News

18 March 2024

March 18, 2024 | Monday Memo

Catholic Missourian update

The March 15 issue of The Catholic Missourian is out now! Please be aware that 24% of our subscribers received two copies of the paper.

The company that prints the newspaper had to reprint and mail the duplicate copies because the wrong insert was included in the first run of the newspaper. Please know that correcting this mistake did not cause extra expense to the diocese.

Anyone who receives two copies should make sure to check both — one will include the envelope for the upcoming Easter Special Collection.

Please consider sharing your bonus copy with a friend!

Easter Special Collection

This Easter, the Diocese of Jefferson City is holding a special collection to support the Retirement Fund for Religious as well as retired priests in our diocese.

The diocese is sharing a media toolkit to help our parishes spread the word about this upcoming collection. The toolkit includes printable graphics for bulletins and postcards. There are also digital graphics and videos for social media. Click here to access these resources.

The diocese is also providing special envelopes for this collection. They will be delivered to our faithful as an insert in the March 15 issue of the Catholic Missourian — parishioners aren’t required to use this envelope, they can use any envelope marked for this collection or give loose cash.

During all Easter Masses, please ensure that parishioners are informed about the second collection and the purpose of the collection, sample talking points are available to download here.

Please also instruct ushers to pass the baskets twice during Easter Masses — allowing those at Mass to make a gift of loose cash to the special collection without the need for a special envelope.

Parishioners will be asked to make checks out to their parish for this collection. Parishes can then deposit the proceeds locally — please do not send the envelopes directly to the Chancery. By April 30, each parish should send one check to the diocese comprising the entire collection from that parish. The Diocesan Finance Office also reminds parishes that proceeds from the Easter Special Collection should not be included with offertory collections on Page One of the Tithing Calculator. Rather, they should be reported as extraordinary income on Page Two under “Collections,” then “Easter Collection.” If there are any questions on reporting or submitting, please contact Paula Glynn or Michelle Truesdale in the Finance Office.

The Easter Special Collection is one of three annual special collections held in our parishes. The others are the Christmas Special Collection for our seminarians and infirm priests, and a collection in July in support of our missions.

Encourage the faithful to join us for Chrism Mass

All are invited to the Diocesan Chrism Mass on March 26, 3 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Please use the provided graphics to encourage the faithful in your parish to join us for this special annual liturgy. Refreshments will be available in Cana Hall after the Chrism Mass and RSVPs are requested to provide an approximate count for the reception.

Women’s Ministry Spring Pilgrimage

Join us for our Spring Pilgrimage at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Shelbina Missouri. National speaker, Jill Simons of Many Parts Ministry will be our keynote speaker. Join us for a day of formation, fun and fellowship. Fee is $15 for lunch. We hope women from throughout our diocese will join us in the North Deanery for this faith-filled pilgrimage! Click here to register.

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.

Salt and Light Newsletter

Click here to read the latest newsletter from our Religious Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office!

Parish Secretaries’ Workshop – March 20, 2024

The Office of the Chancellor will host the quarterly parish secretaries’ workshop on Wednesday, March 20^th, 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.

Decline to Sign

A Spanish version is now available! Click here to download.

New bulletin graphics are now available to help protect life in Missouri. Parishes are asked to also promote resources to help pregnant women alongside these graphics.

Gabriel House

A Catholic Guest House at Guardian Angels Parish in Brinktown MO. A small guest house that can accommodate 7 people (or more with cots.) Beautiful, quiet, clean self service facility with a fully equipped kitchen. Call Wilma 573-680-6024 or Colleen 573-578-3087 to book or to learn more.

Ricoh copier offered for sale

Mary Immaculate in Kirksville has a Ricoh MP 4055 copier/printer/scanner for sale. The device has only 124,000 copies on it, meaning it still has roughly 96% of its mechanical life left. It connects to an office network and can print remotely from computers. It can scan documents and send them to your desktop or to a thumb drive. The rubber rollers on the autofeed have been replaced. The parish is asking for $1,000 and the buyer would need to come to Kirksville to pick it up. Contact the parish office for more information: 660-665-2466.

Applications requested to serve on new Diocesan Youth Council

We are excited to introduce our Diocesan Youth Council which was established by Bishop McKnight on Friday, February 16, 2024. We need your help in spreading the word!

The vision for the Diocesan Youth Council is based off Christus Vivit, allowing for a place for young voices to be heard while also equipping the young people to be disciples in our Church.

Qualifications to Serve on the Council

A person must meet the following requirements:

Be a Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church
Received all the sacraments of initiation and be an active steward of the parish
Must be outstanding in firm faith, good morals, and prudence
High school student at the time of their application and can commit to at least 1 term (2 years)
(preferred) Active or previous leadership experience in their parish and/or institution

Expectations of Members

A member of the council is required to commit to the following:

Attend quarterly meetings in person at the chancery building in Jefferson City. Meetings are always on Saturdays
- The first Diocesan Youth Council meeting will be May 11 from 9am-2:30pm. This will include a morning of recollection
Attend a yearly leadership retreat with the Diocesan Youth Council
Participate in leadership opportunities at a minimum of one diocesan youth gathering (i.e. diocesan youth rally, NCYC, summer camps, Totus Tuus, Confirmation Retreat)

Deadline for Application is April 5 and will be announced by April 19, 2024.

Application can be accessed on the website: https://diojeffcity.org/youth-council/.

To read more about the Diocesan Youth Council, the signed Statutes are available here.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Update: Spanish versions of the social media graphics, bulletin graphics, and fliers are now available at this link!

As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be present in the Diocese of Jefferson City from July 1-5. A media toolkit is now available to begin promoting this special event in your parish. Please watch for more information and details about this exciting event coming soon. The latest updates can be found by clicking here.

Plus, we are asking for feedback on how parish communities are planning to participate — click on the following link to help give us feedback so we can start to plan on how many to expect: https://diojeffcity.org/eucharistic-pilgrimage-parish-interest-form/

OCP Parish Grants Program

Since 2001, the OCP Parish Grants Program has donated more than $3.45 million to parishes seeking to enhance their worship experience.

The Parish Grants Program is open to all Roman Catholic parishes and campus ministries (that can demonstrate a consistent Mass schedule throughout the year) in the U.S. and within U.S. territories. Applicants do not have to use an OCP worship program to qualify – only those parishes that received a 2023 Parish Grant are ineligible to apply.

Awarded grants must be used for liturgical and/or musical purposes. Common uses include: purchasing new music and worship resources, repairing or replacing musical instruments, attending or hosting conferences and workshops, improving multicultural ministries through training or purchasing bilingual resources, and more.

2024 applications

Applications for 2024 OCP Parish Grants are being accepted now through May 30, 2024. To apply, a parish representative simply needs to fill out an online application at ocp.org/parish-grants. Grant recipients will be announced in August. For more information, please visit ocp.org/parish-grants.

Register for Diocesan Summer Camps!

Registration is now open!

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

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

Catholic Charities March Menu of Engagement

Join Catholic Charities in serving others this month – check out our Menu of Engagement to learn how!

Share in bulletins, emails, social media, and websites

Webinar series: Lent and Synodality

Bishop Daniel Flores, whose preaching skills are known to many, will offer three Lenten webinars – on February 14 (Ash Wednesday); March 6, and March 19. He will focus on synodality using passages from Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse.

Bishop Flores is the Bishop of Brownsville, TX, the Chair of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine, and shepherds the synod process for the dioceses of the United States.

About the Lenten Synodal webinars: https://catholicreview.org/synod-and-scripture-bishop-flores-to-lead-webinars-on-john-14-and-synodality/

Please register for each webinar separately. Please direct specific questions to the USCCB Synod Office.

Session 3 – March 19 at 4 p.m. EDT https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_onAHL2XDRw6hN6PLaI6cyA

Lenten Mission Series – Just Rest

New promotional materials are now available in both English and Spanish!

All are invited to join us this Lenten season for a Healing Mission sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Sedalia. Over four days Catholic Evangelista Sonja Corbitt will guide us through different aspects of healing through “Rest” … Rest in Thoughts, Rest in Emotions, Rest in Soul, and Rest in Body. We will kick-off the “Just Rest” Mission on Sunday, March 17th, starting the first session at 2:30pm at St. Patrick Chapel, with a Lenten Penance Service following at 4pm. Remaining sessions will start at 6:30pm at St. Patrick Chapel on March 18th, 19th, and 20th. We will conclude the “Just Rest” Mission with a bi-lingual Mass following the session on the 20th. There is no cost to attend this mission. All within the diocese are welcome to join us for one or more or all of the sessions, whatever you can work in your schedule. St. Patrick Chapel is located at 415 E. 4^th St. Sedalia, MO.

Upcoming Women’s Ministry Events

Don’t miss out on opportunities to gather with women from around the diocese. Join us on April 6th at our Diocesan sponsored Spring Pilgrimage in Shelbina MO with National Speaker Jill Simmons. You can also head to Jefferson City for a retreat with the ladies of Immaculate Conception featuring a talk by our own Father Flatley or St. Stanislaus in Wardsville for a program put on by Arise Ministry. Fliers for bulletins are available for download below.

Arise Women’s Ministry of JCMO is hosting a women’s spiritual day of reflection on Sunday, March 24 from 1:00-5:00pm entitled RESTORED-Through the Five Wounds of Jesus. A wonderful way to enter into Holy Week, the afternoon event will include delicious refreshments, beautiful music, fun games and Spirit-led messages of reconciliation, restoration and redemption. Location of event: St. Stanislaus Parish/School Gym, 6410 Rt W. Jefferson City, MO 65101. Cost: $20. To register for the event, you may find your tickets online at eventbrite.com, search for Restored – A Women’s Retreat or email registerariseevent@gmail.com. For questions, please contact LeAnn Korsmeyer 573 690-2882/Millie Aulbur 573 690-4635 or Mary Markway 573 690-5284.

Employment opportunities

The Chancery Office of the Diocese of Jefferson City is seeking an experienced administrative assistant to support the Director of Religious Education & Youth/Young Adult Ministry and the Coordinator of Women’s Ministry. Requirements include: at least 5 years’ experience; intermediate to advanced skills in Word and Excel; experience with website content management (preferred); ability to prioritize tasks and support more than one director; and willingness to assist with events. This is a full-time position offering a competitive wage with comprehensive benefits which include life insurance, long-term disability, medical, dental, vision and a matching 403(b) retirement plan. Applicants are encouraged to apply on Indeed.com or send resume to hrdir@diojeffcity.org.

St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish is seeking to fill the position of Assistant Director of Campus Ministry. To see a full job description, go to: https://www.comonewman.org/job-openings/

St. Martin Catholic Parish is seeking a Parish Bookkeeper. Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Preparation of payroll, associated taxes and reports
Prepares bank deposits and records receipts
Prepares vouchers, including coding and payment of invoices
Reconciles parish, school, and cemetery books, if applicable
Maintains tuition and school accounts, if applicable
Balances checkbook(s) monthly
Produces accurate financial reports as requested; may work with outside accounting firm
Other duties as directed by pastor/director

For more information or to apply, see our ad on Indeed.com or email your resume to hrdir@diojeffcity.org.

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church is seeking a Custodian. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Responsible for maintenance, minor repairs, painting and safety at all parish buildings.
Janitorial (cleaning) services at all parish buildings, including church, fellowship building, offices, and educational areas.
Develop and maintain a cleaning schedule for all parish buildings in coordination with the pastor and administration commission.
Perform ground maintenance and repairs to include lawn mowing, snow removal, etc.
Provide preventive maintenance program for parish to include plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, and maintain records as necessary. Maintain records of venders and projects for office staff.
Perform regular building inspections and report deficiencies to pastor.
Set up furniture and fixtures as necessary for religious education and other church sponsored activities.

Applicants should express their interest by emailing: office@ourladylakeozark.org.

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic Programs Assistant to join our team at The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, contributing to the memorable and spiritual experiences and growth of our pilgrims and visitors. As a Programs Assistant, you will collaborate closely with the Director of Operations to conceptualize, plan, and execute various enriching experiences including Shrine tours, Catholic Masses, pilgrimages, retreats, and events, with a particular focus on honoring Mary as Mother of the Church and all mothers in accordance with our Mission Statement. View our website at: MothersShrine.com. You may access the full job description at this link.

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.

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.

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. Clement Catholic School in St. Clement, MO has an opening for a Classroom Teacher – 1st and 2nd Grade. This position is for the 2024-2025 school year. A successful candidate is a practicing Catholic in good standing who can minister to students regardless of subject area or a teacher who, consistent with the Mission of St. Clement Catholic School, promotes and teaches the Catholic faith as reasonably determined by the principal. Applicants should hold the appropriate Missouri teaching certification, or its equivalent. All interested persons should complete the application and contact the Principal, Laurie Schuckenbrock, at lschuckenbrock@stclementmo.org

St. Joseph Catholic School in Westphalia, MO is seeking a dedicated Physical Education teacher to join our team. If you are enthusiastic about promoting health, fitness, and teamwork among students in K – 8 in a strong Catholic based setting, we encourage you to apply. Experience in teaching physical education to students in K – 8, development and implementation of age – appropriate PE lessons that promote physical fitness, skill development, student team building, sportsmanship, and integrate Catholic values and principles into the physical education activities and lessons. All interested applications should complete the application. We ask you also submit cover letter, resume, and three references to Patricia Kirk at pkirk@stjosephwestphalia.org

St. Joseph Catholic School in Westphalia, MO is seeking a passionate and dedicated Music Teacher to join our team and inspire our students K – 8 through the joy of music. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in music education, a deep appreciation for Catholic values, and the ability to create engaging and enriching music experiences for students in grades K – 8. Previous music teaching experience, proficiency in playing the piano, organ, and at Masses. Commitment to Catholic education and the mission of Catholic education. All interested applications should complete the application. We ask you also submit cover letter, resume, and three references to Patricia Kirk at pkirk@stjosephwestphalia.org

St. Joseph Catholic School in Westphalia, MO is seeking a creative and passionate Art Teacher for students in K – 8. If you have the desire for inspiring creativity and fostering artistic expression in children within a Catholic setting, we courage you to apply. Development and implementing the art curriculum for students in grades K – 8 aligning with national and diocesan standards. Plan and facilitate art lessons that encourage creative thinking, and expressions across various mediums and techniques. Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel encouraged to explore their artistic talents, and develop their skills. Showcase student artwork through exhibitions, and within the halls of the school. If you have had experience in teaching art in K-8, proficiency in art mediums and techniques, and have a love to integrate Catholic values and principles within your art lessons, please complete the application. We also ask to please submit cover letter, resume, and three references to Patricia Kirk at pkirk@stjosephwestphalia.com

Holy Cross School in Cuba is seeking a dedicated and nurturing preschool teacher and two part-time aides to join our team. This position is for a 3/4 year old classroom. If you are passionate about working with young children and creating an engaging and creative learning environment, we encourage you to apply on our website at hcschoolcuba.org.

St. Joseph School in Westphalia, MO seeks a faith-filled, organized individual to join our team in the role of Principal,starting July 1, 2024. As the principal, you will provide leadership, vision, and guidance to our school community. You will be responsible for ensuring the academic excellence and assisting with the spiritual development of our students while fostering a safe and nurturing environment. Candidates should be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church, have at least 3 years teaching experience, a degree in education, and principal’s certificate, or be willing to pursue such credentials. This role is full-time, exempt and eligible for an extensive benefit packets and paid time off. For more information, please see: https://www.stjosephwestphalia.org/principal-position-opening.html

St. Andrew School in Tipton has 2 openings for Junior High Teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. Junior High is departmentalized and the available content area is Science, Social Studies, ELA, and Religion with 7th and 8th grade homeroom. 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.