News

29 January 2024

January 29, 2024 | Monday Memo

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week!

This week we celebrate our outstanding Catholic schools. Please take a moment to thank the teachers, staff, volunteers and administrators who dedicate themselves to serving in our schools.

Last week, Bishop McKnight shared this video message with our educators and staff:

Lenten Regulations and Admonitions for 2024

To foster a greater spirit of penance, reparation for sin, and to encourage self-denial, which guide us more closely in the footsteps of Christ, the Church reminds us of the obligations of fasting and abstinence during Lent and also admonishes us all to deeper prayer and worship. Click here for a detailed overview of lenten regulations and admonitions.

Preparing for Lent: Liturgy Guides Now Available

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions has released liturgical preparation aids for Lent. Links to both the English and Spanish versions are below.

Lenten Rice Bowl Report

Please complete this form for 2024 Lenten Rice Bowl collections and send the information to the diocesan Finance Office. Thank you for your generosity!

Rite of Election — February 18, 2024

The Rite of Election will be held on February 18, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. There will be a reception in Cana Hall with punch and cookies immediately following Mass. Below is a link to the participation form. Please fill out this form as soon as possible even if you don’t have anyone participating in 2024. This will ensure there will be enough room for those that are attending to sit with their group, as well as give us an accurate list of all coordinators and their contact information.

For those that are participating, parchment paper, instructions for signing the parchment paper, and an outline for the Rite of Election will be mailed to the address that you provide in this form. Any changes or updates will be emailed to the address provided in this form.

A separate email will be sent at a later date from the Diocesan Communications Office requesting a list of names of those in your parish that will join the church on Easter. These names will be published in the Catholic Missourian around Easter time.

Please direct any administrative questions to jnewham@diojeffcity.org, and any non-administrative questions to Very Rev. Daniel J. Merz, SLD at dmerz@diojeffcity.org.

Participation Form Link: https://diojeffcity.org/rite-of-election-participation/

Stewardship Conference — April 13, 2024

A new brochure is now available promoting our upcoming Stewardship Conference. Please use this brochure to help promote this conference in your parish! The diocesan Stewardship Conference will take place on April 13 in Cana Hall at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. We hope to have representation from all of our parishes at this important event. We also have a promotional graphic available to download.

Due by Thursday! Annual Sacrament Registers Reports for 2023

The forms for the Annual Sacramental Records reports regarding the calendar year 2023, have been provided to the parishes. Thank you to those who have already submitted their information! If your parish has not yet turned them in, the deadline is fast approaching. As in past years, the forms are in Excel spreadsheets with four tabs at the bottom for Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Deaths.

This information is included in our Annual Report to Rome. Please complete the forms and return them to the Chancery no later than February 1st, 2024; electronic submissions are the most helpful. If you have any difficulties please do not hesitate to reach out to Ben Roodhouse at: broodhouse@diojeffcity.org, or Bernadette Adams at: badams@diojeffcity.org. We will be happy to assist you.

Parish Secretaries’ Workshop – Wednesday, January 31, 2024

The Office of the Chancellor will host their quarterly parish secretaries’ workshop on Wednesday, January 31st, beginning at 10:00am and concluding no later than 12:00pm. Pastors, Administrators, and PLC’s are always welcome to attend!

Please use this link to attend via Zoom.

All of the sessions will be recorded and available on the diocesan website for future viewing.

Women’s Ministry will be hosting an informational night at Our Lady of the Lake parish in Lake Ozark on January 30th at 6 p.m. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. We encourage any woman interested in growing and supporting women’s ministry in the area to attend. All surrounding parishes are invited to attend.

Mark your calendars for Diocesan Summer Camps!

Registration will open February 15.

Please use these graphics to help promote the camps in your parish. Both English and Spanish flyers are included. Flyers can be produced with English on one side and Spanish on the other.

Apply Now for College Scholarships

Update: Spanish versions of the scholarship promotional materials are now available! All versions can be downloaded via the link below.

The diocese is now accepting applications for college scholarships. Through a generous donation from the families of William H. (Bill) Simon and John L. Warack, funding is available to high school seniors or current college students with financial needs who commit to practicing their faith. Deadline to apply is March 28. Find eligibility details and applications here: https://buff.ly/3Kd7oWv

Totus Tuus registration is open

Totus Tuus Registration is now open for ALL Parishes for Summer 2024. Cost for summer 2024 is $4,000. Registration can be accessed here: https://diojeffcity.org/totus-tuus-parish-registration/

Spring DRE and Youth Minister Workshop

Spring DRE and Youth Minister Workshop is Tuesday, February 20, 2024. All DRE and Youth Ministers gather from throughout the diocese on this date for updates, formation and community. To RSVP click here: https://diojeffcity.org/2024-spring-dreym-workshop-registration/

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

February 2, 2024 (Celebrated in Parishes February 3-4)

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church. We hope that you find the following resources helpful for your own celebrations of World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life!

Prayers of the Faithful:

For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…
For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…

Short bulletin quote:

World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the Church on Friday, February 2, 2024, and in parishes over the weekend of February 3-4, 2024. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.

Join the Pre-Cana Team!

For more detailed information on the Pre-Cana program and the Pre-Cana presenting team please click here.

Kindness is in your blood! Join Catholic Charities for a Blood Drive at their Central Office in Jefferson City

Join us to give blood in the LaSalette Community Room at Catholic Charities’s Central Office in Jefferson City. You can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: CCCNMO to schedule an appointment. Every donation matters! We have 20 open slots and would love to see them filled with community members who can give to support those in need. Click here to RSVP on Facebook or share the event with your friends & family!

Catholic Charities Menus of Engagement

Menus of Engagement are creative ways to connect with Catholic Charities by using Catholic social teaching to see, judge, and act upon our call to serve our neighbors. See-judge-act is a moral and pastoral practice by which we encounter the world, seek to relate to it, and respond to the call we understand.

At Catholic Charities, we often talk about others joining our mission through giving – giving of their time as a volunteer or their treasure as a donor. Menus of engagement aim to unpack that call to join us in a myriad of other ways – by learning, experiencing, encountering, reflecting, relating, understanding, praying, serving, and giving of your gifts.

Each month we’ll publish another Menu of Engagement, with new ideas and ways to serve your community, engage with our staff, and encounter those in need. We’ll keep this page as a hub of that information, easy for you to access to include graphics in your parish bulletin, print them off to go home in your student’s weekly folders, or bring them to your office’s next lunch & learn. Learn more.

Share in bulletins, emails, social media, and websites

Online monthly series for moms begins Feb. 5

Mothers of young children can find themselves isolated in today’s society. Creating Catholic Experiences in Motherhood, a ten-week online series, builds community, connecting mothers in similar life situations around the country, tethered by our Catholic faith. Hosted by The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church and lead by a professional coach and Catholic mom, Jenna Mayo, the format of this program encourages mothers to observe, connect, share, and learn from one another – offering an engaging opportunity for inclusion and true community. Register and learn more at mothersshrine.com.

Shareable links to a printable flier (8.5″ x 11″), a bulletin graphic, and four social media graphics.

NEWMAN’S MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL – FEBRUARY 10

Join us for great food and fellowship as we prepare for Lent! The parade will begin at 11:00 am! There will be food trucks, music, hot drinks, and king cake following the parade in Newman Gathering Space & Courtyard. This is a free event to the public! Invite your family and friends! For information, or to volunteer, contact Jeff Hilbrenner at jeffhilbrenner@hotmail.com or Kathleen Ketchum at kketchum14@gmail.com. Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

ATTENTION ALL MARRIED COUPLES!!!

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND RETREAT: Best Western Capital Inn, Jefferson City (February 10th-11th, 2024)

Kick off the new year by discovering a deeper level of satisfaction and joy in your marriage! Marriage Encounter provides the opportunity and the atmosphere for you to focus on and renew the blessings in your marriage. Don’t let the busyness of life steal them away! Food, lodging, and programming are included in the $75 fee. Register today for the weekend retreat before the event fills up!

Visit www.jeffcityme.com for more information and to register, or contact Harry & Cecilia Hentges at 573-619-7416.

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: Click here

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

Please share this graphic in your parish’s bulletin! For more information, contact Deacon John Schwartze at jschwartze@diojeffcity.org or by phone at 573-635-9127 x225.

With the emergence of more sophisticated “artificial intelligence”, society is journeying through a liminal moment that will impact the job market, recreation, and relationships. Join Spencer Allen, Catholic school principal and speaker on Artificial Intelligence, as he explores how people of faith will navigate this brave, new world.

Talk will follow 5pm mass on Sunday, February 25th, in Cana Hall. Dinner will be included.
RSVP to julie.g@cathedraljc.org

Join us for two events in one!

Sunday, March 3, 2024 nationally acclaimed speaker, Jason Evert, will be sharing not one, but TWO of his critically acclaimed talks.

Purified: A Life-Changing Event for Families (ages 13+)
3:00-4:30pm
The Innocence of the family is under attack like never before. Come and discover how to protect and heal yours. This chastity presentation is for teens, parents and adults.

Gender & The Theology of Your Body (Ages 13+)
6:30-7:30pm
What’s the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body? The truth of masculinity and femininity are being questioned like never before. Discover how your body as a man or woman reveals your identity and calling.

Mass will be celebrated from 5-5:45pm and there will be a Dinner Break from 6-6:30pm, the meal is included with your ticket.

Everyone will leave with free resources to continue your understanding and journey with the Chastity Project.

To see more on the event or to purchase your tickets, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the Facebook Event page!

Employment opportunities

St. Brendan Catholic School is currently seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team in the role of Principal starting July 1, 2024. As the principal, you will play a vital role in providing leadership, vision, and guidance to our school community. You will be responsible for ensuring the academic excellence and spiritual development of our students while fostering a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Learn more and apply.

The Newman Parish is seeking a Director of Youth Ministry to Create and direct an environment which leads the youth from Newman and Sacred Heart Parishes into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Church in coordination with youth ministry staff at Our Lady of Lourdes through tri-parish high school and middle school youth groups. Click here to see the full job description.

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.

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

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.

St. Andrew Catholic School in Tipton has an opening for a part-time Jr. High Science teacher for 2024-2025 school year. If anyone is available for the 2nd semester of the current year, I’d be happy to have that discussion as well. All interested persons can contact the Principal, Kara Higgins, at khiggins@saintandrewpirates.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.