The next issue of The Mirror will be Feb. 17, 2017.If you would like to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format, please contact Angie Toben at (417) 866-0841, or Email her: atoben@dioscg.org.

The Mirr rVol. LII, No. 21 DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI February 3, 2017

One Church, East to West: Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, Sharing Jesus

By Jason Fulp Springfield

For most people in the West-ern world, the new year is marked every year by a spe-cific date, Jan. 1.

However, for many Asian cultures, such as the Chinese and Vietnamese, the new year is marked by the lunar cycle. The day it is celebrated with the first new moon of the year, which can fall between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. This year, it fell on Jan. 28 and launched The Year of the Rooster, which will last until Feb. 15, 2018.

To mark the Lunar New Year, Bp. Edward M. Rice held Mass on Jan. 29 in the gymnasium of Springfield’s St. Agnes Cathedral School. Concelebrating the liturgy was Fr. Mark Hoa Le, CMC, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in El Dorado Springs and St. Peter, Apos-tle in Stockton, and Fr. Gregory Tran Vi, CMC, Associate Pastor and Vietnamese Community Chaplain, St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield. Both priests are members of the re-ligious Congregation of the Mother Coredemptrix headquartered in Carthage, MO.

The traditions surrounding the Lunar holiday have long been the same. Leading up to it, fami-lies clean their homes and begin preparing food for the festivities. The celebration often lasts multiple days in Vietnam, leaving plenty of time to feast.

In his homily, Bp. Rice stressed that life is good, although not always easy, and that it is good be-cause of the love that God has for each one of us.

“We are surrounded by the love of God and so rejoice, be kind, do not be anxious,” said Bp. Rice. “Turn to the Lord in this New Year. Turn to Him in prayer and peti-tions. When you do that, we have the peace of Jesus in our hearts.”

Bishop Rice concluded by im-ploring the faithful to trust in God and to understand that all that we have is from Him.

“We work hard for what we need in life,” Bp. Rice said, “but in the end, it all comes from the hands of God, who cares for us.” ©TM

Bishop Rice holds Mass for Lunar New Year

LUNAR NEW YEAR—Bishop Edward Rice celebrated a liturgy marking the Lunar New Year of the Rooster with the Vietnamese faithful Sun., Jan. 29. A celebration followed with lion dancers, drummers, paper lanterns, and food. Also known as the Tết in Vietnam, Lunar New Year falls on the first new moon between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 each year. (The Mirror)

HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR—Dancers surrounded Fr. Mark Hoa Le, CMC, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in El Dorado Springs and St. Peter, Apostle in Stockton; Bp. Edward Rice; and Fr. Gregory Tran Vi, associate pastor and Vietnamese Community Chaplain at St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, during the festivities after Mass marking the Lunar New Year of the Rooster, Jan. 29. (The Mirror)

2 The Mirror February 3, 2017DIOCESAN NEWS

Rev. Mr. P. Michael Steele dead at age 74By Jason Fulp Ozark, MO

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Rev. Mr. P. Michael (Mike) Steele, 74, of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Ozark,

MO. Deacon Steele passed away peace-fully at his home Sun., Jan. 29, 2017, after a long illness.

Deacon Steele was born Feb. 19, 1942, in Miami, FL, to Paul M. Steele and Mary E. Kemna Steele. He received his Bachelor of Professional Studies at the University of Memphis in 1984; Master of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, New Orleans, in 1998;

Master of Holistic Ministries in 2003, and in 2005 he received his Doc-torate of Holistic Studies through the American In-stitute of Holistic Theology. He com-pleted the clinical pastoral education

(CPE) program in 2000 through Meth-odist Health Care of Memphis.

Deacon Steele was ordained to the permanent diaconate on March 4, 2000, for the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee. He took a position in the

Pastoral Care Department for St. John’s Medical Center in September of the same year. He was later certified as a chaplain in July of 2001. Deacon Steele served St. Joseph the Worker Parish from March 2001-February 2007 and again from August 2011 until his re-tirement in January 2014. From August 2007-2011, he worked in the Diocese of Wichita as Chaplain Manager for Mercy Hospital in Independence, KS.

During his service at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Deacon Steele as-sisted the parish and the people of Ozark by visiting the sick, visiting the elderly and shut-ins, forming a com-munity outreach group for the elderly

Deacon Steele

and shut-ins, liturgical ministry, and preaching as needed. He was greatly loved and touched many in the church and community.

Married in 1961, Deacon Steele is survived by his wife, Deanna (Baker) Steele; daughters Paula Matthews, and Paige (Bobby) Smith. He is grandfather to Rachel Pruitt, Evan (Rachel) Puckett, Paul Puckett, and Noah Smith; and great-grandfather to Harley Iannarone.

The Funeral Mass was held Fri., Feb. 3, in St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Ozark. Burial followed in the St. Joseph section of Weaver Cemetery, Ozark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent for vocations to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 1796 State Highway NN, Ozark, MO 65721, care of Fr. Scott Sunnenberg, pastor. ©TM

Remembering ‘country pastor,’ Msgr. William J. Stanton“A priest is not somebody who

does not get married. He does not get married to a wife: He gets married to his people. They are all beautiful and wonderful and you are concerned about all of them. There are down times once in awhile, but you can’t dwell on that or you are not going to do a good job in your ministry. These are my spouses, the only spouses I’m going to have. These are the people I’m to be in love with.” —Msgr. William J. Stanton (Fr. Bill), May 2006

By The Mirror staff Springfield

Bishop Edward M. Rice recently announced the Jan. 18, 2017, passing of one of the pillars of the diocese: Msgr. William

J. Stanton, 85, more affectionately known as “Fr. Bill.” Monsignor Stan-ton served the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau for over 60 years and was instrumental in its development and growth.

The funeral Mass for Msgr. Stan-ton was Mon., Jan. 23, in St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, Cape Girardeau. Bishop Edward M. Rice was the presider, and many priests concelebrated as well as Bp.-Emeritus John J. Leibrecht. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery, Cape Girardeau.

Monsignor William “Bill” Jo-seph Stanton was born May 28, 1931, in St. Louis, MO, to Frank and Rose Stanton. He grew up in the Bevo Mill neighborhood with his older brother, Frank. As boys, they walked the eight blocks to St. John the Baptist Grade School. Young Bill also accompanied his father to 6 a.m. Mass each morn-ing, knowing with certainty that they would find the pastor, Fr. John Peters, praying in the church before Mass.

The Stanton brothers liked to stage magic shows, and Msgr. Stan-ton enjoyed ventriloquism and doing impersonations. He shared that talent by bringing puppets to use for children’s homilies or dressing up as

a clown and mak-ing balloon animals that would illustrate Christ’s message. Monsignor Stanton also had a great deal of musical talent: He has played the accordion, trom-bone, and tuba, and for many years he sang with barbershop quartets in Joplin and Jackson. He also enjoyed spelunking (cave exploration).

While a student at St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis, the young Bill considered a career in medicine or teaching. He was inspired by the Brothers of Mary, who taught there, and near the end of his high school tenure, he considered becoming a re-ligious brother, living in community and teaching high school. Monsi-gnor Stanton’s father suggested that he take another year to consider his direction, so he attended Jesuit-run St. Louis University, where he often visited the Blessed Sacrament, which was exposed for veneration in the Chapel of Our Lady (Lower Church) in St. Francis Xavier Church. His time spent in adoration helped him to realize that call to the priesthood.

Monsignor Stanton was or-dained to the priesthood on March 17, 1956, in St. Louis Cathedral, St. Louis, MO, by then-Bp. Elmer Joseph Ritter of the St. Louis Archdiocese. He attended St. Louis University, St. Louis Prep. Seminary, Cardinal Glen-non College, and Kenrick Seminary, all in St. Louis. Among his semi-nary classmates was a young John J. Leibrecht and Ralph (“Jake”) Duffner (1930-2013).

Missionary priestMonsignor Stanton’s first as-

signment came under the Archdio-cese’s “Missionary Apostolate Plan.” He was assigned as associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in West Plains, where he served under Fr. Syl Bauer, pastor.

Each year, he wrote to Card. Ritter asking to remain at St. Mary, and eventually he requested incardina-tion into the new Diocese of Spring-field-Cape Girardeau. Monsignor Stanton was incardinated on April 8, 1958.

In 1959, Msgr. Stanton was as-signed as associate pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Joplin. When the pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Chaffee became ill in 1959, Msgr. Stanton was assigned there as as-sociate pastor, then later as associate pastor in Immaculate Conception Parish, Springfield, in 1963.

Monsignor Stanton’s first as-signment as pastor was in 1965 to Sacred Heart Parish, Springfield. He also went on to be pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Caruthersville, in 1967, and served on the Priest’s Senate; St. Mary Parish, Joplin, in 1971; Im-maculate Conception Parish, Jackson, in 1977, serving on the Diocesan School Board as well; St. Mary Parish, West Plains, in 1985, also a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Priest’s Senate; and at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Sikeston, in 1991.

Monsignor Stanton’s other ministries in the diocese included teaching at Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, in 1962, and from 1962-1966 he served as a P.E. and religion teacher at St. Agnes High School, Springfield. He was also a member of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Scouting; Dean-ery Director for Cana Conference in Poplar Bluff; and Director of Family Life for Region V. Among his priestly

duties, he served as Moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW), Region V, and Priest Moderator, Region VIII. He was also instrumental in the beginning of Cursillo and Marriage Encoun-ter in the diocese, and he served a stint as Director of the Radio and TV Apostolate.

Monsignor Stanton was a de-lightful and engaging storyteller, and wrote several columns in The Mirror during his pastoral ministry entitled, “Reflections of a Country Pastor.” A few of his beloved pastimes were golf and fishing. His favorite book was Jesus of Nazareth by Card. Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), and his favorite movies were “The Sound of Music” and “The King and I.” But he most enjoyed driving, and he liked to watch people’s faces as he preached. Monsignor Stanton said, “It helps me to see if they understand what I am saying.”

Monsignor Stanton retired from active ministry on Aug. 17, 2001. Although in his retirement, he served as Parochial Administrator in St. Mi-chael the Archangel, Fredericktown, from 2002-2009, and as Chaplain for St. Francis de Sales Association from 2002-2016. During the last year of his life, Msgr. Stanton moved from Cape Girardeau back to the St. Louis area and was in assisted living.

Monsignor Stanton credited four priests as being significant influ-ences in his life: His boyhood pastor, Fr. John Peters, whom he described as “a good example of a very holy man”; Fr. Syl Bauer, “a great example of zeal and prayer, and [who] taught me most of what I know about administration”; Fr. Tom Geraghty, “who gave me a love for golf”; and Fr. Joe Brophy, “who gave me a love for the liturgy.”

Monsignor Stanton is survived by his sister-in-law Betty Stanton; two nieces, Laura (David) LaGesse, and Carol (Kirk) Warner; and a cousin, Mary Alice Ferris. ©TM

Msgr. Stanton

On the Web• Homily by Fr. David

Hulshof, Jan. 23, 2017• Msgr. Stanton on his

50th annv. as a priest• ’Reflection of a Country

Pastor,’ 2006www.dioscg.org

February 3, 2017 The Mirror 3COLUMN

The good news in Catholic education!COME, AND YOU WILL SEEBp. Edward M. Rice

As we bring our ob-servance of Catho-lic Schools Week to a close, I want

to take the opportunity to offer some observations. During Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 4), I have traveled throughout the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau to partici-pate in different events and to hold all-school Masses in Joplin, Springfield, and Cape Girardeau. What sticks out in my mind is the support and sacrifice of the parents who choose Catho-lic education. Beyond the financial sacrifice to each family and parish, there is a spirit of dedication, support, and volunteerism throughout our 23 elemen-tary schools and three high schools. So many of our parents go beyond the call of duty and step up to head fundraising initiatives and provide support services so that our children can have the best possible educa-tion in our schools. I offer a heartfelt thank you to all our parents.

Of course, a special thanks to our administrators, staff, and teachers. Without you, our Cath-olic School System would collapse. Your investment in Catholic Educa-tion is a ministry, not merely a job. Your witness to the faith helps form the hearts and souls of our children long before they learn how to read or write. Your witness and ser-vice help form their moral compasses rooted in Gospel values and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Could there be any more noble work than helping form and inform God’s children?

Finally, I offer a word of gratitude to our priests, religious, and the many parishioners who support the local Catholic school. It is often the case that parish-ioners support their Catholic school long after their own children have graduated. Why? Because they see the value of a “faith-based” education. They see the con-tribution that students from Catholic schools make to our communities and to the work force. They see how Cath-olic school graduates have a profound moral sense, have exceptional leader-ship skills, and become contributing members of society. Catholic schools benefit our country in so many ways.

Did you know that Catholic high schools have a graduation rate of 99 percent? Did you know the average ratio of student-to-teacher is 13:1 for a Catholic elementary School, 11:1 for a Catholic high school? The national average is 13:1. Did you know there are 6,525 Catho-

lic schools in the United States? Did you know that 85.7 percent of Catholic high school graduates at-tend a four-year college? Catholic schools are found in suburban, urban, rural, and the inner-city com-munities. With an average cost of $12,608 per student (public school), Catholic schools provide $24 billion in savings to the nation. The students of our schools become valuable mem-bers of corporations and non-profits, and leaders of industry. In addition, gradu-ates of our Catholic schools become active members of

their local parish.It is obvious that for all the

challenges we face, everyone benefits, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, from our Catholic schools and the Christ-centered education they provide.

Happy Catholic Schools Week! ©TM

Public calendarFri., Feb. 10 CCSOMO donor event,

SpringfieldSat., Feb. 11 Annual gathering of

Religious, Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center, Springfield;

Pastoral visit, St. Patrick Mission, Greenfield, MO;

6 p.m. Mass, St. Susanne Parish, Mt. Vernon, MO

Sun., Feb. 12 Confirmation, St. Susanne8 a.m. Parish, Mt. Vernon;11 a.m. Mass, St. George Catholic

Church, Republic, MO;2:30 p.m. Diocesan Wedding

Anniversary Celebration, St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield

Mon., Feb. 13 Clergy gatheringThu., Feb. 16 Trustees Meeting,

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis;

Theology on Tap, Bloomsdale

Fri., Feb. 17 Knights of Columbus Vocations Fundraiser, Scott City, MO

Sat., Feb. 18 Confirmation and pastoral visit, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Cape Girardeau;

Sun., Feb. 19 Parish Masses, St. Vincent7:30, 9, & de Paul Parish, Cape10:45 a.m. Girardeau;2:30 p.m. Diocesan Wedding

Anniversary Celebration, St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau

Mon., Feb. 20 Mass & pastoral visit,11 a.m. Nazareth Hermitage, Ava,

MOTue., Feb. 21 Pastoral visit, Nazareth

Hermitage, Ava;3 p.m. Mass & pastoral visit,

Assumption Abbey, AvaFri., Feb. 24 Knights of Columbus

event, Holy Trinity Parish, Springfield

PENALTY BOX—Gary Mom-phard of the Missouri State Ice Bears (player) was joined in the penalty box during the Jan. 20 match by Hunter Saunders of Nashville (upper left) and Bish-op Edward M. Rice (forward). Bishop Rice dropped the puck for the match-up between the MSU Bears vs. the Missouri Tigers at Mediacom Ice Park, Springfield. The Bears won the match 10-4. (The Mirror)

Bishop drops puck for MSU Ice Bears

www.ccsomo.org

Could there be any more noble work than helping form and inform God’s children?

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS—Bishop Edward M. Rice greeted students after the all-schools Mass in St. Mary Parish, Joplin, on Jan. 31. Held annually, Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4 this year, highlights the gift of Catholic education in our communities and nation. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

4 The Mirror February 3, 2017DIOCESAN NEWS

The Mirror: Newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau USPS Publication 117-330 Publisher: The Most Rev. Edward Rice Editor: Leslie A. EidsonProduction: Glenn Eckl Circulation/Advertising: Angie Toben, atoben@dioscg.org

Published every other week except the last week in December at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143. Address all communications to 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143; Telephone (417) 866-0841; FAX (417) 866-1140; Email atoben@dioscg.org

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Mirror, 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143. When giving change of address, state both old and new address, also old and new parish.Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, MO, and additional mailing offices. Vol. LII No. 21 February 3, 2017 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 atoben@dioscg.org.Copyright © 2016, The Mirror, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org

“Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG

Memorable kick off to Catholic Schools Week 2017

SPECIAL VISIT AND TALK—Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht visited Immaculate Conception School in Springfield on Mon., Jan. 31, of Catholic Schools Week. After Mass, Bp. Leibrecht spoke to the first- through eighth-graders about vocations and made special stops in the preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Catholic Schools Week was held Jan. 29-Feb. 4 and at press time, wonderful photos continue to flow in from around the diocese. We will have a photo-spread in the Feb. 17 edi-tion of The Mirror. (Submitted photo)

Middle-school students attend Digital Citizenship summitJoplin, MO

Ten student leaders from St. Peter Middle School and five from St. Mary Catholic School attended a full-day Student Summit on Digital Citizenship along with 20 more

area schools, on Jan. 25, 2017. The event was held at the Southwest Center for Excellence in Education in Webb City, MO.

After listening to professional speakers and networking with students in other schools, the Jop-lin Area Catholic School students worked in teams

of five to identify three areas in which their school needed to fo-cus in order to realize responsible digital citizenship. Teams then created action plans to achieve their goals. Students left the event excited to work on these goals within their school system. ©TM

STUDENT SUMMIT—Middle-schoolers from Joplin Area Catholic Schools attended a Student Summit on Digital Citizenship on Jan. 25. The ten students from St. Peter Middle School and their teachers were (front) Joe Staton, sixth grade; (second row): Kable Reichardt, sixth grade; Aaliyah Perez, sixth grade; Katrina Asistido, sixth grade; Caroline Hunter, seventh grade; Kayleigh Teeter, seventh grade; Rees Massoth, eighth grade; (back) Jack Jones, sixth grade; Mrs. Pettyjohn, Language Arts teacher at St. Peter; Tam Nguyen, eighth grade; Kennedy DeRuy, seventh grade; and Mrs. Hall, Lit-erature teacher, St. Peter. (Submitted photo)

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP GOALS—One of the teams identified access, communication, and security as its three goals to become better digital citizens and created a slide to pres-ent with a school action plan to work on these targets. Pictured were St. Peter Middle School students: Kennedy DeRuy, seventh grade; Jack Jones, sixth grade; Joe Sta-tion, sixth grade; Caroline Hunter on computer, seventh grade; and Kayleigh Teeter, seventh grade. St. Mary School students worked in the background with their teacher, Mrs. Lone. (Submitted photo)

Dexter native professes first vows at Conception AbbeyConception, MO

On Feb. 2, 2017, the Feast of the Presen-tation of the Lord, Fr. Stephen Keusen-

kothen professed temporary vows as a Benedictine monk of Conception Abbey.

Fr. Keusenkothen was presented to Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB, by Bro. Jacob Kubajak, OSB, and made his formal declaration to be received into vows. Abbot Neenan proceeded to give a short admonition, explaining the challenges and joys of the life he was about to embrace.

“How fitting on this beautiful feast of Our Lord’s

Presentation that you also present yourself to pro-fess simple vows in this

community,” Abbot Neenan said. “How fitting on this World Day of Consecrated Life that you are consecrating yourself completely to the praise and service of God as a Benedictine monk of Con-ception Abbey.”

After the homily and according to monastic tradi-tion, Abbot Neenan gave Fr. Keusenkothen a new name: Aquinas, placing him under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church. Fr. Keusenkothen then professed his temporary vows of stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict. The outward sign of his profes-sion, the long scapular, was

then conferred upon him. Each member of the commu-nity then exchanged a sign of peace with Fr. Keusenkothen, as they formally recognized his acceptance into the com-munity as a brother monk.

As a temporarily pro-fessed monk, Fr. Keusen-kothen will have a continued period of prayer and discern-ment with his brother monks to determine whether he is truly called to the monastic life.

Fr. Keusenkothen, a na-tive of Dexter, MO, was born on Jan. 31, 1966, to Gene and the late Laverne Keusen-kothen. Gene Keusenkothen is a member of St. Augustine Parish, Kelso, MO.

Fr. Keusenkothen first

came to Conception Abbey in 1990 to discern a monastic vocation. In 1994, Fr. Keusen-kothen decided to continue his discernment with the order of Claretian Mission-aries and was ordained a priest July 16, 2003. He was assigned as a missionary in Kingston, Jamaica. In 2012, he was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Kingston and served in its parishes for 10 years.

In 2016, he returned to Conception Abbey to re-discern a monastic voca-tion and had most recently been assigned to work in the pastoral formation program at Conception Seminary Col-lege among other duties in the monastery. ©TM

Fr. AquinasKeusenkothen, OSB

100TH DAY OF SCHOOL—The 100th school day was celebrat-ed by first graders in St. Mary School, Joplin. (Submitted photo)

February 3, 2017 The Mirror 5ANNOUNCEMENTS

ScheduleThe next safe environment in-service opportunities will be held at the following locations:

Sat., Feb. 18 9 a.m.-12-noon . . . . . . .St. Joseph the Worker, OzarkMon., Feb. 20 3-6 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonMon., March 27 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . .Immaculate Conception, SpringfieldWed., April 12 4-7 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Ann School, CarthageWed., April 24 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonSat., April 29 9 a.m.-12-noon . . . . . . .St. Vincent de Paul, Cape GirardeauPre-registration is necessary; go to www.virtus.org and click on “registration” on the left or call your parish/school office for assistance; or call Ken Pesek at The Catholic Center, (417) 866-0841; or Email him at kenpesek@dioscg.org. Participants must be present for the entire training. Training sessions are for adults only. Schedules may be found on the diocesan events calendar at www.dioscg.org, or at www.virtus.org.

AnnouncementsParishes and organizations are invited to submit notices of future events

to be printed in the Announcements. They will be printed on a space-available basis. There is no fee.

Billings—Join the St. Joseph Men’s Club for Lenten fish frys on the following Fridays: March 3, March 17, and March 31, 5-7 p.m., in the parish hall. Cost: adults: $8; children (ages 11 and under): $4. Menu includes fish, French fries, coleslaw, vegetables, grilled cheese, des-sert, and drink. For more information call (417) 744-2490. There will also be Stations of the Cross every Friday evening during Lent at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Chaffee—St. Ambrose School will host its second annual St. Ambrose School Alumni Basketball Game, Sat., Feb. 25, in the school gym, 5 p.m. Admission fee: donation. Money goes toward computer lab upgrades. For ques-tions, please contact Mrs. Enderle, (573) 887-6711.

Cape Girardeau—Saint Padre Pio Emerg-ing Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will meet at Saint Francis Medical Center, Sat., Feb. 11. Prayer in the chapel at 8:30 a.m., fol-lowed by fraternity meeting in the St. Agatha Conference Room. Learn how you can live the call of “Gospel to Life, Life to Gospel” in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. For more information, contact Shawn Asmus, OFS, (573) 204-7688, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/padrepiocape/.

Springfield—O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, on the campus of Missouri State

University, will host Trivia Night, Sat., Feb. 25. Food will be available for purchase from 6-7 p.m.; games begin at 7 p.m. Cost, table of eight: $80; single: $12/person. Call Bev Franklin to reserve a table, (417) 865-0802, or Email: bfranklin@ccm847.org.

Springfield—Sacred Heart Parish will hold its sixth annual Trivia Night, Sat., March 11, 7 p.m., in the parish hall. Entry fee is $10/person. Reuben sandwiches, cheeseburgers, hamburgers, and hot dogs will be available for purchase begin-ning at 6 p.m. Cost for sandwich, chips and drink: $5. Proceeds go toward PSR programs. For reservations, contact the parish office at (417) 869-3646.

Springfield—The Followers of Francis Fraternity will meet, Sat., Feb. 25, beginning with lunch at noon (optional), then at 1 p.m. in the day chapel at Holy Trinity Parish. Contact for new inquirers is Steve Moncher, stevemoncher@gmail.com, or call (417) 861-2109.

Springfield—The Praise and Worship prayer group meets every Thu. night, 6:30-8 p.m., in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The evening begins with a patriotic Rosary for our country, followed by prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and petition along with mu-sic provided by Andrew Peters. All are welcome. For more information, contact Shelly Pichler at (417) 838-2730.

2017 Camp schedule

Fredericktown: Cassville: (Roaring River State Park)

Session 1F June 12-16

Session 2F June 26-31

Session 3F July 10-14

Camp applications arriving soon!

Session 1C June 26-31

Session 2C July 3-7

Session 3C July 10-14

Session 4C July 17-21

Session 5C July 24-28

Camp Re-NEW-All application

packets will be available at your

parish the weekend of Jan. 28-29. All

applications will be available on the

diocesan Website www.dioscg.org late Friday afternoon, Jan.

27. On the home page, select Camp Re-NEW-All from the

“Ministry/Offices” drop down menu.

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

6 The Mirror February 3, 2017MO BISHOPS STATEMENT ON REFUGEES

MO Bishops issue statementon Executive Order on refugeesJefferson City

The recent executive order to turn away refugees and to narrow or close our nation’s doors to our

migrant sisters and brothers who are fleeing hunger, hardships, violence and persecution does not represent the best of our Catholic and American values and ideals. As Catholics, we ap-preciate the concern shown to Christians, many of whom have been violently targeted because of their faith, murdered, and seen their churches destroyed, but we are disheartened and alarmed by actions that target and pro-file others because of the color of their skin, the language they speak, the religion they profess and the land they call home.

We understand and strongly support efforts to make our coun-try safe from terrorism and vio-lence. Every country has a right and a duty to protect its citizens and secure its borders. But our

safety will not be achieved by isolation. America will be safer by seeking to create a more just and peaceful world.

The notion that a thriving society would benefit from biased policies and practices based on ignorance, fear, and a disordered nationalism corrodes the very essence of our American spirit and impoverishes our democratic life. As citizens of this great land and as members of the Catholic community, we are particularly concerned about our Muslim sis-ters and brothers whose lives are becoming increasingly difficult and whose safety is being threat-ened by this recent turn of events in our structures of government and society.

Welcoming the stranger, the immigrant, and the refugee have been long-standing hall-marks of our American way of life and religious convictions. Over the years, civic, govern-ment, religious institutions, and organizations in our nation and

Catholic Bishops of Missouri

The Most Reverend Robert J. CarlsonExecutive ChairmanArchbishop of St. Louis

The Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr.Vice ChairmanBishop of Kansas City- St. Joseph

Every country has a right and a duty to protect its citizens and secure its borders. … As Catholics, we have a responsibility to help the most vulnerable, especially those who are forcibly displaced from their homes and experience incredible difficulties. The Catholic dioceses in Missouri will continue to be places of welcome, service, and mutual hospitality.

region have trusted the thorough vetting process in place, and together have labored to help resettle families, men, women, and children from many parts of the world. And, in our experience of integrat-ing our migrant and refugee sisters and brothers into our com-mon way of life, we have seen our families, neighborhoods, cities, and faith communities flourish.

The responsibil-ity to welcome and care for the migrant and refugee are not only public and social virtues, but also find common ground and resolve in faith: “Come you that are blessed by my Father … for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25: 34-35). This Gospel mandate to actively reach out and welcome the stranger has guided our Catholic social values and practices for centuries.

Throughout our Catholic tradition, we have learned to be at-tentive to the needs of the poor, the margin-alized, and the vulner-able. In faith, we have come to recognize and know the face of Christ in the migrant and refugee. Earlier this month our Holy Father reminded us of this teaching, saying that “Bibli-cal revelation urges us to wel-come the stranger; it tells us that in so doing, we open our doors to God, and that in the faces of others we see the face of Christ himself.”

Furthermore, as Catholics we believe that our responsibil-ity to help the most vulnerable means helping those in need, especially those who, in our day, are forcibly being displaced from their homes and are experienc-ing incredible difficulties. Our commitment to life and religious freedom teaches us that we must welcome all faiths and cultures at our shores and doors, mindful of the inherent dignity found in

Here are some resources to help you understand what the Church teaches about migrant and refugee issues in light of the Gospel.

• Unity in Diversity Scriptural Rosary Brochure• National Migration Week 2017 Prayer Card• Strangers No Longer Pastoral Letter• We Are Strangers No Longer Reflections Brochure• Prayer for Peace Prayer Cards• Strangers No Longer DVD• We Are Strangers No Longer Brochure • Who Are My Sisters and Brothers

www.usccg.org

them and ready to grow in God’s grace. In faith, we believe

that each person, regardless of their official status, is made in the

image and likeness of God, and as such deserves to be

treated with respect, justice, and love.

In this spirit of compassion and soli-

darity, we, the Catho-lic bishops of Mis-

souri, join our brother bishops, religious and

civic leaders, the larger Catholic community

and people of good will in opposing the

executive order which seeks to narrow and

close the doors to our most vulnerable

migrants and refugees. The Catholic dio-

ceses in Missouri will continue to be places of welcome, service,

and mutual hospital-ity, especially to the suffering and most

vulnerable among us.Let us hear the

words of Pope Francis anew: “No one can

remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world!

Everybody, according to his or her particu-lar opportunities and

responsibilities, should be able to make a

personal contribution to putting an end to so many social injustices. The culture of selfish-

ness and individualism that often prevails in

our society is not, I repeat, not what builds up and

leads to a more habitable world: rather, it is the culture of solidar-

ity that does so; the culture of solidarity means seeing others not as rivals or statistics, but brothers

and sisters. And we are all brothers and sisters!” ©TM

February 3, 2017 The Mirror 7MO BISHOPS STATEMENT ON REFUGEES

Jefferson City

La reciente orden ejecutiva de rechazar a refugiados y de limitar o cerrar las puertas de nuestra nación

a nuestros hermanos y herma-nas migrantes que huyen del hambre, la pobreza, la violencia y la persecución, no representa lo mejor de nuestros valores e ideales Católicos y Americanos. Como Católicos, agradecemos la preocupación por los Cristia-nos, muchos de los cuales han sido blanco de violencia debido a su fe, han sido asesinados y han visto como destruyen sus iglesias, pero a la vez estamos decepcionados y alarmados por las acciones que se dirigen y que marcan a otros por el color de su piel, la lengua que hablan, la religión que profesan y la tierra que llaman su hogar.

Nosotros entendemos y apoyamos firmemente los es-fuerzos para mejorar la seguri-dad de nuestro país contra el terrorismo y la violencia. Cada país tiene el derecho y el deber de proteger a sus ciudadanos y de asegurar sus fronteras. Pero no podemos lograr nuestra seguridad aislándonos. Los Esta-dos Unidos estarán más seguros si buscan el crear un mundo más justo y pacífico.

La noción de que una sociedad próspera puede ben-eficiarse en base a políticas y prácticas tendenciosas basadas en la ignorancia, el miedo y un nacionalismo desordenado, cor-roe la esencia misma de nuestro espíritu Americano y empob-rece nuestra vida democrática. Como ciudadanos de esta gran nación y como miembros de la comunidad Católica, estamos particularmente preocupa-dos por nuestros hermanos y hermanas Musulmanes cuyas vidas se están haciendo con-tinuamente más difíciles y cuya seguridad se está viendo amen-azada por los eventos recientes

en nuestras estructuras guber-namentales y sociales.

El acoger al extranjero, al inmigrante y al refugiado han sido valores de antaño que han perdurado en nuestro estilo de vida Americana y en nuestras convicciones religiosas. A través de los años, las instituciones y organizaciones civiles, guberna-mentales y religiosas de nuestra nación y de nuestras regiones han confiado en el profundo proceso de investigación que tenemos en marcha, y juntos hemos trabajado para ayudar en el reasentamiento de familias, hombres, mujeres y niños de muchas partes del mundo. Y, en nuestra experiencia al integrar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas migrantes y refugia-dos a nuestro estilo común de vida, hemos visto cómo pros-peran nuestras propias familias, vecindarios, ciudades y comuni-dades de fe.

La responsabilidad de acoger y cuidar de los migrantes

MO Obispos Declaración de la Respecto a la Orden Ejecutiva sobre Refugiados

Catholic Bishops of Missouri

The Most Reverend Robert J. CarlsonExecutive ChairmanArchbishop of St. Louis

The Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr.Vice ChairmanBishop of Kansas City- St. Joseph

The Most Reverend John R. GaydosGeneral ChairmanBishop of Jefferson City

The Most Reverend Edward M. RiceBishop of Springfield- Cape Girardeau

Approved Feb. 1, 2017

y refugiados no es solamente una virtud pública y social, pero se encuentra también en el común y en la resolución de la fe: “Vengan los benditos de mi Padre… porque tuve ham-bre y me diste de comer, tuve sed y me diste de beber, fui un forastero y me acogiste” (Mateo 25,34-35). Este mandato del Evangelio para atender acti-vamente y acoger al forastero ha sido por siglos la guía de nuestros valores y prácticas sociales Católicas. Por medio de nuestra tradición Católica, hemos aprendido a estar aten-tos ante las necesidades de los pobres, los marginados y los vulnerables. En la fe, hemos llegado a reconocer y a ver el rostro de Cristo en el migrante y en el refugiado. A inicios del mes nuestro Santo Padre nos recordó esta enseñanza dici-endo que “La revelación Bíblica nos llama a acoger al extran-jero; nos dice que al hacerlo, abrimos nuestras puertas a

WHO IS ‘OUR NEIGHBOR?’—Syrian refugee. As leaders of many faiths gathered Feb. 2 for the National Prayer Breakfast in our na-tion’s capital, they pledged solidarity with refugees looking to seek refuge from persecution. Cardinal Wuerl of Washington, DC, said he and other leaders hope for dialogue between the new Trump administration and leaders of faith. A joint statement was also announced, “Interfaith Vision for Our Community.” The state-ment of faith leaders promotes common values that can be prac-ticed by all citizens and civic leaders. “We’ve advocated for the rights of each religious community to freely practice its faith with-out fear or intimidation,” said Rabbi Gerald Serotta, executive di-rector of the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. (Photo by D.Khamissy_UNHCR)

Dios, y que vemos el rostro de Cristo mismo en el rostro de los demás.”

Más aún, como Católicos creemos que nuestra respon-sabilidad de ayudar a los más vulnerables significa ayudar a aquellos que lo necesitan, espe-cialmente a aquellos que hoy en día están siendo desplazados a la fuerza de sus hogares y que enfrentan increíbles dificultades. Nuestro compromiso con la vida y libertad religiosa nos enseña que debemos acoger todas las expresiones de fe y culturas en nuestras costas y en nuestras puertas, conscientes de la dig-nidad inherente que vemos en cada uno de ellos y preparados para crecer en la gracia de Dios. Con fe, creemos que cada per-sona, sin importar su condición oficial, está hecha a imagen y semejanza de Dios y que como tal merece que se le trate con respecto, justicia y amor.

En este espíritu de compa-sión y solidaridad, nosotros, los obispos Católicos de Missouri, nos unimos a nuestros her-manos obispos, líderes civiles y religiosos, la comunidad Católica en general y personas de buena voluntad al oponernos a la orden ejecutiva que busca limitar y cerrar las puertas a nuestros migrantes y refugiados más vulnerables. Las diócesis Católicas de Missouri seguirán siendo lugares de acogimiento, servicio y mutua hospitalidad, especialmente a los que sufren y a los más vulnerables entre nosotros.

Escuchemos nuevamente las palabras del Papa Francisco: “¡Nadie puede mantenerse in-sensible ante las desigualdades que persisten en el mundo! Todos, de acuerdo a sus opor-tunidades y responsabilidades particulares, deben hacer una contribución personal a poner un fin a tantas injusticias so-ciales. La cultura del egoísmo e individualismo que tanto prev-alece en nuestra sociedad no es, repito, no es lo que construye y lleva a un mundo más habit-able; por el contrario, lo que lo construye es una cultura de solidaridad; la cultura de soli-daridad significa ver a los demás no como rivales o estadísticas, pero como hermanas y herma-nas. ¡Y todos somos hermanos y hermanas!” ©TM

Obispos Católicos de Missouri

8 The Mirror February 3, 2017DIOCESAN NEWS

By Linda Leicht Springfield

Several hundred Catholics and Pentecostals sat together in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church to celebrate their unity

as Christians during a joint worship service held on Jan. 18.

This was the fourth annual joint worship service, which alter-nates each year between a Catholic church and a Pentecostal church. The event is always held during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, this year. The 2017 theme was “Reconciliation—the Love of Christ Compels Us.” The theme finds its origins in Pope Francis’ 2013 Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), when it used the quote: “The Love of Christ Compels Us” (Para 9). The theme finds its Scriptural context in 2 Cor. 5:14.

The speaker for the ecumenical service was Rev. Dr. Mark Hausfeld, president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evan-gel University, also in Springfield. Bishop Edward M. Rice opened the evening with prayer.

InterfaithSarah Quattlebaum and Isaac

Worley, both members of the Assem-blies of God and students at Evangel University, sat in front of Lyndle and Jessica Spencer, both parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The two couples learned a lot about each other’s faith and vowed to attend the annual interfaith service next year.

Worley was surprised that he was moved by the recitation of prayers, something he expected to be “dry.” Instead, he found the prayers to be “genuine” and the words to have “deep meaning.” In 2018, the service will be at a Spring-field Assemblies of God church to be determined.

Quattlebaum admitted that she has always seen a “stark difference” between Catholics and Pentecostals, but now sees that there is indeed much more they hold in common.

Lyndle Spencer is a former Methodist, but his understanding of the need for unity comes from living in a Muslim country for 10 years.

“Christianity is everywhere,” he said. “There is a Catholic church in downtown Baghdad.”

The Spencers found the ser-vice to be uplifting and the ef-forts by local Catholic and Pen-tecostal leaders to work together through the decades-long Roman

Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue in Springfield to be valuable.

“I understand that Christians should all be united, but I under-stand that’s not always true,” said Sarah Spencer, who recalled being told by Protestants that she was go-ing to hell because she is Catholic.

Worley responded that such beliefs “come from ignorance about what Catholicism really is.”

Those honest and open com-ments are exactly the kind of re-sponse the interfaith service hoped to surface. The service focused on Christ’s prayer for unity among his followers in John 17, “that they may all be one … so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

The event was a unique blend of Catholic and Pentecostal worship rubrics. For example, as the partici-pants, many in Catholic clerical col-lars, processed in, bright red ribbons of material were waved resembling the “tongues of fire,” reported in the Bible on Pentecost. The chancel held a large cross, with bundles of “stones” labeled with “sins” that divide Christians.

During the “confession” or “penitential” portion of the service, each “stone” was lifted up and its la-bel was placed on the cross as the au-dience prayed, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us,” echoing the Lord’s Prayer. The sins of “lack of love,” “hate and contempt,” “false accusation,” “dis-crimination,” “persecution,” “broken communion,” “intolerance,” “reli-gious wars,” “division,” “abuse of power,” “isolation and pride,” were acknowledged and submitted to the

cross for forgiveness.“Lord, our God, look upon

this wall that we have built, which separates us from you and from one another. Forgive our sins. Heal us. Help us to overcome all walls of division and make us one in you,” participants prayed.

In his sermon, Rev. Hausfeld, once a missionary to Pakistan, shared an experience of a Catholic church in a Muslim country. He spoke of an ecumenical service in Islamabad, Pakistan, that “featured the sweetness of friendship among Christians of various backgrounds.” He told of a man who “surrendered his life to Jesus Christ,” a result of “the unity” he witnessed in the Third World Country.

“A fractured church won’t have much to offer the people Jesus came to seek and to save,” Rev. Hausfeld said.

At the VaticanDuring an ecumenical Vespers

service closing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis told both Catholics and members of oth-er Christian communities that unity can only happen when past griev-ances are forgiven and all sides walk forward with their gaze on Christ.

How do we proclaim this Gos-pel of reconciliation after centuries of division? St. Paul himself makes clear that reconciliation in Christ requires sacrifice, the Pope said.

Authentic reconciliation among Christians, Pope Francis said, “will only be achieved when we can acknowledge each other’s gifts and learn from one another, with

humility and docility, without wait-ing for the others to learn first.”

“Nor is the reconciliation to which we are compelled simply our own initiative,” he said, “… it is God’s free gift.”

“As a result of this gift, each person, forgiven and loved, is called in turn to proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation in word and deed, to live and bear witness to a reconciled life,” the pope said.

“May we never tire of asking God for this gift. With patient and trusting hope that the Father will grant all Christians the gift of full visible communion,” the Pope said, urging those present, and every-where, to “press forward in our jour-ney of reconciliation and dialogue.”

He prayed they would take advantage of every opportunity given “to pray together, to proclaim together, and together to love and serve, especially those who are the most poor and neglected in our midst.”

Lyndle Spencer called the Springfield service and the on-going efforts of the local Roman Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue “vital.”

“We are imperfect,” Spencer said. “But through God, we can at least create something that is perfect.”

Mark your calendars now to attend next year’s Roman Catholic-Pentecostal joint worship service in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. It is tentatively slated for Jan. 17, 2018. ©TM

Elise Harris and Leslie Eidson contributed to this story.

Hundreds participate injoint worship, pray for unity

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP—A large cross sat on the altar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Springfield, Jan. 18, under which “sins” that divide Christians were named. Hundreds attended the Roman Catholic-Pentecostal joint wor-ship service and discovered the two faith communities hold much in common. (Photos by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

February 3, 2017 The Mirror 9DIOCESAN NEWS

Dohogne wins Geographic Bee

ST. MARY CATHE-DRAL SCHOOL—Seventh grade student Jonathan Dohogne of St. Mary Ca-thedral School, Cape Gi-rardeau, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 23 for the sec-ond consecutive year. He also earned a chance at a $50,000 college schol-arship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral ques-tions on geography, was the first round in the 29th annual National Geographic Bee. Next, Dohogne will take a qualifying test, and up to 100 of the top scor-ers from around the US will then be eligible to compete in their state Bees. Dohogne is the son of Stuart and Kim Dohogne. (Submitted photo)

St. Mary Cathedral Home & School, Cape Girardeau, MO, presents:

HAVANA NIGHTS Auction Feb. 18, 4:30 p.m. at Ray’s Plaza Conference Center! Great items to bid on!

Bid on a dinner with Bishop Rice!!!Yes, have dinner for up to 8 with our own bishop—

at celebrations restaurant in Cape!!!

If you want to bid and won’t be at the auction,pre-auction sealed bids will be accepted!

Submit your name, max. bid, and phone numberto (573) 979-1251, (573) 335-3840 or turn the

info into the school or church office!

Don’t miss out on the fun!Proceeds benefit St. Mary Cathedral Home & School organization.

For more information please contact the school at (573) 335-3840 and for tickets please contact Erika Thurston at 1 (618) 559-3830.

2017 Diocesan Youth ConferenceMarch 24-26

West Plains Civic Center, West Plains, MO

For more information go to www.dioscg.org/Ministries-Offices/Youth Ministry/ or contact Katie Newton at knewton@dioscg.org or (417) 866-0841

Sponsored by:Office of Youth Ministry • Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

601 S Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806www.dioscg.org • (417) 866-0841 • knewton@dioscg.org

Who: 9-12th Graders

How much: $55 early registration (postmarked by March 3rd) $65 registration (postmarked after March 3rd)

Make checks payable to:Diocese of Springfield-Cape GirardeauAdditional costs include transportation, food, and lodging.

Jesse ManibusanJesse Manibusan is a composer, singer/songwriter, storyteller, humorist, catechist, evangelizer, and encourager. Working with any and every age group, Jesse has that knack to build instant rapport, connect to his audience, and create life-giving memories that help deepen faith and cultivate the joy that inspires service, sacrifice, and the celebration of life. Jesse earned an MA in Multicultural Ministries from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, CA, and gives con-certs, workshops, parish missions, and retreats. Jesse’s music is published by Oregon Catholic Press and Spirit & Song (a division of OCP). In 2014, Jesse received the National Catholic Youth Award, for Presenter/Artist Category by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministries, Inc.

FRIDAY, March 247 p.m. Packet Pick up7 p.m. Pizza Party at the WCC10 p.m. Travel to Hotel12 a.m. Lights Out

SATURDAY, March 258:30 a.m. Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant)9:30 a.m. Welcome and Icebreaker10 a.m. General Session I11 a.m. Workshops Round I12:00 p.m. Lunch (provided)ConfessionsGames after Confession1:30 p.m. Workshops Round II2:30 p.m. General Session II

Keyn

ote

Spea

ker

Conf

eren

ce S

ched

ule

(at a

gla

nce)

3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion on Vocations4:45 p.m. Workshops Round III5:45 p.m. Dinner Break (on your own)8 p.m. Trivia Challenge10 p.m. Adoration11 p.m. Travel to Hotel12:30 a.m. Lights out at Hotel

SUNDAY, March 269 a.m. Prayer9:30 a.m. General Session III10:30 a.m. Prepare for Mass11 a.m. Youth Witness Talks11:30 a.m. Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant)12:30 p.m. Pick Up Box Lunches to Go

(Schedule subject to change)

Plans are well underway for a trip to Conception Seminary beginning April 1-3 2017 (Encounter With God’s Call). A great weekend for all young men discerning a call to the priesthood to come and visit the seminary and listen to seminarians talk about life in the Seminary. For more information, please feel free to contact Fr. Patrick at pnwokoye@dioscg.org or call (573) 388-1833 or Fr. J. at jfriedel@dioscg.org or call (417) 866-0841 or register directly at www.ewgc.org.

Bishop Rice invites all young men to a

Discernment Weekend

April 1-3, 2017

Check out our Website at www.dioscg.orgFollow us on “Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG

CONSIDERING PRIESTHOOD?

10 The Mirror February 3, 2017DIOCESAN NEWS

SacredHeart of

Jesus & OurImmaculate

MotherSt. Mary Cathedral • 615 William St. • Cape Girardeau

April 28 & 29, 2017Fri., April 28, 5-9:30 p.m.

(Finger foods: Fri. 5-6 p.m.)Sat., April 29, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(Donuts: Sat. 7:30-8:15 a.m., Lunch: 11:30 a.m.)Mass times: Fri., 7:30 p.m., Sat., 7 a.m. & 4 p.m.

Free AdmissionAdoration • Confession • Relics • Rosary • Resources

Marian Conference

Presentations and Speakers“Answering Mary’s Call” with Fr. Chris Alar

“Bearing Witness to the Truth” with Deacon Patrick O’Toole“Men of Valor & the Rosary” with Mark Kiser“Getting Past the Rhetoric” with John Horvat

“Sacred Heart Greatest Gift, the Eucharist” with Gregory Thompson

KHJMCatholic radio for Southeast Missouri

89.1 FM

From Jackson to the Bootheel KHJM 89.1 FM brings the heart

of Catholic Radio to the area.

Heart of Jesusand Mary radio

Two place First in math and spelling contests

COUNTY CONTEST—Several fifth and eighth-graders from St. Teresa Catholic School, Glennonville, partici-pated in the Dunklin County Math & Spelling Contest re-cently held at Malden School. St. Teresa School is proud to boast two First place winners: Kate Wheeler won the Blue Ribbon in the seventh and eighth grade Math con-test and Marie Wheeler placed First in the fifth and sixth grade Math contest. Both received certificates and $100 gift cards for Walmart. Also pictured is Luke Weidenben-ner (center) who was a participant. (Submitted photo)

St Lawrence’s third annual Father-Daughter Danceat St. Lawrence Parish Hall, Feb. 25, 2017, 6-10 p.m.

Bring your Sweetheart(s) for a special night of dinner, dancing,

and fun.

Tickets are $25 for Father and up to two Princesses. $5 for each

additional Princess. Tickets available at St. Lawrence School

office or at the door. Call (417) 235-3721 for tickets or questions.

Featuring a Candy Table, Hot

Chocolate Bar, and DJ.

Sr. Blanca Rivera to celebrate 50th AnniversaryPoplar Bluff, MO

Bishop Edward M. Rice will cel-ebrate a liturgy Sun., Feb. 26, marking Sr. Blanca Rivera’s golden jubilee as a Poor Clair Missionary

Sister of the Blessed Sacrament.Mass will be at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Pop-

lar Bluff. A reception will follow in the school cafeteria. All are welcome!

Principal sought for two Joplin schoolsPrincipal opening at St. Peter Middle School/McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin, MO. Send resume with three professional references to Georgiana McGriff, Director, Joplin Area Catholic Schools: gmcgriff@jacss.org.

Elementary Principal, CarthagePrincipal opening at St. Ann Elementary School, Carthage, MO.Send resume with three professional references to: Fr. J. Friedel, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church 812 Pearl Ave., Joplin, MO 64801

Principal Opening, KelsoSt. Augustine School in Kelso, MO is accepting applications for School Principal for the 2017-18 School Year. Send resume to St. Augustine Church, PO Box 26, Kelso, MO 63758.

Elementary Principal, Cape GirardeauSt. Mary Cathedral School, Cape Girardeau, MO, seeks an elementary principal for the 2017-2018 school year. The school serves approximately 229 Pre-K to 8th grade students

with a staff of 24. This position is supervised by the pastor of the parish and the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. Send resume and cover letter to: Fr. Allan Saunders, Pastor, St. Mary Cathedral, 615 William Street, Cape Gi-rardeau, MO 63703.The application process is currently open and will continue until the position is filled.

Principal openings throughout the dioceseCommon Requirements: Active Catholic with a passion for Catholic education; Missouri (or other) educator certification; Master’s in Education Administration (or in progress), and administrative experience, especially in Catholic schools, preferred.

St. Francis Xavier SchoolDinner Dance

Auction

Sat., March 11Doors open at 5 p.m. • Dinner at 5:30 p.m.Silent Auction 5 p.m • Live Auction 7 p.m.

Auction tickets: $30 per person

Please contact school office for more information (573) 471-0841

February 3, 2017 The Mirror 11

Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral HomeLocally-owned & operated u Dedicated u Caring u Professional

Offices of the Catholic Cemeteries

Paul & Lynn WunderlichDavid Fenton • Louis Lohmeyer • Charlene Harris-Bengsch

Gene Lohmeyer • Mary Ann Johnston • Joel Champ

500 E. Walnut - Springfield, MO (417) 862-4433www.hhlohmeyer.com

PO Box 1332Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

(573) 335-6443

Columbia Construction Co.

DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING

Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc.Brentwood Chapel • University Chapel

Crematory • Columbarium

Licensed funeral directors of distinction:Bill M. Abbott W. Bruce Howell Marquis Howell, Jr.Robert Lohmeyer Harley R. WilliamsDon R. Lohmeyer Clint W. Mease‘Marquis Howell, Sr. Angela N. CollinsHeather K. Howell Winford R. Laster

Locally owned and operated for over 50 years

1947 E. SeminoleSpringfield MO 65804

(417) 886-9994 • fax (417) 886-9996, gormanscharpf@mchsi.com

Co-Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph, MO seeks a principal committed to Catholic Education with strong leadership, communication, and motivational skills. Co-Cathedral School is within a

vibrant parish community with growing enrollment serving K to 8th grade students with a staff of approximately 25. Co-Cathedral School is located in downtown St. Joseph, MO. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic, should have a master’s degree in education administration, teaching

experience, and preferably three years administrative experience.

This position leads school programs which ensure not only academic excel-lence, but also the spiritual, moral, physical, and emotional development of the school community. This person is supervised by the pastor of the parish and the assigned Superintendent of Schools.

Apply at the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph Website or use this link;

https://careers.hireology.com/ thecatholicdioceseofkansascitystjoseph/99103/description

First grade earns pizza & dress-down day

DECEMBER CHARITY—Fr. Justin Monaghan, pastor, treated the first grade class of St. Mary Catholic School, Joplin, to pizza and a dress down day. The class raised the most money in the school for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at $536.43. (Submitted photo)

12 The Mirror February 3, 2017ADULT FAITH

Why weMarch for Life

COMMUNITY IN MISSIONMsgr. Charles E. Pope

As we prepared for the March for Life Jan. 27, I was led to ponder some of the subtler psychological roots of abortion. Beyond the legal problems

and the moral issues such as unrestrained lust, greed, and selfishness, there are several other trends in our culture that should be recognized. They all tend to feed upon one another.

Addiction to comfortIn the modern Western world, we

have attained very “comfortable” lives. Our homes are heated and air-conditioned. We have clean running water; access to ad-vanced medical care; an abundant, diverse, and inexpensive food supply; and access to technological inventions that have removed much of the tedious work from our lives.

Aversion to discomfortAll of this has made us extremely

sensitive to the slightest discomfort; many are practically terrified of suffering. We react with great drama to the slightest inconve-nience. It can be something as minor as having to sit and wait because of a delayed flight, or a computer that is slow to bring up a web page. We also don’t like the discom-fort brought on by strong words or chal-lenging ideas. Many complain about what they term “micro-aggressions” and demand that colleges provide “safe spaces” to protect students from the “suffering.”

In an age of near addiction to comfort (and extreme aversion to discomfort), suf-fering is not only deemed meaningless, it has become the worst thing imaginable. St. Paul said that the cross is an absurdity to the world; that is surely evident today.

Ashamed of the CrossToday, it is not merely unbelievers

who shun the cross and reject its wisdom and power, it is also many Catholics, who should know better. Not only do we fear the slightest suffering ourselves, but we also are extremely hesitant to summon anyone else to carry a cross. Thus, many are embarrassed to defend the “hard” teachings of the faith because they might upset someone.

Almost everyone knows that Jesus commanded us to take up our cross and follow Him, and that we should help others to carry their crosses, but at the end of the day, we are too weak, fearful or ashamed to proclaim that the cross is the wisdom and power of God at work in hidden and often paradoxical ways. We have crosses displayed in our parishes and we sing about lifting high the cross, but we don’t really mean it. We are more often embarrassed by any prac-tical application of the command to carry the cross.

Our silence and shame as Christians has allowed our addiction to comfort to grow. Any form of self-denial or call to resist sinful and excessive attachments is consid-ered too hard and mean-spirited. Anyone who is challenged or made uncomfortable is now considered a victim who should be accorded sympathy and understanding.

Appalling solutionsAbsent any theology of the cross,

suffering loses its meaning. Serious suffer-ings so appall us that many actually suggest death as a remedy. Our culture of death increasingly proposes the killing (through abortion and euthanasia) of human be-ings as a solution to problems. Nowadays, people don’t have problems, they are the problem and their lives seem “meaningless” and worth ending. Eliminate the person and you eliminate the problem, or so the thinking goes. This is the culture of death, and it has happened on our watch, fellow Christians.

When we march, we are confronted by supporters of abortion who contend that abortion is a good thing if the baby might be deformed, raised in poverty, or endure difficult family or social situations. Death, the killing of the patient, is promoted as a kind of therapy—the strangest therapy of all! It is a horrifyingly twisted notion of compassion. Abortion advocates of this sort, claiming to “care” for the unborn child, actually lead them off to execution.

They also claim to care for the mother, who they think might suffer in some way if she gives birth to a child. But instead of really assisting her or offering to facilitate adoption, they lead her into a “clinic” to have an act of violence performed on her.

And thus the combination of our obsession with comfort and our fear of the cross ushers in the greatest cruelty of all. Perhaps no one has more effectively described the cruelty of abortion on every level than Fr. Paul Marx, who wrote the fol-lowing many years ago:

America has serious problems of poverty, discrimination, and homelessness. But no Americans are poorer, or more discriminated against, or more homeless than the aborted babies: nameless, helpless, defenseless, penni-less, naked, abandoned by their parents, forced out of their uterine homes, forsaken by society, stripped of all legal rights, labeled as sub-humans, denied baptism, denied the last rites, denied anesthesia, tortured, murdered, canni-balized for their organs, denied decent burials, cremated, or discarded with the trash, and then totally forgotten (Fr. Paul Marx, OSB, PhD).

This is why we must march. To those children who have suffered the supreme cost of our collective malaise, we must say, You are not forgotten. Our obsession with comfort, our fear of the cross, our darkened intellects, our hardened hearts, our lust and greed, have done this to you. Some of us have acknowledged our personal and collective sinfulness and commit to reminding this world that your lives mattered and that you are not forgotten. We will march for you this Friday and work daily until the time when we can look back and, with converted hearts, recognize the evil our age has wrought. ©TM

A priest of the Archdiocese of Washing-ton, Msgr. Pope is pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Church. Among his many ministries, he conducts a weekly Bible study at the White House.

PRO-LIFE WITNESS—Students from Notre Dame Regional High School traveled to Washington, DC, with Mrs. Christine Ostendorf, Junior Theology teacher and Pro-Life Club Advisor at the high school to attend the annual March for Life in our nation’s capital. Pictured are (front row) Leah Schnurbusch, Claire Morill, Alex Lovell, Kathleen Harold, Taylor Barnes, Shelby Westrich, Barb Tomaszewski, and Louisa Coell; (back row) Rachel Stovall, Grace Powderly, Addie Ziegler, Lauren Powderly, Anna Dittmer, Amanda Gosche, Anna Kate Kluep-pel, Aron Goldsmith, Dillon Landewee, Grant Beussink, and Evan Landewee. (Photo by Christine Ostendorf/The Mirror)

Pro-Life academic club March for LifeCape Girardeau

United States Vice President Mike Pence urged pro-lifers to win over hearts with gentleness and compas-sion at the 2017 March for Life on Jan. 27, 2017.

The 44th annual March for Life was held in Washington, DC, and several from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau witnessed to life. Southern Missouri pilgrims included high school students in Christine Ostendorf’s Junior Theology course at Notre Dame Regional High School (NDHS), Cape Girardeau. Ostendorf is also the Pro-Life Club Advisor.

“As a teacher, I want my students to not only know why we are pro-life as Catholics, but to live it throughout their lives,” Ostendorf said. “The march is the way to help them to know how to stand up for their beliefs, but also to help them grow in greater depth of these beliefs, to a point they can speak it to others.”

March for Life has been held every year since 1974 on or around the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that mandated legal abortion nationwide. The world’s largest annual pro-life rally, March for Life draws hundreds of thousands of attendees to the nation’s capital, primarily young people.

Often, our culture makes women feel as if they have to choose between killing their child or fulfilling the life of their dreams,” Ostendorf said. “I hope our Pro-Life movement can create a culture of life that supports women no matter their situation.”

“My favorite part about the trip was being able to speak up for the children who didn’t get a voice. Getting to see so many other people from around the country coming to support the cause inspired me to speak up even more,” said Leah Schnurbusch, a junior at NDHS. “I was also amazed on how much news coverage this year the march got, and how shocked some people were that we’ve been doing this for 44 years.”

“I want [women] to know how loved they are and how forgiving and merciful God is,” Ostendorf said. “Because pro-life isn’t all about saving babies, it is also about the mothers. Their lives have worth and dignity, too.”

“It was a life-changing experience for sure,” Schnurbusch said.

Besides Pence, other speakers at the event’s surrounding March for Life included Card. Timothy Dolan of New York, President Trump’s advisor Kellyanne Conway, members of Congress, and National Football League tight-end Benjamin Watson of the Baltimore Ravens. ©TM