From the Desk of the D.R.E.: Prayer and the Eucharist

This weekend, one theme of the readings is prayer. The most powerful prayer is the Holy Mass. The U. S. Bishops are giving us a time of National Eucharistic Revival to enter more deeply into the Mystery of the Eucharist, lasting from Corpus Christi 2022 to Pentecost 2025. This year my focus for PSR, my visits to St. Francis School and homeschool families, and learning for teachers and catechists will be on prayer and the Eucharist.

Our parish pays for your FORMED.org subscription (out of our DRE/YM budget) because YOUR faith formation is important, too! Check out their “Eucharistic Revival” category of videos. Here’s how to make an account if you haven’t yet: Visit FORMED.org. Click “Sign Up.” Select “I belong to a Parish or Organization.” Type in “St. Francis Solanus.” Then click on “St. Francis Solanus” from the list. Enter your name and email—and you’re in! Available on your web browser, iOS, Android TVOS, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV.

Please share the information below with a young family you know: neighbor, coworker, relative... maybe one who doesn’t have a church family yet or is away from the Catholic Church.

Dear Neighbor,

Your child(ren) is (are) invited to join St. Francis Solanus School or St. Francis Solanus Parish School of Religion (P.S.R.)! Are you looking for a school that inspires faith, knowledge, and service with high academic and behavioral standards, and a strong focus on Catholic identity? Contact St. Francis Solanus School for more information, 217-222-4077, stfrancissolanus.com/school/.

Are you a public or homeschooling family who wants your children to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ and the Church family He founded? Would you devote Monday evenings 6:00-7:15 p.m. to giving your children forever gifts?: prayer; gratitude; community; self-gift, knowing that it is good that they exist and that they are called to great things, solid thinking, courteous dialogue, real questioning, patient listening, growth in reflection on the big questions. Contact the Parish Office at 217-222-2898 or registration packets will be in the back of church in August.

After God’s grace, the most important resource we have is the people who give their prayer and witness as teachers. Faith is caught, more than taught! New this year, to explore the beauty and relevance of our Catholic faith, I am adding tools to their toolbox: the Revealed and Rooted mini-series, by Ruah Woods—classical and based on the work of Pope St. John Paul II. To learn hands-on, I am purchasing a child-sized Mass kit and we are being gifted child-sized priestly vestments. I have also scheduled child-sized visits to Adoration. Adoration will be during PSR and open to the parish: September 26, October 24, November 28, January 23, February 27, March 27 and April 24. For first graders the first time, child-sized Adoration visits may mean two minutes—and that’s ok! Habits start small and grow! Jesus loves each of us and longs for us to come to Him!

“And they were bringing children to Him, that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it He was indignant, and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’” (St. Mark 10:13-14)

Peace and All Good,
Liz Alonzo, Director of Religious Education
[email protected]