January 20, 2025
New
Sacred Music Consultation
Sacred Music Consultation
The Diocese of Jefferson City is embarking on a sacred music consultation. Through this effort, we are inviting the faithful to share their thoughts on the matters raised in a temporary policy promulgated by Bishop McKnight in early November, Promoting Active Participation in the Liturgy through Sacred Music.
The consultation begins this weekend, Jan. 24-26, with surveys being conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), and concludes at the Priests’ Institute in October.
The consultation will also include synodal-style listening sessions and input from parish leadership, the local NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians) members, the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, resulting in a new decree presented to Bishop McKnight by the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Your participation in and support of this entire process is essential.
Here is how you can support this important effort:
- Help promote this effort by sharing the resources available at diojeffcity.org/sacred-music. This includes links to a survey and registration for the listening sessions. Graphics to promote this can be downloaded here (Spanish materials will be available soon).
- Participate in the survey during Masses on Jan. 25 and 26.This is the only weekend for this in-person opportunity. Due to our timeline, all print surveys must be sent to CARA no later than Feb. 3, 2025.
- Take part in a listening session. These sessions are being scheduled at locations across the diocese. Click here to see a list of locations, dates and time — and register to attend.
The in-person, paper survey offered in the parishes can be completed by everyone who is NOT involved in music ministry. The on-line survey has a separate section for clergy (priests and deacons) and anyone involved in music ministry, including choir members, song leaders and instrumentalists. These people should NOT fill out the in-person, paper survey. The link for the online survey is at diojeffcity.org/sacred-music.
New
Making Connections: An invitation to share your voice
Below is an excerpt from a new Making Connections column from Bishop McKnight. Click here to read the entire message. Click here to read the message in Spanish.
By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight
When we sing together in the liturgy, the Holy Spirit moves among us. Liturgical singing is an act of faith that resonates deeply within our hearts — it is more than just voices raised in harmony; it is the binding of hearts in worship.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Second Vatican Council document on the sacred liturgy, teaches us that:
“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art… as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites” (no. 112).
It’s true, most of us are not blessed with perfect voices, myself included! I understand that it can take courage to sing boldly in the presence of others. But when we raise our voices together, we participate in a profound act that celebrates our unity in faith and glorifies God.
My hope is that everyone in our diocese feels called to participate in the sacred music of our Masses and other liturgies. However, I recognize there can be obstacles that make it difficult or impossible for this to happen. For example, when the song is unfamiliar it can be hard to sing along. And when a song is in a language that is not our own, it can be even more challenging.
Music composed by individuals who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse brings more significant obstacles. There is real concern about what is conveyed to our community — especially to survivors of abuse — when we continue to use the works of such composers.
Just as important is the doctrinal appropriateness of the hymns we sing. Music has a unique power to shape our understanding of the faith. The texts we sing must not only be lyrically and melodically beautiful, but also theologically brilliant with depth of meaning, reflecting the magnificent truths of our Catholic faith.
These are important issues which can stir up tensions and division. However, we must take seriously the famous mandate in Sacrosanctum Concilium: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy” (no. 14). In this spirit, I am compelled to address this issue in a way that fosters unity and encourages greater participation in our liturgies... Click here to read more.
New
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight
Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his unwavering commitment to overcoming social divisions through nonviolence and love.
In a fractured world, Dr. King's message is still timeless as ever. As he wrote in his letter from Birmingham Jail: "we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
Dr. King taught us that the path to true peace lies in justice, and the path to justice is paved with love and understanding. As we commemorate his life and work, let us recommit ourselves to building bridges of unity and tearing down walls of hatred and prejudice.
May Dr. King's dream inspire us to continue striving for a society rooted in justice, peace, and the dignity of every person.
Reminder
Chancery closed today
The Chancery will be closed on January 20 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
New
New
Marriage Retreat
Help us promote the upcoming Marriage Retreat — and please encourage married couples in your parish to attend!
The retreat will be held on March 14-15, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph and will be led by two inspiring couples from the Marianist Retreat Center.
Attendees can expect three delicious meals, inspiring talks, engaging prayer experiences, and quality reflection time. Registration is open now at diojeffcity.org/marriage-retreat.
We have social media and bulletin graphics available for you to use in your promotions at this link. There are two sets of graphics: general graphics and graphics asking for volunteer host homes. If your parish is in the Jefferson City area, please use the volunteer host homes graphics. Thank you for sharing!
Questions? Contact Julie Gramlich at julie.g@cathedraljc.org or 573-635-7991.
Reminder
Discovering God's hope during a Year of Jubilee
This holy year invites the faithful to embrace the spirit of hope. As we embark on this year of Jubilee, there will be numerous opportunities to experience grace, including by participating in special Jubilee Masses or joining a pilgrimage.
Stay up to date with the latest information about the Jubilee by visiting: https://diojeffcity.org/jubilee-year/
Apply now
College Scholarships Available
Applications for college scholarships are now available! 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 26. Find eligibility details and applications at diojeffcity.org/scholarships
Pray with us
Bishop McKnight's January Prayer Intention
Bishop McKnight's prayer intention will be published at this link every month for easy access.
For our civic leaders, that they may be guided by wisdom and integrity in their decisions. May they seek the common good, foster unity in our communities, and lead with compassion and justice.
Por nuestros líderes cívicos, para que sean guiados por la sabiduría y la integridad en sus decisiones. Que busquen el bien común, fomenten la unidad en nuestras comunidades y lideren con compasión y justicia.
Upcoming events for bulletins, social media, etc.
Diocesan Events
Ministry on the Move! (Women's Ministry)
Jan. 31 - Feb. 3
(at various locations)
2025 Marriage Retreat
March 14-15
Cathedral of St. Joseph
(Jefferson City)
Note: the following lists populate events for the current week. To view all upcoming events, please click "View all events on our diocesan calendar" below.