September 1, 2025
September 1, 2025
Happy Labor Day
Chancery Office Closed
Important Update
Submissions to the Monday Morning Memo
New
Diocese of Jefferson City answers call to support Middle East relief efforts
The Diocese of Jefferson City has contributed $10,000 to support relief efforts in Gaza and across the Middle East.
On August 20, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a call for dioceses across the country to offer support to Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. The Diocese of Jefferson City has sent $5,000 to each organization.
“Our Church mourns the terrible suffering of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Gaza and surrounding areas who are struggling to survive, protect their children, and live with dignity in dire conditions,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “The Holy Father continues to call for a ceasefire and for aid to enter the territory, noting with great sorrow that ‘Gaza is starving.’”
Msgr. Robert Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator, reminds us that under our diocesan model for Catholic Stewardship, the Diocese of Jefferson City provides funding to these important needs as a collective gift from all the faithful of the diocese. Your tithe to your local parish enables this support.
Any parishioner who would like to provide additional support can do so at https://CRS.org and https://cnewa.org.
Meeting Canceled
Parish Leadership Deanery Meeting
The scheduled Parish Leadership Deanery meetings scheduled for September 9 have been canceled.
Notice
Change of October publication schedule for The Catholic Missourian
The Catholic Missourian will publish on October 3, which will be the only regular issue in October. Please plan advertising, notices, etc. accordingly.
A special edition honoring our new Bishop-Elect O'Donnell will be published on October 24. More information regarding advertising in the special issue will be forthcoming.
The newspaper will continue its regular schedule for the remainder of the year, with issues published November 14 and 28, and December 12 and 19.
From the Safe Environment Office
Continuing training, background reports, and family care safety registry form
Dioceses have safe environment policies to ensure the safety and well-being of children, vulnerable adults, and young people entrusted to their care. This is a gentle reminder of some of the requirements of the safe environment policies for the Diocese of Jefferson City.
Safe Environment Policy 1.1 requires all adult employees, priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, seminarians, and deacon candidates to complete continuing training. Generally, refresher training is assigned every three (3) years. This training is done by completing the assigned online training modules in your VIRTUS account. You should receive an email from VIRTUS when new training is assigned. Please note that the notice will be sent to the email address you put on your VIRTUS account.
The diocese's background screening process with its vendor and the State of Missouri is ever-evolving so that we maintain a safe work environment. Please remember that an arrest or conviction does not necessarily impact your employment.
Our Safe Environment policy is to re-screen employees on a periodic basis. The Selection.com background check does this every three (3) months, though employees are not notified.
The Diocese will re-screen the MO Family Care Safety Registry every two years. This process started in 2024. We are coming up on the bulk of registration renewals now and so many employees will be receiving an email with the screening results. The email is legitimate if it comes from "FCSR@HEALTH.MO.GOV". You have the right and opportunity to review any criminal records with the state this way.
LOCAL SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATORS
Monitoring the compliance of parish and school employees and volunteers is done at the local level. The pastor or principal should appoint someone to be the local coordinator. We recommend that you also appoint an alternate local coordinator. Issues and questions tend to arise when the primary point of contact is out of the office.
The Safe Environment Office will give the local administrators administrative access to the VIRTUS database. This will allow the local coordinators to check the compliance of individuals. The local coordinators can also run a compliance report for the entire location.
If you have any questions, please Regina E. Quinn, safeenvironment@diojeffcity.org , or Alicia Isdes, aisdes@diojeffcity.org .
Reminder
Workshop for divorced or separated Catholics
This new mini retreat is designed to help divorced or separated Catholics find their way as through this journey, featuring national expert and speaker Vince Frese.
These free workshops will be available in five locations around the Diocese of Jefferson City from Sept. 12-14.
Please help promote these events in your parish! Click here to register.
New
Labor Day Holiday
New
Save the Date: Parish Secretaries' Workshop
The next Parish Secretaries' Workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, beginning at 10:00am and concluding no later than noon. The Zoom link will be provided closer to the date; in the meantime, mark this training opportunity on your calendar and send topics or questions that we should cover to Bernadette Adams at badams@diojeffcity.org.
New
Ladies Night Out and Retreat
It is time for the Women's Ministry's 3rd annual Fall Ladies Night Out and Retreat. Please help us spread the word in your parishes.
Ladies are welcome to attend one or both events. Encourage them to enjoy this time of fellowship, prayer and faith formation!! For additional information contact Barb Prasad, women's Ministry Coordinator at bprasad@diojeffcity.org
New
¿Está listo para dar el siguiente paso en el conocimiento de tu fe católica?
Te invitamos a ser parte del programa de Formación Diocesana-Parroquial para Ministros y Laicos el cual te ayudará a profundizar el conocimiento tu fe católica, a crecer espiritualmente y a fortalecer tu ministerio y servicio en tu comunidad parroquial.
¡No dejes pasar esta oportunidad de formarte para continuar ofreciendo tus dones y talentos con un espíritu renovado! ¡Los cupos son limitados! ¡No esperes más!
Inscríbete en línea en el siguiente enlace: https://diojeffcity.org/
Reminder
Women's Ministry Quarterly Book Study
Join our upcoming Women's Ministry Quarterly Book Study at the Cathedral of St Joseph in Jefferson City.
Too far to drive? Reach out to get help in starting a book study in your area.
We have discounted books for purchase and can also help with flyer creation and promotion of your study. Visit our Quarterly Book Study page for additional information or to order your discounted books.
New Video
Summer Workshop
Do you work or volunteer in youth or women's ministry?
If so, have we got an opportunity for you!! Join us at our summer ministry workshop and get ready to make plans for your best year yet! Get tips on how to stay motivated, avoid burnout and recruit the help and participation you've always dreamed of. Also leave with concrete ideas to make your parish ministry programs better than ever!
Reminder
Marriage Preparation Facilitator Training
New
Women's Ministry Newsletter
New
Sacristy Vestment Cabinets offered
New
Calling All Cursillistas!
Our next gathering for the School of Leaders will Saturday September 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Flanagan Hall.
We will begin after the 8AM Mass with a social time including coffee and treats. The program will begin at 9:15am with small faith grouping followed by inspiring presentations by John Keener and Ken Schroeder on “Why Cursillo Exists” and “The Pope, Cursillo and Charism”.
The program will conclude with section work on Pre, 3 Day and Post Cursilloand a visit to the Blessed Sacrament with closing prayer at 11AM. Please make plans on Sept 6 to join this terrific community of Cursillistas striving to grow closer to Christ and excited about doing His work.
Reminder
Catholic Charities Community Needs Assessment
- Share Your Wisdom: Please begin by taking the assessment yourself. Your contribution is invaluable. Take just 10 minutes to complete it today.
- Extend the Invitation: Then, please share the assessment link with your networks—parishes, community partners, neighbors, and friends. The more voices we hear, the better we can serve. See below for the links to the Community Needs Assessment, one in English and one in Spanish:
Reminder
Upcoming Events in Faith Formation
New
OCIA Seminar
- November 7 in Jefferson City
- November 8 in Columbia
This intensive workshop serves as a first step in renewing the vision of Christian Imitation in our diocese. Participants will receive an overview of the four stages of initiation and the accompanying rituals. Additionally, we will examine the pastoral principles associated with this ministry, as well as the role of the baptized faithful.
Anyone involved in OCIA is invited to attend. Registration is open now!
Reminder
Visit Three of Missouri's Jubilee sights in One Day
Join Father Joe Corel and Sister Mary Ruth Wand along with other pilgrims from our diocese as they travel to three of our diocesan pilgrimage sites by luxury motor coach. Morning hospitality, lunch and dinner are included along with all tips. Enjoy custom guided tours at each church. For more information and to reserve your spot reach out to Jean Gallagher of Faust Tours by phone or email.
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/
Let us Pray
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle...
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
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.
