Labor Day; Surveys; Masses of Welcome; A Lincoln Event

Every year, the bishops of the United States make a Labor Day statement, reminding us of the rights of workers in the economic system.  Read this year's statement at usccb.org, search term "Labor Day."

Again I encourage Sangamon County residents to complete the surveys regarding a rural transportation service.  Surveys may be picked up and deposited at the entrance of St. Mary's Church (above the missal storage area).  

The "Mass of Welcome" for Bishop Paprocki in the Jacksonville Deanery (in which Sacred Heart, Visitation BVM, and St. Sebastian are found) takes place this Wednesday, September 8, at 7:00 pm at St. John's in Carrollton.  The parallel event for the Springfield Deanery (St. Mary's is in this deanery) takes place Tuesday, September 28, at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph's in Chatham.  The liturgy planners for this event are asking that a St. Mary's parishioner act as a giftbearer for this Mass.  Please let me know if you are interested in serving in this role.

Two UIS professors will speak on "Lincoln and Race" at the Brookens Auditorium of UIS on Thursday, October 7, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.  I am active with an anti-racism team of the Illinois Conference of Churches, and I consider it vital to be aware of racial issues, because such awareness is an extremely important form of self-knowledge.