Donate Now
Three New Seminarians for the Diocese

Three New Seminarians for the Diocese

by | Sep 13, 2022 | Come, And You Will See, Local Columns

COME, AND YOU WILL SEE written by Bishop Edward M. Rice

In my last column, I shared my thoughts on the importance of Catholic identity and the integrity of life required of a teacher in our Catholic schools. Notice that I didn’t say, “Catholic teachers,” but teachers in our Catholic schools. The reality is that we do partner with non-Catholics in the faith formation and education of the students in our schools. How can that be? First, by the integrity of their lives, as with a Catholic teacher, they strive in their moral and civic life to be intentional disciples of Jesus. Then, by a spirit of openness—i.e., not being an obstacle to what the Catholic school is trying to accomplish—forming our students as intentional disciples of Jesus in our Catholic faith.

In this column, I would like to highlight and offer my profound thanks to the many volunteers that serve their parish as PSR directors, catechetical leaders, catechists, youth directors, RCIA leaders and catechists. I hope each of you is recognized on the local level on Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated Sept. 18 this year! If you think passing on the faith is difficult, try passing on the faith when you have one shot every week in a PSR program! Many who volunteer as catechists and directors of parish programs are just that: volunteers. For all that you do—I thank you!

FREE FORMATION

Whether you are a teacher in a Catholic school or teaching in one of the PSR programs, or simply have the desire to grow in your faith, I hope everyone knows the many resources that are available to them through the Online Catechetical Institute from Franciscan University. All these courses are FREE of charge, thanks to the generosity of the Missouri Knights of Columbus. Franciscan University is constantly putting out new programs to help in the faith formation of our young people and adults. More information, including how to register, can be found on p. 14 of this issue of The Mirror! And let us not forget the three-year Eucharistic Revival that we have entered into. The USCCB Website has many resources as well. And, a good number of our parishes participate in “Formed,” a Catholic App that focuses on Catholic movies for all ages, Bible study, and sacramental prep materials. I constantly tell all of our teachers, principals, catechetical directors, and youth ministers that they share in my work in forming people in the faith. And that is the way it should be. That’s the role of the laity. Hopefully, our priests are nurturing our people who in turn, nurture the faith in others. And when that happens, as it does here in southern Missouri, the faith grows. I’m not naïve and I know we have our challenges, and the greatest challenge is to move forward in faith. Thanks for all you do.

NEW SEMINARIANS

I am so pleased that we have three new candidates that have entered into formation and formal discernment for the priesthood, God willing. One of the young men, Jesse Thompson, from St. Cecilia Parish, Kennett, MO, is in formation as he finishes his degree at Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH. The other two men are both from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield. Trey Ringgold is in an internship at St. Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau, while Wyatt McFall is in Conception Seminary, Conception, MO. These three men, along with the three returning seminarians, bring us up to six total seminarians for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, which is just under 25% of our goal of having 25 seminarians by the year 2025.

I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of our vocation promoters throughout southern Missouri, from Joplin to Cape Girardeau. They will be a blessing to Fr. Scott Sunnenberg, our diocesan Director of Vocations & Seminarians, as he continues to work with young men discerning God’s will in their lives. The three-year Eucharistic Revival should also result in a revival of vocations.

Some important dates to remember:

Fri., Sept. 9, is International “Buy a Priest a Beer Day”

Wed., Sept. 14, Project Andrew Dinner, Immaculate Conception Parish, Springfield, 6:30 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 25, Priesthood Sunday, nation-wide event coordinated and sponsored by the US Council of Serra International

Tue., Sept. 27, Project Andrew Dinner, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Joplin, 6:30 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 9, Deacon Sunday

Nov. 6-Nov. 12, National Vocations Awareness Week

Sun., Nov. 6, Project Andrew Dinner, St. John Vianney Parish, Mountain View, 4:30 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 7, Project Andrew Dinner, time & location TBD

Nov. 12-14, 2022, Fall “Encounter with God’s Call,” visit to Conception Seminary, Conception, MO

Feb. 4-5, World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is Feb. 2, 2023 (celebrated in parishes Feb. 4-5)

Let us continue to pray for the renewal of marriage and family life as well as for vocations to the priesthood and life as a consecrated religious.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

by | Sep 8, 2022 | Articles, Scripture Wisdom

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

The readings from this reflection: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1Timothy 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32

GettyImages

If we are looking for a theme that runs throughout the readings on this Sunday, we can find it proclaimed in the Alleluia verse taken from 2 Corinthians 5:19. In all of the Scripture passages on this day, we see so clearly that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

In the first reading, as Moses was leading the people of Israel away from Egypt, they so quickly lost sight of the power of God who had set them free. They began to worship a calf, calling an idol their “God.” The one, true God tells Moses, “Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.”

(more…)
Strengthening Catholic Identity in Catholic Schools

Strengthening Catholic Identity in Catholic Schools

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Articles, Come, And You Will See, Local Columns

St. Mary Catholic School, Joplin by Dean Curtis

Come, And You Will See Column written by Bishop Edward M. Rice

On Mon., Sept. 5, we celebrate the civil holiday of Labor Day, the traditional ending of the summer season. Those with children will be back to following the school calendar and getting into the daily routine of study and homework. With that in mind, I recently had the opportunity to speak to the pastors and principals of our diocesan Catholic schools, and then to all of the teachers in the Springfield Catholic Schools System. I would like to share with you some of my thoughts.

On Jan. 25, 2022, the Congregation for Catholic Education issued a 20- page document discussing the identity of Catholic schools, “The Identity of Catholic Schools for a Culture of Dialogue.” No doubt, every bishop is concerned that the schools under his jurisdiction be authentically Catholic, and the document gives some good guiding principles to achieve that goal. There should always be “a clear awareness and consistency of the Catholic identity of the Church’s educational institutions.” Without a clear identity, we cannot have a clear discussion.

Just as a mother gives life, teaches and guides, so, too, does “Holy Mother Church.” A Catholic school should reflect the family dynamic, and like any mother, moms are concerned about the lives of their children in all the details. Therefore, a Catholic education should offer a holistic approach, offering faith formation, values, and knowledge. True education has the goal of the formation of the human person, collaborating with the parents. It is not just about the transmission of information. Catholic formation within the school should address the whole of life that can be imbued with the spirit of Christ.

Paragraph 18 says “a Catholic school lives in the flow of human history.” In other words, we are not immune to the issues in our culture. We do not live in a bubble. And therefore, we must “adopt new teaching methods while remaining faithful to our own identity.” For example, that principle is behind our “Theology of the Body, [TOB]” curriculum—TOB addresses the issues of science and faith and sex. That principle is the lens through which we prepare for the sacraments, utilize technology and other social issues. Our rich faith has something beautiful to say to these rather “new” issues in our culture.

Paragraph 23 in the document states, “In the Catholic school… There is no separation between time for learning and time for formation, between acquiring knowledge and growing in wisdom.” Everything in the school setting is about formation. The teachers in our Catholic schools should be “teachers of learning and of life, to be a reflection, although imperfect, of the one Teacher,” Jesus Christ.

The document goes on to remind us that “the whole school community is responsible for implementing the school’s Catholic identity: students, parents, teachers, nonteaching personnel, and the school administration.” All of them form the educational community and become responsible for evangelization— it must be at the heart of all that they do. Paragraph 47 makes a powerful statement, “Teachers must be outstanding in correct doctrine and integrity of life.” So, if a teacher does not accept the call to holiness and is not on their own journey of faith, the principal or administration must have a conversation to see if it’s actually a good fit for them to be instructing in the Catholic school. Teachers in our Catholic schools are not employees, or even professionals, but rather living out their personal vocation within the Catholic school community.

I thank our administrators, principals, staff, and teachers. Each one of you is an extension of my work. You collaborate with me; you represent me in the classroom and in the administration of our 23 elementary and three high schools. I cannot do the work without you. Let’s make this our best year ever.

DIOCESAN LITURGICAL CONFERENCES

On Sat., Sept. 17, at Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, and on Sat., Nov. 5, at Holy Trinity Parish, Springfield, the diocesan Office of Worship will offer a “Diocesan Liturgical Conference” on Sacred Music and Ministries for the Mass. The keynote address will focus on music and the Sacred Liturgy, including selecting music for Mass, weddings, funerals, etc. This workshop is open for all music leaders, choir members, musicians, readers, server trainers, liturgical coordinators, sacristans, and extraordinary ministers. This is the first time such a conference has been offered since I have been in the diocese—and I think it is a great opportunity for us during this three-year Eucharistic Revival—to learn more about what is at the very heart of the Church, the Eucharist. I thank Fr. David Dohogne, Director of the Office of Worship along with Katie Newton, for organizing this event. Please plan to attend.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Are You Spiritually Fit & Bound for Heaven?

by | Aug 17, 2022 | Articles, Scripture Wisdom

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

The readings from this reflection: Is 66:18-21; Ps 117:1,2; Heb 12:5-7,11-13; Lk 13:22-30

GettyImages

At some point in time, most of us will be asked the question: “Have you been saved?” This question may be asked of us by a friend, a family member, a neighbor or coworker, or even by a stranger on the street. So what exactly does this question mean: What answer does the question really seek? The person posing this question basically wants to know if you have accepted Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior and that if you died at this moment, you have the assurance and certainty of going directly to heaven.

In today’s Gospel, someone asks Jesus: “Will only a few people be saved”? It’s interesting that this question is asked of Jesus. He offers a powerful response: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” There seems to be a growing assumption among many people today that EVERYONE will go to Heaven. Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel passage prove this to be untrue.

(more…)
Safety for Our Children and Youth Remains a Priority

Safety for Our Children and Youth Remains a Priority

by | Aug 11, 2022 | Articles, Local Columns

Photo of Bishop Edward M. Rice with students from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School

“Based on the results of our recent site audit of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau, the diocese has been found compliant with all audited Articles within the ‘Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ for the audit period of July 1, 2019 through March 31, 2022.”

That is the opening of the compliance letter from Stonebridge Business Partners, a company that specializes in compliance auditing and fraud and forensics services for government agencies, contractors, and institutions such as Catholic dioceses. As I’ve stated many times, it is imperative, not just an obligation, that all the (arch)dioceses of the United States must comply to what is commonly referred to as the “Dallas Charter,” “The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” established by the USCCB in June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. Over the course of the past two decades, however, allegations have also come to light in other religious denominations, in schools, scouts, in the world of sports, Olympic and university athletic programs, and in the entertainment industry. USA Today recently did an investigation of a Branson-based evangelical sports camp with rampant abuse. This serves as a reminder of why this work is so important for all of us in all facets of society.

While we were found to be compliant, the management letter that accompanied the compliance letter offered suggestions as to stay the course and improve, such as the implementation of a policy for renewing safe environment training for all volunteers, the implementation of a formal process to conduct in-person visits to all parish and school locations to review documentation, and to enhance the procedures for the monitoring and relocation of accused clergy for residence.


(more…)