News
February 16, 2026
February 16, 2026
Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell Appoints Cassandra Atchison as Executive Director of Communications for the Diocese of Jefferson City
Lenten Regulations
2026 Lenten Regulations and Admonitions
As another Lenten journey of conversion begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and ends with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 3, 2026, 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.
Lenten Study For Middle School and High School
YDisciple just released a small group resource that discusses the weekly Gospel readings called Seen, Known, Loved. You must have an account with YDisciple but the youth office provides accounts to any parish that is interested at no cost, thanks to the RIB Grant which is supported by the Knights of Columbus. To access the study click here To get access to YDisciple for your parish, contact Abby Thompson athompson@diojeffcity.org or Maureen Quinn maureenquinn@diojeffcity.org
For Men and Women Adult Small Groups: Crux
Join Fr. Columba Jordan with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for daily Lenten meditations that help you learn to rely on God’s strength. You will read through the entirety of the Gospel of Mark, reflecting on your identity as God’s beloved child, and respond through prayer and practical action. Designed for individuals, families, and parish groups, Crux helps you unite physical and spiritual disciplines—fasting, exercise, reading, and prayer—into one transformative Lenten experience that leads you closer to Christ.
The Diocese has this book on hand. To order books for your parish or small group click here
Women Adult Small Group Study
For Women Adult Small Groups: The Way of Truth and Love by Jacques Phillippe
This Lent, the Ladies of the Abiding Together podcast will be walking through “The Way of Trust and Love” by Fr. Jacques Philippe. This is a short but powerful book, rooted in the wisdom of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Explore with them what it really means to live by trust, to embrace our weakness, to live in dependance on the providence of on the providence of God, and rest in His love in the middle of everyday life.
Get more info on how to join them by clicking here.
To purchase a copy of the book, visit the Scepter Publishers’ website and use the code ABIDE15 to receive 15% off. They also offer an e-book version as well.
Divorce Support Facilitator Training
Do you serve divorced or separated Catholics—or feel called to? Join us for a Divorce Support Facilitator Training Day on Saturday, March 7, at the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center.
Featuring Vince Frese, founder of Divorced Catholic, this half-day training will equip parish leaders and volunteers with the tools, clarity, and compassion needed to accompany others through divorce with faith and hope.
Help us grow this needed ministry in our diocese. The Faith Formation and Evangelization Office will be happy to support facilitators wanting to offer this program in parishes with the approval of your pastor. Training is ideal for current or future facilitators of Catholic divorce support groups.
Vocations Night – An Evening of Discernment & Encounter
Parishes, families, and youth are invited to join us for Vocations Night, an evening designed to help young people encounter the many ways God calls us to holiness and service. Open to young adults or students in 5th grade and up, this night brings together priests, religious sisters, seminarians, and lay witnesses who will share their stories, answer questions, and walk alongside youth as they begin (or continue) discerning God’s call.
The evening includes food, games, and small-group classroom sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with those living out different vocations in the Church. Parents, vocation ministry team members, and anyone interested in fostering a culture of vocations are also warmly encouraged to attend.
Come learn, ask questions, and discover how God may be calling you — or those you serve — to live out His mission.
Parish Bookkeepers Workshop
The diocesan Accounting Services team will be holding parish bookkeeper workshops throughout the diocese, throughout March. We will hold one day of training in each deanery to make attendance easier for the bookkeepers, Finance Council members and pastors of the diocese:
- Tuesday, March 3: Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery Office, 2207 W. Main St., Jefferson City, 65109
- Thursdays, March 5 and 12: Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery Office, 2207 W. Main St., Jefferson City, 65109 (5:00 – 8:00pm only)
- Tuesday, March 10: Holy Spirit Church, 404 S. Rollins St., Centralia, 65240
- Tuesday, March 17: St. Joseph Church Hall, 509 N. Main St., Edina, 63537
- Tuesday, March 24: Visitation Church Hall (behind the church), 105 N. Main St, Vienna, 65582
- Thursday, March 26: St. Patrick Church’s St. Leo Hall (behind the church), 176 Marian Dr., Gravois Mills 65037
Note the general schedule:
- 9:00am – 12:00pm: Workshop for parish bookkeepers whose parish has converted to QuickBooks Enterprise with the new, standardized chart of accounts
- 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch for all who attend
- 1:00 – 4:00pm: Workshop for parish bookkeepers using the original chart of accounts
Any bookkeepers that attend the afternoon session are welcome to join in the morning to see what QuickBooks Enterprise, the new chart of accounts and reporting is about. We will also have time in the afternoon dedicated to discussing the conversion and benefits of the new system for your parish.
Lunch will be provided for all who attend, morning or afternoon, so plan to join us at noon each training date. Please RSVP here so we can plan for space, lunch and any dietary restrictions. RSVP deadline is February 20.
We will have time set aside for any questions bookkeepers might have. However, it would be helpful to send pressing questions ahead of time to accounting-services@diojeffcity.org so that we will have answers prepared at the training.
Please contact Michelle Truesdale or Amy Reinhard with any questions at accounting-services@diojeffcity.org.
NPM Jefferson City
The Jefferson City Diocese chapter of NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians) will be offering a weekly Zoom drop-in for all diocesan music ministers every Monday in February at 7 pm. This is your chance to drop in, ask questions, chat, and get to know other pastoral musicians in our diocese. No agenda. Just drop in. Note: If no one checks in by 7:15, the call will end.
3rd Annual Heart of a Hero Men's Conference
Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Heart of a Hero Men's Conference, to be held in Cana Hall on April 10 and 11. This event, sponsored by the Men of Signum Crucis, is produced for the purpose of bringing men together in fraternity to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ. Contact Mark Rehagen at 573-680-2520 with questions. Register Here
Camp Registration
Camp Registration is Now Open:
Missouri Catholic Summit
The Missouri Catholic Summit (MCS) is a large gathering of Catholic young adults, ages 18-25, from across the state of Missouri. The summit is a day of celebration of the Christian life and fellowship amongst faithful young adults. Young adults grow together in a warm, vibrant atmosphere, through talks by esteemed speakers, reflection, and prayer. Please invite young people in your community to join us for the MO Catholic Summit 2026 on February 28, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, MO!
We are just 2 weeks away from the Missouri Catholic Summit and have over 260 RSVPs thus far with more coming in every day! This event has gotten some press! If you have not read the article in the Catholic Missourian or the article in The Pillar about this event and the young adults that have helped make it possible please check out both articles and help spread the word! This is sure to be a powerful day! diojeffcity.org/mo-catholic-summit
Mark your calendars for a Lenten leader retreat designed for DREs, Youth Ministers, and Parish Leaders on March 28, 2026. Join us for a day of rest, community, and prayer! Register here. https://diojeffcity.org/
Marriage Retreat
Registration is now open for the 2026 Diocesan Marriage Retreat! Join us March 13-14, 2026 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Our retreat will be led by two inspiring couples from the Marianist Retreat Center. Childcare will be available.
One-Time Location Change for Feb. 22 Evening Mass; Rite of Election at Cathedral
On Sunday, February 22, the 5:00 pm Mass normally held at the Cathedral of St. Joseph will move for that one-time only to St. Peter Church in Jefferson City. The annual Rite of Election will be held in two sessions at the Cathedral that afternoon and evening.
Apply Now
College Scholarships Available
College Scholarships AvailableApplications for college scholarships are now available! Through a generous donation from the family of William H. (Bill) Simon, 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 27. Find eligibility details and applications at diojeffcity.org/scholarships
March For Life
Save the date for the Midwest March for Life on April 30, 2026, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Join advocates from across the region for prayer, witness, and Holy Mass with Bishop James V. Johnston, along with featured speakers and a special display on the Eucharistic miracles. Learn more at midwestmarchforlife.com.
Monday Morning Memo and Event Submissions
Please send your submissions to toswald@diojeffcity.org by noon on Thursday to be included in the following Monday's memo.
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.
