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…

Sister Kathleen Wegman of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), diocesan director of pastoral and charitable services, has announced that she is retiring, effective Nov. 30. She reached this decision in discernment with the leadership of her SSND community. “We are grateful to her for her 50 years of active ministry in the Church,…

For nearly 50 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has been the official domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Raising public awareness about poverty and its causes and working to break the cycle of poverty in the United States, the annual collection will be taken up in parishes throughout the diocese…

Missouri’s Roman Catholic bishops are encouraging voters to support a specific effort to expand eligibility for MO HealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid, funded by the federal and state governments, helps pay for healthcare for people with very low income. “We support expanding (MO HealthNet) to cover low-income workers, since doing so will help lead…

Father David Maher wore his cross from Madonna House on his heart. It symbolized that he had emptied himself, renounced all attachment to earthly possessions and learned to live and pray like the poor people of that secluded Catholic community in Ontario, Canada. “I have to go out like the Prophet Jeremiah, and say, ‘The…

The Church cannot exist for its own sake. It must be constantly focused on awakening a desire in all people to know, love, and serve God. Pope Francis insisted on this, drawing heavily on the teaching of his predecessors, in a document he released shortly after being Pope six years ago. Titled “Joy of the…

Lois Thomas grew up Catholic and was well versed in Jesus’s teachings. But His “what you did for them, you did for Me” discourse never really clicked with her until she stepped through the gates into a prison 23 years ago. “Because until you put your faith into action, you’re just going through the motions,”…

A crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon, two blue baskets, a banner and an antiphonal litany of intercession. These are what people passing one of Gasconade County’s busiest intersections saw the afternoon of Oct. 12, as Immaculate Conception parish in Owensville held its second annual Public Square Rosary Rally. “Lots of prayer,” said Jeanne Dorner, a member…