February 24, 2025
February 24, 2025
New
Co-responsibility: The Christian way to make decisions in the Church
The following is an except from a story in the Feb. 21 issue of The Catholic Missourian:
In teams of five, members of the diocese’s Youth Advisory Council gently guided a plastic Hula Hoop off the floor, using only their index fingers.
Their task sounded easy enough, but both teams had to try several times before successfully lifting the ring above their heads.
“You needed coordination. You needed to be aware of what you are doing and what the members of your team are doing,” Maureen Quinn, diocesan director of religious education and youth/young adult ministry, explained when they were finished.
“Sometimes, it’s easier to look outward at what other people are doing than to look inward,” she noted. “In our role on this council, we need to be doing both.”
The members were on their annual retreat, laying the foundation for future deliberations that will allow them to advise and collaborate with members of the clergy in guiding and governing the Church.
“A lot of young people see Mass as something they’re not interested in,” said Sophia Fennewald, a member of the council. “But I hope that through this council, we can make it known that the Church is a great thing and that God works through the Church to get to us, and going to Mass and participating in being Catholic is a great thing.”
“I think bringing people together to serve in the Church doesn’t just help make our community better, but it helps grow our Catholic Church, which helps to make the world a better place,” said council memember Luke Wolf.
Most on the council were getting their first taste of one of the pillars of the diocesan pastoral plan: co-responsibility.
Co-responsibility is an invitation to share in the mission of the Church. It builds hope and confidence, empowers us to use our gifts and allows us to embrace our responsibilities together.
“When we work as one community of faith, we grow stronger and more united in our witness to Christ,” said Bishop W. Shawn McKnight.
The issue includes several stories on the topic of co-responsibility:
Let us Pray
Prayer for Pope Francis
Please join us and keep Pope Francis in your prayers during this time.
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Francis,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
Grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Source: USCCB
New
Notice of Appointments
24 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:
PRIESTS
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR MARION J. MAKAREWICZ, to residence at St. Stephen, Indian Creek, and parish ministry as he is able, effective 1 March 2025.
- VERY REVEREND BRAD T. BERHORST, JCL, to Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Ozark, continuing as Judicial Vicar and Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies, effective 1 March 2025 and until 30 June 2025.
- REVEREND MARTIN MASIISA, newly arrived from the Diocese of Kampala, Uganda, to residence at the rectory of St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Thomas, effective 21 February 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
New
OCIA implementation
As we move forward with the new OCIA process and translation, the Diocese of Jefferson City is issuing a plan and timeline for our diocesan implementation. Our plan has been formalized in a decree from Bishop McKnight and detailed in an accompanying letter.
We encourage you to review these materials and begin parish discussions, prayer and planning for these important changes. As noted in the letter, the diocese will be providing education and resources throughout the implementation timeline.
Reminder
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.
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.
Save the Date
Spring Retreat
New
Salt and Light Newsletter
Linked is the Religious Ed, Youth and Young Adult Ministry February 2025 Salt and Light Newsletter: https://
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.
New
Singing the Creed
The following is a message from Fr. Dan Merz, Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission:
In the link below, you can hear a recording of the Nicene Creed in two part harmony, then in unison; then the Apostles Creed in two part harmony, then in unison. Since 2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea (AD 325) when the Nicene Creed was composed, it seems fitting to suggest and encourage that the Creed be sung at least on occasion during the Jubilee Year (and beyond). We hope you find this a helpful suggestion as a way to honor and celebrate this central expression of our faith.
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 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.
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
New
New
Heart of a Hero Men's Conference
New
Line Dancing Class
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.
Bishop McKnight's March Prayer Intention
Bishop McKnight's prayer intention will be published at this link every month for easy access.
For a spirit of humility and repentance, that we may confess our sins and seek reconciliation in preparation for the Easter feasts. May our hearts be purified and opened to the grace of God. We pray to the Lord.
Por un espíritu de humildad y arrepentimiento, para que confesemos nuestros pecados y busquemos la reconciliación en preparación para las fiestas de Pascua. Que nuestros corazones sean purificados y estén abiertos a la gracia de Dios. Roguemos al Señor.
Diocesan Events
2025 Marriage Retreat
March 14-15
Cathedral of St. Joseph
(Jefferson City)
Women's Ministry Spring Pilgrimage
April 5
Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows
(Starkenburg)
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!
