Fr. Joseph has set up a new Facebook page.  It is called
 Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception Church.
  He is posting daily reflections and hopefully, soon,
he will post mass video’s as well.

A Message from the Apostolic Nuncio

Financial Support to our Parishes

Dear Parishioners,

We are facing a tough and challenging moment during this time and we pray that God will soon come to to our aid.  Please do not forget your parish at this time.  Your financial support remains an integral part of parish life and the continued operation of our parishes,  We encourage you to continue ot give your talents, treasures and offerings at this difficult time.  We encourage you to use online giving, mail, or drop them off at the parish office.  Thank you for your generosity.  You are in our prayers.

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Church Envelope Drop off Boxes

           Due to the current situation, we have placed secure drop off boxes at each parish.  These are boxes that look like a white mailbox.  Lift the lid and  place your envelope in the slot.  These locked boxes will be checked daily to ensure the safety of your contributions.  And as always, you may mail your contributions to 17 N. Walnut St., Du Quoin or 533 W. 2nd North St., Tamaroa.

           At Sacred Heart the box is located by the Sacristy door  in the back of the church – if you drive into the parking lot, look for the box which will be facing the rectory.  

At Immaculate Conception the box is located on the porch by the office.  

Thank you for your continued support during this unusual time.  We pray you and your family and friends are all staying well. 

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Resources to us during the Corona Virus

• Watch a televised Celebration of the Eucharist together.

—– EWTN:  https://www.ewtn.com
—– (common link to cable channels is:  https://www.ewtn.com/channel-finder
—– Catholic TV:  https://www.catholictv.org
—– Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire, posts a daily celebration of the Eucharist at 7:15AM. 
—– It can be viewed at any time.  https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

• Encourage families to be creative in supporting the faith of their children while at home, e.g., teaching them new prayers, reading and talking about Bible stories. Pray over the readings of the day or the liturgy of the hours.

• Daily Eucharist Scripture Readings and Prayers:

—– http://www.usccb.org

• Magnificat:

—– https://us.magnificat.net/free
—– https://latina/magnificat.net/gratis

• Liturgy of the Hours:

—– https://universalis.com/index.htm
—– https://www.ibreviary.org/en
—– https://www.ebreviary.com
—– https://ebreviary.com/ebreviary/ebreviary.nsf/prayersforeveryone.html

Please find daily reflections for the week under the link: “From the Desk of Fr. Joseph”
(found below under WEB links)

Sunday- April 5, 2020 – Daily Reflection

“Speak to the Weary of Heart”

The month of April will be a time of trials and tribulations as we confront the unknowns of the days ahead. There are going to be sunny and gloomy days before us, but this should not rob us of the joy of trusting in God. Days are coming when the only appropriate prayer will be a cry for mercy and help: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (PS 22:2). One thing that is certain is that our help is in the Lord, both now and forever (IS 50:4-7).

How wonderful it would be when we empty ourselves of things that make us rebellious against God, foolishly turning our hearts away from him (IS 50:4-7). Humility and obedience before the Lord enable us to approach the table of sacrifice on bended knees (Phil 2:6-11), witnessing that Jesus is the King and Champion, the one who comes to set us free from the yoke of death. He was crucified for our sake; his suffering and death brings healing and freedom from the power of sin.

As we continue to face the cross of the coronavirus, each person may find strength in this cry: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Ps 22:2). The truth is that God has not abandoned us. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, he speaks clearly and directly to the hearts of the weary as the one who comes to help the lost and who wipes away every tear of sin.

Let us not betray the Son of God, who loved us to the point of death on a cross. He is more valuable to us than gold and silver. Let us keep watch and join in prayer, saying together: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: yet not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:14-54). But how many will stay awake and watchful in prayer with the Lord in the hour of need?

Fr. Joseph Oganda

to
Sacred Heart Parish of Du Quoin, Illinois – Founded In 1857
and
Immaculate Conception Parish of Tamaroa, Illinois – Founded in 1904

~ FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT ~
March 29, 2020

We hope your stay in our area is pleasant and enjoyable .
We pray for your safety on your return travel back home.

DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS,
SACRED HEART HAS MADE DECISIONS TO:
(as of 3/16/2020)

Cancel the Lenten Fish Fries for the rest of this Lenten season, postpone the Bible Reading Relay until further notice, cancel RCIA until further notice and cancel PSR for this Wednesday evening.  Please watch here for continuing information.

News from Bishop Braxton:

A message from our new Bishop:

Please Pray For . . .

Nursing Home: Lynn Finn, Connie Horst, Liz Van Zandt, Shirley Forys, Marie Dubravek, Sally Fontana, Rosalea Prusacki, Anna Roberts.

Sick: Josh Ritter, Linda Meyer, Juanita Ray, Loretta Schneider, Norma Martin, John Dale, Crystal Hurt, Jim Getzie, Joan Kowalski, Terry Chastain, Joann Isom, Mary Iffert, James Feger, Gordon Huffman, Rev. Msgr. Ken Schaefer, Rev. Joseph Rascher, Richard Wayman, Kyle Crawford, Chris Kelley, Larry Hutson, Nina Gaines, Charlie Bowlin, Helen Mossa, Jo Ellen Rodely, Christine Hutson, Gary Brock,Karen May, Shelia Teriet, Regina Huite, Richard Martin.

Military Personnel: Col. Aaron S. Cowley, SSgt. Jordan Keller, MGSgt (ret.) Thomas D. Sims, Sgt. Derek S. Sims, ITS1(SS/AW) John Kelley, SSgt. Patrick Kelley, SPC Mark Yanez, PV2 Jared Albers, Lt. Col. Carly Sims , Lt. Col. Cory Jones, Sgt. 1st. Cl. Caleb VanVoorhis, SSgt Tyler Jeffers, Lance Cpl. Drew Ferguson, Petty Ofc. 3rd Class Clayton Wyciskalla, Lance Corporal Noah Mabry U.S.M.C., Major Andrew Martin, USAF Airman E-1 Hunter Hill.

Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion:

Please pray for our:
Candidates & Catechumen – Blake Furlow, Ron Porter, Heather Riley, and David Sheehan who will be joining the Church at the Easter vigil.

Also please pray for our students who are receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. Confirmation will be held at St. Bruno on Monday, April 20th at 6:30 pm. First Communion will be held on Sunday, April 19th at the 8:30 am Sacred Heart mass. Confirmation class – Grayson Benson, Addison Galbraith, Sydnay Galbraith, Rileigh Harris, Hannah Kelley, Karsen Konkel, Auna McClure, Olivia Numi, Ellie Searby, and Anna Rose Sheehan. 
First Communion class – Ethan Elder, Sophie Kellerman, Mason Kern, Carrigan Kremer, Owen May, Tripp Pfeiffer, and Harrison Still.

Please continue to pray for Tony Kellerman during his second year of studies of the five year program in the Deacon Formation Program

Groups News:

March 2 – JOY Cursillo
March 9 – Cornett Family
March 16 – Patty & Allen
March 23 – Deb M. & Diana D.
March 30 – Heidi & Doris

2020 Lenten Fish Fry – Cancelled

Due to the current pandemic situation, the rest of the Lenten Fish Fry’s will be cancelled. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped in any way. We look forward to seeing you in 2021!

New Funeral Dinner Committee

We have a new Funeral Dinner Committee. Parishioners will be called for making food dishes and working. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help or contribute any time, please call:

Theresa Swain: 775-934-6366
Patty Reaves: 618-542-6895
Rita Riggio: 618-571-2132
Barb Craft: 618-571-4562
Cyrilla Prusacki: 618-542-3422

Next PSR Classes – Cancelled until further notice

High school youth news…

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA classes- cancelled until further notice.

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). USCCB.org. Do you know someone who is seeking a relationship with Christ the Savior? Someone who has fallen away from their faith and is searching for more? Don’t be afraid to ask them to Come & See what RCIA is all about. Classes will be beginning this September. Call the rectory if you would like to see what the Holy Spirit has in store for you!!

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Is one of your favorite times to be in Church when it’s quiet and you are alone with your thoughts to the Lord? Then why not come and enjoy that feeling of warmth and love a couple of times a month and join Eucharistic Adoration held at Sacred Heart Church? You can pray, just talk to God or just simply listen to what He has to tell you.

Many have asked why we have a schedule of Adorers. It is because once the Body of Christ is placed into the Monstrance and it is displayed on the altar, it cannot be left alone. Anyone can come at anytime, stay as long as they wish. We are, however, looking for someone to fill a couple of hours during our Adoration time. If you are interested in participating in this devotion please call Lisa Mohr @ 542-4635. God Bless You.

News For This Week:

MASS INTENTIONS

When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each celebration of the Eucharist for a particular person, or intention. By doing so he applies special graces from God upon that person or intention.

Would you like to offer a mass for someone special? If so, please contact Kelly at the office (Thursday 496-5867 or any other day 542-3423). Mass intentions are $10 per person.

BIBLE READING RELAY…. Postponed until future notice
READ THE WHOLE BIBLE IN ONE HOUR!!

Exciting news! You can help read the bible in one hour! On Sunday, —–???—– we will gather at Haffner Hall and together read the Bible in one hour. Sound like fun? Don’t worry, you won’t have to do it alone- it will be a team activity. In order to read the whole Bible in one hour, we need 300 people, with each person reading five chapters. Please sign up, bring your friends and family members – you don’t have to be Catholic. Everyone is welcome! The goal is to unite and read the word of God and share the Good News! Please sign up at the entrance of the church on the sign up sheets. Please bring your Bible.

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PARISH NOTES:

1. Baptism – During or after weekend Masses by appointment. Must be a registered member and attend baptismal preparation session.

2. Marriage – You must notify the Pastor at least six months prior to preferred wedding date. The sooner the better, since it will give you more time to prepare. This is a diocesan rule. Please do not consider yourself an exception.

3. Reconciliation – See Mass schedule or anytime by appointment.

4. 2019 Parish Council: President: Jeremy Cornett;
Vice President: Gary Brock; Secretary: Betty Eastman
Members: Margie Born, Tony Jones, Joe Lane, Sam Loiacono, Debbie Olinger
Trustees: David Martin and Kathy Scaglione

5. Social Justice Collection – benefit the Food Pantry, Weekend Warriors, Community Clothes Closet, and Sister Parish will be taken up the first Sunday of every month. Please give generously.

6. Family Registration: Please inform the rectory of changes you may have, example: adult children that have moved away from parent’s home, address change, phone number change (removal of house phone), cell phone added or a name change (married). This would be most helpful to ensure ALL parishioners can be included in our Church Family functions. You may call the rectory 542-3423 or place changes in the collection basket. Family Registration may also be picked up in the foyer.

7. Parish Priest and Ministers of the care visit those who are homebound, nursing home residents and hospital patients. If you or someone you know would like a visit please contact the rectory 542-3423.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Every other Wednesday
7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sacred Heart Church

Praying to the Lord! What a beautiful feeling that brings to your life!
If you would like to experience this feeling – come enjoy Eucharistic Adoration!