February 17, 2025
February 17, 2025
New
World Day for Consecrated Life
"I am filled with gratitude for my religious vocation, and I am hopeful that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, our world can and will be transformed and that all people will come to know that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent.”
— SISTER MARY ANN CAREY SSND
Earlier this month, the Diocese of Jefferson City celebrated World Day for Consecrated Life.
The day — on which the Church honored and particularly prayed for consecrated religious sisters, brothers and religious priests — coincided with the Church-wide observance of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
In a recent story in The Catholic Missourian, several sisters serving in various roles throughout the diocese reflected on how God has used their personal vocation to Consecrated Religious Life and the charism of their various religious congregations to share hope with the people they pray for and minister to.
Rest in Peace
Fr. Michael William Penn
Please join us in praying for Fr. Michael Penn, a priest of our diocese, who passed away on February 14.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City.
Click here to read his full obituary, including detailed information about the arrangements.
Thank you for your prayers for him and his family.
New
Diocesan Choir for the Funeral Mass of Fr. Michael Penn
All singers from parish music ministries are invited to join the Diocesan Choir for the Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Michael Penn. Warm-ups will take place at 10 a.m. on that same day in Cana Hall, underneath the Cathedral. If you are interested in singing or have any questions, please contact Dr. Andrew Meagher, Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, andrew.m@cathedraljc.org.
New
Statement of the Missouri Catholic Conference on Abortions Resuming in Missouri
We are saddened that abortions will resume in Missouri after the recent judicial ruling that abortion clinics do not need to be licensed by the state. The legalization and deregulation of abortion will harm women, children, and families.
The Catholic Church in Missouri will strive to increase advocacy for policies that uphold the dignity of all human life, protect the vulnerable, provide support for those in need, and continue to combat the forces behind the culture of death. For those women and men who have been and will be wounded by abortion, the Church will continue to provide true hope and healing.
We will continue to educate the faithful on the inherent dignity of all, as each individual is a child of God, and endeavor to make resources available to those in need. We will also work with lawmakers to craft prudent legislation to protect the welfare and dignity of pregnant mothers and their unborn children.
Let us continue to pray and work for a greater recognition of the gift of each and every human life in our society.
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 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.
We are encouraging the faithful to take part in a listening session, which are happening this week. These sessions are available at locations across the diocese. Click here to see a list of locations, dates and time — and register to attend.
New
2025 Lenten Regulations and Admonitions
As another Lenten journey of conversion begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025 and ends with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Catholic Church calls all Catholics to a deeper spirit of penance, fasting, almsgiving and prayer, “which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1434 and 1969).
To foster a greater spirit of penance, reparation for sin, to encourage self-denial, which guide us more closely in the footsteps of Christ, the Church reminds us of the following obligations of fast and abstinence during Lent, and also admonishes us all to deeper prayer and worship.
New
Notice of Appointment
17 February 2025
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIEST
- REVEREND CHARLES NWEZE to Hospital and Nursing Home Ministry in Columbia effective 22 January 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
Save the Date
Parish Secretaries' Workshop
The next Parish Secretaries' Workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding no later than noon.
The Zoom link will be provided closer to the date; in the meantime, please mark this training opportunity on your calendar and send topics or questions that we should cover to Bernadette Adams at badams@diojeffcity.org.
Reminder
Youth Opportunities Available
- Camp Registration for summer 2025 is now live! https://diojeffcity.org/
youth-camps/ To access advertisements that can be used on social media or bulletins immediately click here: https://drive.google.com/ drive/folders/ 1L78R9KwTQGsx1GvFqDeWwVEMnCS9X YIJ?usp=drive_link We will be adding more resources for advertisement in the coming weeks. - Totus Tuus has 3 available spots for parishes for this next summer: 2 spots for June 15-20 and 1 spot available for July 6-11. If your parish is interested, please register here: https://diojeffcity.
org/totus-tuus-parish- registration/ - NCYC Registration is now open for November 20-23. NCYC 2025 Parish Info Packet has all important information for group leaders: https://diojeffcity.org/wp-
content/uploads/2025/01/NCYC- 2025-Parish-info-Packet.pdf. To register your group and access other info and resources check out the diocesan website: https://diojeffcity.org/ national-catholic-youth- conference/
Seeking Spanish-Speaking Summer Camp Missionaries
Reminder
Faith Formation Opportunities Available
- DRE & YM Spring Workshop is February 25 and will be at Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbia this year! You will have an opportunity to meet Regina Quinn, the new director of Safe Environment. Also we will have two national speakers joining us via zoom. To register click here: https://diojeffcity.org/
registration-workshops/ - Catechesis of Good Shepherd Level 1 Training is now open for registration for this summer. People from our diocese receive a large discount thanks to the Knights of Columbus RIB Grant. To get more information and register click here: https://diojeffcity.org/
catechesis-of-the-good- shepherd/
New
Liturgical Preparation Aid for Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, and the Easter Season 2025
FDLC is pleased to offer this collection of free resources to assist in your parish and diocesan preparations for Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, and the Easter Season in both English and Spanish (coming soon):
This Liturgical Preparation Aid includes:
- The Order for Reconciling Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution (Readings, Sample Penances, Music Suggestions)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- A Liturgical Calendar for Lent, Triduum, and the Easter Season
- The Lectionary for Mass – Year C
- Preparation Sheets for the Rites belonging to the Period of Purification and Enlightenment
- Preparation Sheet for Palm Sunday
- Preparation Sheets for the Sacred Paschal Triduum
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/
The diocese has recently published a new handout in English and Spanish with information about the Jubilee indulgence. Click here to download the handout.
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. The deadline to apply is March 26. Find eligibility details and applications at diojeffcity.org/scholarships
Reminder
Pilgrimage to Italy and Poland
New
Reminder
Midwest March for Life Save the Date
The MidWest March for Life will be held on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. Please find more information in the flyer.
Pray with us
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
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!
