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Kenya Fuemmeler appointed president and principal of Helias Catholic High School

Former Helias Catholic High School president will serve entire diocese in new role

JEFFERSON CITY – Bishop W. Shawn McKnight has appointed Father Stephen Jones as director of stewardship for the Diocese of Jefferson City, a new position which will provide support to the 95 parishes in the diocese. The new position is effective July 1, 2020.

Father Jones has served as president of Helias Catholic High School since 2013 and administrator of St. Martin Parish in St. Martin’s since May 1, 2019. He will continue in both those roles until June 30.

“As director of stewardship, Father Jones will assist me with promoting the Catholic vision of stewardship to all our parishes,” Bishop McKnight explained. This vision of stewardship is not principally oriented toward fund-raising, but a spirituality of discipleship.

“Stewardship is the response of a grateful Christian disciple, who recognizes that all good things come from God. Intentionally committing some of our time, talent and treasure for the mission of the Church is an expression of our need to give back to God rather than our giving to a need,” Bishop McKnight explained.

The Office of Stewardship is a new function for the Jefferson City Diocese; it will provide resources and services to the diocese’s parishes and institution as they implement a stewardship model. Parishioners will be asked to reflect on their gifts and talents and determine how they can use their resources – including a financial tithe — to serve their family, their parish and their community.

“I am excited to accept the appointment to serve as the director of stewardship for the Diocese of Jefferson City,” Father Jones said.  “I am passionate about Bishop McKnight’s vision for the future of our diocese in this area and am thankful for his trust in me to take on this role as we seek to live out the evangelizing mission of the Church.”

A new administrator will be appointed to St. Martin Parish before July 1.

Kenya Fuemmeler, currently principal of Helias, has been appointed president and principal of the school by Bishop McKnight, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Helias Board of Directors after consultation with the Helias Advisory Council.

While Father Jones will continue to provide sacramental and pastoral ministry at Helias through the end of the school year, other priests will be appointed to the school for the upcoming school year. There is not expected to be any impact on the Mass schedule or other clergy support available to the Helias students, faculty and staff.

“The past eight years at Helias (seven as president) have been ones of great joy for me,” Father Jones said.  “To be a small part of accomplishing the many great things which have taken place at the school has been an incredible experience.  I have been privileged to lead and work with an amazing group of students, teachers, staff, and administrators to help the school live out its mission and vision.  I am more than confident that Ms. Fuemmeler will take our school to new heights while moving the school forward in a positive direction.  I will miss walking the halls of our school on a daily basis, but I will always count myself as a Crusader!”

Father Jones holds bachelor’s degrees in history and theology and master’s degrees in divinity and sacred theology. He was ordained in 2012 as a Catholic priest under the “Pastoral Provision” established by St. John Paul II in 1983 as a means for former ministers of Protestant denominations to seek ordination as Catholic priests. Father Jones served as a minister of the Episcopal Church for 10 years before entering the Catholic Church with his wife and children in 2010.