News

16 March 2020

March 16, 2020 |

Bishop’s messages

This week we saw more news about the growing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, I issued a pastoral letter which outlines the following ways we can respond:

UPDATED APRIL 1, 2020: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s. Read more here

Remember, the most reliable source of information is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Late Sunday night the CDC issued a recommendation that for the next eight weeks in-person gatherings of more than 50 people be cancelled or postponed. We will review this with local health officials and respond as appropriate.

Please promote and use the resources we have available at diojeffcity.org/public-health.

Since Friday, we have added information on:

Many people’s lives are being disrupted by the coronavirus and our attempts to stop its rapid spread. In this season of Lent, let us increase our prayers, fasting and almsgiving, so that God’s great compassion and love may be a source of hope and consolation for all.

Please include this invitation in parish bulletins and other communications:

At this time, the annual Chrism Mass is still open to the public, at the Cathedral Church of St. Joseph, 2215 W. Main St., Jefferson City on Thursday, April 2, at 5:30 p.m. However, per the dispensation provided by Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, those age 60 and older (including priests and deacons) should not attend. This is in addition to those already dispensed due to illness or a compromised immune system, those living with them and their caregivers. Plans are being made to provide the liturgy over the internet.

This liturgy unites the diocese in recalling the gifts of the holy priesthood and the Most Holy Eucharist. The Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens are blessed and the Sacred Chrism is consecrated at this time.  These holy oils impact the lives of those who are preparing to enter into the Church, those who are ill, and all preparing for confirmation and holy orders. 

Pastoral planning

I am grateful to the many pastors, members of our parish pastoral councils and small group coordinators who are leading our efforts for small groups to discern the pastoral plan for our parishes and our diocese. Please note the resources are available on our website at diojeffcity.org/better-together. I am also asking that we pray together in the month of March for the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding as our local church discerns a new pastoral plan.

Even though the registration deadline has passed, we are still accepting registrations for parish delegations for the Youth Summit for parish pastoral planning.  If your parish has already registered you should be starting to schedule your two preparatory sessions for your teens.  To register your parish or to access the preparatory sessions please visit www.diojeffcity.org/summit.

Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRS)

CRS is the official international agency of the Catholic community in the U.S.  CRS provides emergency relief in time of famine, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.  It also supports agriculture, education, and economic development to help the poor.

The annual CRS collection will take place on March 21-22.  A letter from Bishop McKnight is available for insertion in your bulletins as a pdf or MSWord document; other resources, including social media posts, posters, bulletin inserts and prayer cards, are available from the USCCB, and below are suggested bulletin announcements.  Any questions, please contact Jake Seifert at 573-635-9127 ext. 227 or development@diojeffcity.org.

Week of the Collection

This week, we take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection to help Jesus in disguise. This collection helps six Catholic agencies to provide struggling communities with relief and support and to work for peace and reconciliation among our marginalized brothers and sisters here and around the world. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.

Week After the Collection

Thank you for your generous support of The Catholic Relief Services Collection and for helping Jesus in disguise. Your contributions make a difference for the poor and marginalized around the world. If you missed the collection, it’s not too late! Just visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections for more information on how to give.

Anuncios para el boletín

Semana de la Colecta

Esta semana realizaremos The Catholic Relief Services Collection para ayudar a Jesús con otro rostro, ¿le ayudarás? Esta Colecta ayuda a seis agencias católicas a fin de brindar alivio y apoyo a las comunidades que luchan por salir adelante y a trabajar por la paz y la reconciliación entre nuestras hermanas y hermanos marginados, aquí y alrededor del mundo. Por favor, en oración, consideren la manera de apoyar a esta Colecta. Más información sobre esta Colecta en www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.

Semana después de la Colecta

Muchas gracias por su generoso apoyo a The Catholic Relief Services Collection y por ayudar a Jesús con otro rostro. Sus contribuciones hacen una diferencia para el pobre y el marginado alrededor del mundo. ¡Si no alcanzaron a dar en la colecta, todavía lo pueden hacer! Para más información sobre cómo contribuir, visiten www.usccb.org/nationalcollections.

Bishop’s prayer intention for March

As a reminder:

Parish communal penance services are now posted on our website.

The annual Lenten regulations and obligations are available on our website. Please visit https://diojeffcity.org/lenten-regulations/ for more information. Please click on the graphic above for resources from Catholic Relief Services. Other Lenten resources are listed below.

Liturgy Preparation Aid for Lent, the Paschal Triduum and Easter Time
Guía para la Preparación Litúrgica para la
Cuaresma, El Triduo Pascual Sagrado, y el Tiempo Pascual

Notices

PLEASE PROMOTE THIS IN YOUR BULLETINS AND DIGITAL MEDIA:
Applications for the 2020-2021 Simon Scholarship and Warack Scholarship are being accepted through March 31, 2020. Applications can be acquired through the pastor or parish life collaborator or may be downloaded at diojeffcity.org/scholarships. 

Sixth Grade Vocation Day

Registration for the annual Sixth Grade Vocation Day, hosted at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City on Wednesday, May 6, is open. Promotional material, registration information and more is available at www.diojeffcity.org/sixth-grade. Registration deadline is March 20. Please contact our Vocation Office with any questions at 573.635.9127 ext. 237 or email followme@diojeffcity.org. 

Father Jerry Kaimann is inviting priests, parish collaborators, deacons and chancery staff to a Mass and dinner celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination on Sunday, April 26 at 3 pm at Immaculate Conception Church in Brookfield. Those who are attending are kindly asked to reply by April 15 by email (jkai@mcmsys.com), calling660-376-3239 or online at https://forms.gle/DpRjJBgJVjQynAG17.

A Matter of Balance Coaches

Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri is seeking volunteers interested in becoming A Matter of Balance Coaches.  Do you want to help teach older adults about common problems that contribute to falls and simple steps to prevent them? Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in your community or with those you work with?  Become A Matter of Balance Coach!  A Matter of Balance Coaches:

  • Help participants become more confident about managing falls
  • Help to identify ways to reduce falls
  • Lead exercises to help increase strength and balance

Catholic Charities partners with local agencies to conduct A Matter of Balance Courses. A FREE coaches training is being held in Jefferson City on March 25 and 26.  For more information on becoming A Matter of Balance Coach with Catholic Charities, contact Judith Mutamba – jmutamba@cccnmo.or or (573) 635-7719.  You can also learn more at the Catholic Charities website: cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/volunteer

Training on parish record-keeping and communication

Parish secretaries and others involved in sacramental record-keeping, including as it relates to Tribunal cases, parish communications and safe environment record keeping are welcome to attend trainings on March 24, 10 am to 2 pm, at the diocesan Chancery, 2207 West Main St, Jefferson City. Lunch will be provided. To register, please contact Kris Hartmann at khartman@diojeffcity.org.

New Chancery personnel

Whitney Lammers will be joining the diocese on March 19 as the Associate Director of Development. Whitney holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising. Originally from our neighboring state of Kansas, Whitney and her family relocated to the Jefferson City area approximately 10 years ago where she has been employed with another not-for-profit organization.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Ginger Borlinghaus as executive administrative assistant to Bishop Shawn McKnight, effective April 1. Ginger’s previous experience includes high-level support roles for Lincoln University and Bi-State Development company and marketing firms in the St. Louis area.

Online training for catechists

Franciscan at Home provides online formation and training for those serving in your parish catechetical ministries.  This free service is now available to your parish!  Visit our resource page at www.diojeffcity.org/franciscan-at-home to learn more about this resource and how to bring it to your catechists today!  Schedule an orientation today!

Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper Church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.

If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop—such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents—please address those directly to your diocesan or eparchial bishop instead. Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member or volunteer of the Church should be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator in your local diocese/eparchy.

So, to be sure you get the help you need, call 800-276-1562 or visit ReportBishopAbuse.org.

If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement.

An Invitation from the Parishioners of St. Boniface in Koeltztown:  The beautiful and historic rectory in Koeltztown has recently been updated, cleaned and is now ready to welcome and accommodate all individual priests and priest support groups from the Jefferson City Diocese who would like a quiet place to meet and visit. You are welcome for a day, an overnight stay, or longer. There are several bedrooms, two full baths and currently enough beds to accommodate eight. The old house has a wonderful, modern kitchen, beautiful dining room and a deck with glorious views of the pastoral landscape.  Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.’  Contact Father Matthew Flatley at 573-202-3590 or flatmattley@gmail.com for more information. 

Employment opportunities

There are several openings in our Catholic schools. Please promote these openings.

St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbia is seeking a part-time Campus Ministry Office Assistant to provide administrative, secretarial, and clerical support to the Campus Ministry Team as they minister to the college students. An ideal candidate will have attention to detail, work management and prioritizing skills, organizational skills, flexibility, and reliability. For more information or the complete job description, email joann@comonewman.org.

Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri is seeking an AmeriCorps Member to join our Food & Nutrition Services Team.  The Member will work directly with our leadership to research, conceptualize, develop, and implement a comprehensive food and nutrition services program, including a client choice food pantry and nutrition education programming.  To learn more, including application instructions, visit: https://cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/about-us/careers/

Please submit parishioner updates using this form

Parishes are asked to use this form to send any updates of their parishioners: address changes, marriages, divorces, death, etc.

As a reminder:

Send events information!
  • Parishes are asked to publish in their bulletins the need for relief parents at St. Nicholas Academy. You can find the listing here.
  • Please consider posting this helpful information for your parishioners on 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.”

Encuentro de Grupos Base- El Comité Diocesano de la Renovación Carismática Católica invita a todos los Grupos Base RCC a un segundo encuentro que tendrá como fin la reflexión, el crecimiento, la unidad como movimiento para continuar trabajando juntos en la misión de evangelizar en el poder del Espíritu Santo.

Planificación Familiar Natural –Atención a TODAS las parejas: Curso de planificación familiar para todas las parejas que deseen posponer o lograr embarazos de una manera natural y efectiva. Además, les permitirá disfrutar y vivir el don de su sexualidad a plenitud. ¡Los esperamos! Informes: Oscar y Mairena (660) 631-7092 o José y Sandra (660) 202-7575


El grupo de oración RCC Preciosa Sangre invita a todas las familias a disfrutar de este gran concierto en un ambiente de alabanza y oración. ¡Los esperamos! Informes: Yolanda y Vicente 660-287-7317

Pre-Cana March 28: Conference Room A-B-C (lower level) at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, 2505 Mission Drive,  Jefferson City, 65109

Pre-Cana is one component of the marriage preparation options available to couples that are considering marriage within the Catholic Church. The conference itself consists of presentations by couples and individuals on topics that are of a practical as well as a spiritual nature.
Pre-Cana is a one day experience to prepare engaged couples to begin their formal marriage preparation process. The class includes a series of talks and activities on topics such as: marriage as a sacrament, the vows, sexuality in the marriage, Natural Family Planning and more.
For more information and registration go to: https://diojeffcity.org/marriage-preparation/pre-cana-registration/

Save the Date! More information available online!

The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship. A Christian marriage program, Catholic in origin, for couples of all faiths or no faith background, it is primarily a practical program to improve communication, build stronger marriages, and help couples reconnect. Presenters are not trained marriage counselors, but couples sharing their personal stories of marital struggles and the tools they used to rediscover their love. The next session is May 29 in Kansas City, KS. For more information and registration go to: https://www.helpourmarriage.org/

Please feel free to disseminate the information in this Monday Morning Memo to a broader audience, such as parishioners and school families! Is there someone else who should receive this Weekly Memo? Please encourage them to sign up here!