News

27 November, 2023

November 27, 2023 |

NCYC participants return, determined to stay “Fully Alive”

In the latest issue of The Catholic Missourian, Editor Jay Nies writes about the impact of the National Catholic Youth Conference on youth from our diocese who attended the event:

Joey Jones was wearing a silly hat he’d been given at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis.

A man working at the venue said he liked the hat, so Joey let him have it.

“I had something that he didn’t have, and when I gave it to him, he thought it was amazing,” said Joey, one of 250 high school age teens from this diocese who attended the massive Catholic youth event Nov. 16-18.

“I went to Indy feeling like I was lacking something important in my life, and God gave me what I needed while I was there,” he said.

“And now, he wants me to pass it along to the people I meet — just like that hat.”

Busloads of young people, adult chaperones and priests returned to parishes all over this diocese Nov. 19, filled with enthusiasm, joy and determination not to forget all that they experienced at NCYC.

The event, held every other year, consists of three days of inspiration, prayer, fellowship and fun.

The theme this year was “Fully Alive!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so fully alive,” said Olivia Monnig. “Now knowing what that really means, I’ve tried to do everything these past few days to be fully alive. It feels so good and I feel so happy.”

Click here to read the full story.

Diocesan Pastoral Council elects officers

A chair and vice chair were elected during the Nov. 11 meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. The council advises the bishop on matters pertaining to the pastoral works of the Church in the diocese.

The newly-elected officers are:

  • Chairwoman Colleen Abbott, a member of Our Lady of Snows Parish in Mary’s Home, representing the Southwest Deanery
  • Vice Chairwoman Sarah Robinson, a member of St. Clement Parish in St. Clement, representing the Central Deanery

“I’m grateful to Colleen and Sarah for agreeing to share their gifts and experiences in these leadership roles,” said the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City. “I look forward to seeing where the Holy Spirit leads us as we discern how best to continue building up God’s Kingdom in our parishes throughout the diocese.”

Click here to read a full story about the officers in the latest issue of The Catholic Missourian.

Christmas Special Collection

The Diocese of Jefferson City is conducting a Christmas Special Collection for the benefit of the education of our seminarians and for our infirm priests. The envelope for this collection will be inserted in the Dec. 15 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.

The diocese will be releasing a toolkit to help our parishes raise awareness about this collection. Please watch for more information, coming soon.

New diocesan policies to take effect on January 1

Two new diocesan policies that were promulgated in August are set to take effect on January 1. The new policies relate to transparency in fundraising and parish finance councils.

All Catholics involved in parish leadership, fundraising efforts or a parish finance council are strongly encouraged to review and understand the policies ahead of the effective date.

Save the date: April 13 Diocesan Stewardship Conference

Working with Catholic Stewardship Consultants, the Diocese of Jefferson City will host a diocesan-wide Stewardship Conference in April of 2024.

This one-day conference will feature speakers from around the country who will present on
various aspects of the stewardship way of life aimed at showing the faithful and clergy of our
diocese the importance and benefits of embracing and living the fullness of Christian
Stewardship.

We are encouraging participation from leaders from across the diocese, including clergy, stewardship council members, school leadership, pastoral council members, finance council members and others.

  • When: Saturday April 13, 2024
  • Where: The Cathedral of St Joseph – Cana Hall
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (tentative)

Freeze warning and checklist

It is a good time to look over the Pre-Winter Checklist and make sure you have protected your parish property from the freezing temps that are coming soon. Click here for more information.

Women’s ministry events

Parishes, help us spread the word about our upcoming women’s ministry events! We have informational meetings starting throughout the diocese in November and Advent Reflection nights the first week of December. These events are open to all parishes.

Liturgical preparation aid for Advent and Christmas

Click here to download a liturgical preparation aid for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. A Spanish version is available here. The aid contains:

  • A full presider’s text for The Order of Reconciling Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution  (drawn from the revised Order of Penance, effective April 16, 2023)
  • Readings
  • A list of alternate readings
  • Sample Penances
  • Music Suggestions
  • A Liturgical Year Calendar Advisory for Year B
  • The Lectionary for Mass – citations for the readings for the Sundays and Solemnities of these seasons
  • Proclamation of the Birth of Christ  (to be sung before the Mass during the Night)
  • Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts  (to be sung on Epiphany)
  • O Antiphons

Christmas and Mary, Mother of God Masses

This year the Solemnity of Christmas falls on a Monday and is a holyday of obligation.  All the faithful are obligated to participate in two Masses, from the anticipated Mass of the 4th Sunday of Advent on Saturday evening Dec. 23 through the evening of Dec. 25.  In the “Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar,” no. 34 states, “The Vigil Mass of the Nativity is used on the evening of December 24, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer I). On the day of the Nativity of the Lord, following ancient Roman tradition, Mass may be celebrated three times, that is, in the night, at dawn, and during the day.”

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, falls on a Monday (Jan. 1) and so is NOT a holyday of obligation.  As a Solemnity, however, it still outranks the Feast of the Holy Family, which will be celebrated that Sunday Dec. 31.  Any Masses celebrated on the evening of Dec. 31 should be for Mary, Mother of God.

I hope this is helpful.  As always, please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Peace and All Good,

Fr. Dan Merz
DLC Chair

Catholic Charities survey

In 2024 Catholic Charities is launching eNewsletters to keep parishioners, parish ambassadors, parish social ministry leaders, and community members connected and engaged. To keep informed and keep your inbox tidy – they have launched a 3-minute survey to help you sign up for the items you want to see in your inbox. Haven’t received newsletters before? We welcome new subscribers as well! Take care of it all here: https://ow.ly/hUWO50Q5YcH

Share in bulletins, emails, social media, and websites

Each of these first three Sundays of Advent, we cordially invite you to join us at St. Peter’s in Downtown Jefferson City (216 Broadway) for a pre-Vespers concert at 5:00pm, immediately followed by sung Solemn Vespers at 5:30pm. Together, these events should last around an hour.

Public and common prayer by the people of God is rightly considered to be among the primary duties of the Church. For centuries, the Church has prayed in this manner through the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the “Divine Office.” In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church offers to God a sacrifice of praise, that is a tribute of lips acknowledging His name – it is the voice of the bride (the Church) addressing her bridegroom (Christ); it is the very prayer that Christ Himself, together with his Body, addresses to the Father in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, §1 & §15)

Please join us at St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish on December 3 for the presentation; Biblical Healing, Then & Now by Dr. Mary Healy. Dr. Healy will guide us through this important topic before leading us in a Healing Service. Mass will follow at 5 PM.

Save the date for the upcoming Advent Nights of Reflection: December 4-8. There are four dates and four locations to choose from. Choose one and get it on your calendar now before the busy season gets in the way. For all you ladies who wished you had not missed our spring speaker, Patty Schneier, here is your chance to hear her a little closer to home. We hope to gather with you in prayer and fellowship this Advent!

Annual National Night of Prayer for Life

December 8 from 8pm to Midnight

St. Andrew Parish, 400 St Andrew Dr., Holts Summit

There will be adoration, Rosary, prayers and silent time for prayer beginning at the top of each hour from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.  All parishes are invited to attend this National event any time during these hours. If your parish would like to sponsor or lead one of the hours,  please contact Kathy Forck 573-821-5130 for more information.  With the ballot initiatives looming which wish to enshrine abortion as legal in our constitution,  prayers are needed to keep Missouri abortion facility free. 

Laurie, MO, Catholic parish and shrine host Festival of Lights Nov. 23-Jan. 7, “O Holy Night” on Dec. 10

One of the longest running Christmas light displays at the Lake of the Ozarks is free and open to the public nightly, 5-10 p.m., beginning Nov. 23, 2023 through Jan. 7, 2024, on the grounds of The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church. 

And, starting Dec. 1, there’s hot cocoa and candy canes for all on Fridays, 6-8 pm.On Dec. 10, 4-8 pm, “O Holy Night,” a live nativity will be on display, along with refreshments, carolers, St. Nicholas and a bonfire. The live nativity includes a special appearance of Noah the camel, thanks to Sunrise Safari. 

The Festival of Lights is on the grounds of The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church, 176 Marian Drive, Laurie. For more information, visit mothersshrine.com.
PUBLISHERS/EDITORS NOTE: A graphic is attached which can also be distributed to parishes and other organizations who may be interested in promoting this event to their members.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: Clergy & Marriage Prep Facilitators

SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER

Who: Priests, Deacons & Lay Certified Marriage Prep Facilitators (MPFs) who attended a training in 2021.

What: Practicum & Follow-Up Training on Prepare/Enrich (P/E) Couple Assessment Facilitation and Marriage Preparation Diocesan Process/Policy.

Description: Series of workshops that will focus on a review of P/E core concepts, how to interpret and provide feedback, the selection of the right exercises for the engaged couple, and best practices for assessment facilitators. Also, facilitation practice, small group work and Q&A.

When: Two options: February 23, 8:30pm-4:30pm& February 24, 8:30am-4:30pm

Where: Chancery Offices in Jefferson City.

Trainer: Teresita (Tere) Johnson, MA PS, CMF, from Prepare/Enrich and Stella Maris Center.

Cost: Free.

Registration: https://diojeffcity.org/marriage-preparation/practicum-follow-up-training-on-prepare-enrich-p-e-couple-assessment-facilitation-and-marriage-preparation-diocesan-process-policy-bilingual/

We ask pastors/priests to encourage permanent deacons and lay facilitators in your parish to attend this training. Important! New and not trained/certified facilitators are welcomed and encouraged to attend this training, but they should be trained prior to it.

For more information contact Jamie Schulte at 573-635-9127 or faithformation@diojeffcity.org 

Eventos en Español

Retiro Parroquial de ‘Buena Administración’: St. Vincent de Paul | Parroquia San Vicente de Paúl, Sedalia (16 de deciembre, 9am-3pm)El objetivo de estos retiros es ayudar a toda la comunidad parroquial aprender y reflexionar sobre la ‘Buena Administración’, la cual es nuestra respuesta agradecida como discípulos cristianos a compartir todo lo que Dios nos ha dado para compartirlo con los demás.
Para más información contacte a la oficina parroquial. 

Employment opportunities

Sacred Heart Parish in Eldon, MO is seeking a dedicated and organized individual to fill the position of Parish Secretary. The Parish Secretary plays a crucial role in supporting the administrative functions of the parish. This is a 30 hour per week position. This position is benefit eligible. This includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with a retirement plan and other voluntary benefits. This position also qualifies for paid time off. Any interested individual should click here to learn more and complete the application. Please contact the parish if you have any questions at 573.392.5334.

Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has several openings within its agency.

All employees of Catholic Charities must possess a strong commitment to the mission of the agency, including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and the ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. The identity of the agency is clearly Catholic; and as such, Catholic Charities adheres to the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

All positions require the utilization of common software and digital applications (Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, Teams, timekeeping software, etc.)

We invite you to review our current opportunities. 

Welcome Center Specialist – Jefferson City, MO
Essential duties include answering the phone and welcoming clients to the agency. The Welcome Center Specialist will provide client intake or referrals for programs (internal or external) as required and provide administrative support and volunteer coordination as requested. High school diploma or GED required. Click here to apply.

Director of Community Services – Jefferson City, MO
This position oversees strategic planning and program management as it pertains to developing annual budgets, determining staffing needs, monitoring execution of program objectives, ensuring adherence to applicable policies/procedures and evaluating program outcomes. An advanced degree from an accredited college or university plus three to five years’ experience in management and delivery of social and/or disaster relief services and programs at a leadership level is required. Click here to apply.

Director of Counseling Services – Jefferson City, MO
This individual serves as a liaison and maintains positive working relationships with agency leadership, program staff, therapeutic service providers, local and regional service partners, and regional and national agencies to ensure provision of quality services for clients. The Director of Counseling Services will also oversee strategic planning and program management as it pertains to developing and implementing clinical services. A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, or clinical social work plus three to five years’ experience in management and delivery of clinical services is required. Click here to apply.

Director of Refugee Services – Columbia, MO
This leadership position oversees strategic planning and program management by overseeing and enhancing the resettlement efforts for Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the submission of grant requests, financial reports, data tracking, and narratives to local, state, and national funding entities. The Director will ensure that refugee staff resettlement staff receive orientation, training and ongoing supervision, providing quality services for our clients. An advanced degree from an accredited college or university plus three to five years’ experience in management and delivery of resettlement services and programs at a leadership level is required. Click here to apply.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Child Development Center is seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our team as Early Childhood Center Staff in a LEAD Position. A successful candidate is committed to providing a safe, Christ-like environment for the children, where they are loved, safe, and encouraged to learn. As part of our center, you will play a crucial role in providing a nurturing and educational environment for young children. Your primary responsibilities will include engaging in age-appropriate activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, promoting their social and cognitive development, and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the center. Starting pay for a lead position is $18.00 per hour for a qualified employee. Click here to apply online.

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church is seeking a full-time Music Director.

  • The Music Director is a professional who holds specialized credentials in music and who has a thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy. This person of faith is responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and execution of music within the liturgical celebrations of the parish.
  • The ideal candidate will be familiar with both traditional and contemporary music suitable for the Catholic church
  • Will help facilitate with the Spanish Mass
  • Will develop an adult choir for the parish
  • The Music Director will be available for parish weddings and funerals

The employer offers a full range of benefits including life insurance, long-term disability, medical, dental, vision and a matching 403(b) retirement plan.Requirements: College degree in Music or Liturgy, Ability to lead a choir, Professional skill with many instruments, including organ and piano or keyboard, Flexible with schedule to accommodate office needs as well as mass, weddings and funerals, Knowledge of appropriate music for Catholic church. Apply on Indeed.

The Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City has a career opportunity for a Controller who will manage the accounting department for the organization. Duties include managing chancery accounting personnel, Sage accounting and investment portfolio platforms, cash flow, accounts payable, billing, accounts receivable, PP&E, GL level and general accounting platforms. Specific duties include monthly accounting period closings and reconciliations, preparing monthly trial balance, preparing monthly financial analysis and quarterly financial statements. This individual will also manage the annual financial audit process and oversee all chancery bank accounts and supervise maintenance of budgets. Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university majoring in Accounting
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of job-related experience preferred, but not required
  • 501(c)(3) fund accounting experience preferred, but not required
  • Public accounting experience helpful, but not required
  • Strong computer skills and ability to easily work in Sage, MS Excel and MS Word

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply through our job posting on Indeed.com or send resume and cover letter to hrdir@diojeffcity.org

St. Peter Catholic Church is seeking a Custodian to serve in a full time position that will include cleaning of the school and Selinger Hospitality Center. The custodian will need good communications skills to interact with teachers, parents, students and priests. Reports to the Maintenance Supervisor. This position will require an 8-hour workday with the starting time to be determined in consultation with the supervisor. It could include work on Saturday/Sunday, if needed, such as when we have inclement weather or a special event. Complete job description at https://www.saintpeterjc.org/employment/

Sacred Heart School in Sedalia MO has an opening for a Communication and Technology Director. This is a full-time, exempt position. All interested persons should complete the application and contact the Principal, Nancy Manning at nmanning@gogremlins.com.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Communications (website management, social media, event photography, videos, create graphics, newsletter writing, etc.).
  • Technology (Google, PC, FACTS logins, copy machines, monitor solar panels, daily tech issues, audio system, e-rate management, teacher tech training, update technology, google domain management, iPad, Chromebook cart management, tech security, etc.). See this ad on Indeed.

St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbia is seeking a Director of Music. Click here for more details and application information.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Child Development Center is seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our team as Early Childhood Center Staff. A successful candidate is committed to providing a safe, Christ-like environment for the children, where they are loved, safe, and encouraged to learn. As part of our center, you will play a crucial role in providing a nurturing and educational environment for young children. Your primary responsibilities will include engaging in age-appropriate activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, promoting their social and cognitive development, and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the center. Starting pay is $15.00 per hour. Click here for more information.

Holy Family Parish in Hannibal is seeking a Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister. Key responsibilities include:

  • Assist the pastor in the responsibility for the Catholic faith formation for parish youth and adults
  • Implements the Bishop’s confirmation preparation policy
  • Organizes, schedules and oversees religious education in the parish
  • Administers a formation program for catechists that leads to certification and tracks completion
  • In cooperation with Diocesan Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister, orders approved textbooks, liturgy materials and other works that complement the religious education efforts of the parish
  • Provides resources and programs for adult formation

A Bachelor’s degree in theology or religious education is preferred. The pastor is willing to consider either one (1) full-time candidate or possibly two (2) part-time individuals. Resumes can be sent directly to Fr. Alex Gabriel, Holy Family Parish, 218 S. Maple Avenue, Hannibal, MO 63401 or applicants can apply on Indeed.com.

Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School Positions:

  • Cafeteria Supervisor: OLLIS is looking for three adults (parents, grandparents, friends) who like children and want to make extra money. Qualifications include love of children, practicing Catholic preferred, ability to lift 50 lbs., and standing on feet for extended periods. This is a position that follows the students’ calendar. You are off when students are off. The essential duties include supervising students and assisting them with their needs during lunch, such as opening things, sweeping up the floor, and washing tables between shifts. This would be fun if you could find two other friends to join you. We would love to see a group that can help us with our ROAR expectations and makes our dining experience something students continue to enjoy. Hours are 10:30-1:30. If interested, please email Elaine Hassemer at ehassemer@ollisk8.org.