April 7, 2025
April 7, 2025
New
Spirit and Truth: Instruction on the Pastoral Use of Music in the Liturgy
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight has issued a new decree and a related instruction on the pastoral use of sacred music in the Diocese of Jefferson City.
The decree and instruction are the first outcomes of the Sacred Music Consultation we have undertaken in the Diocese of Jefferson City. This work has been shaped by the substantial input received via the survey and listening sessions conducted earlier this year.
All are urged to review these important documents.
As outlined in the decree and instruction, there are additional steps as we move forward as a diocese. These include parish-level synodal discernment, an increased emphasis on formation, and the investment of new resources as we strive to ensure our sacred music becomes an even greater source of unity that fosters active participation in our liturgies.
You can also read the reports from the diocesan survey and listening sessions:
New
Official Decree of Appointments
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, hereby makes the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR GREGORY L. HIGLEY, VF, from St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. James, and St. Anthony Parish, Rosati to Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Ozark, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR MARION J. MAKAREWICZ, from residence at St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek to residence at St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove, effective 1 July 2025, continuing with assistance to the pastor as able.
- VERY REVEREND JASON T. DOKE, V.F., from St. Martin Parish, St. Martins and St. Michael Parish, Russellville to Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. James, and St. Anthony Parish, Rosati, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Chairman of the Diocesan Building Commission.
- VERY REVEREND P. GREGORY OLIGSCHLAEGER, V.F., from Holy Rosary Parish, Monroe City and St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek to Pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Boonville and St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Spiritual Director of the English Cursillo Secretariat.
- REVEREND CESAR A. ANICAMA, from providing Mass coverage with residence at St. Peter Parish, Marshall to Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Milan and its Mission of St. Mary, Unionville, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND GREGORY J. CLEVER, from Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, to an immersion experience in Costa Rica for Hispanic ministry, effective from 23 May until 30 June, 2025; and thereafter to Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Hispanic ministry in Columbia, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND CHRISTOPHER A. HOFFMANN, from Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbia to Parochial Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish, Monroe City and St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND WALTER KISPOTTA, from St. Cornelius Parish, Crocker and St. Theresa Parish, Dixon, to hospital and nursing home ministry in Jefferson City and Mass coverage as assigned by the Vicar for Priests, with residence at the Cathedral rectory, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND MARTIN MASIISA, from providing Mass coverage with residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, St. Thomas to Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, and providing Mass coverage as assigned by the Vicar for Priests, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND ANTHONY N. ONYEIHE, from Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon to Parochial Administrator of St. Cornelius Parish, Crocker, and St. Theresa Parish, Dixon, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND NICHOLAS J. REID, returning from service for the Archdiocese for the Military Services to Pastor of St. Martin Parish, St. Martins and St. Michael Parish, Russellville, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND GREIVIN F. RODRIGUEZ AGÜERO, from St. Mary Parish, Milan and its Mission of St. Mary, Unionville to Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND MARK S. SMITH, J.C.L., from Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Boonville and St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove to Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Tribunal Judge.
DEACONS
- DEACON CHAD R. LEWIS, from Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon to diaconal ministry at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, St. Robert and St. Jude Parish, Richland, effective 1 June 2025.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 3rd day of April in the Jubilee Year of Our Lord 2025.
New
Parish Pastoral Planning
- The parish’s pastoral plan (templates and other tools are available here, in English and Spanish).
- An explanation of how the plan aligns with the parish’s deanery plan and the diocesan pastoral plan (Deanery plans and the Shaping Our Future Together diocesan pastoral plan are available here).
- An indication of how the lay leadership (pastoral, finance, stewardship and other councils) will be using the parish pastoral plan in their leadership roles.
New
Seeking reader input for stories
The Catholic Missourian is seeking information from readers on the following topics:
- The upcoming canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Has Blessed Carlo’s ministry, example, and intercession before God’s throne had a positive influence on you or a member of your family?
- The 20th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s death. Do his memory and intercession before God’s throne continue to influence your journey to Christ or that of anyone in your family?
- The 60th anniversary of the exhibition of Michelangelo’s “Pieta” in the Vatican Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, along with Pope St. Paul VI’s historic visit to the fair and the United Nations. Do you or anyone you know have memories of the Vatican Pavilion, the “Pieta” exhibit, the Pope’s visit or related recollections?
To submit information for any of these stories, write to Jay Nies, editor of The Catholic Missourian, at editor@diojeffcity.org.
New
Meet Regina Quinn, Diocesan Safe Environment Director
Throughout her career of safeguarding children and young people — first in the military, then in the Church — Regina Quinn JD has recognized two common reactions to allegations of abuse by an adult.
“I don’t believe it! I know that person, and I know they’d never do anything like this”; or “I’m not surprised. I always thought there was something fishy with that person.”
“The second reaction frustrates me the most of all,” said Ms. Quinn, director of the Jefferson City diocese’s safe environment office. “The first is a gut-level response,” she stated. “The second says you saw or suspected something but were reluctant to get involved.”
She pointed out that everyone is responsible for keeping children safe in the parishes.
“The bishop sets the polices, my office enforces the policies, but creating and maintaining safe environments is everyone’s responsibility,” she continued.
“Safe environments affect everyone, regardless of what they do anywhere in the diocese,” she said. “So, we all need to be working together as a team.”
New
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, reminding us of the important role each person has in preventing child abuse in our community. Learn more about safe environment training in our diocese at diojeffcity.org/safe-environment.
Pilgrims of hope
Students share videos from their spring break pilgrimage
The Diocese of Jefferson City is following along as a group of college students from the diocese is using their spring break to experience a Jubilee-year pilgrimage to Rome.
The students have been sharing videos with reflections and insights as they have traveled to holy sites at the heart of our Church.
Click their photos below to watch the series. More videos will be 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/
Reminder
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!
Reminder
Help promote our P23 Camp
Camp P23 is an overnight summer camp for junior high boys that pulls from Psalm 23 in looking at Christ and his priests through the identity of a shepherd.
Over 3 days/2 nights at this outdoor-focused experience, campers join small groups led by seminarians and participate in games, prayer, and activities that promote openness to the priestly vocation.
Please help us promote this camp in your parish! A promotional toolkit is now available at this link. This kit includes an 8.5x11" flyer, postcard, bulletin graphics and social media graphics and videos.
Thank you for sharing!
Chrism Mass Updates
Invite your community to attend
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.
Sing in the choir
All singers from parish music ministries are invited to join the Diocesan Choir for the Mass of Holy Chrism on Tuesday, April 15 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City.
Warm-ups will take place at 2 p.m. on that same day in the cathedral. Rehearsal will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at 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.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed on April 14 and 15 to assist with preparations for the Chrism Mass, luncheon for our diocesan priests and the reception in Cana Hall, which follows Mass. Use this link to sign up to help: Chrism Mass & Reception Volunteer Sign-up.
Reminder
Fish fry finder
If the link above does not work, please click here.
Reminder
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 2 available spots for parishes for this next summer: 2 spots for June 15-20. 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
Reminder
Pray with us
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
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.
