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Respect Life Month - October 2026
October is Respect Life Month, a time when Catholics across the United States renew their commitment to defending the dignity…
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Diocesan Blessing of the Harvest 2026
All are invited to join Bishop Godfrey for the Diocesan Blessing of the HarvestFriday, October 23 - 1:00 p.m.Mike and Julie…
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World Mission Sunday 2026
October 18, 2026 This year marks the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, a special day when Catholics around the…
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Compassion + Care: Resources Regarding Illinois' New Assisted Suicide Law
As Illinois' new physician-assisted suicide law takes effect on September 12, 2026, many individuals and families may have questions about…
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Stewards of God’s Gifts: Building the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Belleville
As the Diocese of Belleville continues its mission of faith, stewardship, and evangelization, Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB, offers this reflection…
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Parish Picnics 2026
PARISH PICNICS 2026Only few pinics left for this year!What a wonderful time to gather in fellowship and support local Catholic…
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Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal
Immigration, Priesthood, St. Francis
In the span of one week, the Church commemorated World Day of Migrants and Refugees and Priesthood Sunday (both Sept. 27), and the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4). These three observances may seem utterly unrelated, but I’d suggest that their proximity is more providence than accident.
In the United States and other countries, immigration has become a completely political reality, fueling alarming polarization that too often marks our conversations and family gatherings.
As Pope Leo said recently in an interview: “I understand my mission as having a very important dimension, which is precisely being pastor of a universal Church and having a voice and an opportunity to speak to people throughout the world.”
Being a pastor and speaking to people universally is the work of the Church, including about topics that have become overly politicized. The Holy Father is not denying a country’s right to set fair rules for protecting borders. But he, nor the Church, nor this Bishop, will ever back down from our fundamental stance on human beings: created in the image and likeness of God, each one has dignity that can never rightly be ignored. Instead of starting on one end of the argument or the other, let’s all be faithful Catholics and start there: the sanctity of human life, without qualification.
One surprise for me since becoming bishop is the love parishioners in our diocese not only have for their priests, but express to me about them, too. I rejoice in the hundreds of times I’ve heard people speak gratefully and kindly about these imperfect men who are striving to be pastors to all — across the spectrum of politics, experience, economics and perspective. Their service in difficult positions is appreciated by so many.
I also receive the occasional, generally anonymous, letter of complaint. My first question to the person sending a similar letter which is signed is if they’ve had a conversation with the priest. That’s where these things will best be addressed. I can assure you, I don’t believe any of our priests are destroyers of parishes or the Church. They build up the Kingdom with gifts they’ve been given by God, imperfectly, but with faith and wisdom.
Having recently been to Assisi, I could envision St. Francis walking around that beautiful place, challenging foolishness and encouraging virtue in every situation. St. Francis, too, set out after his vision of Christ challenging him from the San Damiano cross, to build up the Church. In so many beautiful ways, spoken and unspoken, he did just that, with a generosity of spirit that should inspire us all. He preached simplicity — laying aside the things that complicate our lives for the sake of focusing on Christ.
Whether our lives are troubled by the cavalier polarization of our day, by the imperfect ministry of our pastors or the difficulty of building a Church that isn’t always precisely what I want, that challenge for us all is simple: Build up my Church. Let’s go!
In Christ,
Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB
