Catholics at the Capitol draws more than 1,000 to Springfield

By Jennifer Willems

SPRINGFIELD -- Looking out over a church that was filled to overflowing, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois wondered aloud what day his listeners would be free next week.

“We want you to come back,” Robert Gilligan told the laity, religious men and women, and clergy from around Illinois who traveled to Springfield last Wednesday for the second annual Catholics at the Capitol. The day started with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and concelebrated by his brother bishops in Illinois, including Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, at the newly refurbished Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

After Mass, Gilligan briefed participants about the eight issues the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI) has on its agenda this session and then sent them to the State Capitol to meet with their state representatives and senators.