‘O Antiphons’ of Advent he Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth cen- tury. They are the antiphons thatT accompany the Magnificat can- ticle of Evening Prayer from Decem- The Mirr r Vol. LI, No. 17 DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI December 11, 2015 ber 17-23. They are a magnificent One Church, East to West: Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, Sharing Jesus theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to pro- claim the coming Christ as the ful- fillment not only of Old Testament Southern Missouri treasure hopes, but present ones as well. December 17 O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: Bp. John Leibrecht, 31 years a bishop come to teach us the path of knowledge! By Linda Leicht December 18 Springfield O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: n St. Patrick’s Day 1956 a come to rescue us with your mighty 25-year-old John Joseph power! Leibrecht became a priest in St. Louis. That same December 19 Oyear, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape O Root of Jesse’s stem, Girardeau became a diocese. sign of God’s love for all his people: It would be another 28 years come to save us without delay! before the young priest from St. Louis would become a bishop and December 20 move to southern Missouri to lead O Key of David, the sprawling diocese that had at opening the gates of God’s eternal one time been part of the Archdio- Kingdom: cese of St. Louis and the Diocese come and free the prisoners of of Kansas City. However, in the 31 darkness! years since, Bp. Leibrecht has a deep affection for the rural southern part December 21 of the state and his diocese. O Radiant Dawn, Bp. Leibrecht’s episcopal anni- splendor of eternal light, sun of versary is Dec. 12, the feast of Our justice: Lady of Guadalupe. come and shine on those who dwell Retired in 2008, Bp. Leibrecht in darkness and in the lives in a comfortable home on the shadow of death. south side of Springfield where he can enjoy pleasant walks in the qui- December 22 et neighborhood. When he became RETIRED BISHOP—Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht gave a homily during O King of all nations and keystone of Bishop here, he and his family fully a recent Marian Days celebration in Carthage, MO. Retired since 2008, Bp. the Church: expected him to return to St. Louis Leibrecht continues to help out in parishes, and is the Diocese of Springfield- come and save man, whom you after retirement. But he not only Cape Girardeau’s first Emeritus bishop. His episcopal anniversary is Dec. 12, formed from the dust! chose to continue living and serv- feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (The Mirror) ing here, but the Diocese’s first and December 23 only Bishop Emeritus even plans to of them serve more than one faith Pastoral service has been his O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of be laid to rest here, on a lovely gre- community, and times of respite calling since becoming a priest. Law: enway next to St. Agnes Cathedral and renewal for them is fleeting. “I remember when I could come to save us, Lord our God! in Springfield. “I still have the health to be able finally tell my family [about be- —From “Catholic Household Until then, Bp. Leibrecht plans to help,” he said, just having turned ing called to be a bishop],” he said. Blessings & Prayers” to continue serving the people and 85 in August. “I gave the priests my “There was a silence at the table the parishes of Springfield-Cape Gi- phone number … and they’ve been rardeau as often and as much as he calling it.” See Bp. Leibrecht / 2 can. He knows first-hand that the priests of our parishes need help with Masses, retreats, and more. Many The Catechism in brief 525 Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night: The virgin today brings into the work the Eternal / And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible. / The angels and shepherds praise him / And the magi advance with the star, / For you are born for us, / Little Child, God eternal! The Catechism of the Catholic Church compiles the living tradition of the Catholic Church and divides it into four sections: What Catholics believe (the Creed), how the faith is transmitted (worship and sacraments), how Catholics are called to live The next issue of The Mirror will be Dec. 25, 2015. Merry Christmas! Christmas! (moral life), and prayer. 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: [email protected]. 2 The Mirror DIOCESAN NEWS December 11, 2015 Bishop John Leibrecht, 31 years a bishop From Page 1 all the evening meetings and pres- Called as disciples sures on his time that being a bish- In addition, Bp. Leibrecht said with my mother, brothers, and sis- op, parish priest, or school adminis- he has witnessed both priests and the ter. Finally, Mom said, ‘How do you trator had on him over the course of laity share more of the responsibil- feel about it?’ his career. ity of making the diocese and their “I said, ‘My first feeling is that “Now, once I get to 6 or 7 parishes “a really-alive community I’m going to miss being a pastor at o’clock in the evening, I have time of faith,” both within the Church Sacred Heart (in St. Louis).’ to read, work on a homily, watch and the larger secular communi- “My brother, Fr. Bob, said, the St. Louis Cardinals, whatever it ty. He credits the Second Vatican ‘Why don’t you just be a pastor might be,” he said. “Most days, there Council, which closed its sessions down there?’ are things that I am doing, certain- 50 years ago, as being a major influ- “I will never forget that,” Bp. ly, but it’s the evenings that I really ence in that “partnership.” Vatican Leibrecht said. “I have found that look forward to.” II encouraged lay people to become being a ‘pastor’ in Springfield-Cape In the 24 years that he actively more active in church and the com- Girardeau has inspired my whole served as bishop, there was plenty munity, whether it be through char- life as a bishop.” of work to do—some difficult and ity work, political activism, or in the Bp. Leibrecht said he was able draining, other work proved exhila- workplace. The Catholic Church’s to follow that advice because of the rating and joyous. mission is to evangelize and make hard work of the small staff at The The biggest change in the dio- Christ known to the world. It can’t Catholic Center and the priests of cese has been the number of people do that without active involvement diocese. who have become members of the from all its members, upon which “We would get together and Catholic community, he said. The baptism confirms their role as mis- talk about diocesan policies,” he other change, to which he credits sionaries, a mandate not limited to READING—When he’s not helping said. “Then they would have the ad- all six of the Diocese’s bishops, has ordained clergy. out in parishes or giving a retreat, ministrative responsibilities to carry been a deepening of the faith of As Pope Francis recently said, Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht it out.” those Catholics. “Missionary spirit is manifested enjoys time in the evenings to read, While the bishop enjoyed and “Bp. [James] Johnson has made by preaching love, humanity, and watch the St. Louis Cardinals, pre- focused on the spiritual aspect of his a very significant contribution to faith through one’s witness and not pare a homily, or contemplate na- role, he admits he doesn’t miss the that,” he said. “I have seen growth through proselytism.” ture on a walk in the neighborhood. administrative responsibilities one in many relationships with God, I Faith in Jesus Christ is shared Ordained for the Diocese of Spring- has as bishop. He also doesn’t miss really have.” first through “witness then with field-Cape Girardeau in 1984, Bp. words,” the pope said Dec. 2 at his Leibrecht celebrates his 31st anniver- weekly general audience. sary of episcopal ordination on Dec. Miss Merry Christmas crowned at McAuley One of his biggest challenges in 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guada- the vast Diocese of Springfield-Cape lupe. (Photo by Linda Leicht) Girardeau has been that the number of priests serving in parishes has not his connection with youth has been kept up with the growing number of a big part of men discerning a vo- Catholics in southern Missouri. But cation to serve as priests, and he Bp. Leibrecht sees that changing. expects Pope Francis to bring even “That is starting to turn around more young men to the seminary. now,” he said. “We have more semi- “The Pope has a special way narians now, 16, than we have had with young people,” Bp. Leibrecht in years.” The Diocese hopes to or- said. “He enjoys them, and they dain two more priests and two tran- see the joy that he has in his own sitional deacons in 2016.