Making Connections

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight For some, their first encounter with a Mass offering is at a funeral service. There’s those piles of envelopes, obviously meant for money, with the option of writing down the name of the deceased for a Mass to be offered for the repose of their soul. Or you may read in…

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight I am returning to our Diocese believing the bishops of the United States have done the right thing in their work this week to make us more accountable to the lay faithful and priests. We had a robust discussion regarding how to strengthen our response to Pope Francis’ document, Vos Estis…

By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight This year, we have seen some wonderful news for our diocese. In late January, we were able to announce that generous, anonymous donors have given $1 million to the diocese to use for tuition assistance of students at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Sedalia. Then, two more gifts, each worth…

By Bishop Shawn McKnight Next January, I will be making a special trip to Rome, along with other bishops from Missouri and some adjoining states. We have been invited to make our “ad limina” visit to the Holy See. The Latin phrase refers to one of the primary reasons for the visit, to pray at…

Bishop Shawn McKnight | For several months the priests of the Presbyteral Council have been evaluating the current practice of having Confirmation at 16 or 17 years of age.  They have been in consultation with other priests, deacons, the Catholic Schools Office, the Office of Faith Formation, as well as parish catechetical leadership on the…

By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight Click here to see a video of Bishop McKnight and Chancery staff members leading a Rosary for healing and protection for people affected by sexual abuse. At the conclusion of the retreat earlier this month convoked by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the bishops of the United States in light…

Bishop Shawn McKnight Last week I celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with pilgrims from our diocese as they began their trip for the March for Life.  I told them I was proud of them for their enthusiasm to witness the beauty of our Catholic faith as seen in our profound respect for…

By Bishop Shawn McKnight We want to provide care for those who have been harmed On November 8 I provided to the people of our Diocese and the public a list of 33 priests and religious brothers who have either been credibly accused or removed from ministry in the Diocese of Jefferson City out of…

PDF version for printing By Bishop Shawn McKnight The November General Assembly of Bishops in Baltimore was a difficult but perhaps unavoidable experience for us to move forward as a Church. I was very disappointed to learn that the Holy See found it necessary to insist that the USCCB not take action at this time…