News
March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026
Safe Environment
Safe Environment training program for minors.
The Safe Environment Policy, paragraph 2.1, states: Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Children and Youth –Teaching. Touching Safety Students in diocesan day schools and parish schools of religion (grades K-12) receive an age-appropriate curriculum annually. The Teaching Touching Safety program has been approved by the diocese. The curriculum aims to teach children about healthy and appropriate boundaries, how to identify safe adults in whom they can confide, and gives applicable steps children can take if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Any concerns or objections about such material by parents or guardians should be addressed at the school and/or parish level, as appropriate.
Children may be excused from the curriculum at the request of their parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian does request their child be excused, they will be provided with the curriculum to teach at home. If a parent or guardian declines and chooses not to provide the curriculum at home, they will be asked to complete and sign the “opt out” form provided by the school or parish school of religion. The Teaching Touching Safety program for children and youth will be coordinated and taught by a teacher designated by the principal or pastor.
Note: While the Teaching Touching Safety program offers eight lessons, the diocese believes the training objectives can be accomplished in one session per year. The focus should be on the training objectives; the lesson plans are suggestions only.
VIRTUS has renamed “Teaching Touching Safety Students” as “Empowering God’s Children”,
but it is the same program.
The materials for this program can be found on the diocese website under Safe Environment. The information used to be under the “Educators” tab. At our request, VIRTUS renamed this tab to be the “Children’s Program”. See screenshot below. We hope this will eliminate some confusion parishes and schools were having. Just an update, and a few reminders, about our safe environment training program for minors.
Women's Ministry Newsletter
The March edition of the Women's Ministry Walking Together Newsletter is live! You will find information on upcoming events, opportunities for service and group studies along with our prayer of the month. This newsletter is for women of the diocese and anyone wanting to keep up with what is being offered for women in our parishes. NEWSLETTER LINK
Women's Spring Pilgrimage
Cursillo School of Leaders
Please join us for the next School of Leaders Saturday March 14, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Flanagan Hall Columbia MO. Social time will begin right after 8AM Mass at 8:45 with the program set to start at 9:10AM. We will have leader’s grouping followed by two inspiring presentations by Ken Schroeder on “Three Day Weekend Review” and Hedy Rackers on “Covenants and Commitments.” We will conclude with section work and a visit to the Blessed Sacramentt at 11AM. It promises to be another spirit filled and fun Saturday morning. Wear your green as we celebrate an early St Pat’s day with a terrific group of cursillistas striving to grow closer to Christ and eager to do His work.
Southwest Deanery Ultreya
All cursillistas are invited to attend an Ultreya hosted by St. Vincent de Paul’s English Cursillo community. We will meet on Sunday, March 15, from 2-3pm in the Parish Center at Sacred Heart Chapel. Join us and connect with other cursillistas in our community, no matter when or where you made your weekend! The parish address is 421 W. 3rd St. in Sedalia. The Parish Center is located immediately south of the Sacred Heart Chapel on Moniteau Street.
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.
Diocesan Celebration & Bilingual Mass Honoring St. Oscar Romero
On March 21, we will have the Diocesan Mass and Celebration, representing the Relic of St. Oscar Romero. This event is open to everyone. The celebration of the Mass will be Bilingual, and Bishop O'Donnell will be the celebrant. After the mass, there will be a reception, a presentation of St. Oscar Romero, folk dance, and veneration of the relic. The event is from 10AM to 3PM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Use this link to RSVP
NPM Jefferson City
The Jefferson City Diocese chapter of NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians)
NPM 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.
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.
Creative & Digital Content Manager – Diocese of Jefferson City
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.
