During the Easter Season, my mind is often drawn to the Holy Spirit… I suspect this is because the daily Mass readings are taken from the Acts of the Apostles – and the Holy Spirit is the protagonist of the Acts of the Apostles; and of course, this season leads up to Pentecost.
When we are trying to understand the Church (and frankly our own lives, as Catholics), it’s necessary to understand and think about the Holy Spirit. After all, the entire life of the Church depends on the work of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is often the least understood Person of the Trinity.
On the one hand, this shows us a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Holy Spirit… If you want to know more about the Holy Spirit, start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Fr. Mike Schmitt’s “Catechism in a Year” is a helpful resource).
But there’s more to the Holy Spirit than just information, because He is a “who,” not a “what,” and the key to truly knowing Him is through relationship not only study. Like any relationship, it’s not an abstract or undefined thing. We develop our connection with Him by the Sacraments (especially Baptism and Confirmation), and it is through our daily prayer (which maintains and deepens what the Sacraments begin).
But what does it look like to pray to the Holy Spirit in prayer? There are number of ways to pray with the Holy Spirit (as you likely know), but here’s one method that I have found helpful and life giving, it has two parts…
1. Look up the Litany of the Holy Spirit, and pray through the litany
a. It goes through many of the titles of the Holy Spirit asking for His help.
2. Notice if any of these titles catches your attention…
a. If a particular one stands out to you, just return to it and take a bit of time to realize what brought your attention there.
b. It may be because it’s new to you, or perhaps it hits on a nerve (so to speak), either way it has your attention so it’s good to spend a bit of time with what has your attention.
All these titles of the Holy Spirit help to give insight into who He is, and what He does in our lives and within the Church throughout history. And hopefully, praying with these titles opens our hearts to Him in a new and more vulnerable way, so that He can heal, purify, sanctify, and renew us by His presence.
When we are trying to understand the Church (and frankly our own lives, as Catholics), it’s necessary to understand and think about the Holy Spirit. After all, the entire life of the Church depends on the work of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is often the least understood Person of the Trinity.
On the one hand, this shows us a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Holy Spirit… If you want to know more about the Holy Spirit, start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Fr. Mike Schmitt’s “Catechism in a Year” is a helpful resource).
But there’s more to the Holy Spirit than just information, because He is a “who,” not a “what,” and the key to truly knowing Him is through relationship not only study. Like any relationship, it’s not an abstract or undefined thing. We develop our connection with Him by the Sacraments (especially Baptism and Confirmation), and it is through our daily prayer (which maintains and deepens what the Sacraments begin).
But what does it look like to pray to the Holy Spirit in prayer? There are number of ways to pray with the Holy Spirit (as you likely know), but here’s one method that I have found helpful and life giving, it has two parts…
1. Look up the Litany of the Holy Spirit, and pray through the litany
a. It goes through many of the titles of the Holy Spirit asking for His help.
2. Notice if any of these titles catches your attention…
a. If a particular one stands out to you, just return to it and take a bit of time to realize what brought your attention there.
b. It may be because it’s new to you, or perhaps it hits on a nerve (so to speak), either way it has your attention so it’s good to spend a bit of time with what has your attention.
All these titles of the Holy Spirit help to give insight into who He is, and what He does in our lives and within the Church throughout history. And hopefully, praying with these titles opens our hearts to Him in a new and more vulnerable way, so that He can heal, purify, sanctify, and renew us by His presence.
Father Kehoe
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Next week...
Thursday, April 30 Daily Mass will be at 8:15am but will NOT be a school Mass
Friday, May 1 Daily Mass will be the School May Crowning and will begin at 8:15am
Thursday, April 30 Daily Mass will be at 8:15am but will NOT be a school Mass
Friday, May 1 Daily Mass will be the School May Crowning and will begin at 8:15am
School Families: Purchase your school supplies from EPI and save 40% and raise $$ for B.S.S.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the recent parish survey. We are truly grateful for your thoughtful responses and the care you showed in sharing your ideas, feedback, and hopes for our parish community. The Parish Council has begun reviewing all responses and is prayerfully considering the insights you’ve provided. Your comments play an important role in shaping future plans, activities, and communications within our parish.We appreciate your participation and your commitment to our parish. More updates will be shared as the review process continues
Join us on the evenings of June 23rd & 24th for family fun, food, and nostalgia at our 98th Annual Garden Party!
Reminisce on times past when a classic carnival theme intertwined with our faith community.
There will be something for everyone, including an evening of carnival rides, fair food, games, face painting, and live music!
Bring the whole family to celebrate our wonderful parish and school.
Reminisce on times past when a classic carnival theme intertwined with our faith community.
There will be something for everyone, including an evening of carnival rides, fair food, games, face painting, and live music!
Bring the whole family to celebrate our wonderful parish and school.
The Novena for the Mother of Eucharist and Grace on each first Sunday of each month in the church will be May 3 at 2:45-3:40, Everyone is encouraged to attend
Call Rose Amon at 217 926 2976 for any questions.
Call Rose Amon at 217 926 2976 for any questions.
Mark your calendars! Vacation Bible School will return to Blessed Sacrament this summer. Join us June 22—26, 2026 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. All children entering Preschool through Fifth Grade are invited to join us for VBS.
We are so exited to bring Summer Camp back to Blessed Sacrament School! Families can enroll for the whole summer (June 1 through July 31) or for individual weeks. This program is for students entering Preschool through students entering 5th grade in the 2026-2027 school year. Summer camp includes fun field trips, nutritional morning and afternoon snacks and theme weeks. Don’t forget! Vacation Bible School will take place June 22—26 and will be incorporated in to our Summer Camp curriculum. Camp hours are 7:45am to 5:00pm daily.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Hockey with Paprocki 2026 Fundraiser
Hockey with Paprocki 2026 Fundraiser
“The Holy Goalie,” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will be returning to the ice and defending the goal to benefit Catholic Charities Legal Services (CCLS) program during the upcoming Hockey with Paprocki fundraiser. This event will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. at the Nelson Center Ice Rink located at 1601 N 5th St in Springfield. Tickets can be purchased online for $10 or $15 at the door. Catholic School student ticket price is $5. Advanced tickets may be purchased at:https://cc.dio.org/events/hockey-pap.
Would you prefer to read the actual bulletin online? Click on the button to the right for a virtual copy of this week's bulletin.
Become a Bruin Buddy!
Educating our youth has always been our greatest mission. If you've got some extra time and wish to get involved with kids, we encourage you to consider becoming a Bruin Buddy, sharing your time and unique talents with our school community. Whether you read stories, help in the lunchroom, check out books in the library, or share a special skill, your involvement – no matter how big or small – will make a difference and deepen our school and parish bonds. Volunteer applications can be downloaded below and returned to the school or parish offices.
Educating our youth has always been our greatest mission. If you've got some extra time and wish to get involved with kids, we encourage you to consider becoming a Bruin Buddy, sharing your time and unique talents with our school community. Whether you read stories, help in the lunchroom, check out books in the library, or share a special skill, your involvement – no matter how big or small – will make a difference and deepen our school and parish bonds. Volunteer applications can be downloaded below and returned to the school or parish offices.
From other parishes...
Attention all seniors...Senior Social
You are invited to Senior Socials, a monthly event connecting area Catholic seniors . Come meet other retired/senior citizens for an afternoon of games, cards, conversation and snacks. Bring a game you want to play or play one of ours. Hope to see you on Wednesday, May 20, 3:00pm-5:00pm in the Cathedral Atrium.
You are invited to Senior Socials, a monthly event connecting area Catholic seniors . Come meet other retired/senior citizens for an afternoon of games, cards, conversation and snacks. Bring a game you want to play or play one of ours. Hope to see you on Wednesday, May 20, 3:00pm-5:00pm in the Cathedral Atrium.
Blessed Sacrament will be offering VBS for kids ages Preschool through 5th grade in June, 2026 - but what about OLDER kids?
Sign up your child for Totus Tuus, popular weeklong summer program and will be held at other parishes in Springfield. Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, praying the Rosary, attending Mass, and praying at eucharistic adoration. The program inspires in young people a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and an openness to their vocation.
Teams of missionaries, comprised of college-aged students and several diocesan seminarians, will travel to a different parish each week, hosting the five-day catechetical program for grades 1-12. The week is filled with faith, fun, and friendship. There are messy games and crazy skits, in addition to daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, learning the Sacraments, and going to Mass. The missionaries also provide a witness to being an authentic disciple of Christ. The popular program sees hundreds of children participate every year in the diocese.
Note, grades 7-12 are from Sunday-Thursday each week and the program is in the evenings. For grades 1-6, the program is Monday-Friday each week and starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon. Families will receive the specific start and end times later this spring through the parish communications.
June 14 – June 19
St. Katharine Drexel, Springfield
July 12 – July 17
Christ the King, Springfield
Sign up by going to dio.org/totus-tuus-camper-registration
Sign up your child for Totus Tuus, popular weeklong summer program and will be held at other parishes in Springfield. Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, praying the Rosary, attending Mass, and praying at eucharistic adoration. The program inspires in young people a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and an openness to their vocation.
Teams of missionaries, comprised of college-aged students and several diocesan seminarians, will travel to a different parish each week, hosting the five-day catechetical program for grades 1-12. The week is filled with faith, fun, and friendship. There are messy games and crazy skits, in addition to daily prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, learning the Sacraments, and going to Mass. The missionaries also provide a witness to being an authentic disciple of Christ. The popular program sees hundreds of children participate every year in the diocese.
Note, grades 7-12 are from Sunday-Thursday each week and the program is in the evenings. For grades 1-6, the program is Monday-Friday each week and starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon. Families will receive the specific start and end times later this spring through the parish communications.
June 14 – June 19
St. Katharine Drexel, Springfield
July 12 – July 17
Christ the King, Springfield
Sign up by going to dio.org/totus-tuus-camper-registration
Women of all Parishes are invited to attend!
Springfield Deanery Council of Catholic Women Spring Meeting
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9:00am
at Christ the King Parish (CTK), Springfield, Roesch Hall, 1930 Barberry Drive.
Deadline to RSVP May 4th.
Questions? Deb Pilapil, President SDCCW, 217-361-7165 Guest Speaker: Mr. Jarid Brown, Executive Director of the Washington Street Mission (WSM)
Springfield Deanery Council of Catholic Women Spring Meeting
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9:00am
at Christ the King Parish (CTK), Springfield, Roesch Hall, 1930 Barberry Drive.
Deadline to RSVP May 4th.
Questions? Deb Pilapil, President SDCCW, 217-361-7165 Guest Speaker: Mr. Jarid Brown, Executive Director of the Washington Street Mission (WSM)
