January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025
New
Catholic Schools Week
Parishes across the Diocese of Jefferson City are celebrating Catholic Schools Week.
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has shared a video message in honor of our Catholic school educators and staff as we mark this special occasion.
The latest issue of The Catholic Missourian also includes the following feature stories about our local Catholic Schools:
New
Statement: "Our faith calls us to pursue humane and just solutions to the challenges of immigration"
By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight
Click here to read this statement in Spanish.
The people entrust our elected leaders with the responsibility to enact policies that promote the safety and well-being of all. Securing our nation’s borders is essential as we seek to protect our communities and maintain societal order. At the same time, immigrants deserve a fair, transparent, and efficient process as they seek entry — a standard our current immigration system regrettably fails to meet.
As people of faith, we must advocate for solutions rooted in compassion rather than fear or unnecessary harshness. While I support the deportation of violent criminals who are unlawfully present, I stand firmly against enforcement measures that instill fear or disrupt the stability of peaceful communities. These actions violate our moral principles.
Our faith calls us to pursue humane and just solutions to the challenges of immigration. We must uphold our own dignity by treating the most vulnerable among us with respect and care. Those who come to our churches, volunteer beside us, and make great sacrifices for their families embody the very values that define the American Dream.
As we navigate these complex issues, I pray for our public leaders to be guided by wisdom and courage. I urge them to craft policies that balance the need for secure borders with fundamental human rights and dignity of all individuals.
New
Fr. William Korte — Rest in Peace
With sadness we announce that Fr. William Korte, a priest of our diocese, passed away Friday evening.
Fr. Korte's obituary and arrangement information are available at this link.
Please pray for Fr. Korte, his family, and his parishes.
Reminder
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.
Learn more about the consultation by visiting this webpage.
The consultation began the weekend of 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 also includes 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.
- Send in your survey responses from the Masses on Jan. 25 and 26. 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 Diocese of Jefferson City is also sharing a video and podcasts featuring input from national experts as we reflect on the important questions at the heart of this consultation.
New
This week! Ministry on the Move
Ladies — time is running out to register for our Ministry on the Move event starting this Friday. Please have all registrations in by Thursday so you can get the final details email. We are prepared to welcome you!
New
Annual Parish Sacramental Records Report Requested
The Annual Parish Sacramental Records report for the calendar year 2024, is now being requested by the Office of the Chancellor. An Excel spreadsheet was emailed to all parishes on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and included worksheet tabs for Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Deaths.
This report is due as soon as possible, but not later than February 14, 2025, as this information is included in our Annual Report to Rome. Please complete each form and return to Ben Roodhouse, broodhouse@diojeffcity.org. If you have questions or difficulties, please reach out to either Mr. Roodhouse or Bernadette Adams, badams@diojeffcity.org.
New
Called by Name
During Called by Name weekend from Feb. 8-9, parishioners will be invited to nominate someone they think God might be calling to the priesthood or religious life. Please help us promote this prayerful discernment process by publishing the bulletin and social media graphics at this link according to the schedule below:
- From Feb. 1-2, please publish the graphics ending in "(Feb. 1-2)" in your bulletin and on social media. These graphics are meant to encourage parishioners to prayerfully discern who they might nominate the following weekend.
- From Feb. 8-9, please publish the graphics ending in "(Feb. 8-9)" in your bulletin and on social media. These graphics invite parishioners to submit their nomination using the in-pew cards at Mass or by completing the online form at diojeffcity.org/called-by-name. Please do not post these graphics early (before Feb. 8).
In-pew Called by Name cards are being delivered to your parish. If you need more cards, printable files are available in this folder. Thank you for your participation!
Reminder
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.
Bishop McKnight's February Prayer Intention
Bishop McKnight's prayer intention will be published at this link every month for easy access.
For mutual respect of the unique roles and responsibilities we are given as members of the Body of Christ. May we recognize and draw strength from the distinctive gifts God has given each of us with a spirit of co-responsibility. We pray to the Lord.
Por el respeto mutuo a los roles y responsabilidades únicos que se nos han dado como miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo. Que podamos reconocer y encontrar fortaleza en los dones particulares que Dios nos ha dado a cada uno, con un espíritu de corresponsabilidad. Roguemos al Señor.
Diocesan Events
Ministry on the Move! (Women's Ministry)
Jan. 31 - Feb. 3
(at various locations)
Called by Name Weekend
Feb. 8-9
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.
Parish Events
Eventos en Español
Upcoming events will be available soon!
