Times that try our souls Official appointments Page 2 Diocesan wedding policy Page 4 Bishop McKnight offers a remedy for the “strident, Tolton Catholic president Page 7 rancorous discord” that is damaging the Church and HALO at I C J C School Page 10 society and endangering the Fr Dennis Meyer jubilee Page 11 salvation of souls. Page 3 The MCC Messenger Page 13-16 October 2, 2020 • Vol. 64 No. 7 Newspaper of the Diocese of Jefferson City 5 deacons tapped to intensify marriage ministry See Official Decree on Page 2 and related article on Page 4 By Jay Nies The two shall become one flesh, and the Church will help them grow in uni- ty and holiness for the rest of their lives. Each Catholic family will see itself as both a reflection and an integral part of the Church and her mission. That is Bishop W. Shawn Mc- Knight’s goal in intensifying ministry to married couples and those who are about to be married. “The marriage bond is a unique and exclusive relationship between hus- band and wife for the sanctification of the couple and for the procreation and Christ-centered nurturing of children in a family,” Bishop McKnight stated. “Marital love is at the service of the couple, the children, the community and the world.” Toward that end, the bishop has ap- pointed five deacons to coordinate and facilitate aspects of marriage ministry throughout the diocese. For the next three years, they will help parishes promote sacramental marriage as a calling from God, worthy Doves and interlocking wedding bands symbolizing the sacrament of marriage are depicted in a stained-glass of meaningful preparation and lifelong window. — CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz accompaniment by the entire parish. Deacon Burdett Wilson of St. Jo- seph Parish in Salisbury and St. Mary Opening rally participants in Columbia pray for, of the Angels Parish in Wien will serve as the diocese’s parish outreach coordi- count on miracles during 40 Days for Life nator for marriage preparation. He and his wife, Joyce, will lead par- By Jay Nies ly, nationally-observed period of prayer and fasting includes ishes in the training and implementa- “Missouri has such a story to tell, and you’re all part of it.” peaceful vigils from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day on the sidewalk tion of a soon-to-be released diocesan Kathy Forck spoke to about 60 people wearing face- outside Planned Parenthood, 711 N. Providence Road. policy for ongoing marriage prepara- masks and holding signs and candles on the sidewalk outside Abortions are no longer performed at the Columbia loca- tion. Planned Parenthood in Columbia. tion, but women seeking abortions are given referrals there. Deacon Stephan J. Kliethermes of It was the opening rally and prayer service for the 40 Days “As you know, when we first started praying here 11 St. Martin Parish in St. Martins will for Life Fall Campaign. years ago, there were approximately 11,000 babies who were “Your prayers, your sacrifices, your fasting, your wonder- aborted in our state,” said Mrs. Forck. See MARRIAGE, page 17 ful work — it’s making a huge difference,” said Mrs. Forck, About 800 of the abortions that year took place at the co-director of Columbia 40 Days for Life. Columbia Planned Parenthood, “the one we are praying so “This is hallowed ground that has been blessed and blessed fervently will close,” she said. Find us online at and blessed by you and many priests and pastors that have The total number of documented abortions in Missouri WWW.CATHMO.COM come here, and God is protecting each and every one of us,” dropped to fewer than 1,400 in 2019. and she said. @DIOJEFFCITY Now in its 12th year, this local observance of the twice-year- See 40 DAYS, page 21 2 The Catholic Missourian October 2, 2020 MOVING? If you are moving or changing parishes, please fill out Pray for Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation information below. Clip and mail to THE CATHOLIC MISSOURIAN, (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) 1. Publication Title 2. Publication Number 3. Filing Date 2207 W Main St, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914. Or email changes to deceased priests The Catholic Missourian 5 5 6 _ 9 4 0 9/24/20 [email protected]. Allow two weeks. 4. Issue Frequency 5. Number of Issues Published Annually 6. Annual Subscription Price Oct. 4 — Msgr. John C. biweekly 27 $14 NEW ADDRESS 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, county, state, and ZIP+4®) Contact Person Mahoney, Kelly Martin St. Patrick, 2207 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914 Telephone (Include area code) 573-635-9127 NAME __________________________________________________ Clarence; and St. Michael, 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (Not printer) Hager’s Grove (1991) 2207 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914 ADDRESS _______________________________________________ Msgr. John P. Flood, Oct. 5 — 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do not leave blank) St. Patrick, Jonesburg Publisher (Name and complete mailing address) CITY, STATE, ZIP ________________________________________ (1991) Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, 2207 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914 NEW PARISH____________________________________________ Oct. 10 — Fr. James R. Editor (Name and complete mailing address) Fuemmeler, St. Anthony, Jay Nies, 2207 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914 OLD PARISH ____________________________________________ Camdenton (2012) Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address) 10/02/20 Oct. 14 — Fr. P. Brendan 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the Lawless, Immaculate names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of Conception, St. James; and each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.) Chamois, Morrison Mass St. Anthony, Rosati (2013) Full Name Complete Mailing Address Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City 2207 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914 Effective Oct. 3-4, Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. on Satur- Oct. 17 — Fr. Richard days in Assumption Church in Morrison and at 8 a.m. on Sun- L. Kaiser, St. Thomas days in Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Chamois. Seminary, Hannibal (1970) 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities. If none, check box ✔ None Official Decree Full Name Complete Mailing Address of Appointments The Most Reverend W. Shawn Deacon James Farnell, to St. Martins, and as Coordina- 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson Coordinator for Marriage En- tor of Pastoral Care, Jefferson ✔ Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement) City, makes the following ap- richment for the Diocese and City. PS Form 3526, July 2014 [Page 1 of 4 (see instructions page 4)] PSN: 7530-01-000-9931 PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy policy on www.usps.com. pointments: to continue ministries at St. Deacon Robert W. Re- 13. Publication Title 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below Brendan Parish, Mexico. The Catholic Missourian Permanent Deacons inkemeyer, to Coordinator for 9/18/20 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies No. Copies of Single Deacon Jon Bequette, to Deacon Stephan J. Each Issue During Issue Published Natural Family Planning for Preceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date Coordinator for Marriage En- Kliethermes, to Coordinator the Diocese and to continue a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run) 28,100 28,100 richment for the Diocese and for Marriage Preparation for ministries at St. Andrew Par- (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid to continue ministries at Holy the Diocese and to continue ish, Tipton, and Annunciation distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) 6,347 6,424 b. Paid Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid Circulation (2) Spirit Parish, Centralia. ministries at St. Martin Parish, Parish, California. (By Mail distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) 21,050 21,252 and Outside Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, (3) the Mail) Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS® 0 0 Deacon Burdett Wilson, to Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS (4) Give at the Chancery this 25th day of September, 2020 Parish Outreach Coordinator (e.g., First-Class Mail®) 0 0 for Marriage Preparation for c. Total Paid Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)] 27,397 27,676 d. Free or (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies included on PS Form 3541 the Diocese and to continue Nominal 0 0 Rate ministries at St. Joseph Parish, Distribution (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541 0 0 (By Mail and Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS Salisbury, and St.