Catholic Missourian

“A hundred little voices. One and two at a time.” That’s how Virginia Johnson Shetler described the dedication of the Rosary Garden outside St. Andrew Church in Tipton. Older and younger students of St. Andrew School stood two-by-two at each “bead” in the newly completed garden. Each helped lead one of the prayers as the…

Second-year medical student Brent Cunningham addressed his fellow seekers of healing knowledge who were gathered in Mary Immaculate Church. “Welcome to the first of many,” said Mr. Cunningham, organizer of Kirksville’s inaugural White Mass. Inspired by the yearly Liturgy for health professionals in the St. Louis area, the Catholic Student Association at A.T. Still University…

This Advent, many Catholics throughout our diocese will be participating in a four-session program called “A Steward’s Way.” We’ll be meeting in small groups in our parishes (and others will be meeting in our closed Facebook group) to reflect on our gratitude to God for the gifts of family and friends, our Church, our communities…

In addition to Mass being available in many Catholic parishes on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28), many local ministerial alliances organize ecumenical Thanksgiving prayer services in the days leading up to the holiday as a chance to pray as one faith community and take up an offering for local people in need. ‘These services are…

“It starts with showing up,” stated Deacon Berendzen, coordinator for Columbia Catholic Hospital Ministry. “Just being present is often more important than what we say or do,” he said. “Being present opens the door to letting God work through us.” Bishop W. Shawn McKnight appointed Deacon Berendzen, who also assists the pastor of St. Francis…

“I am adopted.” Jill Alberti has uttered those three simple words, overflowing with awe and gratitude, hundreds of times. “Those words mean my biological mom chose life!” said Mrs. Alberti, keynote speaker for the Hannibal Chapter of Missouri Right to Life’s (MRL) 2019 Pro-life Dinner. About 70 people attended the Sept. 27 event. Mrs. Alberti,…

Pauline Bescheinen was excited to attend Immaculate Conception parish’s second “Voices from the Past” cemetery tour. It brought back happy memories of friends and neighbors for the lifelong Loose Creek parishioner, who is 98. The Sept. 29 tour drew history enthusiasts and friends of the parish to the old cemetery behind Immaculate Conception School, with…

While studying Pope Francis’s “Joy of the Gospel,” LeAnn Korsmeyer was struck by his notion that church buildings should never be sterile places. “A church is better when it’s a little messy, because that means we’re using it for what it’s built for,” said Mrs. Korsmeyer. “The lights should be on and the chairs and…

Hundreds of people turned out to celebrate Pope Francis declaring Father Augustus Tolton “venerable” during a Mass with Cardinal Blase J. Cupich Oct. 14 at St. Philip Neri Church in Chicago. The promulgation of the decree by the Pope declaring Tolton “venerable,” which was announced June 11, means his life was formally recognized as demonstrating…

Joyful but resolute, the priests processed into St. Pius X Church in Moberly. They gathered at Christ’s altar as ministers of His death and Resurrection, to beg for assistance for their fellow priests who have gone before them. It was a Requiem Mass for the priests and bishops of this diocese who died since its…