News
March 30, 2026
March 30, 2026
Notice of Appointments
30 March 2026
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend Ralph B. O’Donnell, Bishop of Jefferson City,
has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
- PRIESTS
VERY REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES, Vicar for Priests, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the priest representative for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026. - DEACONS
DEACON ENRIQUE CASTRO, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
DEACON RONALD E. DEIMEKE, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the deacon representative for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026. - RELIGIOUS
SISTER RUTH ANN KLAUSER, SSND, of Mary Immaculate Parish in Kirksville, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the religious representative for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026. - LAITY
MRS. COLLEEN ABBOTT, of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Mary’s Home, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southwest Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MRS. PATRICIA BUTZ, of St. Patrick Parish in Rolla, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southeast Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MR. KEVIN DEHAAN, of St. Joseph Parish in Palmyra, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the North Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MR. ED GLADDEN, of St. Aloysius Parish in Argyle, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southeast Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MRS. RUTH HUGHES, of Immaculate Conception Parish in Macon, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the North Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MRS. ELIZABETH JAMES, of St. Martin Parish in St. Martins, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the See City Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MR. KENT KORTHAS, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Pettis County, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southwest Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MRS. BARBARA PRASAD, of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MR. JONATHON PUND, of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the See City Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MS. SARAH ROBINSON, of St. Clement Parish in St. Clement, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Central Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MR. CONNOR SOUDERS, of St. John Henry Newman Parish in Columbia, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the Newman Center representative for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
MRS. KELLY WHEELER, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Central Deanery for a term of three years, effective 18 March 2026.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
Pro - Life Amendment 3
The Missouri Catholic Conference issued a statement urging support for “Pro-life Amendment 3,” to restore safeguards around abortion, protect women’s health, and uphold the dignity of human life. The bishops call on Missourians to support the amendment through prayer, fasting, and civic engagement.
Parishes will be receiving prayer cards.
Chrism Mass - Tuesday
All are invited to the Diocesan Chrism Mass on March 31 at 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.
Chrism Mass & Reception Volunteer Sign up
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, at 3 PM in the Cathedral. All the faithful of the diocese are welcome to attend this Mass in which the priests renew the promises of their ordination and the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils to be used in our parishes over the next year.
Volunteers are needed on March 30 and 31 to assist with preparations for the Diocesan 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 or contact Terry Vignola at the Cathedral parish office 573-635-7991 ext. 310.
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/
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
Keep the Easter Joy Alive: Join Us for School of Leaders on April 11
Keep the Easter celebration going and join the fun at School of Leaders on Saturday, April 11, 2025. It will be located at Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Flanagan Hall, Columbia, MO. Social time will begin right after 8AM Mass at 8:45 with the program starting at 9:10. We will begin with leaders grouping followed by two inspirational talks by Kim Lenger from Columbia on “Table Groups, Joy & Palanca at the three day weekend” and "Spiritual and Political Power” by Fr. Greg Oligshlaeger from Boonville. We will finish with section work (Pre, 3-day & Post Cursillo) and a visit to the Blessed Sacrament at 11 AM. Hope you can join us for this spirit-filled Saturday morning with a wonderful group of Cursilistas striving to grow closer to Christ and eager to do His work.
Women's Spring Pilgrimage
Ways of the Cross for Victims of Abortions
You are invited to join us for the Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Columbia Planned Parenthood (711 N. Providence Rd). Together we will pray the Stations of the Cross for all those affected by abortion—babies who have lost their lives, mothers and fathers, family members, and abortion facility workers. Clergy will lead the stations as volunteers carry large station images. All are welcome to attend and pray for healing, mercy, and the protection of life. For more information or to volunteer to carry a station picture, contact (573) 821-5130 or kathy@midwestmarchforlife.com
40 Days fo Life
Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at St. Andrew (400 St. Andrew’s Lane, Holts Summit, MO) as we come together to celebrate the conclusion of this year’s 40 Days for Life campaign. Even if you didn’t make it to the sidewalk this year, we would still love to have you there!
Schedule of the Evening:
• 6:00 p.m. – Doors open for fellowship and a silent auction
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner prepared and donated by the Knights of Columbus Council 8400
• 7:45 p.m. – Special talk by Crystal, sharing her court witness against Columbia Planned Parenthood
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.
Fishers of Men: A Day of Fishing, Faith, and Fellowship
Join us on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 1–5 PM at Eldon Middle School for Fishers of Men, a fun afternoon of fishing with local priests! This catch-and-release event is open to teens and young adults (5th grade and up) from across the Diocese. Bring your fishing gear and a chair—we’ll provide the food! Parents are welcome to come along and enjoy the afternoon as well.
Come relax, connect, and cast a line with us!
Eldon Middle School – 1400 N Grand Ave, Eldon, MO
Questions? Contact Erin Koerner at 573-645-3396 or sacredheartsec@outlook.com.
Remember to RSVP using the QR code so we can plan for food!
Parish Mission
A powerful one-night parish mission to awaken hearts, renew faith, and inspire Catholics to live the Gospel boldly in today’s world. All are welcome. There is no charge, but a free will offering will be accepted. Questions contact Julie Gramlich, julie.g@cathedraljc.org
Feast Day Mass
All are welcome to the Mothers' Shrine on May 25th for the feast day celebration. Join Bishop Ralph O’Donnell, the Knights of Columbus, our expansive shrine community and many groups from our diocese in celebrating the Feast of Mary Mother of the Church. Celebration includes the Crowning of Mary, Holy Mass, the Unveiling of the newest mothers’ names on the Mothers’ Wall of Life and a KofC fundraiser lunch. Lunch R.S.V.P. and more information at: mothersshrine.com
Catholic Charities - Blessings Barrell
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.
NPM Jefferson City - Event
Camp Registration
Camp Registration is Now Open:
One License
Licensing for live streaming or reprinting worship music
ONE LICENSE provides permissions for parishes to reprint worship music for congregations or livestream music on the Internet.
The Diocese of Jefferson City has a group agreement with ONE LICENSE which provides a 20 percent discount to parishes. If your parish does not currently participate in the group agreement and would like more information, please contact Tracy Oswald, toswald@diojeffcity.org, before March 31, so you can be included in the new group licensing agreement.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Child Development Center– Diocese of Jefferson City
Now Enrolling at Immaculate Heart of Mary School!A strong Catholic foundation
Quality academics
A caring, family-centered community. Give your child a great start in a place where faith, learning, and community come together. Learn more and register today: https://diojeffcity.org/
Chancery Closure in Celebration of Easter
The Chancery will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6.
Early Deadline - Monday Morning Memo Submissions - Submit by April 1 for April 6
Please send your submissions to toswald@diojeffcity.org by Wednesday 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.
Events
Eventos en Español
Upcoming events will be available soon!
