October 9, 2026
W I T N E S S E S O F FA I T H & J OY
The Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Vol. LXII, No. 13
One Church, East to West: Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, Sharing Jesus
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
Forsyth, MO
The next issue of The Mirror will be October 23, 2026. Sign up to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format: Contact Debbie Thompson at (417) 866-0841, or Email: dthompson@dioscg.org.
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was among 50,000 who traveled to The Dome at the America’s Center, in St. Louis, on Sept. 24, 2026, for the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The immense crowd, representing almost every US state and several countries including Italy, Poland, and Brazil, reflected the global reach of Sheen’s preaching and the deep affection so many hold for him. The Church’s presence was striking. Close to 90 bishops, about 1,000 priests, 1,600 men and women religious, and nearly 250 deacons joined the faithful in prayer. Families, parish groups, young adults, and longtime admirers filled the arena with many carrying rosaries or Sheen’s books, eager to witness this long‑awaited moment. Before the Mass started, many of the faithful participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or spent time in Eucharistic Adoration. The liturgy was marked by beauty and solemnity. A procession of hundreds of clergy entered wearing vestments embroidered with “JMJ” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph), a beloved symbol Sheen wrote atop every page of his notes. Choirs and orchestra filled the Dome with hymns that lifted hearts and gave the vast space a sense of reverent unity. The beatification decree, proclaimed between the Penitential Rite and the “Gloria,” formally declared Sheen “Blessed,” affirming his presence in heaven as worthy of belief. Several notable witnesses added depth to the celebration. Cardinal Luis
HEY DEACON! By Deacon Dan Vaughn
Antonio Tagle, serving as papal delegate, presided at the Mass and read the apostolic letter from Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the apostolic nuncio, concelebrated DIOCESAN CLERGY—Father Jobimon Joseph, MCBS, Fr. Seban Jose alongside dozens of Thanippallil, VC, Fr. Vineesh Jose Tharayil, OSB; Deacon Gary Steffes, and bishops. Cardinal Deacon Dan Vaughn attended the Sept. 24 Beatification Mass of now-Blessed Timothy Dolan Fulton Sheen at the Dome in America’s Center, St. Louis. (Submitted photo) offered remarks on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York. Paul Cunningham, Sheen’s great‑nephew, read a brief biography during the liturgy. And in a particularly moving moment, James Engstrom, whose miraculous healing as an infant ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN—Nearly 100 faithful from the Diocese of was accepted as the Springfield-Cape Girardeau attended the Beatification Mass for Archbishop miracle for Sheen’s Fulton Sheen on Sept. 24. (Submitted photo) beatification, helped broadcasts reached millions more. Armed present a relic from Sheen’s remains. with little more than a chalkboard, a Yet the most powerful witness came warm smile, and a compelling message, he from the faithful themselves. Tens of made the Gospel approachable, personal, thousands stood together in prayer, and hopeful. He did more than use media; gratitude, and joy, revealing that Sheen’s he helped shape the culture. mission continues to bear fruit.Their devotion testified that his call to bring WHAT MADE HIM SO souls to Christ remains alive, inspiring INFLUENTIAL? believers today to evangelize with First, Sheen saw the media as a courage and love. missionary field. Much like today’s Being present was a powerful evangelizers use Podcasts, Live-streams, reminder that holiness is not just a and social platforms, he used radio and reality of the past. It remains alive and television to meet people where they urgently needed in our world today. were. He communicated with clarity, As I stood among the over 50,000 who beauty, and a deep understanding of the came to honor this remarkable servant human heart. His message was simple, yet of God, one thought kept returning to profoundly meaningful. me: if Archbishop Sheen were alive Second, he communicated truth with today, he would be recognized as one of charity. In an age when conversations the most effective Gospel influencers the SHEEN MIRACLE—James Engstrom, then 15, is often become divisive and harsh, Sheen’s Church has ever known. pictured with an image of then-Venerable Archbishop approach remains refreshing. He did not Long before social media Fulton J. Sheen at his home in Washington, IL, Jan. seek to win arguments; he sought to win 23, 2026. Engstrom, who was born without a pulse on transformed communication, Sheen souls. He invited rather than condemned, mastered the art of reaching hearts Sept. 16, 2010, and remained clinically dead for an encouraged rather than shamed, and through the media tools of his time. hour before his heart began beating, led to a Churchdrew people toward Christ through His Emmy Award-winning television approved miracle that helped advance the cause for authenticity and trust. His influence was program, “Life Is Worth Living,” Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification, at which rooted not in controversy but in the peace attracted audiences of up to 30 million Engstrom carried a major relic during the liturgy. and joy he radiated. viewers each week, while his radio (OSV News photo/Daryl Wilson) Continued on page 3...
2 The Mirror
COLUMN/DIOCESAN NEWS
COME, AND YOU WILL SEE Bp. Edward M. Rice
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s our diocesan newspaper, The Mirror, is published every other week, I must always think ahead: which brings me to November! During the question-and-answer sessions at the recent Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, we did not have time to cover what had to do with All Souls Day, November 2. In the month of November, in union with the universal Church, we remember in a special way our departed loved ones who have preceded us into the next life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) reminds us, “From the beginning, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God” (CCC 1032). I would hope every Catholic would know the prayer for the deceased, “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
CEMETERY VISITS
November begins with the Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) and then the Commemoration of All The Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), starting the month out with a very obvious reflection on death and our final destiny. These feasts run parallel to the
October 9, 2026
The lives of heroic Catholic families witness to the faith
fall season where the sun is diminishing, leaves are changing color and falling to the ground, reminding us that nature is going dormant. It is a beautiful tradition to have Mass offered for your loved ones on or near the day of their death. Many parishes have a Purgatorial Society, where donations are made in memory of deceased loved ones and Holy Mass is offered for their repose throughout the year. Did you know that an indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to those who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the departed in November. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on the other days of the year it is partial. Let’s revive the tradition of
A NOT H E R WA LK T H RO U G H :
‘Walking Together’
visiting cemeteries. Speaking of November, November 3 is our opportunity to Vote YES on Amendment 3. We must speak out. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” That verse, familiar to many, is a solemn warning for we Catholics in the State of Missouri. Last year’s Amendment 3 passed by a mere 52% of the vote, allowing for abortion and “all matters relating to reproductive health care.” That last line is key because it allowed for sterilizing hormones, puberty blockers, and sex-change operations for minors, all due to the interpretation of that part of the amendment. Further, it removed parental consent for minors wanting such treatments and prohibited parents’ input when their minor daughter sought an abortion.
FAITH & CIVIC WITNESS
The old Amendment 3 was about much more than Abortion, although abortion is bad enough. It was and continues to be an attack on parental rights and the family. Voting YES for the 2026 MISSOURI AMENDMENT 3 will affirm parental rights for minor children, ban fetal organ harvesting and sale, protect minors from sex-change surgeries and sterilizing hormones. The 2026 Amendment 3 will ban abortion except in rare circumstances: up to
12 weeks for rape or incest, fatal fetal conditions, or when necessary to save the life of the mother. Finally, the new Amendment 3 would limit taxpayer funding of abortion. These next days are crucial. Those promoting abortion are well-financed by out-of-state abortion groups. And what does the Pro-Life cause have? We have prayer, of course, private donations and grass-root efforts to get the word out. I have asked all priests to speak of Amendment 3 from the pulpit in the upcoming weeks, to use their bulletins as a source of information and display YES on Amendment 3 yard signs. So, what can you do? Please talk to your family and friends, especially those who may not be sure of how to vote. Give them clear information. Sister Lucia, the seer of Our Lady at Fatima warned all of us: “The final battle between the Lord and Satan will be about marriage and the family.” The destruction of the family is the goal of the evil one. I reference Fr. John Hardin, SJ, who predicted: “Ordinary Catholic families cannot survive. They must be extraordinary families. They must be what I do not hesitate to call heroic Catholic families.” Please help get the word out on the importance of voting YES on AMENDMENT 3 this November.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine. ©TM
SERVICE & FELLOWSHIP ON FEAST OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
By Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht
Before his retirement in 2008 as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Bishop John Leibrecht wrote a standing column in The Mirror entitled, “Walking Together.” At the end of each article, Bp. Leibrecht would normally share a funny story referencing his travels to the schools, or time with friends, family, or other bishops. The Mirror has decided to share a few of these in an ongoing series entitled, “Another walk through: ‘Walking Together.’” We hope you enjoy them.
January 12, 1996 Shortly before Christmas, while I visited the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children in Immaculate Conception School, New Madrid, Santa Claus and an elf arrived. I thanked Santa for coming and told him the children were excited about having the opportunity to talk to him. I also told Santa how delighted I was to see him being helped by an elf. One of the children announced loudly, “That’s my cousin!”
January 19, 1996 A popular preacher instructed his class of divinity students to
harmonize their facial expressions with what they were saying during their sermons. “When you talk of heaven,” he said, “let your face light up and glow, your eyes shine. And when you speak of hell… well, then your everyday face will do.”
January 26, 1996 After school a little guy told his mother, “I’m confused. The
teacher said six and two make eight and five and three make eight and four and four make eight. Why doesn’t she make up her mind?”
$1 DINNER AT SEMO’s NEWMAN CENTER—The St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School’s 7th graders prepared and served the $1 Dinner held in the St. John Henry Newman Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau. The students were accompanied by 7th grade homeroom teacher Mrs. Reiminger on Sept. 27, the feast day of the school and parish. The $1 home-cooked dinner is served most Sunday evenings after the 6 p.m. Mass for university students and guests and is made possible by area volunteers who bring not just food to the students, but a sense of community, the Catholic faith and the witness of service. (Photos by Amy Higgins/The Mirror)
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DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
October 9, 2026
ARCHBISHOP SHEEN BEATIFICATION // continued from page 1
SHEEN BEATIFICATION ST. LOUIS—A major relic (lower jaw) of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen was displayed next to his official portrait at his beatification Mass Sept. 24, 2026, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. (OSV News photo/Margaret Murray)
Third, his public presence was always grounded in mission. As National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, he inspired tremendous support for missionary work worldwide. His broadcasts were never about promoting himself. They were about building the Kingdom of God. Pope Leo XIV recently reflected on Sheen’s legacy, calling him “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose evangelization touched millions including the pope himself as a child. That is the mark of a true influencer: someone whose witness lives long after the camera stops
rolling. As we celebrate his beatification and give thanks for his life, we are reminded that the world still needs modern‑day influencers of the Gospel. Sheen shows us how to do it with clarity, charity, courage, and joy. May his example inspire each of us to bring Christ’s light into every corner of our own daily lives. ©TM Deacon Dan Vaughn is the Director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate. He services in Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, Forsyth.
VATICAN REPRESENTATIVE
CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE, a pro-prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Evangelization, waved as processed after concelebrating the beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Sept. 24, 2026, at The Dome in America’s Center in St. Louis. Blessed Sheen is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative evangelists in American history. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
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4 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADULT FAITH
October 9, 2026
Sowing seeds for true appreciation of St. Francis By Mary DeTurris Poust
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OSV News
ut in my perennial garden, nestled among the bleeding hearts and hyacinths, stands a well-worn clay statue of St. Francis of Assisi made by an artisan in Mexico. The unusual characteristics of the statue make it a conversation piece as well as a spiritual touchstone that helps keep me centered as I dig and weed and plant each spring. Of course, I’m not alone. Drive down any street and you’re likely to find St. Francis peeking out from both wellmanicured lawns and wildflower gardens run amuck. He is just as likely to share a garden with a statue of Buddha as he is to share one with a statue of the Blessed Mother. He is a saint of the people—all people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His broad appeal is fascinating, but at the same time it begs the question: Do those who plant St. Francis in their gardens really know what the medieval saint was all about? Today Francis’ concerns are often compartmentalized, separated from true Franciscan spirituality by well-meaning folks who want to claim him for their own. And who can blame them? He is certainly a challenging yet endearing saint for the ages.
Patron of animals
Environmentalists jump on Francis’ love for creation, his “Canticle of Brother Sun,” his diligence in protecting trees and even “brother” fire, and find in him a kindred spirit. Animal lovers hear stories of him preaching to birds and taming a wolf and see in Francis the kind of saint who has rightly earned his status as patron of animals. His popularity comes into full view every Oct. 4, when adults and children alike line up outside churches with everything from goldfish swimming in glass bowls to German shepherds straining at leather leashes just for a chance to get their pets a blessing on
Francis’ feast day. Peace activists, interreligious leaders, social-justice organizers—the St. Francis fan club goes on and on. It seems everyone can find a piece of Francis to suit their cause. But, if you put all of those individual causes into the Gospel context that was at the heart of Francis’ rule and spirituality, you come away with a very different picture of our lovable saint, one that is not so easily shaped and molded by the latest trends in activism. Would we see quite so many St. Francis lawn statues if people stopped to reflect on the fact that Francis’ life was one centered on his love of Christ, his commitment to a radical living out of the Gospel, and his “marriage” to the bride he dubbed “Lady Poverty”? The path that St. Francis chose was not an easy one. He was ridiculed and mocked as a madman during his own lifetime for what appeared to be an extreme response to his conversion experience. He renounced his family’s fortune, fasted for days on end, heard the Lord speak to him from a cross in San Damiano, bore the stigmata. He lived and died for Christ. It would be a disservice to him and all he stood for to try to slip a politically correct mask over the spiritually devout saint who did not do anything halfway. Sometimes I wonder how I can possibly weave Francis’ difficult and often uncomfortable lessons into my exceedingly comfortable existence. How do those of us with warm homes and busy jobs and nice clothes make St. Francis into something more than a decoration or a mascot? It’s not easy, but maybe, just maybe, seeing St. Francis from the kitchen window as we wash dishes, or when we rake leaves from around his feet as we clean the yard, will call us back to our spiritual center and remind us that what we do here on this earth cannot be separated from what we long for in heaven. ©OSV Mary DeTurris Poust writes from New York.
MARSHFIELD HOLDS BLESSING OF ANIMALS—Father Jobi Joseph, MCBS, and Deacon Howard Mohn, celebrated a Blessing of Animals at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Marshfield, on Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. (Photo by Brendan Darby/The Mirror)
BLESSING OF ANIMALS OCT. 4—Father Joe Weidenbenner celebrated a Blessing of Animals at St. Mary Catholic Church, Joplin, on Oct. 4, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. (Photo by Margie Black/The Mirror)
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DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
A NNOU NC E ME NTS
Cape Girardeau— Join CCSOMO Sat., Nov. 7, at
Drury Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, for the 2026 LifeHouse Gala: Stetsons & Stilettos, an evening of dinner, live entertainment & so much more! All proceeds directly support the impactful work of LifeHouse in Cape Girardeau, helping mothers and babies in need. There are many ways to get involved, even if you can’t attend! For additional information, go to: https://ccsomo.org/ get-involved-events/.
Carthage—St. Ann Catholic Church will have a Rosary
Rally, Sat., Oct. 24, 12-Noon; downtown, on the square in Carthage. Please join us to pray for an end to abortion, conversion, repentance and peace in the country!
Jackson—The Knights of Columbus will have its Friday Fish Fry, Fri., Oct. 16, 4:30-7pm, in the lower KC hall. Fish, fried chicken, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, mac & cheese. Cost: $15.
Leopold— St. John’s PCCW will host its annual Hotze
Mission Breakfast and Bake Sale, Sun., Oct. 18, 7:30-10:30am, at the KC Hall. A buffet breakfast of sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, hash browns, pancakes, and fruit salad for your good will donation. All proceeds benefit the Missions. Questions: contact Geri Geringer at (573) 208-6445.
Marshfield—Holy Trinity Catholic Church & the Knights of Columbus #10844 will have its final Fall Fish Fry, Fri., Oct. 23, 4:30-6:30pm, in the parish hall, located at 515 E. Washington St. Fried and/or baked fish, fries, hush puppies, green beans, slaw, and a tasty dessert. Cost: $12-Adults, $7-Children, ages 6-12yrs.; under age 5-free.
Springfield—Beginning Nov. 4, Sacred Heart Parish,
Springfield is changing its weekday Mass Schedule. There will be a 12-noon Mass (English) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week. On Thursdays, there will be a weekly 6 p.m. Mass in Spanish. The present Wednesday morning 8 a.m. Mass is concluding. For questions or more information, please call the parish office: (417) 869-3646.
Parishes and organizations are invited to submit notices of future events to be printed on a space-available basis. There is no fee.
2026 CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD AWARDEE
Gerry Salter
Jefferson City, MO
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he Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) is pleased to announce the 2026 winners of its Citizen Recognition Awards. The mission of the MCC is to promote the common good in the state of Missouri and our global community. Each year, the MCC recognizes Catholic individuals, couples, or a group from each of the four MO dioceses who strive toward the same goal: giving of themselves to better the lives of others. The winners from each diocese are as follows: :
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD-CAPE GIRARDEAU
Gerry Salter has been recognized in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Salter always gives a steady public witness to Catholic faith, family, service, and the dignity of every human person. From his military service came the values of duty, discipline, sacrifice, and leadership, which have shaped every aspect of his life. A member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral Parish, in Cape Girardeau, Salter has faithfully served through liturgical ministry, parish leadership, Catholic education, fundraising, and welcoming new parishioners. His faith is reflected in the way he treats others. For more than 30 years, Gerry has served the Cape Girardeau community through Catholic healthcare. As Vice President of Mission Integration and Support Services at Saint Francis Healthcare System, Salter works to preserve the Catholic identity of the ministry by promoting compassion, respect for life, human dignity, and fidelity to Catholic ethical principles. His leadership ensures that patients, especially the sick and vulnerable, receive care rooted in the
2026 MCC CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD—Bishop Edward M. Rice presented Gerry Salter with the 2026 Citizen Recognition Award from the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) on Tue., Oct. 6, 2026. Salter’s steady witness to faith, family, service, and human dignity has shaped more than 30 years of service in Catholic healthcare. At Saint Francis Healthcare System, Salter helps preserve the Catholic identity of its ministry and promotes compassionate care rooted in the Church’s mission. Salter also supports families and people in need through his leadership with Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. (Photo by Deacon Tony Peters/
The Mirror)
Church’s mission. Beyond healthcare, he serves as President of the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, helping to expand services for the poor, strengthen disaster response, and support families facing hardship. Gerry Salter leads with humility rather than seeking recognition, consistently putting his faith into action.
OTHER RECIPIENTS
The other Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) 2026 winners of its Citizen Recognition Awards included: Mark Dunn has been recognized in the Archdiocese of St. Louis; Elaine Ingle is recognized in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, along with Deacon Doug Myler; and Loretta Broker has been recognized in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Along with Gerry Salter, these award recipients exemplify good citizenship in promoting Catholic values in the public policy arena and in their local communities and parishes. ©TM
The Mirror, USPS Publication 117-330, Copyright © 2026 by the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is published every other week by Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, 601 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806-3107. Editor: Leslie Anne Eidson, leidson@dioscg.org Business and Editorial Offices: 601 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806-3107; Accounting and Circulation Offices: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, 601 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806-3107. To subscribe, call (417) 866-0841 or Email dthompson@dioscg.org. Periodical postage is paid at Springfield, MO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Mirror, 601 S Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806-3107. Vol. LXII No. 13 October 9, 2026 Single copy price, $0.50 Subscription: $14 per year. Digital subscriptions available as an option to USPS delivery with paid subscription. For more information, contact dthompson@dioscg.org. Copyright © 2026, The Mirror, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org “Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG DioSCG
6 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
Called to serve: Deacon James (Jim) Haston
B I S H O P R I C E O R DA I N S 5 M E N A S P E R M A N E N T D E A C O N S I N S T. M A R Y C AT H O L I C C H U R C H , J O P L I N , O N S AT. , J U LY 2 5 . T H I S I S T H E F O U R T H I N T H E S E R I E S … By Paula Wright
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too. They’re just fun guys. I love that. We had this one priest, Fr. Patrick, who was just the best. I loved him as an instructor and just as a person.
Joplin, MO
n Sat., July 25, 2026, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Joplin, Bishop Edward Rice ordained five men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. One of those men is Deacon James (Jim) Haston, who serves in St. Lawrence Parish, Monett. For Deacon Haston, the call to the diaconate has been a 10-year journey of prayer, discernment, and preparation. The journey was embraced not only by him, but also by his family, especially his wife, Denise, who he credits as his “steady rock.” His father, mother, grandmother, and sister, though not Catholic themselves, have also been supportive and encouraging of his vocation. His father, who passed away in June 2026, perhaps summed up that support best in one of their final conversations, “Jim, I don’t really know what you’re doing, but I’m glad you’re doing something for God and I’m very proud of you.” What were some of your most memorable moments of your ordination rite? I think what impressed me most was how many St. Lawrence (Monett) parishioners actually turned out for the ordination. That was probably the most humbling and memorable thing for me. I knew there were quite a few people there, but when they had us turn around for the introduction at the beginning, and seeing so many familiar faces from our parish, it was a very moving moment for me. Also, realizing everything I’ve been praying about and working towards to begin my diaconate life was all coming to a head. It’s been a 10-year pursuit.
From Denise Haston...
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he ordination ceremony was beautiful in itself, but the number of people that came out to participate in the celebration was moving. We were especially blessed by the many people from our parish that came to support us. What was your discernment process like as you prepared for this new family vocation? This journey has taken many years and nothing that I myself prepared for, but everything that God led me for me: in a lot of little ways, always drawing me out of my comfort zone into
What are you looking forward to most, as deacon? I look forward to being able to meet and, although I’m not a pastor, to have pastoral care of the people of the diocese, particularly, our parishes. I really enjoy the one-on-one interactions. Being with the parish people through all their good times, bad times, and joyful times. Just being with the people and administering to whatever needs that they might have.
DEACON JIM HASTON ORDAINED JULY 25—Deacon James (‘Jim’) Haston, who serves St. Lawrence Parish, in Monett, was ordained a permanent deacon in St. Mary Catholic Church, Joplin, by The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice, on Saturday morning, July 25, in the presence of his wife, Denise, area clergy, and many joyful faithful. (Photo by Brian Landreth/The Mirror) In that moment, I knew I was exactly where God wanted me to be. You mentioned it’s been a 10-year journey, what could you share about discerning your call to the Diaconate? Probably the seed first got planted back in 1997 when I was living and working in Atlanta, Georgia. I was going through OCIA, and I met a permanent deacon. I think his name was Jim, too, and he was a police officer. And I thought, gosh, how in the world does he do that? And so that’s really when the seed was kind of planted, almost 30 years ago. But it was probably in 2015 or 2016 when the doing things I normally wouldn’t choose for myself but always seemed to bring great joy when I answered yes. Discernment is about looking around us and seeing what needs to be done and saying, “yes I can do that.” What parish activities are you involved in? We have been involved in many ministries from maintenance, PSR teachers, school board members, altar server, and sacristan. ©TM
seed really began to grow after I met Vincentian Fr. Hank Grodecki, CM. My wife and I were living in Missouri, and I started getting more involved in my faith. I started pursuing becoming a deacon pretty earnestly. Father Grodecki was a Vincentian priest that was here for a while (2014-2018; St. Lawrence in Monett, Sacred Heart in Verona); and then he moved to Alaska to take over the cathedral in Anchorage. He is back in Missouri now after having spent seven years in Alaska. It was his influence and guidance that helped me. We’re still very good friends. What was the formation process like for you? Well, it’s a little like drinking from a fire hose (lol). The highlights of the process were the men that I got to serve with and go through formation with. There were 10 men in total, five of us from our diocese, who all made it through the process and another five men from Kansas City. I really enjoyed the men that I was going to school with and bonding with them. And I enjoyed the Kansas City guys. I’m originally from Kansas City, so we’re all Royals and Chiefs fans. I think another highlight of the process was getting to know the monks, the brothers, and the priests at Conception Seminary. It was interesting to be around men that have given up the secular life for Christ. These men are also just regular people
What ministries are of interest to you? I’m the director of religious education now and I have been for a year. Last year, we had a total of 120 students. My wife helps me with organizing that and takes a lot of the burden off me. But that’s the main ministry that I’m doing; Catholic education for the youth. I hope I’m successful at it. You keep planting seeds with the young people! What are your thoughts on helping grow faith and continued relevance for the Church? All we can really do is pray for God’s people the best that we can. We also have to have action, and that’s an invitation. So, it would behoove us to invite, especially those Catholics who are fallen away, to invite people to attend Mass and to learn more about
PROFESSION OF FAITH & OATH OF FIDELITY—In the presence of Fr. Daniel Belken (left) and Bishop Edward M. Rice, Jim Haston made a Profession of Faith (Credo) and signed and took an Oath of Fidelity prior to the July 25 liturgy during which he would be ordained a permanent deacon in the Church. (Photo by Brian Landreth/The Mirror)
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
October 9, 2026
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CALLED TO BE SAINTS: SEPTEMBER STUDENTS ‘PRAY EVERY DAY’ Oran, MO
T INVESTITURE—As his wife, Denise, looked on, James Heston was assisted in vesting by his Pastor, Fr. Rahab Isidor. The candidate for ordination entered the church wearing only an alb (a long white liturgical robe). The newly-ordained deacon is vested with two main vestments: the Stole (worn diagonally over the left shoulder) and the Dalmatic, the outer liturgical vestment proper to a deacon, representing the yoke of Christ and the service of charity. (Photo by Brian Landreth/The Mirror)
Christ and salvation. So, I think prayer and invitation are important. Encourage one another, especially the faithful, to invite others, too. Take it upon yourself to invite people and to talk about Christ. What will your role be in ‘Growing in Holiness, Forming Intentional Disciples, and Being Sent to Witness’? I think we have to take care of our corner of the world, to take care of our parishes, be available, be an example of Christ in our everyday lives, and try to be as holy as you can. There’s a difference between piety and sanctity, I know. But just to live as an example of Christ. I am paraphrasing, and I can’t remember the source, but sometimes the best evangelization is just living and being an example to people, not through your words, but through your actions and what others see. My wife would hear comments when she was working at Cox hospital in Monett. She had people come up to her and say, “You seem so happy, what’s going on with you … what religion are you?” She would say, “Well, I’m Catholic…and you know, ‘would you like to go to OCIA?’” That’s her evangelization. She wasn’t going around raising the Bible in her hand and screaming Jesus on the corner. She’s just living a Christ-like life without saying a word. Deacon Haston’s path to the diaconate has included studies in animal science at Missouri State University, service in the Air Force Reserve and
Georgia Air National Guard, and a 16year career with Tyson Foods in human resources. He is also bilingual. “I speak Spanish. I have a little bit of a Southern accent, so I continue to work on my vowel sounds,” Deacon Haston said. “I have been speaking Spanish for 30-years. Father will ask me to read the gospels and offer the homily in Spanish.” ©TM
LAYING ON OF HANDS & PRAYER OF ORDINATION—Jim Haston knelt before Bishop Edward M. Rice while the bishop prepared to lay his hands on Haston’s head and pray the Prayer of Ordination. Deacon Haston serves St. Lawrence Parish, Monett, and was ordained a permanent deacon on July 25 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Joplin. (Photo by Brian Landreth/The Mirror)
his 2026-27 school theme at Guardian Angel Catholic School, in Oran, MO is “Called to Be Saints.” Each month, a different attribute is highlighted to which the students may aspire. For September, the attribute was “Pray Every Day,” encouraging the students to have a close relationship to God through daily prayer and talking to God. The saint-example for September was St. Monica, who constantly prayed for her son, Augustine, and her pagan husband, that they would have a conversion and become close to God. On September 30, at the end of lunch time, Mrs. Kluesner read paragraphs about two different students that the student’s teacher had written about why the child was selected for September’s special distinction. The students selected were Dani Urhahn, kindergarten, and Paxton Urhahn, 2nd grade. SEPTEMBER’S SAINT—Each month, Guardian They are siblings and the children Angel Catholic School students are inspired to of Nolan & Hannah Urhahn. They various aspirations under the theme, “Called were each given a coupon book of to Be Saints.” September’s model saint was goodies and a colorful mug designed St. Monica and the youth were to “Pray Every with “Called to Be Saints.” Day.” (Submitted photo) According to Mrs. Cindy Seyer, Dani is able to recite her prayers throughout the day, even beginning prayers herself in the classroom. She gives answers to Mrs. Seyer and Fr.Joseph Kelly, Pastor, during religion classes. At Mass, she folds her hands and gives responses to prayers. Mrs. Kalli Priggel said that Paxton sings beautifully in church and folds his hands in prayer. He takes his faith seriously and does a wonderful job learning his prayers and reciting them. The attribute for October SEPTEMBER STUDENTS—Paxton Urhahn, 2nd grade, will be “Know the Truth,” and Dani Urhahn, kindergarden, were all smiles as inspiring the students to read they posed with their coupon books and mugs they the Scriptures and learn about received in Guardian Angel School, Oran, as students their Catholic faith. ©TM who “Pray Every Day.” (Submitted photo)
8 The Mirror
ADULT FAITH/DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
Pursuing Polish saints on Pilgrimage 2026: T H E PAT H O F M E R C Y By Karla Essner
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Kelso, MO
very simple: pilgrimage is not something we control. It is something we receive!”
ed by their Pastor and spiritual guide, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, 51 JOHN PAUL II pilgrims – parishioners and The journey began in Pope St. John Paul friends of St. Augustine Parish, Kelso, II’s hometown, Wadowice, Poland, in and St. Joseph Parish, Scott City— the Basilica of the Presentation of the traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Blessed Virgin Mary, where the future Bosnia & Herzegovina on Sept. 15-25, in pope was baptized as an the footsteps of St. Faustina, infant and where his faith St. John Paul II, and St. was nurtured over his first Maximilian Kolbe. Along Pilgrimage is 18 years. A museum of his the way, they encountered not something life, located next to the hearty welcomes, somber we control. It is basilica, revealed details spiritual moments, and a something we of his early years through deeper understanding of the receive. his ministry as seminarian, depths of God’s mercy and priest, bishop, cardinal, love. and pope. An immense “It was a time of grace to commanding statue of the saint—the be on this journey of the Path of Mercy first of numerous similar tributes along with my parishioners, touching places the route—stood in the adjacent public where St. Faustina, St. Maximilian, square in witness to the prominence and St. John Paul II – three pillars of John Paul II holds in the hearts and forgiveness – showed us the way to love memory of his countrymen. no matter what is happening in our life,” “I would never imagine that I would said Fr. Wilk. “Wadowice, Lagiewniki, be able to attend Holy Mass at JPII’s Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Jasna home parish,” said pilgrim Tammy Gora, and Niepokalanow opened our Gaines. “Several times during this eyes to the reality that God is good even incredible spiritual journey I wanted to when we are not! All pilgrims were pinch myself because this was real and reminded at the beginning of something beautiful, and I was so very blessed to experience it. Being present at the Shrine of Divine Mercy and learning to TRUST God; truly listen, DO NOT FEAR, be still, be a witness of Jesus’ love—the message from a sister at the shrine was delivered in a most loving and gentle way. I will remember, always.”
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW
CONVENT OF THE SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF MERCY—In lower level of the Sanctuary of Pope St. John Paul II, pilgrim Kim Ziegler prayed before the bloodstained cassock worn by John Paul II when he was shot in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. Fifty-one pilgrims from Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15-25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror)
Evening sights and sounds of Krakow’s Main Market Square included the 24/7 hourly bugle call from one of the towers of the Church of Our Lady Mary, commemorating the legendary sacrifice of the Trumpeter of Krakow. A bus ride to the nearby Lagiewniki neighborhood of Krakow brought pilgrims to the Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, where St. Faustina Kowalska lived and died. After Holy Mass in the convent church, which is the resting place of the saint’s remains, a sister of her congregation conducted a guided tour through the convent grounds and museum. She described the spirituality of St. Faustina, who is known as “The Secretary of Mercy,” for her multiple visions of Jesus’ Divine Mercy message and image, recorded in her now-famous
diary. Pilgrims marveled at the massive Basilica Sanctuary of St. John Paul II near the convent. The basilica, built to resemble a gigantic ark in honor of the late pontiff, displayed a prominent statue of the Polish Pope symbolically at the helm. Among the numerous sacred places in the Sanctuary’s lower level are the Chapel of St. Faustina, which houses a relic of the saint; the Chapel VENERATION OF RELICS—Deacon Bryan Burger veneratesd the vast of the Holy Cross, collection of relics in the relic chapel of the Basilica of the Presentation which features a of Virgin Mary, hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, in Wadowice, Poland. haunting bronze Fifty-one pilgrims from Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, statue of martyr St. Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15-25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Teresa Benedicta Bosnia-Herzegovina in the footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, (Edith Stein); and a meditation area which and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror) displays the bloodAUSCHWITZ, BIRKENAU stained cassock that Pope John Paul II The group toured Krakow’s Wawel Hill wore during the assassination attempt Castle complex and its Archcathedral on his life in St. Peter’s Square on May Basilica of Saint Stanislaus and Saint 13, 1981. Wenceslaus (Wawel Cathedral). The nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral site saw the coronation of Polish kings and is the resting place of many of Poland’s beloved royalty, saints, and heroes. It was in this symbol of Polish statehood and faith, that newly-ordained Fr. Karol Wojtyla offered his first Mass at the Wawel Crypt in 1946. The horror of the Holocaust was on vivid display as pilgrims followed the steps of victims at Auschwitz, the largest Nazi-German concentration camp. A plaque told the awful toll: in 1940-1945, at least 1.3 million people were deported to Auschwitz; 1.1 million died there. Among them was St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe. Standing in the starvation bunker in which his sacrificial death occurred was a particularly moving moment of the pilgrimage. Near Auschwitz, Birkenau HOLOCAUST HORROR—Pilgrim Frank Siebert’s work camp and extermination center shadow is cast on the entry sign as he enters spread its misery over a square mile. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the
largest Nazi-German concentration camp and labor/extermination center during the Second World War. Fifty-one pilgrims from Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15-25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror)
THE BLACK MADONNA
Celebrating Holy Mass in Jasna Gora Monastery’s Chapel of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Black Madonna) was a rare privilege and highlight of the pilgrimage. Echoes of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd that packed the monastery church and
The Mirror 9
ADULT FAITH/DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
‘JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU’
cell in which he lived 1927-1930, and the series of paintings depicting moments endured by St. Maximilian from the time of his arrest to his death. The artist, a Holocaust survivor, was a firsthand witness to the events he painted. A perpetual adoration chapel at the monastery features Our Lady, Mother of the Eucharist and it broadcasts continuous live-video around the world.
SANCTUARY OF DIVINE MERCY
Warsaw offered time at the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, learning about its formation program. A guided tour of the city’s historic center included stops at Poland’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Warsaw Uprising Monument, and the Warsaw Uprising Museum. The group celebrated Holy Mass at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, where St. Faustina began her religious life. En route to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the group flew to Split, Croatia, and toured Roman emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only remaining imperial Roman palace. Hiking up Medjugorje’s rugged 900-ft. stony Apparition Hill in 5 a.m. darkness was a particular challenge and exhilaration for many pilgrims. Later, in St. James Church, pilgrims gazed into the eyes of a Marian statue modeled on visionaries’ description and visited the parish cemetery grave of Franciscan martyr Fr. Slavko Barbaric (19262000), whose cause for beatification is under consideration. They heard the conversion story of philanthropists Nancy and Patrick at Castello de Maria, their under-construction retreat center. That evening, the group joined pilgrims from all over the world for
LITURGY OF THE WORD—Father Tomasz Wilk proclaimed the Gospel at Jasna Gora Monastery’s Chapel of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Black Madonna) in Poland. Fifty-one pilgrims from Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15-25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror) its entry avenues for evening prayer, their voices raised in an ancient Polish Marian hymn, remains a powerful testimony to the enduring Catholic faith of the Polish people. The group’s stop in Niepokalanow, the monastery founded by St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, taught the story of his life, mission, and death. Particularly touching was seeing the
BAPTISM OF FUTURE PONTIFF-SAINT—Tammy Gaines and Martha Gaines admired the roses outside the church in which infant Karol Wojtyla was baptized, the Basilica of the Presentation of Virgin Mary, in Pope St. John Paul II’s hometown of Wadowice, Poland. Fifty-one pilgrims from Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15-25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror)
“What a remarkable experience it was to be able to walk as a pilgrim on this Path of Mercy,” said Deacon Bryan Burger, who was privileged to assist at daily Masses celebrated by Fr. Wilk and fellow pilgrim Fr. Daniel Robles. “ To climb Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, to speak with our Blessed Mother, the Mother of Mercy. To celebrate Mass in the Basilica where JPII was baptized and numerous saints’ relics are housed, or proclaim the Gospel in the chapel at the convent where St. Faustina lived and died, or walk past the cell where St. Maximillian took his final breath after giving up his life to save the life of a fellow prisoner. These amazing individuals were ordinary human beings who chose to live extraordinary lives for the good of others, making them worthy of being declared saints. Being able to go on pilgrimage with such a wonderful group of pilgrims and experience God’s infinite mercy through the life that these saints lived is a memory that I will always cherish.” “This time of being together taught us humility,” Fr. Wilk said. “Delays, uncertainty, tiredness—these things revealed what was in the heart. But then the words of St. Faustina – ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ – helped us all. We placed this entire journey into God’s hands, not only the schedule, not only the places, but ourselves. We didn’t go to Poland and Bosnia amd Herzegovina to see saints. We went there to let the saints reshape our hearts and lives. I would say today: the change of heart is a permanent work in progress with trust in God’s Mercy. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!” ©TM
hours of prayer, rosary, and Holy Mass in Medjugorje’s packed amphitheater. Stony gray mountains, groves of mandarins and grapes, and panoramas of pure blue waters of the Adriatic Sea dotted the scenery on a day trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. After Holy Mass in St. Blaise Church, the group toured Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town Square, site of a papal visit by John Paul II, and enjoyed sailing outside the city fortress walls. Mostar, Croatia boasted a massive Franciscan church and bell tower, views from the city’s reconstructed medieval marble bridge of cliff-jumpers, and stone shops and restaurants lining its busy bazaar. In the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, history was vivid at Sarajevo’s lively Old Town medieval Metalworker Street and its solemn memorial at the site of the 1914 HOLY MASS—Deacon Bryan Burger assisted celebrant Fr. Daniel Robles assassination of and concelebrant Fr. Tomasz Wilk in celebration of Holy Mass in Jasna Archduke Franz Gora Monastery’s Chapel of Pope St. John Paul II. Fifty-one pilgrims from Ferdinand of Austria, Kelso and Scott City accompanied their pastor, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, Sept. 15which launched 25, and traveled through Poland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World War I.
footsteps of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, among others. (Photo by Karla Essner/The Mirror)
10 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS
MEET OUR SEMINARIANS
From health insurance to priesthood discernment:
Cade Scobey
By Paula Wright
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Cape Girardeau
ade Scobey, a native of Poplar Bluff and a member of Sacred Heart Parish, is beginning his first year of seminary formation at Conception Seminary College. He is the younger of two sons of James and Cathy Scobey and graduated from the University of Missouri in 2025. Before entering seminary, he worked in health insurance. The call to the priesthood did not come in a single dramatic moment for Scobey. Instead, it unfolded gradually through years of experiences in which he came to recognize what he describes as the faithfulness of God. “I don’t think there is one moment in particular, but many events throughout my life where the Father has shown His faithfulness,” Scobey said. “Largely, these moments came in college through the Newman Center at Mizzou. It was in spending time in quiet adoration, encountering Jesus’ merciful love in confession, and receiving His body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Eucharist that He is fostering my vocation.” Several priests have provided examples and inspiration for him, “Fr. Andrew Auer, Fr. Dan Merz, and Fr. David Coon have been inspirations of what it looks like to live out the priesthood with love, joy, fatherhood, and humility,” Scobey said. When asked, Scobey shared that his favorite form of prayer is the Lectio Divina during quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament. Among his favorite prayers are the Surrender Novena and the Litany of Trust. His favorite books of the bible? The Gospel of Luke and St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. “I have come to realize that He
wants me to hold nothing back, just as He did on the cross,” said Scobey. “We are all called to be Jesus for others and see Jesus in others. The priesthood is a special embodiment of living closely united to Jesus Christ.” One of his favorite saints is also his confirmation saint, St. Joseph, who inspires him through his masculinity, model of chastity and role as protector of the Holy Family. In addition, he admires St. Teresa of Calcutta’s love for the poor and respect for SCOBEY humans. Scobey traveled to Kolkata, the city of her home, on a mission trip in 2024. He also looks to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “Her little way of love and awareness of how she is God’s beloved inspires me to live out of this identity.” And, St. Francis of Assisi, “I also love his care for the poor and how he embraces being poor in spirit. His simplistic spirituality is something I relate to.” Scobey enjoys 80s music, lasagna, and eating at Chick-fil-a and Panera Bread. His favorite sport? Basketball. His favorite sports team? The St. Louis Blues. He also enjoys playing pickleball, learning to play the guitar, and vacationing in Colorado. Asked about a special gift or talent he believes God has given him, “God has given me the gift to be personable.” His first months of seminary have already brought memorable experiences, including the Abbatial Blessing of Abbot Paul Sheller and the opportunity to process for the beatification celebration of Blessed Fulton Sheen in St. Louis. As the semester progresses for Scobey, he looks forward to continuing to learn and grow closer to God. “I look forward to learning
October 9, 2026
more about our faith and also allowing the Lord to heal and restore the broken/disordered areas of my heart that inhibit me to love others fully,” he said.
GOD’S LOVE IS FOR EACH ONE OF US
When asked if he had the opportunity to bring a soul to Christ and His Church, what would he tell them, Scobey shared, “Jesus is madly in love with each of us, more intentionally, you! He doesn’t just love us; He actually likes us. Our Lord is overjoyed when we turn to Him and allow Him to be our Savior. Jesus calls us by our identity as beloved sons and daughters, not by our sins. When we are faced with accusations of lies and deceit from the evil one, we can look at the crucifix and know that Jesus suffered His glorious passion with each one of us individually in mind. Will you let Him love you?” Advice he offers to young people who may be discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? “Be not afraid!” Scobey said. “Take steps; we cannot perpetually discern ideas. We must be people of action, and the Father is with us in the adventure.” He encourages those discerning a vocation to remain close to Christ in prayer and to trust that God will provide clarity along the way. “He wants us to be free and own our good desires, rightly ordered in accord with His infinitely better plan than our own. Stay close to Jesus in prayer, and you will not be led astray.” As he begins this new chapter, Scobey is appreciative of the prayers and generosity of Catholics throughout the diocese. “The support of the faithful in the diocese means so much to me,” he said. “Truly, I cannot thank the Church enough! We are all on this pilgrimage to Heaven together, and what a gift it is, through their generous support, to be privileged to discern God’s call so intentionally.” “It takes the whole Church to foster and sustain vocations, whether that be to priesthood, religious life, consecrated single life, or holy matrimony,” Scobey said. “We are made for community. Please keep me in your prayers and know of my prayers for the faithful of our diocese!” ©TM
FIRST FRIDAY MASS for VOCATIONS
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ishop Rice will celebrate the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart for Vocations each First Friday of the month, followed by the Rosary. All parishes are invited to celebrate First Friday Masses for Vocations as we continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese.
BISHOP RICE’S SCHEDULE FOR FIRST FRIDAY MASS: Fri., Nov. 6
St. Agnes Cathedral Springfield
5:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 4
St. John Henry 12:00 p.m. Newman Center SEMO/Cape Girardeau
DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
The Mirror 11
MERCY DAY marks 141 years of Catholic education Joplin, MO
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welve Sisters of Mercy arrived in Joplin, MO, on Oct. 4, 1885, and opened a Catholic school, laying the foundation for what would eventually become Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS). For 141 years, the community has proudly carried on the legacy they began—rooted in faith, dedicated to education, and committed to serving generations of students and families.
MERCY SISTERS RENEW VOWS—Sr. Cabrini Koelsch, RSM, and Sr. Joan Schwager, RSM, renewed their vows as Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 22, during the Mercy Day liturgy celebrated by Bishop Edward M. Rice, in St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Joplin. (Submitted photo)
Mercy Day kicks off with liturgy
Kindergarten through 12th grade from St. Mary Elementary, Joplin; St. Ann Catholic School, Carthage; St. Peter’s Middle School and McAuley Catholic High School, both of Joplin, joined the all-school liturgy on Sept. 22, to celebrate Mercy Day with the The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice, Deacon Rob Huff, diocesan Chancellor and Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and local Pastor Rev. Brian J. Straus, in St. Peter the Apostle Church, Joplin. Bishop Rice shared three themes
with the students in his Mercy Day homily, “Inspired by Mother Catherine McAuley’s life, we, no matter our age, can remember and live each day with Kindness, Compassion, and Listening.” Bishop Rice’s homily tied well with the theme for the year, “Created to Love,” based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.” The bishop further spoke on how Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy were there for people who needed them and the gift of being there for those who suffered. A highlight of the annual Mercy Day Mass is the renewal of vows of local Mercy Sisters Joan Margret Schwager and Cabrini Koelsch, RSM, after the homily.
Fun & fellowship
ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS—Father Nick Zummo oversaw a massive “Rock, Paper, and Scissors” battle in McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin, on Sept. 22, as part of the local Mercy Day held for Joplin Area Catholic Schools. This year marks 141 years of Catholic education in the community, brought by the Sisters of Mercy in 1885. (Submitted photo)
Following Mass, students returned to McAuley Catholic High School for a few hours of fun. The cheerleaders led students in several cheers, a dance, and a group session of “Simon Says.” Rev. Nick Zummo, who
NDRHS NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENT Cape Girardeau, MO
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ongratulations to senior Dominic Coello of Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, for being named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students COELLO throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2027 competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. ©TM
serves Sacred Heart Parish, Webb City, and St. Ann Parish and School, in Carthage, then led the students in a massive “Rock, Paper, Scissors” battle with the final two contestants being 3rd grader Charlotte “Charlie” Fry of St. Mary Catholic School, and McAuley freshman Jaiden Brewer. There was a lot of excitement for both students and after several final rounds, Charlie won the tournament. They were presented with “Called to be more” engraved rocks, a crucifix, and a gift card.
After a lot of movement, students split into groups and enjoyed lunch together. Several groups headed to The Grotto and played games like “Duck, duck, goose” and tag as high school and elementary students connected. “Bringing our four schools together to celebrate Mass, connection, and for fun is a joyful expression of what makes our school system special,” said Marjorie Comer, JACS Director of Advancement, “as we are ‘Created to Love’ and live the Mercy tradition.” ©TM
VINCENTIAN PRIESTS CELEBRATE LITURGY & RENEW VOWS PATRON HONORED—On Sept. 27, the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, five priests of the Vincentian Congregation who serve in the diocese celebrated Mass and renewed their vows in St. Mary Parish, West Plains. Pictured are Fr. Seban Thanippallil Jose, VC; Fr. Johny Manickathan, VC; Fr. Antony Thekkanath, VC; Fr. Vincent Joseph, VC, and Fr. Mathukutty Naduchirayil, VC. (Photo by John D’Angelo/The Mirror)
12 The Mirror
DIOCESAN 70TH HISTORY CORNER
October 9, 2026
FR OM THE AR C H IVE S
IN HONOR OF OUR 70 TH ANNIVERSARY AS A DIOCESE, WE ARE PLEASED TO SHARE SOME OF OUR RICH HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES!
F IRST PA STO RAL G IVES BLUEPRI N T OF D IOCESE
Given less than a month following the official enthronement of Bishop Charles H. Helmsing as First Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, the pastoral letter, “On Directing our Intention,” outlines a blueprint for all to follow in achieving salvation. In the letter, Bishop Helmsing made clear that a sense of direction would be needed if the new diocese was to achieve lasting goals. “One of the most urgent needs of our day is a sense of vocation,” Bishop Helmsing was quoted as saying. “Distraction of our rapid-pace living often obscures the real purpose of our state in life, and even of our common vocation as Christians.” The first pastoral letter is divided into four main parts: in introduction, a section underlining the need for conforming individual wills to Christ’s, a third section outlining the tasks facing the diocese, and a conclusion. A footnote to the letter stated that the “Eighth Diocesan Synod of St. Louis, 1950:—the regulations governing the Archdiocese of St. Louis, had also been made obligatory for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau by a Prosynodal decree.
On Directing Our Intention TO TH E C L E R GY, RE L I G I O U S , A ND ZE A LO U S L A ITY OF TH E DI O C E SE
Written by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing First Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau (1956-1962) Issued December 27, 1956 Feast of St. John the Evangelist
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ear Beloved: The common-sense philosophy of the ages has a saying: “that which is first in intention is last in attainment.” A building presupposes plans and specifications. Only when the architect outlines them clearly can there be hope for a beautiful, serviceable edifice in the future. For our new diocese, obviously we are not the architects. “The Shepherd and Bishop” (1) of our souls alone gives us the blueprint. Yet, precisely because of the seeming complexity of the tasks which overwhelm us, we can easily lose sight of the intention that must always be ours. After my appointment as bishop almost eight years ago, two wonderful friends—a zealous lay apostle and a priestly director— gave me two complementary bits of advice. The one envisioning the work of organization, planning, building, fund-raising, conferring, counseling, etc., proposed a formula of executive management: “Organize, deputize, supervise.” The other calmly remarked, “Simply be Christ,” and you will succeed. The first counsel will require us to continue and (wherever possible) augment the unified organizations which we have inherited from the two well-organized dioceses of Kansas City and St. Louis (2). The second bit of advise has been the object of meditation during the ensuing years. When studies in the light of Our Holy Father’s recent letter on
“Devotion to the Sacred Heart” (3), it proposes to us the direction of our combined efforts as bishop, priests, religious, and laity in accepting the challenge and the labors involved in the establishment of our Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The whole Church, our diocese, your parish, your Christian family, your school, institution, or organization, all exist so that one with Jesus, they may “glorify the Father,” and at the same time sanctify and save souls. A few months ago, Our Holy Father stated, “True devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the epitome of all religion.” (4) We might paraphrase: “Being all one in Christ Jesus” (5), our immediate aim must be so to live in union with our Divine Head that we copy His love first for His Heavenly Father and then for our fellow man (woman and child). Faith in Our Lord’s teaching helps us to appreciate that this personal union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not a figment of the imagination or of sentimental false piety. The Sacred Liturgy is the indispensable source of such union. Buried together with Christ (6) in baptism until his death we arose unto a newness of life—sanctifying grace. The character of his Sacrament of Rebirth made us like to Christ into whose Mystical body it incorporated us and made us receptive of every increasing supernatural life as children. Beause of it we could really exclaim with St. Paul, “We have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father” (7). With Jesus, we have been given the “power to be made sons of God” (8), sound “always the things that please” (9) the Father. Later sealed in Confirmation and further formed unto the likeness of Christ, we were empowered actively to promote the Father’s glory and advance the Kingdom of His Son. However, in a much higher way, those marked with the character of Holy Orders become one with Jesus as his Ambassadors so that daily, they might make present in an unbloody manner, under the forms of bread and wine,
the Sacrifice of Calvary to give infinite glory to the Father and to apply the graces of the Cross to souls. The greatest marvel is that a personal participation in the Sacrifice of Love is open to all who are baptized, for Jesus, the Victim of the Cross, “made obedient unto death” (10) and loving “His own even to the end” (11), unites Himself to each recipient in Holy Communion. As the “Bread of the strong,” He is not assimilated as ordinary bread but transforms into His own likeness those who place no obstacle of sin and imparts to them the sentiments of His Sacred Heart. The liturgy of the Sacrament of Matrimony (12) boldly reminds the spouses who enter this permanent union that they represent Christ to sanctify each other as His instruments of love. And Penance and Extreme Unction are mercifully instituted to remove the obstacles of perfect union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Once we are conscious that the Church is Christ and ourselves in “one Body” (13), we should see that our purpose as a diocese is to imitate the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the double direction of His life as our God Incarnate: to do the will of the Father to love our fellow man (woman and child). Jesus proclaimed through the prophet, “Then said I, behold I come to do thy will, O my God” (14). Having come into the world he did “always the things that please”
Strong anti-Catholic sentiment greets first Catholic priest to Cape Girardeau
T
he Diocese of St. Louis was established in 1826. Joseph Rosati was appointed the first Bishop of St. Louis in 1827. That same year, Catholics living in Cape Girardeau were about to receive their first visit from a priest, Fr. John Timon, who was sent there by Bishop Rosati. Despite strong antiCatholic sentiment, Fr. Timon publicly proclaimed Catholic beliefs. Public debates with local Protestant clergy took place, as well as pastoral care for Catholics and nonCatholics alike. ©TM
BISHOP JOSEPH ROSATI (Used by permission, State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia)
FATHER JOHN TIMON was appointed first bishop of
Buffalo, NY in 1847.
(Diocesan archives)
FIFTY SOULS—A portion of the Status Animarum (State of Souls) submitted to the Vatican for St. Vincent Parish, written in 1837 by Vincentian priest Fr. John Rosati, CM, reports 50 “souls” in Cape Girardeau County. (Diocesan archives)
DIOCESAN 70TH HISTORY CORNER
October 9, 2026
The Mirror 13
priests, religious, laity, families, in heaven, we must be prepared for and organizations—must be one long-term tasks of sowing the seed with Jesus “for sinners,” and for of truth, softening the hardness of their conversion, salvation, and prejudice and hatred by the sweetness sanctification. of charity, and Jesus came to following through call “not the just, to the saving If we are to persevere in this but sinners” waters of Baptism Christlike charity until souls and the forgiving (28). are safe in heaven, we must sentence of the And we are be prepared for long-term Sacrament of all sinners. And Penance. Not only we all need the tasks of sowing the seed of mercy of God. At truth, softening the hardness must sermons and instructions the same time, of prejudice and hatred by be enlightening Our Lord wishes the sweetness of charity, and appealing, but to use us as his II Filled with Fire of and following through to the Fraternal Love Which Jesus instruments saving waters of Baptism and priests especially must practice of mercy for Cast the forgiving sentence of the heroic availability others. The But all this is only one phase of our Sacrament of Penance. for all members of one condition union with the Sacred Heart. The their flock. They in lending disciple who leaned on the breast must prove themselves as easy of ourselves to Him as his instruments of Jesus at the Last Supper (25) access for breaking the Bread of Life of love is that we love one another understood this; for in his Epistle in the Holy Eucharist as for breaking (29), and live and act in harmony: he asked the early Christians, “How the bread of truth. And around them priests, religious, laity, parishes and can you love God whom you do not families, institutions and individuals, must be zealous co-workers to make see, if you do not love your neighbor and societies among themselves. The whom you see” (26). We, too, must straight the path of unbelievers and capture from the Sacred Heart the mystical sending of the disciples two- sinners to the open Heart of Our reason why He became Man. We Savior. by-two (30) prefigured this essential sing in the Nicene Creed, “Who for harmony according to St. Gregory the The mercy of the Sacred Heart us men and for our salvation … was Great (Cf. Breviary Lesson from the evidently stooped first to those in made man.” Consequently one with Common of Evangelists). greatest need. We who are one with the Sacred Heart, our wills must be Him must do likewise. In our new Now, if our work in the diocese filled with that fire of fraternal love diocese, we are a decided minority is to enlighten and convert sinners which Jesus came to cast on earth and we see all about us vast territories and if we are to persevere in this (27). We, as a diocese—individuals, and especially vast numbers of souls Christlike charity until souls are safe deprived of the saving knowledge and graces that are ours. And yet, we are blessed beyond measure, “little flock,” that we are (31), in comparison In 1833, Fr. Timon converted an old frame warehouse on the (Mississippi) with the more than a thousand riverfront into a makeshift chapel, first traveling on horseback from million souls who do not “know Perryville, MO, to celebrate Mass quarterly, then once a month. Father the One true God and Jesus Christ, Jean Marie Odin was named first resident pastor of St. Vincent de Paul whom He has sent” (32). Obviously, Parish, in Cape Girardeau, in 1836. In 1838, Fr. John Brands became therefore, our first thoughts should pastor and opened St. Vincent Male Academy. He asked the Sisters of be for a well-organized, efficacious Loretto at the Foot of the Cross to move their convent school for girls program of assistance to the foreign from Perryville to Cape Girardeau. It was known at St. Vincent’s Women’s missions. “Give and it shall be given Academy. to you” (33) is a promise of the Sacred Heart in which we must trust Founded by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), St. Vincent implicitly, must trust in it not only Seminary & College (also known as St. Vincent’s College and “The for material assistance but even Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cape”) began to emerge in several stages between 1838 and 1843. It was more for vocations and supernatural Cross, circa 1850. (Diocesan archives) an educational facility in Cape Girardeau of two components: a college, assistance. We must rejoice in the providing secular education for vocations already given to the foreign young men in the region; and a missions; for we have confidence in seminary, training candidates for the promise made by Christ’s Vicar of the Catholic priesthood to serve in blessed memory, Pope Benedict XV: the midwest. It was to siphon off “In the place of one priest you might lay students from St. Mary of the send abroad, God will raise several Barrens Seminary in Perryville priests to do useful work at home” to relieve the concern of those (34). who did not approve of mixing lay We must also be grateful to the students with seminarians. The Sacred Heart of the number of boys at college was incorporated by the present in our two minor seminaries ST. VINCENT COLLEGE & SEMINARY—The Vincentian priests of the 19th century zealously State of Missouri in February 1843. (at Cape Girardeau and Carthage), labored to build up the Catholic Church in the southeastern regions of southern Missouri. Ten years later, other dioceses and we pray that others will join (Diocesan archives) began sending students there. By them. We hope likewise that there 1859, it had become a major seminary that had formed numerous Vincentian missionaries whose impact on the will be a large increase in the number growth of the Catholic Church reached not only to Missouri, but south to Texas and northern Mexico and west to of virgin souls from our midsts who California. ©TM will give themselves completely as
(15) Him. He taught us to pray, “Our Father, Thy will be done” (16). He Himself prayed in His agony, “Not my will but thine be done” (17). Only when he had “become obedient unto death” (18), in fulfilling His Father’s will, did he cry, “It is finished” (19). Obviously, our first aim in the diocese must be to imitate Jesus in His loyalty to the Father’s will. Expressed negatively, this means careful avoidance of every sin, no matter how seemingly slight. Put positively, it means that we must be guided by God’s will, shown to us in the Ten Commandments (20) and in the Sermon on the Mount (21). In matters left undetermined in the decalogue and in revelation, we must be led by the Church, which directs us by the prescriptions of her canon law, synodal and diocesan regulations, and the authority of our superiors. For all of us, there are also the obvious duties of each one’s state in life—from seeming trifles obliging children and the often vexing details of administering temporal affairs, to the sublime work of administering the Sacraments, and offering the Sacrifice of the Mass. Every detail of our lives falls under doing the Father’s will. Besides this positive conformity of our wills with the signified will of the Father, we must in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus abandon
ourselves to the all wise disposition of God’s Providence. He who asked us to learn from His Heart of be meek and humble (22), tells us to become as little children (23), lovingly embracing success or failure, sickness or health, joy or sorrow, plenty or want. What has been outlined is obviously a program of sanctity. By it, we glorify the Father in obedience and loyalty. By it, we carry out the command of “Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
Sisters of Loretto
St. Vincent College Seminary
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Continued from previous page...
14 The Mirror
DIOCESAN 70TH HISTORY CORNER
religious men and woman to serve in the field afar. We need not remind our devoted cloistered religious of the Visitation and the Trappists of their world-embracing vocation of prayer and sacrifice; but we gladly remind ourselves and all the faithful of the truly catholic gifts of prayer and sacrifice which we make each day in our morning offering to the Sacred Heart. Our hope is that the full programs of the Holy Childhood Association for children and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for adults will meet an evergrowing spirit of cooperation and that many of our grown-ups will adopt that most modern method of missionaid known as the “Daily World Missionaries.” Next to the pagans in mission lands are our own country men reared often without knowledge of God and living a practical materialistic existence. Then there are our separated brethren who know something of God and His revelations—honest, God-fearing souls, whom we rightly regard as equivalent members of the Church, but who are deprived of their rightful heritage of the faith and especially of the full channels of Our Lord’s grace. Again, there are “the fallen-aways,” often through no fault of their own. And lastly, there are the apostates and sinners who know better, but because of passion or wounded pride, walk no more (35) with Our Lord. Yet all these are the objects of our Lord’s love. And since we are one with His Sacred Heart, we too “must be straightened” (36) until all are won back to His love.
To say this much and stop, would be a betrayal of the very vision we must have of our purpose as a diocese. Souls truly respond to the love of Jesus for them only when they themselves burn with a like charity to save and sanctify others. “For them do I sanctify myself, that they may be sanctified in truth” (37) must be our constant prayer as it was that of the Sacred Heart at the Last Supper. Each Christian family must therefore aim at producing apostolic souls: true Christian mothers and fathers of the future, and especially priests and religious to carry on the mission of the Sacred Heart and His Church. Our Holy Father has declared it mandatory of fathers and mothers that they “pray to God to make them worthy to have at least one of their sons called to his service” (38). Priests especially must embrace the arduous task of spiritual direction—really one much easier in our small diocese than in the populous urban sees. “One should striving for perfection is worth more in glorifying God than 10,000 ordinary souls,” must be their condition as it was St. Teresa’s. They will foster retreats, third orders, sodalities, confraternities, pious unions, etc. Always, however, with the conviction that the members, only by perfect fidelity to their approved rule can be adequately formed in the Christian life. May we therefore conclude with the final observation on spiritual formation in the Christian life of union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus in His twofold love of the Father and
Abbot raises ‘Monastery’ to ‘Abbey’
A
va’s Assumption Abbey is a community of monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, popularly known as Trappists. They first came to Ava, MO, from New Melleray Abbey in Iowa in 1950 to establish their monastic life in southern Missouri. The Abbey is situated in the rugged, wooded Ozarks near clear streams and a small river. After the Second World War, the Trappists experienced a great renewal and rapid growth, establishing new monasteries in Asia and South America, enabling the Abbey in Iowa to open a new monastery in Missouri. Bishop Helmsing welcomed their presence, along with The Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary, at Elfindale, in Springfield (cloistered order of Catholic nuns Installation of first Trappist from St. Louis), because of their continual Abbot at Ava, Bruno Payant. prayer for all the members of the diocese and for (Diocesan archives) all the world. ©TM Notes
1 Peter 2:25 A Prosynodal Decree makes obligatory for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, “The Eighth Diocesan
and Synod of St. Louis,” 1950, with the changes indicated in the same decree. Encyclical “Haurietis Aquas,” May 15, 1956. Ibidem Romans 12:5
Romans 6:4 Romans 8:15 John 1:12 John 8:29 Philippians 2:8 John 13:1 Ephesians 5:22-33 Romans 12, 1
Corinthians 12 Psalm 39:8, Hebrews 10:9 John 8:29 Matthew 6:10 Luke 22:42 Philippians 2:8 John 19:30
October 9, 2026
Ancillae” —“Thy slave (of love) and for souls. There is a sure and easy the son of thy handmaid.” Those words way and that way is the Immaculate of the Psalmist (41), employed in the Heart of Mary. That way has been Divine Office of the Feast of the Seven outlined by St. Louis Marie Gregnon Sorrows of Mary, de Montfort, we pray, may canonized by always direct our Pope Pius XII in intention to the 1947. Prodding union of love with us on to heed this the Sacred Heart great Marian of Our Savior and Saint we have the Head in promoting pleas of Pope St. the glory of Our Pius X, Benedict Father and the XV, Pius XI, and Salvation and our present Holy Sanctification of Father. Introducing Souls (42). St. de Montfort’s teaching to the In our united English speaking missionary efforts, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women world through therefore, we will Officers, 1957. (Diocesan archives) his translations no doubt always from the original French, the great be compelled to confess with St. Paul Fr. William Tabor wrote: “Mary is that we do not count ourselves as not half enough preached. Devotion having attained, but at least we will to her is low and thin and poor. It with our intention, one with that of is frightened out of its wits by the the Sacred Heart of Jesus, avow each sneers of heresy—Hence it is that day, “[that] we press toward the mark Jesus is not loved, that heretics are of our supernal vocation in Christ not converted, that the Church is not Jesus” (43). To us is given (44) with exalted, that souls St. Paul to make that might be known the riches saints wither and Our Divine Lord wills ardently of the charity of dwindle. Jesus is Christ. In doing that by imitating His Sacred obscured because so, it is ours to Heart, we prove to all those Mary is kept in entrusted to our care that He win souls for his the background.” loves them most and has proved Sacred Heart. Fatima and Our For with St. John that love. Lady’s pleas Vianney, the there merely Patron of Parish corroborate the reality of Mary’s Priests, we must avow that “the world position and our need of imitating the belongs to him who loves it the most.” “Handmaid of the Lord” in order to be Our Divine Lord wills ardently that by one with Jesus in His twofold love. imitating His Sacred Heart, we prove to all those entrusted to our care that Providentially in our day, God He loves them most and has proved has raised up a hidden movement that love. known as the Legion of Mary to live de Montfort’s Devotion which, like a Invoking God’s choicest blessings mustard seed of the Gospel, is mighty on you for this New Year of 1957 and in its effects. We recommend it to for our mutual tasks, I am, our priests, religious, and people, Devotedly yours in Christ, and promise every assistance and Charles H. Helmsing encouragement so that we may, as a Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese, be formed “unto the likeness of Christ”—the “Servant or Slave of N.B. This letter is for the personal Jahweh” (39)—the “Slave of Love”— perusal and meditation of our devoted obedient unto death in fulfilling collaborators in every phase of work in our the will of His Father, and likewise diocese. the “Slave of Love,” laying down his The status of the “Apostleship of life “for us men and our salvation.” Prayer in Union with Sacred Heart,” in each parish and institution will be made Recalling merely that we have this Divine Heart because of the docility of known to the pastors and superiors in in a later communication from our diocesan Mary, “the slave girl of the Lord” (40), director, Right Rev. Daniel J. Daly. Its we marvel at the Providence which promotion and extension will be entrusted made us choose as our motto almost to the zeal of the respective pastors and eight years ago: “Servus Tuus, Filius superiors.
Exodus 20 Matthew 5 fol. Matthew 11:29 Matthew 18:5 Matthew 5:48 John 13:33 1 John 4:20 Luke 12:49
Mark 2:17 John 13:34 Luke 10:1 Luke 12:32 John 17:3 Luke 6:38 Encyclical “Maximum Illud,”
par. 30, Nov. 30, 1919 John 6:67 Luke 12:50 John 17:19 Pope Pius XII, “Menti Nostrae,” Sept. 23, 1950 Isaiah 53
Luke 1:38 Psalm 115:16 Cf. St. Louis de Montfort: “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” and “The Secret of Mary,” with excellent commentaries in
Tannery’s “Spiritual Life,” and the “Legion of Mary Handbook” Philippians 3:12-14 Ephesians 3
By George Weigel
T
The Mirror 15
ADULT FAITH/DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
T H E CAT H O L I C D I F F E R E N C E
A terrible coarsening of American culture & public life
he now-ubiquitous terms “reproductive health” and “reproductive freedom” have contributed mightily to a slaughter of the innocents in these United States. The death toll from that massacre is now greater than the estimated 60 million civilian lives erased by area bombing, genocide, starvation, and disease during World War II. If the victor of D-Day, Dwight D. Eisenhower, could write of that bloodletting that “the loss of lives that could have been creatively lived scars the mind of the modern world,” what would Ike say about 65 million would-be Americans deliberately killed before they were born? “Reproductive health” and “reproductive freedom” (a usage coined by the recently -deceased Gloria Steinem) were, are, and always will be euphemisms deployed to hide the truth of what happens in an abortion. Such prevarication has led to a terrible coarsening of American culture and American public life, as demonstrated recently by the Reproductive Health Access Project in a recent “Fact Sheet” [on] How to Use Abortion Pills for 1420 weeks.” As my Ethics and Public Policy Center colleague Mary Rice Hasson noted when drawing my attention to this horror, the “fact sheet” is “diabolically cold and heartless.” But that was perhaps an understatement. Here is what the “fact sheet” has to say while advising its readers to “keep using misoprostol every 3 hours until you pass both the fetus and the placenta:” WHAT WILL I SEE? You will pass blood, clots, a fetus, and a placenta. It is okay not to look. The fetus will be several inches long, and you may see a head, arms, and legs … You may be able to feel the umbilical cord attached to the placenta. If so, you should not pull on the umbilical cord. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE CONTENTS THAT PASS? This depends on where you live and what you prefer. If everything is small enough to flush down the toilet, you may do that. If you are around 15-16 weeks or later, the pregnancy may be too big. To lower legal risk, you can wrap it in many layers of plastic and place it in the garbage with other household waste. I apologize for the tawdriness — indeed, the stomach-churning inhumanity — of this. It is important, however, for thoughtful citizens to recognize what the anti-culture of euphemism has done to our country, to the point where it is deemed publicly acceptable to describe a 20-week-old preborn child as “household waste” to be thrown into
a garbage can after a “Do-It-Yourself ” chemical abortion. Which brings us to the Commonwealth of Virginia, where a proposed constitutional amendment is on the ballot in November. Its promoters describe it as an effort to safeguard a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” As another EPPC colleague, Ed Whelan, wrote, however, “Amendment 1 would make abortion freely available throughout the third trimester of pregnancy, all the way up to birth; abolish the rights of parents to be consulted on, and to consent to, abortions sought by their young daughters; and enable anyone to perform an abortion and to escape legal responsibility for botching an abortion.” Then, after noting the part of the amendment that reads, “The Commonwealth shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against any individual for aiding or assisting another individual in exercising such other individual’s right to reproductive freedom with such other individual’s voluntary consent,” Mr. Whelan, one of the country’s most eminent constitutional commentators, drew out the implications of this attempt to constitutionally embed a spurious “right:” Say that a girl’s boyfriend illegally obtains abortion pills and encourages the girl to take them without visiting a doctor. The girl voluntarily agrees to do so. It turns out she has an ectopic pregnancy or is beyond the weeks of gestation when the pills are safe for her to take. She dies as a result. No matter how egregious the boyfriend’s conduct, Virginia could not take any adverse action against him. The late, great historian Christopher Dawson taught that “a society is only as great as its spiritual aspirations.” Perhaps I might extend Dawson’s insight to propose that a society is only as great as its moral self-
understanding. And if a society accepts as a selfevident truth that freedom is sheer willfulness, to the point where the deliberate aborting of an unborn child at any stage of pregnancy is constitutionally protected, then that society has lost its moral bearings and is wandering in a wilderness of lethal confusion. Virginian voters in November should take note: their Commonwealth was, after all, the home of the man who inscribed the unalienable right to life into America’s birth certificate, 250 years ago. ©TM George Weigel is a Distinguished Senior Fellow and holds the William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) in Washington, DC. His column is distributed by the Denver Catholic, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Denver.
16 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
OBITUARY // Sr. Barbara Geers, SSND:
Teacher, pastoral minister & minister to the elderly Editor’s Note:
At age 88, Sr. Barbara Geers, SSND, died Aug. 17, 2026, in an automobile accident in Belleville, IL. She served in the late 1990s at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield, MO. Since her obituary remains unpublished by the Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, we’re going to publish the 60th Jubilee article that was published in 2017 on the occasion of her 60th anniversary of profession of vows as a consecrated religious.
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province First Profession Aug. 3, 1957
Celebrating 60 years, 2017 Jubilee article (Formerly Sr. Marie Rosaire)
S
ister Barbara Geers, SSND, taught Catholic grade school students throughout the Midwest during her first two decades of ministry following her first profession of vows. She continued teaching in the Diocese of Miami from 1977-1983, when she undertook caring for her elderly mother for five years. In 1989, Sr. Geers returned to the Diocese of Springfield, IL, serving as a pastoral associate in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, St. James, and St. Gertrude. She then held a 10-year position as pastoral minister in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield, MO. From 2007 through early 2016, Sr. Geers assisted in ministry to the elderly as an inhome caregiver and companion for the CSJ Care Ministries and All Family Care, both in St. Louis. Her ministry continues (circa 2017) in volunteering
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Birth: Dec. 1, 1937 First Profession: Aug. 3, 1957 Death: Aug. 17, 2026 Burial: Sancta Maria in Ripa Cemetery, St. Louis, MO at SSND’s Anna House in Bridgeton and around St. Louis. Sister Geers earned a bachelor’s in theology from the former Notre Dame College n St. Louis, and in 1994, a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University of Chicago.
A memory I have to share …
I was living alone in South Miami teaching elementary school and caring for my mom. My provincial council from the former St. Louis Province suggested that I move to Madonna Convent and teach in the nearby elementary school staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame from the former Baltimore Province. I moved to Madonna fearful of the unknown. At Madonna Academy, we formed a community of 10 SSNDs representing five different provinces: Baltimore, Wilton, Mankato, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. Our ministries ranged from formal education, parish ministry, and as a student at the university. Four of the 10 of us sisters were also caring for parents in the near geographical area. We lived as an interprovincial community, which seemed unusual in the 1980s. What I cherished most of all was how provincial boundaries did not hamper our ability to make one community. We were faithful to daily community prayer, local assemblies, and a weekend set aside for goalsetting, with time for relaxing and enjoy the beach. From my community at Madonna, I learned so much about working hard, taking time for fun and relaxation, listening with an open mind and heart, and being respectful with reverence of all. I remember each sister and hold them in high regard. ©TM
October 9, 2026
The Mirror 17
DIOCESAN NEWS
October 9, 2026
FALL & HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRS Jackson—Immaculate Conception School will hold its annual Fall Craft Fair Festival, Sat., Nov. 7, 9am-3pm in the parish gym. Over 50 vendors will be selling Christmas gift items, including homemade crafts, woodworking, soap, home décor, jewelry, and more. Concessions, pulled pork lunch and bake sale will also be available. Admission is $2 for ages 13 and up. Booth space is still available, for more information or application packet, contact iccraftshow@gmail.com. Jackson—The Knights of Columbus will hold a Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser, Oct. 17-31: M-F, 11am-7pm, and Sat. & Sun., 9am-5pm at the KC Hall, located at 3305 N. High St. Kimberling City—Our Lady of the Cove Catholic Church will have its Fall Craft Fair, Fri., Oct. 23, 9am-4pm & Sat., Oct. 24, 9am-3pm. Shop our booth for treasures and homemade crafts! Marshfield— Holy Trinity Parish CCW will host its Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale, Sat., Nov. 7, 9am-3pm. There will be a delightful array of unique handcrafted items and mouthwatering homemade treats. Neosho—St. Canera Catholic Church will have its Fall Bazaar Kermes, Sat., Oct. 24, 10am-4pm, on the parish grounds located at 504 S Washington St. Food, activities and Country store will be open. New Hamburg—St. Lawrence Parish will have its Fall Dinner & Country Store, Sun., Nov. 1, 10:30am-1:30pm in the Parish Center. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, & all the sides, homemade desserts. Serving buffet style—Carry-out available Sikeston—Join St. Francis Xavier School for Fall Fest, Sun., Oct. 25, 3-6
pm. Trunk or treat, fall carnival games, face painting, bounce houses, a costume contest and more! $25/child Carnival Activity Entry Fee. Springfield—Immaculate Conception PCCW will have its Holiday Sale, Sat., Nov. 7, 8am-6pm and Sun., Nov. 8, 8am-1pm. Start your Christmas shopping at the huge holiday sale (White Elephant & Bake Sale) in Community Rooms A&B. The Bistro will be open, serving breakfast items and lunch with sandwiches, soups & desserts available for purchase. Springfield—St. Agnes Parish will host its Holiday Market, Sat., Nov. 7, 9am-4pm and Sun., Nov. 8, 8:30am-1pm in their new parish center. A variety of handmade items, Tupperware, Norwex, bake sale, sweet shoppe, and much more! Space is still available for Vendors-if you are crafty or have a product to sell, please contact Judy at (641) 751-6632. Springfield— St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will hold its annual Fall Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 7, 9am-6 pm & Sun., Nov. 8, 8am-2pm. Embroidery, knitted and crocheted items, quilts, purses, painted items, seasonal items, floral, wood craft, candles, decor, toys, novelty items and many more. Bake sale and lunch items will be available for purchase. Springfield—Holy Trinity Parish Council of Catholic Women will have its Fall Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 14, 9am-5pm and Sun., Nov. 15, 9:30am12:30pm. Shop our vendors for wood art, jewelry, quilts, paper and craft goods, holiday décor and much more; including our White Elephant Sale, Garden Shop, & Sweet Shoppe. On Sat., the KofC will serve a a lunch of pulled pork sandwiches & sides, 11am1pm. Sunday is our famous White Elephant $10 bag sale.
K
ids in pre-k through 3rd grade are welcome to trick-or-treat through the halls of Notre Dame Regional High School on Friday, October 30! ND students & faculty will be handing out candy from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Bring your best costume & a bag/bucket for candy! Grade schools are invited to field trip to Notre Dame. If your child is not in school on October 30, you are more than welcome to come trick-or-treat! RSVP online at www.notredamehighschool.org/halloween. ©TM
18 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
The gift of religious presence in our communities Brief reflection by Bishop Edward Rice
W E LC O M I N G T H E P O O R C L A R E S TO C A P E G I R A R D E A U
F
ranciscan Sisters have been in Cape Girardeau since 1875, followed
LOVED, EDUCATED, NURTURED IN FAITH—Sister Ana Gonzalez, MC, walked a student down the hall of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, Cape Girardeau. (Submitted photo)
by the Notre Dame Sisters. So often, priests and the people of God in parishes ask me, “Can you get some sisters to come?” The presence of sisters highlights the spiritual aspect of our worldly existence. To see a priest wearing the Roman collar or a sister in their habit, points to eternity. It reminds us that while we are on this earth, we are made for more, our destiny is heaven. Religious sisters inspire us and we are naturally drawn to them. Since 2022, we have been blessed to have the Little Sisters of Saint Francis at Saint Francis Hospital. In 2025, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart came to serve as nurses in Saint Francis Medical Center. This summer, we received the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters who have recently moved to Cape Girardeau from Poplar Bluff.
The Poor Clare Missionary Sisters offer the Church a unique charism, the gift of prayer and contemplation along with active ministry. With the Blessed Sacrament as the center of their lives, they bear fruit through their work. Their silent prayer flows into active apostolates as they serve at St. Mary Cathedral, St. Vincent de Paul Parish and School, and in Immaculate Conception, Jackson. In their lives of service, the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters preach the Good News of the Gospel not with words but with their actions. Dear sisters, let your lives be a homily, the best homily ever, not a homily of words, but of the giving of yourselves to others in service, all flowing from your lives of prayer. ©TM
October 9, 2026
The Mirror 19
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
October 9, 2026
OBITUARY // Sr. Helen Francis Brewer, DC St. Louis, MO
D
aughter of Charity Sr. Helen (Helen Frances) Brewer, DC, died at Seton Residence on Sept. 24, 2026. Born Nov. 24, 1934, in Perryville, MO, Sr. Brewer was one of seven children of Edward Louis and Stella Ann (Bass) Brewer. She graduated from St. Vincent High School in 1952 and entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis, MO. Sister received a BA in English from Marillac College, in St. Louis, a M.Ed in Secondary Administration from the University of Missouri, and a M.Ed in Religious Education from Boston College in Boston, MA. Sister Brewer served as an elementary teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School, in Mobile, AL, Cosgriff Memorial School, in Salt Lake City, UT, St. Catherine Laboure School, in St. Louis, MO, and Holy
Trinity School, in Dallas, TX. She was also a teacher and Vice Principal at Cathedral High School, in San Francisco, CA, and Principal of Holy Trinity School in Dallas, TX, and Laboure High School, in St. Louis. Sister was Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart Parish (Willow Springs, MO), St. Mary Parish (West Plains, MO), St. Charles Borromeo Parish (St. Charles, MO), and served as Director of Renew for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO. She was also a Councillor on the Marillac Provincial Leadership of the West Central Province of the Daughters of Charity and a Receptionist at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, in Emmitsburg, MD. Sister Brewer was Vice President of Mission at St. Joseph Hospital, in Fort Worth, TX, and at DCNHS in St. Louis, MO, as well as Advocacy
Consultant at Seton Family of Hospitals, in Austin, TX, and Associate Vicar of Religious for the Diocese of Austin, TX, and in the Ministry of Prayer at the Sarah Community in Bridgeton, MO and Seton Residence in Evansville, IN. Sister Brewer was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Dorothy Ann Uding and Maura Jean Adair, and her brothers Dennis, Albert, and Louis Brewer. She is survived by her sister, Victoria Elizabeth Elliott, other loving family members, her Sisters in Community, and many friends. A Wake Service was held Oct. 2 in the Seton Residence Chapel followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, in the Seton Chapel. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Daughters of Charity, 4330 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63108. Condolences may be shared online at www. ziemerfuneralhome.com. ©TM
Oct. 26, 2026 • Strong Hall, Room 304 5:30 pm – Refreshments 6:00 pm – Symposium 7:30 pm – Q&A
8:00 pm – Reception at the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center
Kevin M. Pybas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science, Missouri State University
“Strangers in a Strange Land: Reflections on the Poltical Meaning of Christianity”
Sara H. Holifield, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science, Missouri State University
“Thinking Politically As a Person of Faith: The Possibilities and Limits of Politics”
Martin Mittelstadt, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament, Evangel University
“Called: A Pentecostal Theology of Public Life”
The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice, D.D.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
“The Political Demands of Catholic Social Teaching”
Andrew Mercer, Ph.D. Theologian-in-Residence, Catholic Campus Ministry
Moderator
Sponsored by: Catholic Campus Ministry, the Dept. of Languages, Cultures, and Religions, & the Dept. of Political Science and Philosophy at Missouri State University
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20 The Mirror
DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING
October 9, 2026
JOIN MEN & WOMEN WHO PRAY & FAST FOR OUR PRIESTS In these challenging times, our priests require our spiritual support more than ever. We invite you to become part of a dedicated group of men and women committed to interceding on behalf of our parish leadership. The Apostolate is a personal commitment to independent devotion; you are free to select the day, time, and location that best suit your schedule. The objective is to ensure that every day of the week is dedicated to prayer and fasting. • Seven Sisters (Women):
Commit to praying one Holy Hour on a designated day of the week for their parish priest.
• Fasting Brothers (Men):
Commit to offering a fast Monday thru Saturday for their parish priest.
• Couples: Join together to
double the spiritual impact for our parish priests.
UPCOMING CURSILLO WEEKENDS MEN’S WEEKENDS:
November 12-15 Carthage, MO
December 3-6 Fredericktown, MO
WOMEN’S WEEKENDS:
October 15-18 Carthage, MO
November 19-22 Fredericktown, MO
SCAN QR CODE for
more info and to register online!
Featuring Guest Speaker, Tony Melendez
The Cursillo® Movement pursues two purposes or objectives. The immediate purpose is to provide a conduit for living what is fundamental for being a Christian, namely, the on-going and total conversion of the person. The end purpose is to vertebrae Christianity in society by means of these persons who live what is fundamental for being Christian (the love of God and neighbor) in their daily lives.
You can also contact Dale Gerecke at (573) 450-3335 or dale@gereckelaw. com, contact a Cursillista in your parish, or search “Cursillo” on the diocesan Website: dioscg.org
CURSILLO 134—A Women’s Cursillo Weekend was held Nov. 20-23, 2025 at Pinecrest Camp, Fredericktown, MO, assisted by Deacon Al Stoverink and Fr. Daniel Belken. (Submitted photo)