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KNIGHTS ORGANIZE PATRIOTIC MASS & ROSARY TO COINCIDE WITH NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

By Paula Wright Cape Girardeau, MO

When the Riverfest celebration returned to downtown Cape Girardeau for the first time in 20 years, Knights of Columbus Council #1111 saw an opportunity to ensure the nation’s 250th anniversary was celebrated not only with patriotic festivities, but also with prayer and worship. Although Riverfest was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., the Knights organized a morning Patriotic Rosary and Mass, inviting Catholics to mark Independence Day in prayer before the community celebration began.

“The Knights Council #1111 were asked to be part of the festivities for Riverfest, and we started to think in terms of celebrating our 250th birthday as a daylong event,” said Dave Diveley, a Council #1111 member and former Grand Knight who served on the Riverfest planning committee.

Dale Gerecke, Knights of Columbus Assembly #568 member, and parishioner of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, coordinated and planned the morning prayer and celebration, which was held in Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, on Sat., July 4, with Bishop Edward Rice as celebrant.

“The Assembly pillar is patriotism. So, it seemed to fit right in with what we were planning. I contacted Fr. Patrick Nwokoye (Rector of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral) and he invited Bishop Rice to join us for the celebration of Mass,” Gerecke said. “So, the morning schedule was set: 9:30 am Rosary with Mass at 10 o’clock, concelebrated by the bishop and Fr. Patrick. I had contacted Deacon Tony Peters, and he was involved in leading the Patriotic Rosary along with the bishop.”

During the rosary, prayers were lifted for all 50 states in our nation, the citizens of every state, the president, Congress, the Supreme Court, and for the elected

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In conjunction with the Riverfest celebration in Cape Girardeau, the Knights of Columbus Council #1111 organized a Patriotic Mass and Rosary in Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, on Saturday, July 4, with Bishop Edward M. Rice. In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the event lifted prayers for all 50 states, the citizens of every state, the president, Congress, the Supreme Court, and for the elected officials of Missouri. (The Mirror)

officials in the state of Missouri. To further the patriotic theme, Gerecke had arranged for red, white, and blue rosaries to be made for the prayer.

“Johnny Azure, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, Dexter, and fellow Cursillo, made the rosaries using red, white, and blue beads,” Gerecke said. “I knew that he made rosaries. In fact, I was given a red, white, and blue rosary by him in the past, so I knew he could make these.”

Following Mass, lunch was served in the Knights of Columbus Hall.

“Thank you to the Knights of Columbus Council #1111 and Assembly #568 for the day’s planning and

support. Dave Dively was responsible for lunch in the hall, Bruce Zimmerman and his daughter provided music during lunch, Paul Summers served as lector, Jim Keusenkothen and his wife served as cantors, and the Knights provided an honor guard for the Mass,” said Gerecke.

“I was surprised by how many people were there to pray the rosary. It was very well-attended, with even more participating in the Mass,” Gerecke said.

“As the bishop said in his homily, ‘This was the best way that Catholics could celebrate the 250th birthday; to attend Mass and to participate in the rosary.’ It was a very good day of celebration and appreciation of God and his dominion over our country. What better way to celebrate the 250th birthday of our great country?” ©TM

SEMINARIANS SERVE PATRIOTIC MASS In conjunction with the Riverfest celebration in Cape Girardeau, the Knights of Columbus Council #1111 organized a Patriotic Mass and Rosary in Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, on Saturday, July 4, with Bishop Edward M. Rice. Servers for the liturgy included some of the diocesan seminarians. In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the event lifted prayers for all 50 states, the citizens of every state, the president, Congress, the Supreme Court, and for the elected officials of Missouri! (The Mirror)

We are made for worship COME, AND YOU WILL SEE

Bp. Edward M. Rice

At the end of Holy Mass, closing our Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, we will offer a Prayer of Eucharistic Consecration. Hopefully, many of you are currently reading 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, to prepare spiritually for the Congress. Whether you ended the book early or maybe you are just starting, the consecration can be meaningful for all of us, as we consecrate ourselves to the “Lord Jesus Christ, Bread of Life, True God and True Man, the Alpha and the Omega, truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity —in the Blessed Sacrament.” Next to receiving our Lord in the Eucharist, this moment of consecration at the Congress will certainly be a highlight of the day along with Adoration and the opportunity for Confession.

During these months leading up to our Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, I have been offering reflections from Romano Guardini’s, Sacred Signs, with his reflections for this column on the importance of a steeple and bells. Unfortunately, some of our churches may not have a steeple or bell, but these two things are quite significant. Guardini says that the sound of the bells and the steeple reach out beyond the confines of the sacred space of the church. The steeple pierces the sky, and the sound of the bell goes

By Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht

beyond the physical confines of the space of the church. In doing so, “the highest hills and the deepest valleys” are sanctified. Guardini writes: “The steeple is an integral part of God’s house and rises out of it up into the free air and takes possession of all wide space

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.

September 22, 1995 A Texas rancher was visiting a farm in Iowa. The farmer was proud of his 350 acres of rich land. “Is this your whole farm?” the Texan asked, and then added, “Back in Texas, I get in my car at 5 in the morning and drive all day and don’t reach the other end of my ranch until sundown.” The farmer replied, “I used to have a car like that, too.”

September 29, 1995 Inquirer: “Is it true that a minute with you, Lord, is as a thousand years?” God: “That’s right.” Inquirer: “And is it true that a penny is as a thousand dollars?” God: “Yes.” Inquirer: “Then will you give me a penny?” God: “In just a minute.”

October 6, 1995 A young college student wrote home to his family: “Dear Mom and Dad, I haven’t heard from you in nearly a month. Please send a check so I’ll know you’re alright.”

in God’s name. And the heavy bronze bells in the belfry tower, so beautifully molded, swing about their shaft and send out peel on peel in waves of good loud sound… They pour out a flood of sound that fills the air with news of the Kingdom. The sound of bells stirs in us the feeling of distance. When they clang out from a steeple rising above… their sound is carried to every point of the compass.”

RING THOSE BELLS

I recall in my teenage years one Sunday morning going to Mass at our parish church, just two houses from the corner of our home. The bells were ringing five minutes before Mass as I walked out of the door and at the same time a neighbor from across the street did the same, as did the neighbor next door. The bells, it seems, were calling us to worship! I’ve never forgotten that moment and over the years I’ve come to understand it was a moment of transcendence, reminding me that I was made for worship: The bells were calling me to “the altar of God.” Ring those bells!

November is right around the corner and we have no time to waste regarding our support of Amendment 3 on the November ballot. If passed, the amendment will restore pro-life protections for the unborn, require abortion clinics to meet standards for safety and cleanliness, ensure parental or judicial consent for minors, limit public funding for abortion services, and prevent surgical or medical gender transition on minors. These are serious issues and I encourage all of you to know the facts, to take action by voting YES on Amendment 3. There is confusion on this issue because with the last Amendment 3, we were encouraged to vote no. The new Amendment 3 will protect women’s health, the safety of children, ban transgender surgeries for minors, and restore parental rights.

In the baptismal rite, our Catholic faith reminds us that parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. When parents entrust their children to our schools, we do not replace the parents, we

collaborate with them. Nor should the government replace the parents. State, local, and national policies should never interfere with the rights of a parent to make decisions for their minor children, especially when it comes to surgeries that cannot be reversed. I encourage everyone to please vote Yes on Amendment 3.

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment

Thine. ©TM

Saint Francis awards 22 scholarships to students

Cape Girardeau, MO

The Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary honored 22 students pursuing healthcare careers during a scholarship recognition luncheon on Fri., July 24.

Twenty-two scholarships were awarded with each student receiving $2,000 in scholarship funds toward a degree in a healthcare-related profession. Those recipients and their scholarships include:

• Mackenzie Acinelli of Cape Girardeau

– Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship

• Kate Appleman of Jackson – Lee George and Katherine Jane Cochran Memorial Scholarship

• Paige Beussink of Cape Girardeau – Saint Francis Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship

• Shelby Clark of Cape Girardeau – Bess Estes Healthcare Scholarship

• Ava Clifton of Fredericktown – Saint Francis Auxiliary 125th Anniversary Scholarship

• Billi Colyer of Marble Hill – HutteggerScherer Memorial Scholarship

• Mackinley Cox of Poplar Bluff – Evalyn and S. David Nunley Scholarship

• Brayden Eftink of Millersville – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship

• Gwendolyn Essner of Scott City – Joseph and Harriette Hunter McCrate Scholarship

• Sydnie Floyd of Millersville – Mamie Hall Memorial Scholarship

• Salvatore Galati of Cape Girardeau–Saint Francis Auxiliary Physician Honor Scholarship

• Harley Glueck of Scott City – Ken Hayden Memorial Nursing Scholarship

• Kaitlyn Jones of Cape Girardeau – Sisters of Saint Francis Nursing Scholarship

• Drieka Keller of Leopold – Lucy Ellen Towse Memorial Scholarship

• Karsynne Livingston of Cape Girardeau –Edythe M. Davis Scholarship

• Addison Nichols of Jackson– Bernadean Campbell Memorial Scholarship

• Olivia Ponder of Scott City – Raymond A. and Lillian K. Ritter Scholarship

• Jaydan Revelle of Advance – Christen Joyel Aufdenberg Memorial Scholarship

• Cooper Shackles of Sikeston – Clara D. Newnam Memorial Scholarship

• Tyson Underwood of Scott City – Carrie Suedekum Memorial Scholarship

• Avery Wagoner of Kelson – Earl Jr. and Lori Wills Memorial Scholarship

• Madelyn White of Cape Girardeau – Mark F. Scully Nursing Scholarship

Established in 1980, the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the Saint Francis Foundation, the Saint Francis Auxiliary and dedicated donors. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $973,000 in scholarships to support college students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Blair Huckstep, a Registered Nurse in the Surgical/Operating Room at Saint Francis, spoke on behalf of her family, sponsors of the Susan Kluesner Hinkebein Memorial Scholarship, in honor of her late mother. “My Mom was called to serve her patients. The Saint Francis scholarship program not only gives back to others but allows my mother’s legacy and others like her to live on.”

To be eligible for a Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship, applicants must have completed at least one year in an accredited healthcare program and be currently enrolled. Additional criteria include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, submitting all required materials by the stated deadline, and residing within the Saint Francis service area as defined in the application.

For more information about the Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program, call (573) 331-3192 or visit sffoundationmo.org.

©TM

Welcome Baby 200 to LifeHouse!

Every new life is a reminder that hope has the power to change the future. This month, we are overjoyed to celebrate a remarkable milestone as we welcome Priscilla, the 200th baby born through our LifeHouse programs since LifeHouse opened in Springfield in 2013 and the second opened in Cape Girardeau in 2024.

While Priscilla is the 200th baby, her story is just as unique and precious as the 199 who came before her. Behind this milestone are 200 stories of courage, resilience, and new beginnings. Each number represents a mother who chose hope over fear, found the strength to move forward, and was surrounded by compassionate people who believed in her. Each baby represents a future filled with

possibility and a life given the opportunity to thrive because a mother had the support she needed during one of life’s most vulnerable seasons. This milestone is made possible by every person who has prayed, volunteered, or given to make LifeHouse possible. Your generosity has provided safe shelter, life-changing resources, compassionate guidance, and unwavering encouragement to mothers as they prepare to welcome their children into the world. Thank you for walking alongside these families and helping transform moments of uncertainty into stories of hope. As we celebrate sweet Priscilla and this incredible milestone, we look forward with gratitude and excitement to all the lives that will continue to be changed through your faithful support. ©TM

SCHOLARSHIPS FROM SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH CARE

—The Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary honored 22 students pursuing healthcare careers. Each recipient was awarded $2,000 in scholarship funds toward a degree in a healthcare-related profession. Pictured were (seated) Jaydan Revelle, Mackinley Cox, Addison Nichols, Harley Glueck and Avery Wagoner; (second row): Billi Colyner, Karysynne Livingston, Ava Clifton, Cooper Shackles and Salvatore Galati; (back row): Shelby Clark, Mackenzie Acinelli, Olivia Ponder, Tyson Underwood, Madelyn White, Drieka Keller and Sydnie Floyd. (Submitted photo)

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS

PART 6 IN A SERIES

CELEBRATING CATHOLIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

The Carrolls of America: Young men, educated in France, who influenced a new nation

By Christopher Gunty Baltimore

Unable to receive a Catholic education in the British colonies in North America, three young men from wealthy Maryland families were sent to Saint-Omer, France, to study at the College of the English Jesuits.

Daniel Carroll of Rock Creek (1730-1796), his brother John Carrroll (1735-1815), and their cousin Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), could not have known when they studied in a small town in northern France that they would ultimately wield significant influence in the burgeoning United States of America, shaping government and Church in the late 18th century.

Daniel was one of five men to sign both the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. John became a Jesuit priest and was appointed the first bishop of the Diocese of Baltimore, then the only diocese in the nation. Charles was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Their enduring legacy is felt not only in the US as the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Saint-Omer Foundation for Transatlantic Values keeps alive the memory of the School of the Jesuits and its connection to the US, especially Maryland.

SOCIETIES IN CRISIS

Édouard-François de Lencquesaing, the foundation’s president, said that much of what happened 300 years ago at the school is forgotten in both countries. In an interview from his home in SaintOmer, he said the training in humanism of the Carrolls and other influential families was transformative.

“There’s a correlation between what happened in history a long time ago and the challenges that we have today in our society,” de Lencquesaing told the Catholic Review, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “And to rebuild the connection between this tradition and the values built up by those gents in Saint-Omer is very structurally important today, where our societies are more or less in a crisis and the democracy is in danger. And I think we can find in history some keys to address today with courage those challenges.”

While the Carrolls went abroad for school because they were excluded in America, they found inclusion in France. “Through education, courage, cleverness, and so on, they were able

250 years ago.”

However, he noted, it is important to remember the Carrolls’ values and work in the context of their times.

“ We must remember that they were ordinary human beings with faults and flaws. Principles such as justice and equality were challenged then and are still challenged today. It can be as difficult today, as it was years ago, to stand up for ‘self-evident’ principles while maintaining a perspective that encompasses the wider community,” he said.

Wright has lived in the US and six other countries. Since 2020, he has lived in Australia, where he serves on the pastoral council at St. Paul’s in Moss Vale, New South Wales.

to be around the table and to be acting positively with the group.” And even as the only Catholic among the signers of the Declaration, Charles worked to ensure that the fledgling nation promoted religious freedom at the core of the new democracy.

De Lencquesaing noted that one of the very early Carrolls, Charles the Settler, changed his family motto to “Anywhere, so long as there be freedom.”

The Transatlantic Foundation will commemorate the 250th birthday of the US with a number of events this year. Music will feature prominently, with concerts by the Orchestre d’Harmonie de Saint-Omer, featuring American standards such the Gershwins and others; the local annual jazz festival will focus on American jazz instead of European while classical music concerts will feature American composers.

More importantly, the foundation will host several conferences regarding the Carrolls and their influence, featuring the doctoral thesis work of Emilie Mitran, who has written extensively on American and French history.

The conferences will discuss the work of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in France and how Charles Carroll contributed to the independence process.

The Carrolls from the early days of the country still have an impact on their descendants, generations later.

GENERATIONS LATER

Charles Carroll Carter, Jr., about seven or eight generations descended from Daniel Carroll of Rock Creek, said there are two key phrases in the Declaration of Independence: “life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness” and “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

In an interview in his Washington apartment, he said the founders intentionally repeated the triple pattern toward the beginning and the end of the document.

“It just is so clear to me that they knew exactly what they were doing,” he said. “They didn’t know how it was all going to turn out, but they knew what they were doing because they trusted each other, they worked together.”

A member of St. Matthew Cathedral Parish in Washington, Carter now works in traffic planning and consultation. He said those stuck in traffic may not realize that when the founders pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, they would never have predicted the growth and hectic pace that could stifle people’s ability to enjoy life and liberty and pursue happiness.

If the country expects to make it another 50, 100 or 150 years, “however many years it’s going to be, can we make it if we have this terrible congestion? Can we make it if we’re delivering this terrible pollution?” he asked.

His father, Charles Carroll Carter Sr., wrote a book, with maps, that chronicles Creating Capitol Hill: Place, Proprietors, and People, published by the United States Capitol Historical Society. The book details what is considered the “untold story” of the Carrolls of Maryland and their work in building the Capitol.

Harper Wright, descended by several generations from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, has a number of items in his study connected to “the Signer,” and so he is “regularly reminded of his accomplishments and what he risked

Reflecting on the fact that the Carrolls had to go to another country for education, Wright said that from his international experience, “we have seen what appears to be a greater value in lesser-developed countries for education and hard work. … Many migrants demonstrate great determination during very challenging journeys to reach Europe or the USA.”

Archbishop William E. Lori, 15th successor of Archbishop John Carroll as head of the nation’s premiere see, preached at a Mass in Saint-Omer Oct. 15, 2017, while commemorating the reopening of the chapel of the College of the Jesuits as a community arts center.

“It was here at Saint-Omer,” Archbishop Lori said, “that these young men who would go on to play such important roles in early days of my country, received a splendid education, rooted in an authentic Christian humanism, capturing the wisdom of ancient Greece and Rome while transforming it through the reasoned faith of the medieval masters.”

He noted that John Carroll received his calling to the Jesuit priesthood while at the school. “As the first Bishop of Baltimore, it would be John Carroll’s mission to find the path for the Catholic faith to take root and grow in the new republic, a wholly new environment for the faith, an environment of religious freedom laced with deep anti-Catholic sentiments.

“His formation at Saint-Omer helped make him a wise and astute leader and to this day we are building on the foundations John Carroll so carefully laid,” Archbishop Lori said at the Mass. ©OSV

This story was originally published by Catholic Review and distributed through a partnership with OSV News.

CARROLLS DESCENDANTS Descendants of the Carrolls of Maryland (from left) are: Denis de Kergorlay, president of the French Heritage Society and a remote descendant of the Carroll family; Harper Wright, a descendant of Charles Carroll of Carrolton; Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, 15th successor of Archbishop John Carroll; Charles Carroll Carter Sr. (now deceased) and Charles Carroll Carter Jr., descendants of Daniel Carroll of Rock Creek; and Bishop Jean-Paul Jaeger of Arras, Boulogne and SaintOmer. (OSV News photo/Ann M. Augherton, special for the Catholic Review)

DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Belleville, IL—In light of the upcoming midterm elections, The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows will offer a new program, “Morality, Public Policy, and the Common Good: How the Church Stands in the World,” Thu., Sept. 17. How does Catholic teaching define the relationship between Church and state? What role should religion and moral convictions play in political life? Presenter: Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP. Cost: $15, pre-registration is required. Information and Online registration is available at https://snows.org/events/church-world/, or call (618) 394-6281.

Cape Girardeau— Save the date for the 2026 LifeHouse Gala: Stetsons & Stilettos! Join CCSOMO Sat., Nov. 7, at Drury Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, for 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/.

Cape Girardeau—All are invited to a twoday Theology of the Body Conference, where participants will rediscover the human person through the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II. Held Sept. 12-13 in the St. John Henry Newman Center, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, there will be opportunities for prayer, fellowship, and presentations on topics such as “An Intro to Theology of the Body,” “Made for Love,” and “The Grace of Unitive Love.” Early-bird pricing of $30 per person ends Sat., Aug. 15. After that date, the cost will be $50 per person. For more information, go to https:// tobeducators.com/.

Carthage—The Cursillo Movement pursues two purposes or objectives: 1) To provide a conduit for living what is fundamental for being a Christian, namely, the on-going and total conversion of the person; 2) 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. Upcoming Women’s Weekend-Oct. 15-18 at the CMR Retreat Center. More information may be found at www.dioscg.org/cursillo, you may also contact Dale Gerecke at (573) 450-3335 or dale@ gereckelaw.com.

Lebanon—St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church will have its annual Rummage Sale, Fri., Sept. 4, 7am1pm and Sat., Sept. 5, 7am-12pm. Housewares, collectables, toys, books, records, jewelry, Christmas décor, and much more!

Pemiscot County— Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a missionary? Have you ever felt a twinge now and then to serve the poor? The Glenmary Sisters invite you to join them for a Women’s Mission Trip, Oct. 11-16, in Pemiscot County. You will spend time helping at Mother’s House, our Outreach Center for mothers and children, and doing various projects in the community, serving one another. Space is limited, to register, or for more information, contact Barbara O’Nan at (706) 4142982 or barbara@glenmarysisters.org. Application deadline: Aug. 15, 2026. Visit us at https:// glenmarysisters.org/.

Saint Louis The Beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is Thu., Sept. 24, 2pm, in The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are on sale with a limit of 10 tickets per person. An additional allotment of seats are now available, including floor seats. Tickets are available at: https://www.

celebratesheen.com/. Volunteers are needed to assist with the Beatification Mass and the Gala (being held Sept. 25). Additional information, including sign-up may be found at https://www.celebratesheen.com/ volunteer.

Scott City—St. Joseph Parish will hold its annual Rummage Sale, Thu., Aug. 20; Fri., Aug. 21, and Sat., Aug. 22, in the Knights of Columbus Hall (lower level). Doors open at 7am and will close at 6pm on Thursday & Friday, and 12-Noon on Saturday. Furniture, appliances, plants, jewelry, toys, bikes, shoes, lots of clothing, and much more!

Springfield—Help the Catholic Campus Ministry, O’Reilly Catholic Student Center prepare for the upcoming school year by donating any of the following items: trash bags: 55 | 13 | 4 gallon; paper towels, toilet paper, solo cups; individually-packaged snack items, gift cards, or monetary donations. Drop off donations M-Th mornings, or Sundays at CCM, 847 S Holland Ave. Thank you in advance for your continued dedication and support!

Springfield—Vitae Foundation will hold its Springfield Pro-Life Dinner, Fri., Aug. 21, 6-9pm at Bass Pro Shops’ White River Conference Center. Keynote is Riley Gaines, NCAA swimmer & Advocate for Women. Social & Registration: 6pm; Dinner & program: 7pm. Cost is $75 per person. All proceeds will benefit Vitae Foundation. Register at vitaefoundation.org/events or call (753) 634-4316.

Springfield Special Needs Parish School of Religion. St. Agnes Cathedral Parish School of Religion will again be offering a special needs class for youth in grades K-12 and it is open to all families in the Springfield area. Instructor is VIRTUS trained and a certified special needs teacher. Our para is also certified in special needs. Classes meet on Sunday mornings, from 10-11am, in St. Agnes School. We utilize an adaptive curriculum by Loyola Press, especially when we prepare the young people for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation! We try to meet the individual needs of students and of families! If you have questions, please call Iris at (417) 831-3565 or Email ibounds@ sta-cathedral.org. We welcome your family to join us St. Agnes’ back-to-school cookout Sun., Aug 23, 12:30pm. Come meet the teachers and register for classes. Classes begin Sun., Aug. 30, at 10am.

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. Proceeds support seminarians, LifeHouse, Mother’s House in the Hayti area, VBS, and other needs that arise in the parish.

Springfield— Mark your calendars for the 2026 LifeHouse Gala: Moonlight Masquerade! Join CCSOMO Sat., Sept. 19, in the White River Conference Center, 600 W Sunshine St., for an enchanting evening featuring fine food, exciting auctions, and live entertainment by Twice on Sunday. Doors open at 5:30pm; Dinner & program begin at 7pm. All proceeds directly support the impactful work of LifeHouse in Springfield, 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/.

Parishes and organizations are invited to submit notices of future events to be printed on a space-available basis. There is no fee.

FIRST FRIDAY MASS for VOCATIONS

Bishop 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:

DURING THIS EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL, FR. DAVID COON OFFERS THE FOLLOWING QUOTE FOR THE REFLECTION ON THE EUCHARIST:

“There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.”

— ST. JOHN VIANNEY

Father Coon is Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Dexter. He is also Priest Minister for the Confraternity of Priest Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus.

Prices are all inclusive w/airfare from anywhere in the continental US.

Several trips to different destinations: Holy Land, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Lourdes & Fatima, Ireland & Scotland and much more...

We specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests & Deacons! Currently hiring Deacons to promote our many pilgrimages ATTRACTIVE compensation. For more info contact: Karen@proximotravel.com

To register call 855-842-8001 or at www.proximotravel.com.

VICKI DUVALL RETIRES AT PIEDMONT AFTER 40 YEARS

By Paul D’Amico Piedmont, MO

Longtime cantor and liturgical music director, Vicki DuVall, retired on June 29, 2026 from her duties at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, in Piedmont, MO. DuVall has served the parish in that capacity for over 40 years. She is a convert to the faith, confirmed in 1980 by the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of SpringfieldCape Girardeau Diocese, Cardinal Bernard Law. During her long tenure, she served pastors Fr. Dan Hirtz, Fr. J Friedel, Fr. Rick Jones, Fr. Matt Rehrauer, Fr. Mark Binder, and Fr. Shoby Chettiyath, JCL, V.G. Bishop Rice, Father Hirtz, and the parish family honored DuVall at a confirmation luncheon held at the parish. ©TM

SACRED MUSIC—Father Dan Hirtz and Bishop Edward M. Rice honored Vicki DuVall on June 29 for her 40 years as Cantor and Liturgical Music Director at St. Catherine of

CONGRATULATIONS

Fr. Justus Ndyamukama

Fr. Justus Ndyamukama will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priesthood ordination on August 15.

Fr. Ndyamukama serves as Chaplain for the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Ava.

Happy Anniversary, Fr. Ndyamukama!

PRIESTS:

Fr. Emmanuel Konyeaso, Aug. 14, 16 yrs.

Fr. Justus Ndyamukama, Aug. 15, 25 yrs.

Fr. Maurice Chukwukere, Aug. 23, 18 yrs.

DEACONS:

Deacon Michael Fritz, Aug. 12, 9 yrs.

Deacon James Walter, Aug. 12, 9 yrs.

DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD-CAPE GIRARDEAU

Siena Parish, Piedmont (Photo by Rhonda Boyer/The Mirror)

Why a Eucharistic Congress matters for the life of the Church

After a recent Sunday Mass, I offered a brief overview on how we might prepare our minds and hearts for the upcoming Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in West Plains on August 15. I first set the framework for discussion through watching a brief four-minute video by Chris Stefanick from the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress.

HEY DEACON!

By Deacon Dan Vaughn

Chris offered a good reminder that resonated deeply with the tens of thousands gathered: “Christianity is a love story that must be told again and again.” His words captured the heart of the Congress and the purpose behind every Eucharistic gathering. Stefanick urged the faithful not to leave such an encounter unchanged, but to allow Jesus in the Eucharist to reshape their identity, renew their mission, and rekindle the joy of evangelization. The Eucharist, he emphasized, is not merely a devotion but the beating heart of the Church, the place where God reveals His love and sends His people forth with confidence.

A Eucharistic Congress is far more than a large gathering or special event. It is a moment of grace for an entire diocese. When the Church comes together around the Eucharist, she remembers who she is: a people formed,

fed, and sent by the Real Presence of Jesus. The greatest fruit of a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress is renewed communion with Christ in the Eucharist, which then transforms the life of the entire local Church, its people, its parishes, its ministries, and its mission.

Spiritual fruits emerge first. For some people, it is a rediscovery of the Real Presence not as an idea but as a lived encounter. Reverence deepens, devotion awakens, and hunger for the sacraments grows. Confession lines lengthen, prayer becomes more intentional, and hearts open to healing. A Congress recenters the diocese on the truth that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of everything we do.

but powerful witness to the wider community.

The Congress also bears communal fruits, strengthening the Body of Christ. Parishes that rarely interact suddenly pray side by side. Families, clergy, religious, and lay faithful gather as one. New friendships form, and the diocese begins to feel more like a single household of faith. Public processions and joyful gatherings become a quiet

There are also profound pastoral fruits. Priests, deacons, musicians, catechists, and volunteers return home with renewed zeal for beautiful, reverent worship. Congress themes spill into OCIA, youth ministry, adult formation, and sacramental preparation. Many dioceses see lasting increases in Mass attendance, adoration hours, and parish involvement. Shared prayer deepens fraternity among clergy and strengthens parish life.

From these springs missionary fruits. A Eucharistic Congress reminds us that the Eucharist sends us forth: Ite, missa est. People rediscover their missionary identity and begin to share

their faith with joy. Vocations are strengthened, new ones begin to take shape, and outreach to the poor and forgotten grows naturally from Eucharistic spirituality. Finally, the long-term fruits endure well beyond the event. A diocese often experiences a lasting shift: a deeper sense of hope, a clearer identity as a Eucharistic people, and renewed confidence that Christ is truly with His Church. The Congress becomes a turning point, a moment the faithful look back on as the beginning of something new.

May our hearts be open to the graces God desires to give. May our love for the Eucharist deepen. And may Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament, continue to unite, heal, and strengthen His people. ©TM

Deacon Dan Vaughn is the Director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate. He servces in Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, Forsyth.