March 24, 2025
March 24, 2025
This week on social media
Students share videos from their spring break pilgrimage
Follow along as a group of college students from the Diocese of Jefferson City embarks on a Jubilee-year pilgrimage to Rome.
All week, students from the group will be sharing videos with reflections and insights as they travel to holy sites at the heart of our Church.
The videos are being shared on the social media accounts for the Diocese of Jefferson City.
Jubilee resources
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.
There are several new materials available to parishes, including branded assets, promotional materials, a pilgrimage passport and other handouts for parishioners. Please help us promote these unique opportunities throughout the year!
We encourage you to get started with our parish guide to the 2025 Jubilee Year. This guide includes information on how you can get involved as a parish, what resources are available, and ideas for creating Jubilee events at your parish.
This folder will be updated with resources throughout the year. Please continue to check the Monday Morning Memo for new updates!
Stay up to date with the latest information about the Jubilee by visiting: https://diojeffcity.org/jubilee-year/
New
Former priest is laicized
John Whiteley, former priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, has been dismissed from the clerical state by Pope Francis.
Whiteley was removed from ministry in 1991 following accusations of sexual abuse of minors.
After receiving notice of the laicization, the Diocese of Jefferson City has been working to inform survivors of this action before making this public announcement.
Whiteley had previously been listed among the diocese’s credibly accused priests. The list has now been updated to reflect his laicization.
“As a Church, we have a responsibility to remain watchful and to learn from past lessons,” said Bishop McKnight. “Let us all extend our prayers to those who have suffered during this painful time. As we move forward, I pray that our faithful will find hope in our commitment to accountability and our work to build safe communities of faith. May God continue to guide us in this work.”
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of misconduct involving a priest, deacon, or other church personnel is encouraged to contact law enforcement, as well as the Diocese of Jefferson City’s victim assistance coordinator, Jacqueline Baldwin, at 573-694-3199 or reportabuse@diojeffcity.org. For more information, visit diojeffcity.org/report-abuse-or-misconduct.
This statement is also available on the diocesan website at this link.
New
Catholic Charities transitions refugee support to partner agencies
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has established agreements with partner agencies to provide continuing support to local refugees as the Refugee Services program at Catholic Charities is being discontinued.
Earlier this year, amid uncertainty regarding federal funding, Catholic Charities paused efforts to welcome new refugees into our community. Now, Catholic Charities will fully transition its support of refugees already present in our communities to partner agencies. This important step will enable refugees to continue receiving the assistance and care they need. This transition will be complete by March 31.
“Refugee resettlement has been part of Catholic Charities’ mission from the beginning. Refugees bring resilience, culture and talent that enrich our communities in countless ways,” said Litz Main, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. “We are proud to have welcomed and walked alongside so many who now call Missouri home, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting these families through our partner agencies.”
With this change, Catholic Charities remains focused on its core mission of providing charity and mercy to those in need in the Diocese of Jefferson City.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri and everyone involved in this longstanding effort to welcome and support refugees in the Diocese of Jefferson City. This work has been a testament to our faith — and to our belief in the dignity of every individual,” said the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City. “As we move forward, I ask that everyone in our community unite and further strengthen our efforts to fulfill our call to charity and mercy as we assist those in need.”
This statement is also available on the Catholic Charities website at this link.
New
Help promote the upcoming Easter Special Collection
The diocesan Easter Special Collection is an opportunity to show our support for those who have dedicated their lives to sharing the good news of the Risen Christ — our retired priests and religious. This collection will be taken up in all parishes during Easter Masses on April 19-20. You can help raise awareness about this collection by sharing information in your parish bulletin, in the parish building and on parish social media channels. We’ve compiled a promotional toolkit at this link with ready-to-share graphics and videos highlighting the importance of this collection.
Within the promotional toolkit, you will find:
- Pulpit announcements to be read in the weeks leading up to Easter
- 8.5″x11″ flyer
- Bulletin graphics
- Several social media graphics and videos
- Sample text for each graphic/video that you can copy into a social media post
Spanish versions of each graphic will be available soon.
Thank you for your assistance in promoting this important collection for our retired priests and religious!
Due this week
Please Request Holy Oils for 2025
In order to provide the necessary supply of Holy Oils for each priest and each parish, we ask that ALL priests complete the Holy Oils Request Form no later than Friday, March 28.
If you have any questions or need to know what was prepared last year for you and/or your parish, please contact Bernadette Adams at badams@diojeffcity.org.
Reminder
Fish fry finder
If the link above does not work, please click here.
Next Month
Join us for The Chrism Mass
All are invited to the Diocesan Chrism Mass on April 15, 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. A light meal will be available in Cana Hall after the Chrism Mass and RSVPs are requested to provide an approximate count for the reception.
New flyers available
Youth Opportunities
- Updated Camp flyers, bulletin and social media announcements are now available. Click here to access the new materials and please use these resources to help spread the word about camp for those going into 6-12th grade and volunteer opportunities for high school and adults. Registration is now live at https://diojeffcity.org/
youth-camps/ - 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
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
Young Adult Pilgrimage to Uganda
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
Pray with us
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.
Bishop McKnight's April Prayer Intention
Bishop McKnight's prayer intention will be published at this link every month for easy access.
For all who have suffered abuse, that they may experience healing and restoration. That we may be ever-vigilant in protecting the vulnerable and ensuring our parishes remain places of safety, love, and respect. We pray to the Lord.
Por todos los que han sufrido abuso, para que experimenten sanación y restauración. Que estemos siempre vigilantes en la protección de los vulnerables y en asegurar que nuestras parroquias permanezcan como lugares seguros, de amor y respeto. Roguemos al Señor.
Diocesan Events
Women's Ministry Spring Pilgrimage
April 5
Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows
(Starkenburg)
The Chrism Mass
April 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!
