Each spring and fall, with the help of a local farm family, the Diocese of Belleville sponsors a farm blessing at a diocesan farm. This fall, the family of Shirley and Paul McCormick hosted the blessing on their grain and livestock farm near Ellis Grove.

Pope Francis recently canonized in Washington D.C., Blessed Junipero Serra, who is referred to as founder and missionary to the “Upper Californias” as they were called in his time. El papa Francisco canonizo recientemente en Washington DC, al beato Fray Junípero Serra, conocido como fundador y misionero de las así llamadas “ altas Californias.”

It was time to gather the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women together Oct. 14 for the group’s annual convention, this year, held at St. Clement in McLeansboro.