NORMS FOR THE r Parish Pastoral Council DIOCESE OF

The

Mirr

rVo

l. LV

I, No

. 16

DIO

CE

SE

OF

SP

RIN

GF

IEL

D—

CA

PE

GIR

AR

DE

AU

, MIS

SO

UR

I No

vem

ber 2

7, 2

020

One

Chu

rch,

Eas

t to

Wes

t: Lo

ving

Jes

us, S

ervi

ng J

esus

, Sha

ring

Jesu

s

The next issue of The Mirror will be Dec. 11, 2020.Sign up to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format: Contact Debbie Thompson at (417) 866-0841, or Email: [email protected].

N O R M S F O R T H E

Parish Pastoral Council

PROMULGATION—Diocesan Vicar General Fr. Shoby Chettiyath, V.G. (right) joined Bp. Edward M. Rice at the signing of the “Decree Promulgating the Norms for the Parish Pastoral Council” on the altar of St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, during the celebration of the feast of diocesan co-patron and missionary pioneer St. Rose Philippine Duchesne on Nov. 18, 2020. Following the comprehensive process of consultation with all the priests of the diocese, Bp. Rice tasked the various directors at the chancery for a renewal of the norms in line with the pastoral needs and practices of the current day in order to move the Church of Southern Missouri away from its more “maintenance” mode of operation to a more “mission” mindset to better meet our diocesan goals of 1) Growing in Holiness; 2) Forming Intentional Disciples; and 3) being Sent to Witness. (Photo by Leslie Eidson/The Mirror)

2 The Mirror November 27, 2020

Are you a ‘pioneer’ missionary?COME, AND YOU WILL SEEBp. Edward M. Rice

COLUMN

In the Oct. 31 edition of The Mirror, we had a special spread on our co-patron, the pioneer missionary St. Rose Philippine

Duchesne. She met many obstacles in her quest to bring the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the New World.

Our world, our present culture, and parish life is not what it used to be. Beginning with Pope St. John XXIII and Pope St. Paul VI and the Second Vatican Council, we have been asked to look at the cultural changes and discover new ways to proclaim the Gospel. Pope St. John Paul II called us to a “New” evange-lization, offering the Gospel to those baptized but no longer disciples. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have continued their calls to dis-cipleship in our own (present) “New World.”

In the Apostolic Exhortation by Francis, “The Joy of the Gospel”

(“Evangelii Gaudium”), we are remind-ed “the joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.” Our parishes, our schools, our campus chapels, hospitals—all Catholic institutions and programs should be places of encounter with the person of Jesus.

For some time now the staff of The Catholic Center has been about the task of renewing the former Par-ish Council norms. In 1997, when Bp. John Leibrecht updated the norms, he was very forward-thinking when he noted that the members of the Parish Council are “the dream-ers” who dream of what the parish can be. He also noted that issues of bids for resurfacing the parking lot, for example, and tuck pointing, etc., is the responsibility of others, not the Parish Council.

With the updated “Norms for the Parish Pastoral Council,” we hope

to move the Church from “main-tenance mode to mission mode.” We want to overcome obstacles that hinder the sacramental growth of our parishes. Just as our priests have a “missionary spirit,” as many of them go from parish to parish on the weekend, so must all of us have that same spirit. We must overcome any obstacles we may have personally to living a fully Catholic life, and bring-ing others to the faith, so that our parishes can be places of encounter and welcome to a world so hungry for Christ. With a burning desire to bring the love of the Sacred Heart to others, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne overcame her own obstacles: dis-ease, family objections, war, famine, language, time, and travel—always moving forward. She is the perfect co-patron for our diocese as we now endeavor to do the same, without having to cross an ocean!

The new Parish Pastoral Coun-cil norms were promulgated on the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duch-esne, Nov. 18, 2020. They are also present for examination in this issue of the diocesan newspaper. If you’ve never thought of being on the Parish Pastoral Council, now is the time to discern the call. We’re looking for people who are ministry and mis-sion-minded, passionate for the faith. We have just filmed a video presenta-tion to help introduce and explain what the norms are all about that will accompany their distribution. The staff, if the pandemic allows us to do so, will be visiting the various Deanerys of the diocese in the spring to help better explain this shift in al-lowing our One Church, East to West to Grow in Holiness, form Intention-al Disciples, and be Sent to Witness. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us! ©TM

Advent prepares us for eternity LIVING THELITURGYFr. David J. Dohogne

watches the ball drop to “ring in” the new year, it evokes a sense of joy, hope, and excitement. May the Advent Wreath do that for us as Christians!

The purpose of Advent is not only to prepare us for Christmas, but more importantly to prepare us for eternity! The Scripture readings throughout the Advent Season invite us to do what John the Baptist did and the prophets of old—to prepare the world for Christ’s coming. Not His “first” coming, but His second Coming at the end of the ages. This is a very important “homework as-signment” that we each need to take seriously. During the Advent Season, we hear the call to be “spiritually awake” and not asleep, to prepare the way of the Lord, to live as children of light, to be ready and prepared at any moment for the Lord’s return.

May we grow in grace and nourish our souls with the spiritual fruit which God shares with us dur-ing these weeks of Advent. May the world look to us as Christians and as a “people of hope.” We have hope for a better year, a better world, and a better future because our hope is found in Jesus Christ! ©TM

Fr. Dohogne serves as the diocesan Director of Worship. He is also pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, in Sikeston, and St. Henry Parish, in Charleston.

‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year”! We have all heard these words many times as Christmas nears. As Catholics,

we refer to this “wonderful time of the year” as the Advent Season. For many people, it also becomes the “busiest” time of the year. As a result, it is very easy to put Advent on “the back burner” of our lives. During the holidays, the great battle begins between the “secular” and the “sa-cred.” Advent has always been seen as a season of “hope.” Our world

has been through a lot during this past year. In the midst of everything going on in 2020, our world needs “hope” now more than ever! As we enter the Advent Season on Nov. 29 this year, may we receive all that it has to offer us.

The Advent WreathOne of the beautiful symbols

of this holy season is the Advent Wreath found in our churches and oftentimes in our homes. The Advent Wreath is, in a sense, a visual “clock”

or “calen-dar” in our “countdown” to Christmas. As we see the candles lit each week, there is a sense of anticipation as Christmas draws near. The Advent Wreath might be compared to the crys-tal ball that is dropped every year in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. As the world

THE ADVENT WREATHOne of the beautiful Catholic traditions practiced in homes and churches during Advent, is the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath as we pray and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Four candles are inserted into the wreath, representing the four weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple symboliz-ing the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time. One candle is rose colored. It is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.

Families are encouraged to gather around the wreath each day of Advent, light the candles and spend time in prayer together.

November 27, 2020 The Mirror 3COLUMNA

Santa Rosa Filipina Duchesne, misionera pioneraVEN Y VERÁS

Obispo Edward M. Rice

December prayer intention:May our hearts be a new Bethlehem, prepared to receive the Christ Child.

En la edición del 31 de octubre de The Mirror, tuvimos una difusión especial sobre nuestra copatrona, la misionera pionera Santa Rosa

Filipina Duchesne. Ella encontró muchos obstáculos en su búsqueda para traer el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús al Nuevo Mundo.

Nuestro mundo, nuestra cultura ac-tual y la vida parroquial no es lo que solía ser. Comenzando por el Papa San Juan XXIII y el Papa San Pablo VI y el Concilio Vaticano II, se nos ha pedido que exam-inemos los cambios culturales y descu-bramos nuevas formas de proclamar el Evangelio. El Papa San Juan Pablo II nos llamó a una «nueva» evangelización, ofre-ciendo el Evangelio a los bautizados pero ya no discípulos. El Papa Benedicto XVI y el Papa Francisco han continuado sus llamamientos al discipulado en nuestro propio (presente) «Nuevo Mundo».

En la Exhortación Apostólica de Francisco, «La alegría del Evangelio» (Evangelii gaudium), se nos recuerda «la alegría del Evangelio llena el corazón y

la vida entera de los que se encuentran con Jesús». Nuestras parroquias, nuestras escuelas, nuestras capillas universitar-ias, hospitales, todas las instituciones y programas católicos deben ser lugares de encuentro con la persona de Jesús.

Desde hace algún tiempo, el per-sonal del Centro Católico se ha ocupado de la tarea de renovar las antiguas normas del Consejo Parroquial. En 1997, cuando el Obispo John Leibrecht actualizó las normas, fue muy progresista cuando observó que los miembros del Consejo Parroquial son «los soñadores» que sue-ñan con lo que puede ser la parroquia. También señaló que los problemas de las ofertas para volver a revestir el estaciona-miento, por ejemplo, otros problemitas de albañilería, etc., es responsabilidad de otros, no del Consejo Parroquial.

Con las «Normas para el Consejo Pastoral Parroquial» actualizadas, espera-mos pasar de «modo de mantenimiento a modo de misión». Queremos avanzar, superando los obstáculos que impiden el crecimiento sacramental de nuestras

parroquias. Así como nuestros sacerdotes tienen un «espíritu misionero», ya que muchos de ellos van de parroquia en parroquia el fin de semana, también todos nosotros debemos tener ese mismo espíritu. Debemos superar cualquier obstáculo que podamos tener personal-mente para vivir una vida plenamente católica, y llevar a otros a la fe, para que nuestras parroquias puedan ser lugares de encuentro y bienvenida a un mundo tan hambriento de Cristo. Con el deseo ardi-ente de llevar a otros el amor del Sagrado Corazón, Santa Rosa Filipina Duchesne superó sus propios obstáculos: enferme-dad, objeciones familiares, guerra, ham-bre, lenguaje, tiempo y viajes, siempre avanzando. Ella es la patrona perfecta para nuestra diócesis, ya que ahora nos esforzamos por hacer lo mismo, ¡sin tener que cruzar un océano!

Las nuevas normas para el Consejo Pastoral Parroquial fueron promulgadas en la Fiesta de Santa Rosa Filipina Duch-esne, el 18 de noviembre de 2020. Tam-bién están presentes para su examen en

este número del periódico diocesano. Si nunca has pensado en estar en el Consejo Pastoral Parroquial, ahora es el momento de discernir el llamado. Estamos bus-cando personas que tengan ministerio y una mentalidad misionera, que sean apasionadas por la fe. Acabamos de filmar una presentación en video para ayudar a presentar y explicar de qué se trata la nor-mativa que acompañará a su distribución. El personal, si la pandemia nos permite hacerlo, visitará los diversos Decanatos de la diócesis en primavera para ayudar a explicar mejor este cambio al permitir que nuestra Iglesia Una, de este a oeste, crezca en santidad, forme discípulos intencionales y sea enviada a dar testimo-nio. Santa Rosa Filipina Duchesne, ¡ruega por nosotros! ©TM

Diocesan Administration Springfield

This year, 2020, marks the fifth year of collections on pledges made to the 2015 diocesan Capital Endowment Campaign

– “One Church East to West: Grate-ful for Our Past … Preparing for Our Future” – to benefit three specific areas identified as having a primary need for endowed funds support: Vocations and Seminarians, Youth Formation, and the retirement fund for diocesan priests or the Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society (PMBS).

Launched in hopes of raising $15 million, the Capital Campaign has gen-erated $26,087,112 in pledges. Of that total, $2.55 million was designated by donors for the four parishes that par-ticipated in a combined campaign to also realize local endeavors. Those were St. Eustachius Parish, Portageville; St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Freder-icktown; St. Joseph Parish, Springfield, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield. The remaining $23,537,112 was divided among the three endow-ments per donor request. As of Sept. 30, 2020, the collection rate on those pledges is 87 percent. The anticipated December 2020 pledge payments will bring that percentage rate even higher. June 30, 2021, is the scheduled end of the Capital Campaign, although payments will continue to be made on pledges after that date.

At Sept. 30, 2020, the three endowment funds have a combined total of $17,912,338 in invested pledge

payments. Add to that the invest-ment earnings, brings the market value of the funds to $20,174,964. The expectation is to add approximately $2,500,000 to the funds by the end of the campaign.

The endowments have begun to meet the needs that were identified five years ago:

Vocations & SeminariansThe diocesan Office of Vocations

and Seminarians has received $295,000 of accumulated earnings to help pay the education costs for the current 11 seminarians in discernment for the diocese. Those distributions, along with the annual Christmas Collection, meet most of the educational expenses for the seminarians. The Sept. 30, 2020, market value of the Vocations Endow-ment was $6,218,408.

Youth FormationOver the last four years, the Dioc-

esan Youth Endowment has provided $240,897 to assist with registrations for the annual Diocesan Youth Con-ference; summer Steubenville Mid-America Youth Conferences, and local retreats, in addition to materials for parish youth groups and other covered needs. A committee meets annually to discuss funding requests and allocate earnings to various events and identi-fied requisites. Market value of the Youth Endowment at Sept. 30, 2020, was $6,230,795.

Retired priestsMarket value for the Priests’

Mutual Benefit Fund was $6,535,424 at Sept. 30, 2020. It is anticipated that earnings distributions will be necessary soon, as more of the diocesan clergy transition into retirement. Currently there are 20 retired diocesan priests who either live independently or are in skilled-nursing facilities. The endow-ment funds help provide for the long-term financial stability of the PMBS.

“In full disclosure, approximately 7 percent of pledges were written off as uncollectible, and there will prob-ably be a few more by the time the campaign is complete,” said Janet L. Smith, diocesan Director of Finance and Chancellor. “That percentage is low compared to other pledge drives undertaken across the country. The people of the diocese honor their financial commitments, for which the diocese is very grateful.”

Expenses related to the adminis-tration of the Capital Campaign from the beginning are $891,325, or 3.4 per-cent of the total, also a very low figure on a comparative basis.

“Much credit for the success of this campaign goes to Dr. Gene Aug, retired diocesan Director of Devel-opment and Properties,” said Doug Kissinger, Aug’s replacement as of July 1, 2020, as diocesan Director of

Development and Properties.“We owe Gene Aug a debt of

gratitude for the Capital Campaign,” Bp. Edward Rice said. “He put together a great team and strategy that led to our successful results.”

This is the first-ever diocesan-wide Capital Endowment Campaign conducted in the 64-year history of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Gi-rardeau. The needs were determined by a committee of diocesan leaders, clergy, and lay people.

“I continue to be impressed with the generosity of the Catholic people in southern Missouri,” said Bp. Rice. “They have met the challenge and ensured the long-term stability of these three ministries. I feel very blessed to serve as Bishop, and am so very grateful.”

The end of the Capital Cam-paign also brings with it the end of the diocesan moratorium on parish capital campaigns. Presently, the diocese will consider any construction project or capital campaign on a case-by-case ba-sis. That practice will continue for the foreseeable future because the current pandemic has impacted Mass atten-dance and parish contributions have been affected.

“Each capital campaign should have the full participation of parish-ioners, and so we continue to pray for an end to the virus,” Kissinger said.

“The diocese is blessed by the support and generosity of the people of each parish and mission,” said Bp. Rice. “Thank you and God bless you!” ©TM

People of the diocese ensured success of Capital Campaign


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: Debbie Thompson, [email protected]

Published every other week at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143. Address all communications to 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143; Telephone (417) 866-0841; Email [email protected]

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. LVI No. 16 November 27, 2020 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 [email protected] © 2020, The Mirror, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org

“Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG

FORMACIÓN PARA ADULTOS/NOTICIAS DIOCESANAS

Por David Gibson

Los largos meses de la feroz pan-demia de COVID-19 precedi-eron a la llegada del tiempo de Adviento de este año que

condujo a la Navidad. Ni el Adviento ni la Navidad en 2020 escaparán a la sombra de la pandemia.

Pero el Adviento es un tiempo para la conversión, un período espe-ranzador y con visión de futuro que mantiene el crecimiento espiritual, y un anhelo por Cristo, en lo alto de su mente. Este tiempo pregunta dónde se encuentra Dios.

¿Estaba Dios presente a pesar de los estragos de la pandemia? Implicaba un dolor real y resultó sorprendentemente pertur-bador. Sin embargo, muchos atesti-guan que los desarrollos semejantes a Dios han ocurrido en todo tipo de hogares y comunidades durante este tiempo.

La conversión durante el Adviento es, en particular, «una cuestión de convertir nuestra idea de Dios», dijo el Papa Francisco el 15 de diciembre de 2019. Es un momento «para acoger no a un personaje de cuento de hadas, sino al Dios que nos llama, que nos implica y ante el que se impone una elección».

¿Cómo podría necesitar crecer la idea de Dios en una persona? Un discurso pronunciado por el Papa Francisco en diciembre de 2018 describió varias maneras en que la idea de Dios va mal:

«La Biblia y la historia de la Iglesia nos enseñan que muchas veces, incluso los elegidos, andando en el camino, empiezan a pensar, a creerse y a comportarse como dueños de la salvación y no como beneficiarios», explicó el Papa Francisco. Él advirtió:

«Para el cristiano… no significa comportarnos como un grupo de personas privilegiadas que creen que tienen a Dios en el bolsillo, sino como personas que saben que son amadas por el Señor», a pesar de sus imperfecciones.

Claramente, los eventos pertur-badores en nuestro mundo circun-dante pueden sacudirnos y dejarnos preguntando una vez más quién es Dios para nosotros o, más simple-mente, cómo la vida de repente podría volverse dolorosamente frustrante y confusa. ¿La pandemia

de 2020 ha sido un evento de este tipo?

Segundo domingo de Adviento, 6 de diciembre

Al principio de la historia cristiana un tipo diferente de even-to —pero también un evento que proviene del mundo inmediato de los primeros cristianos—, sacudió a los creyentes y les dejó preguntándose si habían malinterpretado una promesa de Dios. Nos enteramos de esto en el segundo domingo de Adviento en 2020.

Una lectura de ese domingo de la Segunda Carta de Pedro (3,8-14) describe un gran problema que surgió en ese momento y que finalmente impulsó a muchos a reorientar su comprensión de Dios. El tema invo-lucraba la segunda venida de Cristo en gloria al final de los tiempos, que es un tema clave de Adviento hoy.

Muchos primeros cristianos aparentemente esperaban que la segunda venida de Cristo ocurriera rápidamente. Pero, con el tiempo, los padres y abuelos murieron, y algunos cristianos comenzaron a preguntarse si Dios había retrasado la promesa de la segunda venida.

Como era de esperar, había burladores que comenzaron a sugerir no sólo que Dios había retrasado la segunda venida, sino que podría no haber ninguna segunda venida en

2ª semana de Adviento:Dónde encontrar a Dios: Conversión de Adviento en 2020

absoluto. Algunos insinuaron que Dios ya no estaba íntimamente invo-lucrado con la vida de este mundo, según una nota en la Nueva Biblia Americana.

Pero la promesa de Dios per-maneció, afirmó la Segunda Carta de Pedro. Aconsejó a la comunidad cristiana que «para el Señor, un día es como mil años y mil años, como un día». Además, «no es que el Señor se tarde, como algunos suponen, en cumplir su promesa, sino que les tiene a ustedes mu-cha paciencia» 3,8-9).

Fue un momento perturbador en el tiempo entre los primeros cristianos. Parece, sin embargo, que la conversión y la fe renovada siguieron en su estela, ya que el autor de Segundo Pedro instó a los cristianos a volverse a preguntar «qué clase de personas» deberían ser y a centrar sus energías en conducirse “en santidad y devoción” (3,11).

Para escuchar la voz de Dios, los cristianos oran, reflexionan, partici-pan en la adoración o consultan las Escrituras y la comunidad de fe, por ejemplo. Pero, ¿no puede un Señor encarnado hablar también dentro del mundo y a través de sus eventos continuos?

¿Ocurrió esto para la antigua comunidad cristiana o con la pandemia de hoy en 2020? ¿Se encuentra y se escucha a Dios en el contexto de eventos actuales perturbadores?

La pandemia amenazó y cambió vidas humanas. Lo hizo de maneras que se han sentido dolorosas. Sin embargo, de alguna manera también se dejaron abiertas las puertas para obtener buenos resultados.

El sufrimiento no fue ajeno a la pandemia. Pero los métodos virtuales en línea que surgieron para satisfacer las demandas de trabajos, trabajos escolares o compras esenciales con frecuencia produjeron sorprendentes recompensas humanas.

Luego estaba el simple hecho de que muchos ahora pasaban mucho más tiempo en casa en compañía de miembros de la familia o amigos. ¿Cuántos de ellos descubrieron durante este tiempo que estaban desarrollando una apreciación renovada de los demás y de sus relaciones?

La pandemia «nos ha per-mitido, quizás por primera vez en nuestras vidas, reconocer la relación profundamente interconectada de todos los seres vivos y la necesidad urgente de que nos arrepintamos y cambiemos nuestras vidas», ob-servaba el fraile franciscano Padre

Michael Perry, un sacerdote estadounidense que es ministro general de la Orden de Frailes Menores, en una homilía reciente en Asís, Italia.

«El llamado al arrepentimiento, la conversión, para abrir nuestras mentes, corazones y vidas a una nueva forma de vivir juntos en este planeta es más urgente ahora que en cualquier otro momento de la historia humana», dijo.

Los cristianos están llamados, enfatizó el Padre

Perry, «a buscar el camino de regreso hacia Dios, hacia los demás, hacia nosotros mismos y hacia la creación». ©CNS

Gibson sirvió en el equipo editorial del Catholic News Service durante 37 años.

¿No puede un Señor encarnado hablar dentro del mundo y a través de sus eventos continuos?

SEGUNDA SEMANA DE ADVIENTO—CONVERSIÓN: Dos niñas que usan máscaras faciales rezan durante la misa. Ni el Adviento ni la Navidad en 2020 escaparán a la sombra de la pandemia. Pero el Adviento es un tiempo para la conversión, un período esperanzador y con visión de futuro que man-tiene el crecimiento espiritual en mente. (Foto CNS/Chaz Muth)

November 27, 2020 The Mirror 5NORMS FOR THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

T H E R O M A N C A T H O L I C D I O C E S E O F S P R I N G F I E L D - C A P E G I R A R D E A U

6 The Mirror November 27, 2020NORMS FOR THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL














































November 27, 2020 The Mirror 29

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.

would make great Christmas gifts. Proceeds to benefit local charities. For more informa-tion, please contact the parish office, (417) 326-5596.

Jackson—Homeschoolers, new and old, of all grade levels, are invited to partici-pate in the Holy Family Catholic Homeschool Co-op. We aim to support one another in our homeschooling through social, spiritual, and academic meet-ups and field trips. For more information, call Sarah at (573) 529-0722, or Email [email protected].

Joplin—An area Communal Penance Service will be held Wed., Dec. 9, 2020, 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish located at 3035 S. Central City Rd. Participants should wear masks, with social distancing in the pews. After a short Penance Service and weather permitting, individuals will move outdoors for Confessions. An inside option will be available for those with mobility is-sues. For more information, please contact St. Mary Catholic Church (417) 623-3333, or via Email, [email protected].

Scott City—Knights of Columbus Council #6420 will have its next Third Sun-day Breakfast on Dec. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Springfield—Perpetual Adoration at Holy Trinity Parish takes place weekdays from 1p.m.-5 p.m. in the church. Please observe masking and social distancing requirements. For more information or to sign up, please call Nicola Mullins at (417) 300-0840. If you are unable to attend, con-sider making a donation to keep our candles burning bright.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to the current health concerns, we continue to have an Online option so that training may be done safely in the home. We are also re-introducing “in-person” training options.

Thu., Nov. 12 5:30-8:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Nov. 14 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldFri., Dec. 4 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, Springfield

If you are a new registrant please go to www.virtus.org and click on “first time registrant” on the left, and follow the prompts to register for an Online training. Instructions for the registration process can also be found on the Child and Youth Protection Page of the diocesan Website.

http://dioscg.org/wp-content/uploads/ How-to-Register-for-a-VIRTUS-AfterOnline-Option-1.pdf

For more information, please contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection, [email protected]; or Bill Holtmeyer, [email protected]; or Rosie Francka [email protected], (417) 866-0841.

All live VIRTUS sessions have been canceled for the remainder of the year.

Diocesan Masses for the Legal Protection of Unborn ChildrenTue., Jan. 19, 2021

The 48th Anniversary of Roe v WadeCathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation

Bishop Edward M. Rice, Celebrant. 5:15 p.m., Mass and Rosary

Fri., Jan. 22, 2021The 48th Anniversary of Roe v Wade

St. Agnes Cathedral, Bishop Edward M. Rice, Celebrant5:30 p.m., Mass and Rosary, followed by a reception

(COVID restrictions permitting)

Both Masses will be Live-streamed and can be viewed on the diocesan Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofSpringfieldCapeGirardeau

K232FF 94.3 94.3 FMFM Cape Girardeau

KHJM 89.1 89.1 FMFM Dexter & the Bootheel

KFSS 94.5 94.5 FMFM Joplin

KQOH 91.9 91.9 FMFM Springfield

Tune in to local Catholic Radio around the Diocese

Tune-in: Learn, Live, Grow, Be Inspired

Belleville, IL—The 51st annual Way of the Lights Christmas Display at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2020, is located at 442 South DeMazenod Dr. For additional infor-mation, please contact the Shrine at (618) 397-6700 or visit snows.org/wayoflights.

Diocese-wide—The American Red Cross urges healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets and help en-sure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets, or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Federicktown—CANCELED: UPCOM-ING WOMEN’S CURSILLO ENCOUNTER. Rick Horrell, Lay Director for Cursillo of Southern Missouri, recently notified the diocese of its difficult decision to cancel the Women’s Cur-sillo weekend scheduled for Dec. 3-6, 2020, at Pinecrest Camp and Conference Center in Fredericktown.

Nixa—The Knights of Columbus will hold a “Drive-By-Fish Fry” Fri., Dec. 11, from 4:30-7 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish located at 844 S Gregg Rd. Take-out only: Fried fish, fries, hush puppies, and cookie served in a take-box for $10. For ques-tions or to pre-order, contact Carl (417) 725-9444.

Bolivar—Sacred Heart Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) is facilitating a fund-raiser with 10 themed baskets that


Congratulations on these Decemberordination anniversaries

From a grateful Church:Thank you from all the people whose lives you have touched!

PriestsRev. Phong Cao (Peter Phong) Vo, Dec. 10, 32 yrs.Rev. Andrew R. Williams, Dec. 14, 2 yrs.Rev. James J. Unterreiner, Dec. 18, 50 yrs.Rev. Jeffery Jambon, LC, Dec. 22, 19 yrs.Rev. John (J.) Friedel, Dec. 27, 34 yrs.Rev. Leo Arockiasamy, HGN, Dec. 27, 13 yrs.Rev. Bibin Mathew, CMF, Dec. 29, 6 yrs.The Most Rev. John Leibrecht, Episcopal Consecration,

Dec. 12, 36 yrs.

DeaconDeacon James Soptick, Dec. 8, 8 yrs.

DIOCESAN NEWS

For more information, or to apply to be a Missionary, visit the Totus Tuus page at: dioscg.org/totustuus/ or scan ➠or contact the Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Youth Formation, Lynn Melendez, Director(417) 866-0841 // [email protected] to apply is March 8, 2021

What is Totus Tuus?Totus Tuus (Totally Yours) is a summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith. Missionary teams built of young college age adults, will travel to various parishes throughout the summer and lead a week filled with music, prayer, cat-echetical lessons, games, skits, and more.

We are now hiring young dynamic Catholic adults (ages 18-25) who are ready to share their love for Jesus and his Church with the youth of our diocese! Applicants must have an authentic faith and be actively liv-ing the teachings of the Catholic Church. We prefer one year of college or work experience, but are willing to consider mature graduating high school seniors. No major or area of study is required. This is a great sum-mer job experience for anyone who wants to work in ministry, educa-tion or with children in any setting. Please share with all of those college students coming home for the holidays!

Become a Totus Tuus Missionary!

Totus Tuus(Totally Yours)

Summer Youth ProgramJune 5 - July 23, 2021

Sr. Payne

Sr. Diane Marie Payne, OSU, dies at age 75Maple Mount, KY

Sister Diane Marie Payne, 75, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Thu., Nov. 19,

2020, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 56th year of religious life. She was a native of Glennonville, MO.

Sister Diane Marie loved to put a smile on the face of all those she met, and to share her life de-voted to Christ. She was a teacher, a parish minister, and a volunteer in Kentucky and Alabama. She was involved in numerous internal

ministries at the motherhouse, with her most recent being a mail deliverer.

Survivors include the members of her religious community and a godson, Mark Weidenbenner.

In compliance with health and public safety directives the wake service held Nov. 22 and the fu-neral Mass on Mon., Nov. 23, 2020, were private.

Donations in mem-ory of Sr. Payne may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Rd., Maple Mount, KY 42356. ©TM

St. Louis

Ursuline Sr. Marianne Mul-len, OSU, died peacefully on Nov. 13, 2020, at St. Andrew’s at Francis Place in

Eureka, MO. She was age 86. Sister Mullen served many years in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Also known as Sr. Marie Michelle, she was born July 3, 1934, in St. Louis to Walter J. and Lillian Kramer Mullen. A graduate of Ursuline Acad-emy in Kirkwood, MO, she entered the Ursuline Sisters, contemplatives in ministry, in 1956 and professed her vows in 1958.

Sister Mullen earned a bache-lor’s degree in math from the College of New Rochelle in New York, a mas-ter’s degree in math from St. Louis University, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola Univer-sity in New Orleans.

An educator for more than 45 years, Sr. Mullen began her teaching career in Illinois, first at St. Ber-nard School in Alton from 1962-63 and then at Ursuline Academy in Springfield from 1963-66. She taught at Corpus Christi High School in Jennings, MO, from 1966-72 and Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood from 1972-74. She was principal of three Ursuline schools: O’Connell High School in Galveston, TX, from 1974-77; Ursuline Academy in San Anto-nio, TX, from 1978-82, and Ursuline Academy in Springfield, IL, from 1985-86.

She also served in campus ministry, taught adult basic educa-tion, was director of vocations for the Central Province, and held many leadership positions in local Ursuline communities.

In the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, she taught adult basic education at Three Rivers Col-lege in Malden, MO, from 1989-94, and ministry with Hispanics in St.

Eustachius Parish, Portageville, MO, from 1998-2000. After serving in an adult basic education ministry in New Orleans, in 2011 she returned to the southeast Missouri area she loved, serving others in whatever way was needed for the next five years.

Sister Mullen wrote in The Mirror in 2013:

“A strong desire and decision to leave high school teaching and administration to minister in another form of secondary education first brought me to this region of Missouri in 1989. This jour-ney also brought me 11 years of rewards, challenges, and

happiness while helping many adults re-alize a long-awaited dream—completion of their high school education through the GED program at the Bootheel Edu-cation Center in Malden, MO.

“Twenty-two years later I was drawn back to southeast Missouri, join-ing two other Ursuline Sisters in Cape Girardeau. My hair is now white, my gait is slower, but my desire to be with the people of this area continues to grow. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a women’s prayer group through St. Vincent de Paul Parish and to be invited to help develop a new program, “Transition into Transformation,” at Love in the Name of Christ, a Christian agency assisting those in need.

“Being a people person, I appreci-ate the many opportunities for interact-ing with others—whether that is in a water aerobics class or through visiting with the residents of the physical reha-bilitation unit at a local nursing home. It is my hope that my presence in south-east Missouri will make a difference in people’s lives. I know it has made a difference in mine.”

Sister Mullen was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Mullen; and a sister, Kathleen Si-morka. She is survived by a brother, Jerry Mullen.

A graveside prayer service was held Nov. 20 at St. Peter Cemetery in Kirkwood, MO. ©TM

Sr. Marianne Mullen, OSU, dies at age 86

Sr. Mullen

November 27, 2020 The Mirror 31SCRIPTURE READINGS/ADVERTISING

preparation we may be tempted to discouragement. But God’s word reaches into our lives again to renew us with Advent hope and joy.

We are called, once again, into the great mystery of God’s Incarna-tion in human history with its divine promise of healing and transfor-mation in God. If we have lagged behind, we can still begin our Advent preparations believing that God’s word fills us with Advent gratitude to say confidently, “speak to me, Lord.”

Reflection Question:For what and how will I express

my gratitude to God this Advent? ©CNS

Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

Sunday Scripture reading, Dec. 13, 2020: Third Sunday of Advent

‘My soul rejoices’By Jem Sullivan

1) Is 61:1-2, 10-11Responsorial psalm:

Lk 1:46-50, 53-542) 1 Thes 5:16-24Gospel Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

On this Third Sunday of Ad-vent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, the church invites us to recover a spirit

of gratitude, expressed in love of those in need and those close to us.

As this unprecedented year ends, God’s word reminds us to be thankful for the gift of faith that sus-tains us through the uncertainties of

this time. To renew in us an Advent spirit of gratitude there are many examples of those who persevere through suffering in body, mind, and spirit during this challenging year.

Take Anthony, a 93-year-old World War II Navy veteran from New York, who contracted the virus in the early months of the pandemic. At his age, the chances of recovery were slim yet his eight children insisted on home care so he would not suffer or die alone in a hospital. Two of his daughters took care of him, day and night, and were eventually infected with the virus.

Gradually Anthony recovered as he was strengthened by his family. He expressed his gratitude to God when he said, “God has always been good to me … and my daughters were right there the whole time tak-ing such good care of me. They were angels looking out for me.”

In the Gospel, John the Bap-tist, the Advent saint, says he is “the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.” All that we have comes from the lov-ing hand of God, and if we ponder carefully there is no limit to what we could be grateful to God for. Precisely in this tumultuous year we see how

God’s constant love, unrelenting mercy, and providential care makes straight the crooked paths of human existence.

This Sunday’s responsorial psalm is taken from Mary’s hymn of praise, known as the Magnificat. We hear Mary, exultant in grateful prayer, teaching us how to pray with a heart of thanksgiving to God. We join in Mary’s prayer saying, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

We take to heart the words of Isaiah who says, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul,” and St. Paul’s encourage-ment to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: Rejoice!”

It’s not too late to begin the spiritual journey of Advent. Offering to God a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the minor and major gifts of life is one way to get back on the spiritual track you may have hoped to travel this Advent.

As the hectic pace of the season leaves little time for prayer and spiritual

Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. & Wed. 7 p.m.Closed Sunday & Monday

210-J West Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65807 | Phone: (417) 831-4630, (800) 365-5170Email: [email protected] | www.desalescatholicbookstore.com

Your LOCAL source for all things Catholic!

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

Offices of the Catholic CemeteriesPaul & Lynn Wunderlich

Tom Smith • Kent Franklin • Maddy DavisBuddy Pilmore • Charlene Harris-Bengsch

Chuck Wooten • Harold Futrell500 E. Walnut - Springfield, MO (417) 862-4433

www.hhlohmeyer.com

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

Licensed funeral directors of distinction:W. Bruce Howell

1947 E. Seminole, Springfield MO 65804(417) 886-9994 • fax (417) 886-9996, [email protected]

Heather K. Howell Robert J. Lohmeyer Angela N. CollinsHarley R. WilliamsAndy D. VowellBarbara A. Hinds

Clint W. MeaseDon R. LohmeyerNichole E. BauerRussell C. AllenAvery A. WeeksDulci M. Lane

Locally owned and operated for over 50 years

CCOONNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIVVEE

M O N KM O N KCistercian

A small, self-supporting community in the Ozark

foothills of Missouri. Available for retreats and periods of discernment.

Assumption Abbey RR 5 Box 1056, Ava, MO

65608 (417) 683-5110www.assumptionabbey.org [email protected]

32 The Mirror November 27, 2020DIOCESAN NEWS/SCRIPTURE READINGS

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaugratefully acknowledges the

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY of

Fr. Jim UnterreinerOrdained to the priesthood Dec. 18, 1970

in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican CityRetired July 1, 2020

Parishes & missions served: St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield; Immaculate Conception, Springfield; St. Canera, Neosho;St. Mary, Seneca; Nativity of Our Lord, Noel; Ste. Marie du Lac, Ironton; Our Lady of Sorrows, Lesterville; St. Philip Benizi, Viburnum (closed)

temple-building plans without fur-ther discussion.

We all have moments when what seemed like the most reason-able, good, even obvious course of action turns out not to be what God has in mind for us.

Often the way this becomes apparent is that our efforts fail. (Wouldn’t it be easier, we might wonder, if we had a prophet-coun-selor to let us know ahead of time?)

In our disappointment, we might think of David. God had intentions for David that surpassed David’s own.

However God is working in our lives, he is aiming at things that are much better than anything we could come up with on our own. So we can seek his will, trusting in his wisdom. ©CNS

Perrotta is the editor and an author of the Six Weeks With the Bible series, teaches part-time at Siena Heights University, and leads Holy Land pilgrim-ages. He lives in Ann Arbor, MI.

Sunday Scripture reading, Dec. 20, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Better than you thoughtI’m making some of this up,

but it must have been a tense mo-ment for Nathan.

Anyway, next morning, Na-than, with egg on his face, goes back to David. This time he has a mes-sage from God. “Don’t you build me a ‘house’ (a temple),” God says to David. “Instead, I’m going to build you a ‘house’ (a lineage, descendants on the throne).” Nathan spells out what God is planning for David’s descendants.

The king is floored. The next scene finds him taking some private prayer time. “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far? And yet even this is too little in your sight, Lord God! For you have made a promise regarding your servant’s house reaching into the future, and giving guidance to the people, Lord God! What more can David say to you?” (see 2 Sm 7:18-20).

David is so overwhelmed at what God has done and is going to do for him that he shelves his

By Kevin Perrotta

1) 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 292) Rom 16:25-27Gospel: Lk 1:26-38

The characters in our first reading today have a surprise encounter—you could almost say collision—with God.

David, at the peak of his

powers as king in Jerusalem, tells his prophet-counselor Nathan that he has decided to build a temple for God. To the Very Reverend Prophet Nathan, that sounds like a no-brain-er. “Great idea, David! Go for it!”

That night, however, God wakes Nathan up. “Hey, prophet, aren’t you supposed to be my spokesman?”

“Yeah?” Nathan answers cautiously.

“So how come you didn’t ask me what I thought about David’s plan?”

“Because I assumed I knew what you’d say?”

“Well, if people could just assume they know my wishes, there wouldn’t be any need for prophets, would there?”

Thank you for your many years

of dedicatedservice to the

Churchand her people

Documents

NORMS FOR THE r Parish Pastoral Council DIOCESE OF