St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church — June 2021

St. Francis Solanus

m o n t h l y n e w s l e tt e r

NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR Inside This Issue: 3

Redefining Love Through the Sacred Heart of Jesus

4 Coming Soon to

Our Parish:

Adopt-a-Seminarian Ministry Supporting

Seminarians on Their

Formation Journey 6 Technology Keeps Us

Connected to Our Faith:

There’s an App for That!

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Statue Will Honor the Impact and Legacy of Franciscans in Our Parish Community

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 1

COLIN MOORE

Looks Forward to FosteringYoung Disciples

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here’s something beautiful in discerning and finding our vocation. Whether it’s the religious life, marriage, or a specific career path, we all are called to something. Newly hired Youth Director Colin Moore feels a call to work in youth ministry.

“Any time I do anything ministry-related, people notice a sense of joy,” Colin says. “My parents have even pointed that out.

They believe it is something I should be doing. It’s something I have a passion for, and I’m hoping to do this for a New Youth Director Colin Moore long time.”

This youth director position is a new one at St. Francis Solanus, and Colin began here in February. He is hoping to build the program, called Ignite, to weekly sessions for the high school students and monthly sessions for junior high students. He is also hoping to take students to conferences like Steubenville and the National Catholic Youth Conference. continued on page 2

St. Francis Solanus New Youth Director Colin Moore Working with youth is familiar territory for Colin. He’s been involved with Quincy Notre Dame’s youth group program for many years — in fact, he runs the music ministry for the program, and he graduated from Quincy Notre Dame in 2017. This fall, Colin will return to Quincy University, where he has about three semesters remaining to graduate with a bachelor ’s degree in theology. He is currently taking classes from the University of Dayton for a catechesis certification.

“My goal is to increase fellowship among youth in our parish,” Colin says. “I want them to get to know each other better and develop relationships that are rooted in faith.”

Colin looks forward to starting regular Ignite meetings this coming fall. He credits the youth group at Quincy Notre Dame for helping lay a firm foundation of faith in his life. He believes that if youth have that firm foundation, they are likely to continue growing in faith as they go on to college and adulthood.

“Having been in high school within the last decade, I have a sense of what high school students are going through,” Colin says. “It’s very easy for high school students to get pulled in the wrong direction.”

Colin wants to be sure the youth know that Jesus is a loving and merciful God — He is there for us, no matter the circumstance.

“A relationship with God isn’t static — there’s no booming voice,” Colin says. “You should strive to be like Jesus and really have a

continued from front cover

Colin Moore with his family

relationship with Him.” The name for the program, Ignite, is taken from the Book of Acts — “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:3-4).

Like these verses, Colin wants to foster a group of disciples who are well-suited to go out and make more disciples. He wants the youth to know the power of the Holy Spirit.

In his free time, Colin enjoys watching and playing sports, playing guitar, and singing.

Colin is the second of four siblings to parents, Jon and Gen. His parents are parishioners at St. Peter ’s in Quincy.

Please be sure to watch the church bulletin this fall for information on the dates and times for Ignite.

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a l e tt e r f r o m o u r p a s t o r

Through the Dear Parishioners,

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Redefining Love

Sacred Heart of Jesus

ne of the great feasts of the Christian year will occur in June, but it is often overlooked. It doesn’t fall on a Sunday, and it isn’t a Holy Day of Obligation. I am referring to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which will be on June 11 this year. This wonderful feast provides a great way to begin the summer.

However, despite widespread devotion and many parish dedications to the Sacred Heart, many Catholics have only a vague idea of what it’s all about.

So, let me try to briefly fill in the picture.

Often, when we think of the heart, we think of it as the seat of our emotions and feelings. The heart is often contrasted with the mind, as though our God-given reason were somehow evil or, at best, second-rate.

But feelings come and go — we can’t really depend on our emotions to be reliable, steady guides.

However, when classical theology refers to the heart, it is considering an aspect of human life that goes beyond our feelings. It includes our will, where we make decisions. The heart can be considered the center of our personhood.

In explaining Christian teaching about human nature, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The spiritual tradition of the Church also emphasizes the heart, in the biblical sense of the depths of one’s being, where the person decides for or against God” (368).

It is common to mistakenly label love as an emotion. Love often includes feelings, but true love is more than that. Real love is a settled attitude that wants the best for the person being loved. That’s why the Church’s teaching usually uses the term “charity” — to distinguish the Christian virtue from the more superficial popular concept of love.

The Catechism tells us, “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment. By loving his own ‘to the end,’ he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive” (CCC, 1822-1823).

This sort of love, this charity — demonstrated by Jesus Christ and commanded to His followers — is no lightweight passing emotion. Feelings alone do not bring one to offer oneself to an agonizing death for the sake of someone else. No, that sort of sacrifice can only come from a considered and deliberate decision.

Although we sometimes forget that fact, Jesus is fully human as well as fully divine. So, His human heart was involved in His sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, simply put, devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us of the basic fact that God loves us. It was a costly love, the ultimate act of charity, to give His life on our behalf.

We know the kind of love Jesus has for us.

What kind of loving response are you going to make? How will that affect your use of your time, talent and treasure?

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Steven Arisman, Pastor 3

St. Francis Solanus COMING SOON TO OUR PARISH:

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s members of a Catholic faith community, praying for and supporting discernment to vocations is important, especially when it comes to our own diocese and parish. In fact, there are 16 seminarians from the Diocese of Springfield currently studying for the priesthood. Not only are these seminarians facing academic challenges, but they also are undergoing formation, a process when their faith, and their whole inner beings, are being shaped so they can best serve as our spiritual counselors, confessors, and leaders in faith. As they are undergoing this intense period of formation, they could certainly use a letter of encouragement, and even a birthday card, or package of cookies. They are, for the most part, young men.

Fr. Steven Arisman, our first diocesan priest, remembers what a seminarian’s life is like, and he is organizing a new ministry here at St. Francis Solanus — Adopt-a-Seminarian. While the details are still being worked out, the idea is to “adopt” one of the seminarians from our diocese, establish a connection with them through notes and cards,

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Adopt- a-

and send even the occasional care package.

The idea came from his former parish, in which the Knights of Columbus Council there had such an active ministry.

“The idea is different groups from the parish can adopt a different seminarian,” Fr. Arisman says. “They can write letters, send a birthday card, care package, or a Christmas gift. Mail means a lot to seminarians. And seminarians will write back.”

By establishing such a relationship, the seminarian will feel welcomed when he has the opportunity to visit the parish. He also knows that others are praying for him on his journey.

“Seminary is pretty tough, and sometimes it can be a winding road,” Fr. Arisman says. “They need support from the people of God to get through. In seminary, you study, but you also are being formed. Your formation has a whole team in charge of that. They all make you into the best vision of yourself. They also correct things in you so you can be the best spiritual reality you can be.”

The study is not a normal class, and seminarians face a different reality. They are challenged

-Seminarian M inistry

Supporting Seminarians on Their Formation Journey and corrected on everything, from personal hygiene to their manner of speaking.

“There are days when you feel, ‘I can’t do anything right,’” Fr. Arisman says.

However, it is on those days when our prayers can make a difference.

“There are days when out of the blue, you feel a burst of energy,” Fr. Arisman says. “You get a note in the mail or a box of cookies. Something happens, and for me, I thought ‘Someone is praying for me. I’m doing this for them and the Lord.’

When you have that connection to the people of God, it means a lot. The whole purpose of the

priesthood is to be in a parish with people. You need a connection to parish life. It really does mean the world to a seminarian.”

While letters and notes from adults are cherished, it is the notes from school children that really make an impact for a seminarian.

“They are hilarious and adorable,” Fr. Arisman says. “And some things they write are really profound. It lifts your spirits.”

Families can also “adopt” a seminarian. By doing so, it may mean that their children will come to better understand the priesthood — and perhaps consider discerning that vocation.

As the ministry is being formed, there will be announcements in the bulletin, as well as talks to our various parish groups. If you would like more information, please call the parish office at 217-222-2898.

An Important Note Regarding the Closure of College Street

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n February, Fr. Arisman started the process of requesting the Quincy City Council to close College Street between 18th and 17th. The purpose of the request was to improve the safety of our children when they go to or from church and school. It would also improve the safety and traffic flow of dropping off and picking up children for school. This will also unify our church campus.

The matter was discussed with neighbors and businesses, especially the Underbrink’s Bakery. Amy Stevens, the owner of the bakery, was very gracious in her support of the project, stating she understood the priority of safety for the children. Amy is a parishioner and past graduate of St. Francis Grade School.

The request was discussed and also supported by alderman Jeff Bergman and alderman Dave

Bauer, who gave their support for the project. It was taken to the city plan commission for approval, and they recommended the vacating of the street to the City Council.

On Monday, April 19, 2021, the City Council voted to approve the request. Plans are underway to install an island at 17th Street with signage of “no thru traffic,” bollards, and a gate just past the parking lot entrance that will be opened for Saturday and Sunday Mass providing diagonal parking from 17th St. A gate will allow an exit from College to 18th after Masses.

Additional plans are being made for the area.

We thank all who supported this project and put aside some personal preferences to be opposed to the project. So many came together to support this project for the good of our parish and most especially our school children. Working together has been a blessing.

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St. Francis Solanus

Technology Keeps Us Connected to Our Faith:

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There’s an App for That!

et the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.”

These words from Pope Francis weren’t delivered during a homily in St. Peter’s or in a speech from St. Peter’s Square — nor were they written in a papal bull or apostolic letter. Rather, they were delivered in an instant to millions of Catholics around the world through the pope’s very own Twitter account.

The technology of communication has perhaps changed more in the past century than in the previous 20 combined. And with these developments, the Catholic Church — led by our Holy Fathers, from Pope St. John Paul II through Pope Francis — strongly encourages that the faithful adopt and adapt these resources for the all-important task of spreading the Gospel throughout the whole world.

Just as St. Paul used every convenience at his disposal to spread the Gospel throughout the far reaches of the Roman empire, today’s evangelists are using every resource available to them. Examples of Catholic figures using the new media with great success abound.

Only a few months into his pontificate, Pope Francis took the Vatican’s social media efforts to a whole new level. In spring 2013, the Vatican released The Pope App, which featured quotes, news, images and videos of all the Holy Father’s latest doings. Having since been relaunched as the Vatican News App, it continues to offer the latest news and information from

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Pope Francis and the Holy See. Following the pope’s lead, bishops, priests and apologists have taken the technological gifts at their fingertips and are utilizing them to spread the Gospel throughout the world in a variety of ways.

One great example is Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, whose Word On Fire Ministry has produced wildly popular YouTube videos discussing everything from controversial Church teachings to movie reviews from a Catholic perspective. Word On Fire also released the critically acclaimed Catholicism DVD documentary series.

Independent Catholic bloggers and Web-based media are also widely established and provide their audiences and readership with Catholic news and cultural commentary.

Throughout America, parishes, Catholic schools, dioceses, and even the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are utilizing these tools as well, creating first-rate websites, maintaining Twitter and Facebook accounts, and more.

All of these resources are geared toward a wide variety of audiences, from the un-churched and fallen-away Catholics to active parishioners.

Being knowledgeable of the new media tools available to us as Catholics is a great way to be more effective in our universal call to evangelization. Take some time to see what media resources our parish and diocese are using, and be sure to pass them along to those in your sphere of influence!

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Statue Will Honor the Impact and Legacy of Franciscans in Our Parish Community

efore the Second Vatican Council, simplex priests spent a year at St. Francis Solanus, and each priest would celebrate the Mass each day. Fr. Steven Arisman estimates at least 50 Masses were celebrated daily for our faith community.

“How amazing is that!” Fr. Arisman says.

“There were multiple altars, and every day there were Masses throughout the entire day. That is what our parish has grown up on. The Franciscans have always been such a significant part of this community.”

Because of COVID-19, Fr. Arisman has felt that our faith community never had the opportunity to truly thank and celebrate the Franciscans following the transition last year from the parish being staffed by the Franciscans to the parish being staffed by the diocese.

“The parish has been staffed by the Franciscans for the entire life of the parish,” Fr. Arisman says.

“They helped found the parish, the parish grade school and the college. But when they didn’t have the vocations to continue staffing the parish, they relinquished the parish to the diocese to staff.”

While the biggest change is simply how the parish is staffed, Fr. Arisman believes the community is and will continue to be “Franciscan through and through.”

“My mentality is that the Franciscans are always welcome here, for our parish is founded on the Franciscans,” Fr. Arisman says. “The Franciscans have given us so much over the years. They gave us a parish that isn’t in debt, that is well maintained, and that is alive, strong and faithful. I feel like I’ve won the lottery!”

While contemplating how to commemorate the Franciscans, Fr. Arisman received a marketing email displaying a stunning statue of St. Francis as

The new statue of St. Francis, commemorating the work of the Franciscans in our community for the past 160 years

depicted at the foot of the cross embracing our Lord.

“I had been trying to figure out what we can do to commemorate the Franciscans,” Fr. Arisman says. “This statue is so beautiful. It’s substantial, and we need to do something substantial to commemorate the work of the Franciscans for the past 160 years.” continued on back cover 7

St. Francis Solanus 1721 College Avenue Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 222-2898 stfrancissolanus.com

Impact and Legacy of Franciscans in Our Parish Community continued from page 7

This hand-carved wooden statue, however, was expensive. St. Francis and Christ are approximately five feet tall, and the cross is approximately nine feet tall. It also needed to be shipped from Europe. Without shipping, it cost $24,000. Fr. Arisman asked for the support of the faith community.

“The amount was raised within two weeks, and that shows the love people have for the Franciscans,” Fr. Arisman says. “People were so supportive. We actually went over in our fundraising, which means we can use those additional funds for shipping costs.”

At this time, the plan is for the statue to be

placed in the entryway, but the final decision will be made after it arrives.

“The statue will be the first thing people will see when entering the church,” Fr. Arisman says.

The unveiling of the statue will take place on July 14, the Feast Day of St. Francis Solanus in the United States. All community members and Franciscans are welcome.

“Everywhere, we witness the lasting effects of the Franciscans on the community,” Fr. Arisman says. “This dedication and celebration will give us the opportunity to say a true ‘goodbye’ and a heartfelt ‘thank you.’”

If you would like more information about the new statue and celebrating the Franciscans, please reach out to the parish office at 217-222-2898. Also, be sure to refer to the bulletin for further details about the coming unveiling.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m. • Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. • T, W, Th 8:35 a.m. (school children only) • Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Confessions: Saturday 8:30 a.m., 3 - 4 p.m.

Holy Days of Obligation: Vigil 5:30 p.m.; Holy Day: 6:30 a.m., 8:35 a.m. on school days, 5:30 p.m.