November 24, 2025
November 24, 2025
Notice of Appointment
Appointment | November 24, 2025
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend Ralph B. O’Donnell, Bishop of Jefferson City,
has recently made the following appointment to provide the most effective pastoral care of the
Diocese of Jefferson City:
LAITY
MR. TOM VINCENT, appointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of
three years, effective 11 November 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
Safe Environment
Diocese's Safe Environment Policy
As parishes and schools start planning their Advent and Christmas events, please remember that all volunteers whose duties include contact with minors must be fully compliant with the safe environment requirements of paragraph 1.2 of the Diocese’s Safe Environment Policy. Prior to volunteering, these volunteers must: Complete a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children workshop on line or in person; AND Agree to a national background screening that evaluates any history related to criminal charges, and agree to automatic rescreening every three months; AND Read and consent to the Code of Pastoral Conduct. And, yes, these requirements apply to those volunteers portraying St Nicholas and/or Santa Claus.
Paragraph 1.2.1 of the policy requires all the K-8 Catholic school parents and guardians be compliant with the requirements of paragraph 1.2. Paragraph 2.2.1 of the policy requires that employees and volunteers under the age of 18, or 18 and still in high school, must read and sign the Code of Ethical Conduct for Minors Volunteering or Working with Younger Children. The parents or guardians must also sign this form. They must also attest that the young person has nothing in his or her history that would render them not suitable to work with or near minors.
You can find this code and the form at: chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://diojeffcity.org/wp content/uploads/2020/11/Code-of-Conduct-For-Minors.pdf
You can find the entire Safe Environment Policy at: chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://diojeffcity.org/wp content/uploads/2023/01/Safe-Environment-Policy-English-revised-2022.pdf
If you have any questions,contact Regina E. Quinn Director of Safe Environment, at safeenvironment@diojeffcity , or (573-635-9127, ext. 240.
UPCOMING EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
2026 Diocesan Marriage Retreat
Attendees can expect three delicious meals, inspiring talks, engaging prayer experiences, and quality reflection time (reflection can be done as a couple or in small groups).
Click here for more information and registration.
If you have questions, please contact Julie Gramlich at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, julie.g@cathedraljc.org, or Mary Madelyn Mertes with the Office of Marriage Ministries, mmertes@diojeffcity.org.
Advent - Christmas Preparation Aid
FDLC LITURGICAL PREPARATION AID ONLINE
Our Advent-Christmas preparation aid has been posted online. Among other resources and guides, it includes a full presider’s text for the Reconciling of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution.
https://fdlc.org/2025/11/2025-advent-christmas-liturgical-preparation-aid/ The Spanish version should be live by Saturday.
Celebrate the true “reason for the season” at Nativity at the Capitol on December 2, 2025, from 11:00 
a.m.–3:00 p.m. Enjoy Nativity displays and live music in the Capitol Rotunda and on the South Lawn. (Weather date: December 14.) For details, call 573-619-6322.
Way of the Star: An Advent Night of Worship and Encounter
Join us at St. Joseph Cathedral on Dec 8th for a one-of-a-kind prayer experience for all ages! The Vigil Project will be leading us through "The Way of the Star", a prayer experience that uses music and art to walk through the emotions of Mary leading up to the birth of Jesus. This event will take place after the 5:30 Immaculate Conception Mass at the Cathedral. Come and pray with us!
Understanding the Nicene Creed By Bishop Barron
We Believe -Understanding the Nicene Creed by Bishop Robert Barron. This book draws on Sacred Scripture, Church teachings and the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition. It unfolds the essentials of the Catholic faith with conviction and clarity.
The Cathedral parish has 80 We Believe books left for sale $2 each. Please contact Julie Gramlich julie.g@cathedraljc.org if interested.
Save the Date: Parish Secretaries' Workshop
Upcoming Parish Secretaries' Workshop
The Parish Secretaries' Workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, December 3, 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.
Giving Tuesday
Through our Transportation Program, we provide safe and reliable rides to and from medical and legal appointments for community members in need.
This #iGiveCatholic Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support our transportation program.
Thank you!
¿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/
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:
Share Your Harvest
Tim Scheulen Processing LLC
1968 County Rd 602, Loose Creek, MO
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/
Monday Morning Memo and Event Submissions
Due to Thanksgiving, Monday Morning Memo submissions are due early. Please send your submissions to toswald@diojeffcity.org by noon on Wednesday, November 26.
If you would like to have an event featured in the "Events" section of the Monday Morning Memo and added to the Diocesan calendar, please use this link https://diojeffcity.org/event-listing/ . The event link can also be found on the Communications page of the diocesan website.
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.
