

Brad Scott:   Brad.Scott@edwardjones.com

Blake Kohlbrecher:   Blake.kohlbrecher@crownimportsllc.com