Blessed Sacrament Parish welcomes new residents and visitors. It is wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist

with you. If you are new to the parish, please call the office to register.

Parish of the Blessed Sacrament Ascension of the Lord May 24, 2020

PASTOR: Father Jeffery Grant Parochial Vicar Father Ron Lorilla Deacon David Erdmann Deacon Tom Burns

PARISH OFFICE: Phone: (217) 528-7521 Fax: (217) 528-3137 Website: www.bsps.org

SCHOOL OFFICE: 748 West Laurel Phone: (217) 522-7534 Fax: (217) 522-7542 ww.bssbruins.org

Office Manager: Margaret Antenan

School Finance Manager: Laura Horton

Parish Finance Manager: Lisa Sarnowski

Principal: Dawn Klinner

School Administrative Asst: Nancy Evans

School Secretary: Michele Hinds-Greenwood

Music Director: Jane Hartman Irwin

Parish School of Religion: Call the Parish Office to register

Development Director: Kim Hoffmann

Maintenance Manager: Ed VonDeBur

Bulletin Submissions: Margaret Antenan Email: mantenan@bsps.org

Dear Parishioners:

Ascension of the Lord

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, January 25 Confessions before Mass 8:00 AM Roberta & John Beall

Tuesday, January 26

Confessions before Mass

8:20 AM Poor Souls’ Shrine

Wednesday, January 27

Confessions before Mass

8:00 AM Intention of the Belz Family

5:30PM Prayer Service

Thursday, January 28

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Patrick Elchleep

Friday, January 29

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Marita Child

Saturday, January 30 8:00AM Michael & Nora Dovonan (Latin Mass) 3:00-4:00PM - Confessions 4:30 PM Jack & Kenneth Leahy

Sunday, January 31– Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:00 AM Arlene & Pat Stapleton

8:30 AM Intentions of our Parishioners

10:30 AM George & Marguarite Hughes

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Our priests will use these Mass intentions in the Private Daily Mass that they are saying.

Monday, May 25

Tom Schmidt John & Patricia Natterman

Tuesday, May 26

Dorothy Maul

James “Mac” Graham

Wednesday, May 27

Diane Galli

Poor Souls Shrine

Thursday, May 28

Marty Fahey

Poor Souls Shrine

Friday, May 29

Fritzie Belz

Poor Souls Shrine

Saturday, May 30

Poor Souls Shrine

3:00-4:00PM Confession

Dean Galli

Sunday, May 31-Pentecost Sunday

Anna Eleydiath

Intentions of our Parishioners

Wayne Phillip Mooris

Confessions will be heard Monday– Friday Noon-1pm & Saturday 3-4pm in the Adoration Chapel

Dear Parishioners, Communion Returns. This past Sunday we began a process of resuming public worship by holding communion services throughout the diocese. It is the first step that will eventually lead to the opening of churches for Mass. Here at Blessed Sacrament we offered communion from 9:30 to 10:30 am and again from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Despite the rain, we had around 240 people come to receive communion. Everyone brought masks and observed the rules of social distancing. Ushers were in place to help direct traffic and hand out umbrellas while people waited for their turn. They approached the entrance to the school in small groups where they were greeted by the priest and led in a short prayer service. They received communion and closed with a prayer and blessing. It took about five minutes. Another group then approached and the service was repeated. For the most part everything seemed to run smoothly. We plan to do it the same way this coming weekend. The times will remain the same (9:30 am to 10:30 am and 11:30 am to 12:30pm.) My hope is that in a few weeks we will be able to attend Mass in the church. I know that most of us certainly look forward to that time. Sometimes we don’t know what we have until it is no longer there. Celebration of Mass, reception of the sacraments are things that too many of us took for granted. Suddenly they were not there and many began to realize something important was missing. This loss even brought some to tears. I remember the same thing when I was at the refugee camp in Africa. Because of violence and unrest, many had not been able to attend Mass or receive sacraments for quite some time. When they could finally go again, their response was not anger, but tears of joy. Maybe this pandemic will give us a new appreciation of what Jesus has given us. Jesus is not something we can take when we decide we want him. He is a gift. We neither deserve nor earn him. Letting Jesus control our lives can give us a new way of living in a world that we cannot control. It gives us a destination. It gives us someone to trust. If we find ourselves angry and upset at the things we cannot control, now would be the time to renew that surrender to Christ. As the church struggles to get back to “normal”, this would be a good time to re-examine the treasures of our faith. Do we appreciate the word of God and listen to it regularly? Do we cherish the sacraments and receive them frequently? Do we see the needs of others and respond generously? For these are gifts from God to bring us peace of heart. The day may come when we are unable to find these gifts. Instead we will see unhappiness, frustration, and anger. Please don’t wait until then. It may be too late. Now is the time to seek God’s peace. The Feast of the Ascension. This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. After spending many days with his disciples after his resurrection, Jesus returned to his father in heaven. Yet, he did not abandon them. He sent the Holy Spirit to let them know he was still in their midst. He still does the same today. Do we see the Lord in our midst? Fr. Jeff

Here is what Blessed Sacrament is doing to allow you to practice your faith as fully as possible during this crisis.

First of all, there will be no public masses until further notice. Everyone has a dispensation from the weekly obligation to attend Mass. There will be no daily Masses for the public. Mass at Blessed Sacrament can be viewed online - there will be a link on the website. We will tape the Saturday evening Mass "Sine Populo" (without people) and it will be available on Sunday morning. You can make a spiritual communion. You can also call the parish for all other spiritual and sacramental needs.

The parish is not closed - questions can be directed to the parish office at 217-528-7521. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.

Adoration Chapel will remain open and you are encouraged to come and pray. The public hours will remain 5 AM to 10 PM. Please remember that the Chapel is for private prayer. We ask that you not pray out loud or in a way that distracts another person trying to pray privately.

Holy water is available in the dispenser in the chapel. Please bring your own container to take it home. If you are taking large amounts, please see one of the priests to have them bless your water. We will be offering confessions in the confessional off the chapel, every day, Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 PM and Saturday 3-4pm Confessionals are being sanitized daily.

Visit the parish website at www.bsps.org. This is the best way to know what is going on in the parish.

The parish depends on your stewardship and generosity in order to bring sacraments and spiritual services to you. With everything severely curtailed, our finances have suffered. Please remember to mail in your contribution or donate on line, This will help us meet our obligations. Call the parish office to sign up for ACH (automatic contributions).

A donation to H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People in Emergencies), formerly known as St. Vincent de Paul, will let our parish reach out to our many parishioners who are also suffering financially from this crisis

96th Annual Garden Party - We are so disappointed to cancel this year's June 10 Garden party as a result of social distancing guidelines. As this event approaches its 100th birthday, we thank all of those volunteers who have worked so hard to support this oldest of our parish events. We will definitely be back! In the meantime, we look forward to opportunities to gather as a parish family in the future. Blessed Sacrament School is looking for a middle grades teacher, a Spanish teacher, and multiple classroom aide positions for the 2020-2021 school year. Applicants should send a resume and completed certified (for teachers) or non certified (for aides) school staff application to Dawn Klinner, Blessed Sacrament School, 748 W. Laurel, Springfield, IL 62704 or email klinner@bssbruins.org. More information can be found on our school website www.bssbruins.org. Keep in touch with Blessed Sacrament via email and text! During these days of "virtual" church, it's more important than ever to stay in the loop with our texts and e-newsletter. Sign up on our website www.bsps.org and scroll down to "Receive electronic messages" on the right side of the page or send an email to Lsarnowski@bsps.org with your cell number and email address and we'll sign you up.

Along with other area schools, we are sad to announce that the BSS Vacation Bible School this summer is cancelled. Due to the current community conditions and restrictions, we are unable to safely hold an event at school this summer, and the virtual options did not meet our needs at this time. We are determined that this is not the end of cherished tradition, so we all will look forward to the next vacation bible school in the summer of 2021! All are welcome to participate in our virtual Mass Visit our website at www.bsps.org and click on "Watch Mass" to go directly to the Blessed Sacrament video link. Please join us...

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION WILL

TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF MASS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 24TH

Hours for the Reception of Communion are:

SUNDAY 9:30-10:30AM

11:30AM-12:30PM

Please enter the north end of the parking lot on Walnut Street and exit the South end on Walnut

Please wear a mask.

Sunday, May 24, 2020 Page 3

OUR PARISH

Please pray for our Recently Departed: Patrick O’Shea

Congratulations to our Recently Baptized: Benjamin Douglas Johnson, son of Ross & Julie Johnson Colby Donald Fanning, son of Timothy & Sarah Fanning

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

MAY 25-29

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

8:00am-8:20am No Public Masses

THURSDAY-FRIDAY No Public Masses

Saturday, May 30, 4:30PM

NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 31, 7:00AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 31, 8:30 AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers: Sunday, May 31 , 10:30AM NO PUBLIC MASS Lector: Servers: Eucharistic Ministers:

ADORATION HOURS: “Nowhere on earth are you more welcomed, Nowhere on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta) For further information please email Karen Senger at senger@bssbruins.org.

Sunday 1am Tuesday 2am Friday 11am Sunday 2am Tuesday 3am Friday 10pm Sunday 3am Tuesday 6am Saturday 1am Sunday 1pm Wednesday 4pm Saturday 2am Monday 1am Friday 1am Saturday 10am Monday 2am Friday 2am Saturday 11am Monday 3am Friday 3am Tuesday 1am Friday 4am Friday 7am

Page 4 Ascension of he Lord

Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line

Call the Parish Office 528-7521 Please pray for the intention of :

Lucy Wallner, Jimmie Hill, Robert Farris, Amber, Vernon Spiedger, Terri Burwitz, Rita, Ron, Owen Doak, Kayte, Denise S, Christopher Morgan, Dave, Betty, Ed Pauley, Steve, Hannah Clark, Peter Schofield, Ginny Schofield, Amy Gatewood family, Monica Larch, Austin Fields, Larry Theise, Gwen Bramlet, Richard Judd, John M, Louie Rago, Gwinn, John, Claire, Mary, Ray Roland, Josette, Danielle Loftus, Kitty, Susan, Cindy, Barbara Schuh, Ruth Pohlman, Annie, Barb, Tony, Kurt C, Eric, Lois & Jim Burton, Tom VonBerg, Donna Fitts, Ellen White, Barbara, Rose, Archer Senft, Suzie Culters, Tom J., Judy, Doug, Beth, Camden Spinner, Cindi, Andy Kates, Dave, Sandy H, Jim C., Jason Baird, Jen, Family of Gretchen Hornickle Harrison, Joyln Jensen, Jack Rhinehart, Dorothy Willenborg, Tom, Barry McCollom Tyra Redpath, Steve Kinsella, Destiny Renfro James, Clarita DeLargy, Steve, Karen, Steve, Miles Fifer, Maureen, Charlie Adams, Julie, Bill, Mary Coffey, Craig DeLargy, Brian Meredith, Destiny Jane, Katie Bronken, Cheryl, Fonda, Kristen, Tia, Jeff K., Laura M, Sue, Dave, Leo, Betty, Elizabeth Handrich, Melissa, Mary Jane Harshbarger, Troy, Sharon S, Laura Black James G., Anna Chougry, March, Charlotte, Don Egan, Shandi Chrysler, Andy, Donald Cole, Dave, Leo, Emily Amy, Gloria, Susan McCain, Ray Shaw, Jeanette, Kevin Henry, Gary, Laurie, Gary Bartels, Don John, Dale, Peggy Cadigan, Sarah & Everett O’Connor, Mary, Rocky Tom Acker, Caleb Cross, Callie, Marlene Keldermans, Jeannie Marie Gorman, Dcn. Ben Hoefler, Colleen, Edna Kienzler, Denny McDaniels, Terry Jordan, Janet Ketchum, Michael Mauch, Steve Bartels, Bette Atteberry, William Burkey, Barb Hansen, Helen Rhinehart, Edward, Diana Schumacher, Melissa Brown, Mary, Beverly Rago, Sharon O’Brien. Jim & Cynthia Novello, Becky Wood, Denise Cindy Ramirez, Tod Pierce, Bertha S, Daniel, Janet Nelch, Kim, Bobby, Kathy, Janet Keating, Nicky, Nick, Ben & Monique Gaston, M. Blazis, John P. Steil. Sarah Bice

ACSA (Annual Catholic Services Appeal) Our Parish Assessment $99,544.00 Pledged to the Diocese $53,920.30 Amount Remaining $45,623.70 14% of our parishioners (175 families) have contributed to date ————————————————————————- Project Rachel can help women and men heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 698-4456 Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting & Investigation 321-1155

Parish Collection Target Amount $23,500.00 Sunday, May 10 $17,952.00

STEWARDSHIP (Time / Talent /Treasure)

In the Spirit of Giving

Sunday, May 24, 2020 Page 5