Author: Sister Noe

Learn about who we are

Need a coloague of old parish pictures here.

Church of the Little Flower is blessed to be able to minister to around 1,100 Catholic families, almost 3,000 parishioners. We serve the southeast corner of Springfield.
Brief History of Little Flower Parish In 1946, the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois notified Reverend Raymond O'Connor, who was then the Chaplain of St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, to begin to build temporary quarters for the new Church of the Little Flower. In 1947, the "Quonset Church" was erected. This new type of pre-fab building was a result of the limited supply of building materials from the just ended World War II. This "temporary" home for the church lasted until 1963, when construction of the new church was completed.
The most obvious need of the young parish family (during the first twenty years of the parish, 2,300 baptisms were performed, whereas burials were less than 200) was to build a permanent school. The first school section was completed in 1948 with five rooms for K-8 grades, offices and a cafeteria.
The plans and design for the new church were created with input from the parish family that came together in the intimacy of the "Quonset Church." Interestingly, the construction of the new church was finished before Vatican Council II but marked the beginning of bringing people closer to the altar and making participation in the liturgy more personal and meaningful.
The sanctuary ceramic mosaic mural is an artistic presentation of the Good Shepherd and His flock. Created by artist Robert Harmon, it is composed of over 4,000 pieces of ceramic tile, individually shaped, tinted, fired and made composite. The sheep represent all nations, races and peoples. A lost sheep is draped over the shoulders of Christ.
Harmon also designed the main window of the church devoted to St. Therese, the Little Flower. The glass is from Germany with the primary colors and stains of glass so variegated by firing, it produces more than a thousand tints and hues. The placement of the window is such that it is seen by worshiper as they are leaving the church. Its placement is purposeful because, according to Father O'Connor, "beauty like grace should reward the searcher."
The First Mass was offered on Sunday, June 30, 1963, the same day as the coronation of His Holiness, Pope Paul VI.

Mass Times
Saturday Mass 4:30 P.M. Vigil
Sunday Masses 7:45 A.M. & 10:00 A.M.
Monday No Mass
Tue., Thu., & Fri. Mass*
7:00 A.M. *Unless otherwise noted in bulletin.
Wednesday 8:15 A.M. School Mass—all are welcome.
Holy Days 8:15 A.M. and 5:30 P.M.
Reconciliation
Saturday 3:30—4:30 P.M.
And anytime by appointment.
Adoration
Thursday 7:30 A.M.—4:00 P.M.

Bulletins

Stay connected to all that’s happening at Church of the Little Flower. To view a recent church bulletin, find the date you are looking for and click the download button to the right.

Parish Calendar
Click Below

littlefloweroffice2@gmail.com

Stay Connected with Church of the Little Flower Parish

Introducing myParish Mobile App
Stay in touch with us — all on the go with our new, mobile phone app!
Dive deeper into your faith with daily mass readings, confession and mass reminders, popular Catholic prayers, access to messages and events, and so much more!
It couldn’t be easier with this first-of-its-kind mobile app designed for iOS and Android devices. The myParish App will truly engage and connect you through the simple tap of a button with our parish life and the faith.
MyParish is a premium Catholic parish app that helps improve parish communication and outreach while offering the features that parishioners enjoy in a good app.
With that said, you can see that anyone who has not downloaded this app needs to do so right away. You can find the download at https://myparishapp.com/.
Once downloaded select Church of the Little Flower in Springfield, IL and follow the directions. Please say yes to “reminders”.
Any questions please call the parish office at 217-529-1606.
https://myparishapp.com
Download Today!

Protection God’s Children

A safe environment protects our children from harm, including sexual abuse and child molestation. It allows them to feel confident and secure in the classroom and at church.
How the Diocese of Springfield Is Responding
The Diocese has instituted several policies towards that goal. These include:
A code of conduct for employees and volunteers who work with children and youth, is outlined in the Policy Against Sexual Misconduct for Lay Employees and Volunteers. This code makes clear what acceptable behavior is and the standards of conduct regarding sexual abuse and harassment.
A code of conduct for clergy and religious leaders who work with children and youth, outlined in the Policy Against Sexual Misconduct for Clergy and Religious Personnel. This code makes clear what acceptable behavior is and the standards of conduct regarding sexual abuse and harassment.
Background checks on all adults who have regular and consistent contact with minors.
Special training programs for all adults who work with minors, including priests, ministers, educators, church personnel, parents and volunteers. They are briefed on preventing, identifying, responding to and reporting child abuse.
PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN TRAINING
Follow the link to find the nearest upcoming training session.
https://www.dio.org/safeenvironment/scheduled-training.html

E-Giving

LITTLE FLOWER E-GIVING
Welcome to E-Giving at Little Flower! Your weekly contributions can now be made through our E-Giving program. Your contribution will be transferred conveniently per your choosing each month from your checking or savings account directly to the church. You may indicate which dates, how often, the dollar amount, and the type of contribution you would like to give.
As a participant of the program, you are still free to make additional contributions by check or cash. You may continue to place an additional offering in the weekly collection basket for the various Diocesan collections.
A record of each contribution will appear on your monthly bank statement (you will also receive an e-mail receipt). In addition, we will continue to record and report to you all of your giving, regardless of the method, on the giving statements the church provides.
Here's how to start the Little Flower E-Giving program . . .
1) If you would like to use the electronic giving service, then you may sign-up online by clicking the line below here to start. Click here to contribute online
OR
2) If you do not want to use the electronic giving service, then you may download the paper enrollment form and return the filled out form to the Church office in a sealed envelope.
Click here for paper enrollment form
Still have questions? Visit our E-Giving FAQ for the answers.

Saint TheresÉ OF THE CHILD JESUS - OF Lisieux (Little Flower)
Feast Day October 1

From obscurity as a young, idealistic Carmelite, Thérèse of Lisieux has emerged as one of the best-loved saints. Her simplicity attracts us because she puts holiness within our reach.
Thérèse was the daughter of Louis and Zélie Martin. When she was four years old, her pleasant childhood was interrupted by Zélie’s untimely death. Then Thérèse’s older sister, Pauline, took responsibility for raising her in the faith. In 1882, Pauline entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux, igniting a desire in Thérèse to do the same. Thérèse’s fourteenth year was pivotal. Her sister, Mary, joined Pauline at the convent. And at Christmas, the young saint had an experience she described as her “conversion.” Later, in A Story of a Soul, her autobiography, Thérèse described it as a release from depression and oversensitivity: “Jesus flooded the darkness of my soul with torrents of light. I got back for good the strength of soul lost when I was four and a half.

Love filled my heart, I forgot myself, and henceforth I was happy.” In spite of Thérèse’s youth, the next year the bishop allowed her to become a Carmelite at Lisieux.
From childhood Thérèse aspired to become a missionary and a martyr. It soon became clear to her, however, that neither option was open to a cloistered nun. So she sought the Holy Spirit and searched the Scripture for another way to excel:
We live in an age of inventions. We need no longer climb laboriously up flights of stairs. And I am determined to find an elevator to carry me to Jesus, for I was too small to climb the steep stairs of perfection. So I sought in Holy Scripture some idea of what this lift I wanted would be, and I read, “Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (see Luke 8:16). I also wanted to know how God would deal with a “little one,” so I searched and found: “You shall be carried in her arms and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her son. . . .” (Isaiah 66:12–13 NAB) It is your arms, Jesus, which are the elevator to carry me to heaven. So there is no need for me to grow up. In fact: just the opposite: I must become less and less.
In 1897, Thérèse thought her dream of becoming a missionary was about to come true. The Carmelites at Hanoi in Indochina, now Vietnam, had invited her to join them. But on the early morning of Good Friday she began to hemorrhage from the mouth. She had contracted tuberculosis, which tortured her for several months before it took her life on September 30, 1897. Source: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/saints/

Sacraments

The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. For more information on the Sacraments at Little Flower please follow the links below.
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Reconciliation
Matrimony
Anointing of the Sick
Holy Orders

Each to be hyperlinked

Baptism

Infant Baptisms
Parents of children are required to attend a Baptism Class prior to setting a date for the baptism of their child and contact the parish office at least three months prior to the Baptism of their child. Our Baptism Prep Classes are held every two months.

We encourage parents and godparents to attend the class BEFORE your child is born. These classes are offered every two months. If you have attended a Baptism class at Church of the Little Flower within the last 3 years, this requirement is waived.
We also require that the parents and godparents be living their faith, coming to Mass regularly, etc. Further we ask that the parents and godparents participate in a Baptismal class which teaches about their responsibilities for raising their child in the Catholic faith.
Other Requirements: When a child or an adult is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent. It is customary for children to have two godparents. When there are two, one must be male and the other female.
At Least One Godparent must: (a) Be Catholic (b) Have been baptized, confirmed and have received First Communion (c) Be 16 or older (d) Be an active, registered member of a Roman Catholic parish
This means that they must be practicing the faith. In general, if a potential sponsor is not a member of the parish where the baptism is to take place, he or she must obtain a letter or certificate from their own parish which affirms that they meet the above requirements.
The role of the godparent is to assist the parents and the child in living a Catholic life. In order to do so, the sponsor needs to provide good example of living that life. The role of godparent is a role of service done in the name of the Church, and the person who is a sponsor should be capable of performing that service.
If there is one godparent, the appointment of one ‘Christian witness’ to the baptism ceremony is allowed. This witness must be a baptized, practicing Christian.
If you have other specific questions regarding godparents, please call the parish office at 217-529-1606.

Baptism

Children Baptisms for Ages 7 through 14: We request that both the parents and the children to be Baptized participate together in the Children’s Catechumenate (RCIA adapted for children) process for un-baptized children of ages 7 through 14. Please contact the Coordinator of Faith Formation at the parish office for further information. Age 7 is considered the age of reason and after age 14 is old enough for them to attend the adult RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285
Contact the parish office 217-529-1606.

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

We offer preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist, celebrated together, for students who are both in the Little Flower School and in PSR.
Pease Contact the parish office 217-529-1606.

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/index.cfm

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “And all this is from God, who has given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/sacraments/reconciliation/an-examination-of-conscience

The Little Flower Finance Council meets monthly to chart the financial course of the parish. The minutes of those meetings will be made available for download here.
November 15, 2018
October 18, 2018
September 27, 2018
September 21, 2017
May 11, 2017
March 16, 2017
February 16, 2017
March 17, 2016
February 18, 2016
January 21, 2016
January 5, 2016
November 2015
October 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
Finance Council Other
Financial Review 2015
Financial Review 2007
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print PDF files. Please visit www.adobe.com for this free download if you don't already have it installed on your PC.

Server Schedule - Sat/Sun
Server Schedule - Weekdays
Youth from 5th grade thru high school are permitted and encouraged to join the server ministry and serve at all liturgical and other church services. For more information on how to become a server please contact the Church Office at 529-1606.

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Contact the Parish Office at 217-529-1606

CHRISTIAN INITIATION Christian Initiation offers separate programs designed for adults and children wishing to enter the Catholic faith. By sharing and discussing issues with others, they become part of a welcoming faith community.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR PRESHOOLERS On Sunday mornings during 10 a.m. Mass, a preschool religious education program for 3 and 5 years old children is available. Fee charged.
SMALL FAITH COMMUNITIES We have various small faith-sharing communities who meet regularly in individual homes or other locales. To learn more about such groups please contact the Parish Office.
A Small Faith Community
Is a group of ordinary people helping each other connect their life and faith ex- periences.
Is to be a gathering for spiritual growth in a social setting.
Is a means to discuss meaningful questions in a non-threatening way.
Is a way to form a group that will become a community of Christian support for one another and for the Church.
Is not a group where one is teacher and others learners; all are learners.
Is not a spiritual exercise group, though spiritual growth often occurs.
Is not a Bible study group, though the Sunday readings are often used to help people look at their lives.
Is not ever meant to be judgmental or preachy.
Is not a splinter group of the parish but a firmly committed, fully connected branch.

I hope you will join our diverse and dynamic community as we walk together and enrich our faith lives. Your suggestions for upcoming studies and events are always welcome, and my door is always open!
Blessings to all,
Sister Linda

Coming Up…
This fall, September 10, 2019, we will begin a book study on The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis. We will be asking everyone to be on their own in purchasing the book. It is available right now at Amazon.com at a super discounted price for the hardbound copy. $3.99 plus $3.80 shipping (unless you have Amazon Prime—then there is no shipping fee). Check with your friends—many people have Amazon Prime, you could order together.
Keep watch here for more information.

At Home and Online Faith Formation Resources
Please consider taking advantage of the diocesan partnership with the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation sponsored by the University of Dayton. Take any 8 week online course in faith formation (graded or not graded) at an extremely discounted rate. The Diocese of Joliet subsidizes this opportunity so that as many of our parishioners as possible can take courses at their own convenience. Topics include biblical studies, Church history, sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, Marianist studies, Evangelii Gaudium, Islam, ministry, and so many others! Follow this link to learn more: https://vlcff.udayton.edu

Artist Rendering
Site Plan
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Little Flower Parish has a large number of clubs and organizations which make up our parish community.
LITURGICAL ORGANIZATIONS
These groups assist at the Liturgies at Little Flower on the weekends and on Holy Days.
SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS
There are sports group for grade school children and for high school young adults.
PRAYER ORGANIZATIONS
There are several groups who gather for several different types of prayer.
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
These organizations work to give back to the community at large.
LITTLE FLOWER CLUBS
There are organizations for both men and women and for the over 55-ers.
If you are interested in learning more about any of the organizations at Little Flower please contact the Church Office.

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