Blog
12 December 2022
Links to more information are available by clicking on words highlighted in blue or the download graphic
Praying for Mary Elizabeth Schaffer, the mother of Bishop McKnight
Please remember Mary Elizabeth (O’Reilly) Schaffer, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight’s late mother, in your prayers. She died unexpectedly yet peacefully in the home on December 8, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, at the age of 73. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita, KS, and will be livestreamed on the parish’s YouTube page (https://buff.ly/3iKnDi5). Locally, a Memorial Mass for Mrs. Schaffer will be held at St. Andrew Church in Holt Summit on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 10:30 am.
Christmas Special Collection
The Diocese of Jefferson City is conducting a Christmas special collection for the benefit of the education of our seminarians and our infirm priests. The envelope for this collection will be inserted in the Dec. 16 edition of the Catholic Missourian.
Parishioners will be instructed to place their gifts in the envelope, then put the envelopes in a collection basket during Mass — or give it to the parish office.
Official appointments
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, hereby makes the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
REVEREND PHILIP E. NIEKAMP to Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Owensville and St. Alexander Parish in Belle, effective immediately; continuing as Pastor of St. George Parish in Hermann, Church of the Risen Savior Parish in Rhineland, and as Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Starkenburg.
DEACONS
DEACON MATTHEW K. MCLAUGHLIN, from diaconal ministry at St. Aloysius Parish in Argyle and Holy Angels Parish in Brinktown, and Visitation Parish in Vienna, to diaconal ministry at St. Anthony Parish in Rosati and Immaculate Conception Parish in St. James; continuing diaconal ministry at St. Patrick Parish in Rolla, effective immediately.
Given at the Chancery on the 2nd day of December the year of Our Lord 2022.
Share your Christmas crèche on social media
The Diocese of Jefferson City is inviting parishes, families and individuals to share their Christmas crèche photos with us. We will be posting these photos on social media as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our savior. Please use this form to share your crèche photo with us: diojeffcity.org/christmas-creche-photo-submission/
Catholic Missourian: Dec. 9 issue is out now — another issue is coming this week
The latest issue of the Catholic Missourian is being distributed across the Diocese of Jefferson City. Click here to read the stories online. With the upcoming Christmas holiday, the next issue of the Catholic Missourian will come out this week, on December 16.
Following this week’s edition, the next issue will be published on January 6, 2023.
Survey: Input needed for updated PSR and youth ministry manual
We are working on an updated Manual for PSR and Youth Ministry. We need your help in gathering data. We are collecting info on how you gather, average numbers, what resources used and what is needed. Please click here to complete the survey: https://diojeffcity.org/parish-religious-education-of-youth-youth-ministry-survey/
Parish Secretaries’ Workshop – December 14, 2022
The next parish secretaries’ meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10 am, via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82304740794?pwd=N2x5cHRITjRNejBRS1NDUHdqZjl1Zz09). Topics presented will include:
- Receiving phone calls for assistance
- Safe Environment compliance
- First Communion recording
- and more!
Each session will be recorded in case you cannot attend or if you want to re-watch the videos at a later date. Please bring your questions and future topic suggestions, and we will see you then!
Advent/Christmas liturgical preparation aid
Once again, the FDLC is providing a liturgical preparation aid for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. This annual, seasonal resource is now posted on the public pages of the FDLC website, in English and Spanish: www.fdlc.org/adventchristmas2022
Thank you to Sr. Rosanne Belpedio, CSJ for her translation work and to Michael Poradek for the cover design. Thanks, especially, to the USCCB, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) who have given their kind permission to reprint their copyrighted material.
The thirty-one page booklet contains:
- The full text for the Rite of Reconciling Several Penitents with individual Confession and Absolution
- Alternate readings, sample penances, music suggestions
- A liturgical calendar advisory
- A list of Lectionary readings for Sundays and solemnities
- The Proclamation of the Nativity of the Lord (to be used at the Christmas Vigil)
- The Proclamation of the Moveable Feasts (to be used on Epiphany)
December’s Salt and Light Newsletter
The December Salt and Light Newsletter is now available from the Religious Ed Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office: https://diojeffcity.org/salt-light-newsletter-december-2022/
Upcoming Matrimonial Tribunal closure dates
The Matrimonial Tribunal will be closed on the following dates for vacation:
- Tuesday, December 20
- Wednesday, December 21
- Thursday, December 22
Share in bulletins, emails, social media, and websites
The Four Pillars of Stewardship is a four-session small group faith sharing experience. It is available in both English and Spanish. Download copies for free at www.diojeffcity.org/stewardship
The bulletin inserts and graphics are available for you to download as the 2022-2023 Catholic Stewardship Appeal continues.
NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) registration is now open for November 2023 in Indianapolis. For more information on the Conference, cost, and flyers and social media posts for advertising click here: https://diojeffcity.org/national-catholic-youth-conference/
We are now hiring for summer missionaries! These are paid summer jobs for graduating seniors in high school through college age. Please help spread the word and personally invite young adults that may be a great missionary. To access social media, bulletin and flyer please click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aOiwUhL3qlNGa8M62MrWVpP6x8dP40K0?usp=sharing
¡Atención! La Diócesis de Jefferson City tiene parroquias que ofrecen Misas en español. Los lugares y horarios actualizados los puede encontrar en el siguiente enlace: https://diojeffcity.org/ministerio-hispano/misas-en-espanol/.
Confirmation Retreats for January (Jefferson City) and February (Monroe City) are now open for registration! For more information and to register click here.
Attention all engaged couples, MPFs and pastors:
2023 Pre-Cana Conference dates & locations:
March 11th @ Our Lady of Lourdes: 903 Bernadette Dr, Columbia, MO 65203
June 17th @ Chancery Offices: 2207 W Main St, Jefferson City, MO 65109
September 23rd @ St. Thomas More Newman Center: 602 Turner Ave, Columbia, MO 65201
2023 Engaged Encounter dates & location are to be determined.
Eventos en Español
Formación para Ministros de Comunión: Cancillería, Jefferson City (17 de diciembre, 9 am- 3 pm) Para todos los Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión que desempeñan este servicio en su parroquia y para nuevos candidatos que hayan sido autorizados por su sacerdote para llevar a cabo este ministerio en un futuro. Cada ministro recibirá conocimiento sobre la liturgia y el ministerio que desempeña, así como herramientas y sugerencias prácticas para llevar a cabo su ministerio de una manera digna y apropiada. Favor de registrarse por medio del siguiente link: https://diojeffcity.org/ministerio-hispano/formacion-de-ministros-de-comunion/ o llamando al 573-680-3650.
CAMBIO DE FECHA: Encuentro de Liderazgo Diocesano: Chancery Offices | Las Oficinas de la Cancillería, Jefferson City (14 de enero; 8:30 am-3:30 pm) El Encuentro de Liderazgo Diocesano es un evento dirigido para el liderazgo parroquial (comité parroquial Hispano, grupo base, etc.) y para el liderazgo diocesano de los movimientos (Renovación Carismática y Cursillos). Para más información contacte a Diácono Enrique Castro al (573) 680-3650 por su celular o WhatsApp o por correo electrónico a ecastro@diojeffcity.org.
Employment opportunities
The Chancery Office of the Diocese of Jefferson City is seeking a full-time senior bookkeeper with advanced bookkeeping and elementary accounting work in the maintenance, review and analysis of detailed financial records throughout the entire accounting cycle. This individual will perform a variety of moderately complex to advanced bookkeeping/accounting tasks and procedures. Experience with general ledger, investments, insurance administration and payroll is strongly desired. Employer offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, and matching 403b retirement plan. Experience with Sage Intacct accounting system would be considered a plus. Knowledge and preparation of worksheets and financial statements and general ledger account classification is required. Qualified candidates should send their resume to HRDir@diojeffcity.org.
Since 1882, Sacred Heart School has been committed to formation in the Catholic faith, academic achievement, and the development of the whole person. Serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, Sacred Heart is the mission of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Sedalia, Missouri.
The successful candidate for President of Sacred Heart School will be an active Catholic, passionate in advancing the Stewardship Model of Catholic education, fostering Catholic Identity, implementing and expanding the current strategic plan, providing for the financial stability and operational vitality of the school, and building community relationships.
Experience in business financial management and confidence in leading the school’s philanthropic efforts will be essential. The President leverages external and internal influence for the long-term viability of the school. The President serves on and is supported by an Advisory Council and reports directly to the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul.
A demonstrated capacity for strategic planning and institutional leadership can be attained through various career paths, including education, non-profit management, or work in the corporate or public sector.
If you believe you are called to this ministry, please send a letter of interest to Rev. Joseph S. Corel, Pastor St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 421 W. Third Street, Sedalia, MO 65301.
St. Andrew Catholic School in Tipton has an opening for a junior high science and literature teacher. Part-time science and/or literature would be acceptable. All interested persons can contact the principal, Kara Higgins, at khiggins@saintandrewpirates.com.