With the generous support of the Conrad H. Hilton Foundation, we were able to produce a series of videos explaining the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight removes general dispensation from obligation to attend Mass on June 1, 2021, urges Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccine
Updated August 11, 2021
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight has issued a statement in English and in Spanish, encouraging Catholics who can do so, to be vaccinated.
"I write again, this time with urgency, to encourage each person who can get vaccinated to do so," Bishop McKnight said. "Doing your part and accepting your responsibility is the quickest way to stop the suffering and return to our usual activities.
"The moral aspects of the vaccine have been thoroughly examined by the Catholic Church. I want to state clearly the outcome of the Church’s doctrinal and pastoral reflection on this matter: It is morally permissible and morally responsible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines currently available."
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight has issued a decree lifting the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass in person, effective June 1.
Read the decree in English | Spanish
As more people become vaccinated, all Catholics are invited to join us to worship together, in person, and to receive the Body of Christ in Holy Communion, which nourishes our souls and heals us of our sins. That’s why we are obliged to participate in the Sunday liturgy each week.
Of course, if you are ill, are traveling, or otherwise dispensed from our obligation to participate in the Mass, please continue to join us online. Many of our parishes are providing livestreaming of Masses. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you in person at Mass!
People who are infected with COVID-19 are not permitted to enter church properties, in accordance with national, state and local health directives. All are asked to check their temperature at home before going to church.
"Miren como se aman”
La Iglesia en una pandemia Preguntas y respuestas frecuentes
Más información, incluyendo los decretos e instrucciones oficiales, está disponible en https://diojeffcity.org/public-health/#noticias-de-salud-pública.
Quick Links
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Additional Resources
- Graphics promoting vaccines, in English and Español
- Charity and Mercy Grants from Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
- Faith on Facebook Toolkit
- Resources to livestream liturgies
Holy See Statements & Resources
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Note on the Morality of using some COVID-19 vaccines
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Statement of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy for Life
- Vatican COVID-19 Commission: Resources for Church Leaders
Enhancing parish communication in a time of “social distancing”
The diocesan Communications Office has a few suggestions on how you can communicate in this time when some “ordinary” channels of communication
have been shut down.
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Bishop McKnight’s Message to Stewards
March 20, 2020: Most Rev. Bishop W. Shawn McKnight’s message to stewards in the Diocese of Jefferson City.
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Online giving options for parishes
We know that parishes are bringing vital services online as quickly as possible to ensure that the day-to-day tasks they perform for the community continue. Our Communications Office is working to build the capacity of parish services online, including online giving.
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Marriage preparation during a pandemic
Due to COVID-19 diocesan regulations, a number of events are being canceled. This may affect the way we handle marriage preparation within the coming months, especially for those couples who were planning to attend a conference or a retreat as part of their marriage preparation.
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Anointing of the Sick during the pandemic
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SSM Health offering free ‘virtual visits’ for COVID-19
SSM Health — the Catholic health system of which the St. Mary’s Hospitals in Jefferson City and Mexico are a part — is offering a free Virtual Visit for individuals who are concerned they may be experiencing symptoms of or been exposed to, Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Guidance from Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools regarding COVID-19 Break
March 18, 2020: An update from Kenya Fuemmeler, Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Jefferson City on commonly asked questions from teaching staff regarding the COVID-19 break.
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UPDATED: Liturgical Protocols for Public Health Safety
UPDATED APRIL 1, 2020: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s.
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Public Masses suspended, beginning March 18, 2020
UPDATED APRIL 1, 2020: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s.
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Five ways your parish can increase digital access to Mass amid COVID-19
Practical tips for parishes to provide live-streamed Masses to parishioners, point to shared resources online and offline, and notes on how to best communicate with parishioners amid extensive social distancing.
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Diocese of Jefferson City to close Catholic schools March 18 – April 3
UPDATED APRIL 1, 2020: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s
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Knights of Columbus (COVID-19) Guidelines for Fraternal Leaders
The Knights of Columbus is carefully monitoring the coronavirus situation and its impact on the Order. Since the virus is spread by personal contact, containment efforts stress social distancing by restricting travel, meetings and other gatherings.
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Online Masses and Liturgical Resources
UPDATE: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s.
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MAKING CONNECTIONS — Responding in Mercy to the COVID-19 Pandemic
UPDATED APRIL 1, 2020: These protocols have been replaced by a new decree of Bishop McKnight’s.
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Parish and Community Directives for Public Health Safety
Preparedness is an important part of any disaster response. To prepare for the impact the coronavirus may have on communities within our diocese, each parish is asked to form a Disaster Responders Team immediately. This leadership team will be responsible for the coordination of services in your parish territory.
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General Health Directives
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidelines based on the latest research and scientific discoveries regarding COVID-19.
How to minimize the spread of virus in our gathering spaces
- Offering hand sanitizer stations at church and school entrances.
- Practicing good hand washing with soap and water as frequently as possible and teaching children this practice.
- Teaching children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, or to cough or sneeze into their inner elbow.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces in public areas, such as our churches, classrooms and meeting spaces.
- Liturgical ministers, especially extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, should maintain clean/sanitized hands.
- Wash hands before Mass or use a personal bottle of hand sanitizer while in the pew before serving, ensuring the sanitizer is entirely dry before serving.
- Wash liturgical vessels with mild detergent and hot water after each liturgy, which will help to protect the finish by removing oil from hands, and work to remove pathogens that may be on the vessel from its use in the liturgy.
How individuals can protect themselves and others
People who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home until they are free of fever (fever is 100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
Those who have weak or compromised immune systems (i.e., the elderly, the infirmed, infants and young children) should avoid public gatherings. These individuals could include the following:
- People age 65 and over
- Individuals with organ and blood cancers
- Individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer
- Individuals taking medications that treat autoimmune diseases, i.e., corticosteroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine and biological therapies such as rituximab and etanercept, to name a few
- Individuals with infections such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, measles, herpes, chickenpox
- Individuals with chronic diseases like diabetes type 1 or type 2, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, and liver failure
- Individuals suffering from malnutrition
- Individuals with autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Individuals with extensive burns
- Individuals with exposure to environmental toxins like radiation
- Individuals having no spleen
- Individuals who are pregnant
Additional resources for parishes and parishioners
- Frequently Asked Questions - can be used in digital communications, pulpit announcements, signs, etc.
- Welcome people - can be used as pulpit announcements, on signs, in newsletters, etc. (please modify as needed)
- Communion instructions - can be used as pulpit announcements, on signs, in newsletters, etc. (please modify as needed)
- Charity and Mercy Grants from Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
- Faith on Facebook Toolkit
- Resources to livestream liturgies
- Suggested prayers of the faithful, from the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship.
- “Influenza and the Liturgy” from the USCCB Committee on the Liturgy