News
21 October 2019
Bishop’s messages
Official appointments
- Deacon Edwin J. Schepers, from assisting the pastor of Annunciation Parish, California, to assist the pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Tipton, effective July 1, 2019.
- Deacon Christopher M. Wickern, from assisting the pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Sedalia, to assist the pastor of St. Ann Parish, Warsaw and the Mission of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Cole Camp, effective Aug. 7, 2019.
- Deacon Pedro de Jesús Almazán, to assist the administrator of St. Peter Parish, Marshall, and to assist with Diocesan Hispanic Ministry, effective Oct. 13, 2019.
- Deacon Juan Enrique Castro, to assist the pastor of St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City and to continue as diocesan Director of Intercultural and Marriage Ministries and as diocesan Executive Director of Faith Formation, effective Oct. 13, 2019.
- Deacon Jerónimo Cordón Chinchilla, to assist the parish life collaborator and sacramental minister of St. Mary Parish, Milan and the mission of St. Mary, Unionville, and to assist with diocesan Hispanic Ministry, effective Oct. 13, 2019.
- Deacon Edwin Omar Pacheco, to assist the parish life collaborator and sacramental minister of St. Mary Parish, Milan and the mission of St. Mary, Unionville, and to assist with diocesan Hispanic Ministry, effective Oct. 13, 2019.
- Deacon Santos Abel Ru-bio, to assist the administrator of St. Peter Parish, Marshall, and to assist with diocesan Hispanic Ministry , effective Oct. 13, 2019.
This past Tuesday Sr. Kathleen Wegman, SSND, informed me she is retiring, effective Nov. 30. She reached this decision in discernment with her community. We are grateful to her for her 50 years of active ministry in the Church, most especially the last 12 years serving in our diocesan leadership. I know she is looking forward to taking time for rest and renewal, and her order will benefit from her wisdom in a new “retirement ministry opportunity.”
The diocesan cabinet is determining how to ensure the continuing success of the work of her office, Pastoral and Charitable Services. Please contact Father Jason Doke, Moderator of the Curia, if you have concerns about transitioning projects.
We will also find an appropriate time in the near future to celebrate Sister Kathleen’s retirement and her service to the Church. We have been deeply blessed by her presence. May God bless Sr. Kathleen’s next chapter of life and ministry.
Last week we published an updated Reporting Protocols Relating to Allegations of Abuse or Neglect. This updated policy delineates clearly the expectation of the Diocese regarding reporting allegations of abuse, involving minors or vulnerable adults. For reference purposes, there is a “Frequently Asked Questions” section which, among other things, contains key definitions regarding what is meant when referring to “abuse,” “neglect,” and “vulnerable adult.” Additionally, for purposes of clarification, this reporting responsibility, as it pertains to allegations involving priests and brothers, applies equally to religious order priests and brothers.
The Rite of Election will be celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2020, at 3 p.m. Parishes are asked to complete this participation form by Dec. 2, regardless if anyone from your parish is joining the Church this year.
Promotional material for the Catholic Stewardship Appeal 2020 is now available online.
As a reminder:
- Bishop’s prayer intention for October
- Breaking the Silence of Abuse – resources for bulletins and web. Also, please publicize upcoming Protecting God’s Children (Virtus) workshops.
Notices
The Catholic Missourian plans to publish an article in its Nov. 29 print edition about creative ways parishes are promoting “A Steward’s Way,” the Advent small-group program which Bishop McKnight is encouraging Catholics in the Diocese to participate. If your parish plans to show some splash and innovation in inviting people to this experience, please contact Jay Nies at editor@diojeffcity.org. Promotional material is available on the diocesan website, in English and Spanish.
St. Patrick in Laurie has office dividers available for free, but the recipient must take all: 24 panels with most of the hardware; 65 ¾” tall and widths of 2’ to 5’ and one rounded corner panel. They also have 43 white choir robes, ranging in sizes from 8 to 59 with a zipper closure. They are free, but donation gladly accepted and appreciated. Contact the parish office between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 573-374-7855 or email parishsecretary@shrineofstpatrick.com.
The Cathedral of St. Joseph has22 student books and 7 leader books with the video sets for the Decision Point Confirmation program by Matthew Kelly which they’d like to pass on to a parish who would use them, for free. Please contact Julie Gramlich at Julie.g@cathedraljc.org.
Retiro de Crecimiento: Después de haber vivido tu Retiro de Inicio, el Grupo de Oración San Pedro te invita a vivir una experiencia de crecimiento y encuentro con Jesús para renovar tu compromiso e iniciarte en el servicio de nuestra Iglesia. ¡Te esperamos! Contacto: Marcelino Chavez 660-815-0179 y Fidel Perez 660-815-2586.
As a reminder:
- Parishes are asked to publish in their bulletins the need for relief parents at St. Nicholas Academy. You can find the listing here.
- St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbia is seeking an assistant director of music and liturgy — please post!
- How to identify email and text scams.
- In the interest of time and accuracy, The Catholic Missourian has moved to a simple online process for submitting events for the Things to Do page. To have an event considered for publication in Things to Do and in the diocesan online events calendar, go to diojeffcity.org/event-listing and follow the directions. The process is straightforward and user-friendly. Events submitted for display advertising will be automatically included in Things to Do, as will items that have been previously submitted.
Upcoming events
Please consider promoting these events in your bulletins, other print publications, on your website and in other digital sites. Please use the description in our online event page (links provided for each event) for your print products. You may find more events on our diocesan website.
Protecting God’s Children workshops
The Catholic Church in the United States is committed to providing safe environments in all of our ministries and activities, especially those involving children and youth. One aspect of our commitment is that anyone who works with minors in our parishes, schools and other Catholic organizations in the Diocese of Jefferson City receive training. For a full list of trainings currently available, please visit our Virtus site and select “Jefferson City, MO (Diocese),” or go to our Events page and filter by “Protecting God’s Children.”
The new diocesan Women’s Ministry has lots going on, including a virtual book club for young women (see graphic above)! Please consider reviewing its calendar of events and promote events in your area!
Calling all Cursillo 4th Dayers! Please join us at Men’s Weekend #68 Closura at St. Pius X in Moberly at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 to celebrate the men from our area who are completing their Cursillo Weekend! Likewise, calling all Cursillo 4th Dayers to join us at Women’s Weekend #76 Closura at St. Pius X in Moberly at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 10 to celebrate the women from our area who will be completing their Cursillo Weekend.
If someone in your parish or you are interested in becoming a NFP teacher through the Family of the Americas Foundation, which teaches a simple, effective, and scientific-based natural method to postpone or achieve pregnancies, contact the Marriage Ministries Office at 573-635-9127 as soon as possible. A teacher training is scheduled for Nov. 8-10.
