The next issue of The Mirror will be Sept. 4, 2015.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. LI, No. 9 DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI August 21, 2015

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

Seminarians gather with Bishop for annual respite before fall

See Prayer for Creation / 3

Pope Francis establishes World Day of Prayer for Creation, Sept. 1

DAY OF PRAYER

Vatican City

Pope Francis has instituted a new day of prayer and celebration for the Church entitled the “World Day of

Prayer for the Care of Creation,” to be celebrated on Sept. 1 each year.

The day of prayer is in keep-ing with the theme of the Holy Father’s newest environmental encyclical “Laudato Si.” It is also seen as a sign of unity with the Orthodox Church, which estab-lished Sept. 1 as a day to celebrate creation in 1989.

“The celebration of this Day, on the same date as the Orthodox Church, will be a valuable op-portunity to bear witness to our growing communion with our Orthodox brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said.

He expressed hope that the day could highlight the need for all Christians to work together toward common goals.

Christian unity“We live at a time when all

Christians are faced with the same decisive challenges, to which we must respond together, in order to be more credible and effective,” he said. “It is my hope that this Day will in some way also involve other Churches and ecclesial com-munities, and be celebrated in union with similar initiatives of the World Council of Churches.”

The day will be an

16 MEN IN FORMATION—The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau currently has 16 men in discernment of and for-mation to the priesthood in four seminaries in three states. Pictured were: (first row) Joshua Carroll, Daniel Belken, Bp. James V. Johnston, John Hawks, and Jacob Mezzacapa; (second row) Allen Kirchner, Nicholas Newton, Ethan Protzel, and David Gomez; (third row) Andrew Williams, Brian Straus, Colby Elbert, and Gideon Barr; (fourth row) Joseph Stoverink, David Baunach, Charles Dunn, and Charlie Peirano. Diocesan seminarians recently gathered with Bp. James V. Johnston and area priests and guests for the annual Seminarian Gathering held Aug. 9-13. The annual

time of respite held before the men return to studies in the fall began with liturgy in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Branson. The group spent the rest of their time in prayer, fellowship, and discernment at Edgewater Beach Resort in Forsyth, MO. (Photo by Dan Williams)

More onSeminarian Gatheringon pp. 6-7

2 The Mirror August 21, 2015COLUMN

Over the past few months, I started reading a variety of biographies and nonfic-tion. I’ve been reading about

World War II US Army Gen. Lucian Truscott and “Animal House” actor John Belushi.

It is interesting to see to how often a parent or grandparent can strongly influence someone’s life even after that older family member has died.

The foundation stones that are laid, the seeds that are sown, have an incredible impact for the good and sometimes for the not-so-good.

We all know this on some level, of course. We’ve seen it in our lives

Pope Francis will visit Philadel-phia soon for the World Meet-ing of Families amid much expectation as to what he will

have to say. During his visit to the US, he will also be speaking in New York and Washington about other topics, presumably, but anticipation runs high in Philadelphia for words of papal wisdom about the unit that

or at play in the life of a relative or friend. Even so, it can be helpful to be reminded of it from time to time. We have to remember that just as toddlers seem to pick up language by “osmo-sis,” they also can absorb attitudes and values. They mimic our opinions and ways of doing things. They can mimic our beliefs, blind spots, ethics, and ap-proaches to life. Some of what we do gives them a boost; some of it hobbles them.

In a sense, they see themselves as we see them and can love themselves as we love them.

The flip side of this coin is that having children or grandchildren can goad us into being better people

is the cornerstone of society—the family.

There is clearly a Catholic view-point on the essential meaning of family, on the importance of family, and on the sacramental nature of the marriage commitment that consti-tutes a Catholic family.

This pope has a leadership style that prompts him to listen before

because of those little eyes watch-ing us and taking their cues from us. Those potent young minds and consciences are absorbing what we do, how we do it.

In the biographies I’ve read, that pivotal role isn’t limited to a parent or grandparent. That role can be set by the example of an older sibling, aunt or uncle, teacher, coach, or mentor. It can be a dear friend who comes along later in life.

In so many ways, both known and unknown, more than just playing a role in someone’s story, we’re help-ing another person shape his or her own story. In some of those lives we don’t affect just a particular moment

he speaks. The past year has been devoted to listening to what others are saying about family by way of preparation for the upcoming Octo-ber Synod of Bishops on the family in Rome, where the teaching church will speak to issues that affect the future of family life. So we should not be expecting anything de-finitive from Pope Francis when he speaks in Phila-delphia in September; we should, however, expect to receive clear indications from him of what will fol-low in October.

His “listening,” I sus-pect, has taken him back in memory to life within his family in his native Argentina. It was a faith-filled family—two loving parents, José Mario Bergo-glio and Regina Sivori, who married in 1935, their oldest child Jorge Mario, now Pope Francis, and two brothers and two sisters, Oscar, Marta, Alberto, and Maria Elena. Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Pope Francis, writes that “the single great-est childhood influence on Jorge Ber-goglio was his grandmother Rosa, a formidable woman of deep faith and political skill, with whom he spent most of his first five years.” It would not surprise me to find evidence of this when this pope speaks of family life.

His listening could not have missed what the US Supreme Court recently said about same-sex mar-riage and what so many younger Catholics are saying, by word and

but possibly a lifetime of actions. Those actions might extend beyond the life of one person. For some, we may be an answer to a spoken or un-spoken prayer.

Throughout our time on earth, God sends people into our lives, and he sends us into the lives of others. He offers us opportunities to help fill a void, to nurture a virtue or talent, to offer a word of consolation, encour-agement, or wisdom, based on our experience.

He invites us to accept a hand from another and to offer a hand to another person as well. And in doing so, we each continue on that journey home to our heavenly father. ©CNS

choice, about cohabitation, and contraception.

When he speaks, words like “love,” “joy,” “happiness,” “com-mitment,” “service,” and “sacrifice,” they will surely find their way into

sentences likely not only to explain but also inspire.

I expect him to say something about marriage as a vocation to the service of life and that this is a call to be responded to in freedom involving a com-mitment to permanence, fidelity, and openness to procreation. Spouses serve each other in facilitating the development of the full human potential that each brings to the mar-riage. The physical expres-sion of their love opens the way to procreation. The care and education of

their sons and daughters amount to a decades-long devotion to the task of helping their offspring mature in their own capacities to love and serve and thus find happiness and fulfill-ment in their lives.

The attentive listener will find much about the mystery and mean-ing of life in what Pope Francis will have to say in Philadelphia. It is a privileged moment in the history of the American church to be able to provide the platform for this new chapter of papal teaching. ©CNS

Jesuit Fr. Byron is university profes-sor of business and society at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. Email: wby-ron@sju.edu.

Our role in shaping thebiography of another personBill Dodds

YOUR FAMILY

Marriage is a vocation tothe service of lifeFr. William J. Byron, SJ

LOOKING AROUND

Spouses serve each other in facilitating the development of the full human potential that each brings to the marriage.

Come taste foods from all around the world at the 8th Annual Festi-val of the Nations to be held at

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1609 N. SummitSat., Sept. 5, from 5-9 p.m.

Food tickets for the event are $1 and festival-goers will give one, two, or three tickets per food item, depending on the dish. Countries rep-resented in the food area include Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Domini-can Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Slovakia, Peru, United States, and Venezuela.

Dance performances will be taking place throughout the night and will represent dancers from Arabia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Malakia, and Mexico. There will also be a children’s area set up outside with various games and equipment.

For more information, please contact Julia Valdes at (417) 234-9378 or Email her at jualdesan@yahoo.com.

8th Annual

brings food/culture to Springfield

August 21, 2015 The Mirror 3COLUMN

Follow Bp. Johnston on Twitter @BpJamesVJohnsto

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” —from the

film, “The Wizard of Oz”

Most people are familiar with the scene in the film, “The Wizard of Oz,” in which Dorothy’s dog,

Toto, pulls the curtain back, exposing the “great and terrible” Wizard of Oz to be an ordinary man from Omaha, NE, named Oscar Diggs. It turns out that the Wizard was an illusion, cre-ated by a lot of special effects, distrac-tions, and impressive-sounding talk. Until the unveiling, all in Oz were kept in control, persuaded by an illu-sion.

Recent behind-the-scenes videos capturing the conduct and conver-sation of Planned Parenthood of America personnel are having a simi-lar effect on many in our society. For years, this organization has hidden behind the illusion created by false arguments, deceptive rhetoric, and an alliance of financially-and politi-cally-connected friends to create the illusion that Planned Parenthood is simply about the health of women.

The videos capture the unvar-nished truth: Employees discuss

the best way to kill the child in the womb so that the child’s fetal organs and tissue can be harvested for sale to researchers. What makes the grisly conversations so chilling is that it is often done with no empathy and even perverse humor. To be hon-est, one cannot but be reminded of the banal, matter-of-fact attitudes of those engaged in the killings in the concentration camps during World War II.

Since this unveiling began earlier this sum-mer, Planned Parenthood and its allies have gone into crisis mode, seeking to divert the unwanted at-tention to their true actions. In other words, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” Some media outlets have not even covered the story. Others, notably “pro-choice” politicians, have doubled down on the standard abortion rights rhetoric, or the “but they do so many more good things” argument; as if this could somehow justify the mass and ruthless killing of the innocent.

What many are beginning to realize, however, is that this is a great example of systemic evil, with roots

Unmasking evilON THE WAYBp. James V. Johnston

opportunity to reaffirm in Christians their vocation as stewards of God’s creation, to recognize their gratitude for God’s earthly gifts, and to pray for the protection of the environment and pardon from sins against it, the pontiff said.

The pope’s environmental encyclical “Laudato Si,” meaning “Praise be to You,” was published in June and took its name from St. Francis of Assisi’s medieval Ital-ian prayer “Canticle of the Sun.” In it, Pope Francis emphasized the need for a human ecology, which emphasizes the human person as the root motivation for care of the environment.

It is inconsistent, Pope Francis said in his encyclical, to be con-cerned about nature without also showing concern for people, espe-cially the poorest and most vulner-able among us, including unborn children.

“Since everything is interre-lated, concern for the protection of

nature is also incompatible with the justification of abortion. How can we genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable beings, however troublesome or inconve-nient they may be, if we fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties?” (“Laudato Si,” 120).

On the other hand, Pope Francis reiterated in his institution of the Sept. 1 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation that the care of the environment needs to be a priority for Christians because of their care for the human person.

“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience,” he said, referring to “Laudato Si” 216.

Pope Francis expressed his hope that the new day will serve as a

call to the faithful to an “ecological conversion” whereby their encoun-ter with the Risen Lord is evident in their care for the world around them.

“We need always to keep in mind that, for be-lievers in Jesus Christ, the Word of God who became man for our sake, ‘the life of the spirit is not dissoci-ated from the body or from nature, or from worldly realities, but lived in and with them, in communion with all that surrounds us.’” (“Laudato Si,” 216)

The World Day of Prayer for the Care for Creation is meant to be cel-ebrated “with the participa-tion of the entire People of God: priests, men and

women, religious, and the lay faith-ful,” Pope Francis said, and should “become a significant occasion for prayer, reflection, conversion, and the adoption of appropriate life-styles.” ©CNA

Pope Francis establishes World Day of Prayer for Creation, Sept. 1From Page 1

The life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature, or from worldly realities.

Public calendarThu., Aug. 26 Meeting with new FOCUS

Missionaries and staff at Catholic Campus Ministry, Springfield, MO

Fri., Aug. 28 Diocesan Liturgical6 p.m. Workshop, St. Mary Parish,

Joplin, MOSat., Aug. 29 Lunch, Men’s Retreat, Our

Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, MO

Sun., Aug. 30 Mass, St. Agnes Cathedral,8:30 a.m. SpringfieldMon., Aug. 31 Presbyteral Council meeting,

Willow Springs, MOThu., Sept. 3 Blessing and Groundbreaking9:30 a.m. for second phase of Beacon

Village, affordable housing project of The Kitchen, Inc., and Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri;

Staff Mass and meeting, The Catholic Center, Springfield

Fri., Sept. 4 Beginning of School Year Prayer Lunch and visit with Springfield Catholic Schools faculty and staff, Springfield Catholic High School

Wed., Sept 9- National Council ofFri., Sept. 11 Catholic Women

Convention, Orlando, FLSat., Sept. 12 Mass and Confirmation,5:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Parish,

Willow Springs, MOSun., Sept. 13 Mass and pastoral visit, St.8:30 a.m. Joseph, White Church, MO;11:30 a.m. Mass and pastoral visit/

parish picnic, Sacred Heart Parish, Willow Springs

Mon., Sept. 14 National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, St. Louis, MO

Tue., Sept. 15 Quarterly meeting of Diocesan Safe Environment Review Board, Springfield

Thu., Sept. 16 Diocesan Development Fund Committee meeting, Springfield, MO;

Board Meeting, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri

Fri., Sept. 18 Mass with CCSOMO Board and meeting;

7 p.m. Dinner for Life for LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home, White River Conference Center, Springfield

Sat., Sept. 19- Equestrian Order ofMon., Sept. 21 the Holy Sepulchre of

Jerusalem, St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN

stretching back into our nation’s his-tory, and the purveyors of eugenics like Margaret Sanger. The abortion industry is historically connected to the desire to limit the populations of those who were considered ge-netically inferior, and the poor, who might be an economic and social drag on the nation. Today, abortion is also needed to buttress the culture of death that has been created by the

so-called “sexual revolution” begun 50 years ago. Pow-erful political and

financial partners have a large stake in the game, too. This is why defend-ing the unborn has been such a long and hard battle. With these recent videos and the powerful effects the images of ultrasound machines have been having, more and more Ameri-cans are waking up to the truth.

It is now obvious from the re-cent videos that Planned Parenthood is harvesting the remains of the chil-dren they kill to make more money. It should anger Americans that their taxes are going to fund this evil enterprise. Those who represent us in government should hear this—the curtain has been pulled back. ©TM

4 The Mirror August 21, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS/MEDIA

By Jan Bentz and Mary Rezac Rome, Italy

Podcasts are arguably the greatest come-back-kids of the Inter-net. Once thought to

be fading into oblivion, the boom of smartphones and Bluetooth technology, and hits like “Serial,” brought the medium back with a force.

There are Podcasts about every subject under the sun: from sports to mystery stories to in-depth explanations of how things work (think Mr. Rogers’ pic-ture-picture, but for adults). Often the listener has to commit 20 or more minutes to get the full story. While these can be perfect for long road-trips or time-sucking commutes, sometimes listen-ers don’t have much time to devote to a Podcast.

And that’s where Catholic Bytes wants to step in. It’s a new Podcast started by three young American men—two priests and one deacon—studying in Rome

who want to tell everyone about the beauty of Catholic faith and culture in, well, byte-sized pieces.

“Each episode is under 10 minutes, and can be eas-ily listened to while traveling to and from school or work, during a break, or whenever you have a few minutes to spare,” said Catholic Bytes co-creator Deacon Greg Gerhard.

Just because the Podcast is brief, does not mean it lacks depth. Rome is a great place to access all kinds of Catholic experts in various vocations and fields, co-founder Fr. Andrew Mat-tingly said, allowing Catho-lics and those curious about Catholicism from around the world to learn without having to travel all the way to the Vatican.

“(There is a) vast number of English-speaking priests, deacons, seminar-ians, religious, and lay people that live, work, and study in Rome—and many of them are here working on

advanced degrees, such as in dogma, morality, biblical studies, liturgy, or Church history, to name a few,” he said.

EvangelizationThe three founders

sat down and strategically

planned out over 400 epi-sodes that, once finished, will cover several years and a wide range of topics. The Podcast is set to release an episode every Monday, Wednesday, and first Friday.

“Our goal for the entire project is to convey a sys-tematic presentation of the faith,” Gerhart said, “with topics ranging from scrip-ture, ethics, spirituality, the sacraments, and also person-al witness to living the faith, as well as apologetics.”

Although Gerhard has some previous media and technology training, the three founders have also been learning a lot from trial and error. They listened to other Podcasts—“Catholic Stuff You Should Know,” “This American Life,” and “The Moth,” to name a few—to get a feel for the platform and how an epi-sode should flow.

The third co-founder, Fr. George Elliot, said the project has given him a lot of hope and confidence in the ability of Catholics to use their gifts to evangelize.

“I’ve become more aware that the future of the

Church is bright, talented, and capable. From writing code for the Website, to making graphics, to speaking on a variety of topics—I’ve seen that the future leaders of the Church have some-thing worthwhile to say and know how to communicate it to the world today,” he said.

It’s also been a hum-bling process, Fr. Mattingly admitted, and a challeng-ing task to make so many people’s ideas mesh.

“We’ve met and dis-cussed over the past eight months or so and have made decisions on everything from how long the Podcasts should be, to what kind of music there should be at the beginning and end of each episode; we’ve discussed what the role of the host in each episode should be, to hundreds of other little things. It has become abun-dantly clear to me of the importance of humility to let go of my own ideas or opin-ions when I’m shown that in fact, there’s a better way of going about (it),” he said.

The founders are hop-ing to draw everyone to Christ through their Podcast, whether they are a Catholic looking to know more, or someone who knows next to nothing about the Church.

“In and of themselves, the truths of our faith are astoundingly beautiful and profound, yet more often than not they are portrayed as boring and stale,” Fr. Mat-tingly observed. “We want to change that perception, and we hope that this Podcast will be a small contribution toward that goal.”

The Catholic Bytes Podcast can be downloaded (for free!) from their Website, catholicbytespodcast.com. Users can also subscribe through iTunes, and con-nect with the hosts through Facebook or Twitter. ©CNA

Byte-sized faith:Young priests launch new Catholic podcast

The Mirror: Newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau USPS Publication 117-330 Publisher: Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. 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. Subscription: $14 per year.Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, MO, and additional mailing offices. Vol. LI No. 9 Aug. 21, 2015 Single copy price, $0.50

Copyright © 2015, The Mirror, CNS, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org

PODCAST— Catholic Bytes Podcast can be downloaded free from catholicbytespodcast.com. Users can also subscribe through iTunes, and connect with the hosts through Face-book or Twitter. (Recording studio via Unsplash)

Associate Director of Evangelization and Catechesis hired

Springfield

Rick Barnhart joined the staff of The Catholic Center on Aug. 10 as the new

part-time associate direc-tor of the Office of Evan-gelization and Catechesis. He will assist the office’s Director Karen Pesek. Barnhart will also serve as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nixa where Msgr. Thomas Reidy serves as pastor.

Barnhart is a famil-iar face in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Gi-rardeau as he was former-ly a St. Louis-based sales representative for RCL

Benziger, a leader in the publishing of Catho-lic curricu-lum and catechetical materials.

Barn-hart has been a fre-quent presenter at parish and diocesan catechetical gatherings in the Midwest region.

Barnhart has been a catechist since 1998, serv-ing on his parish RCIA team , as a confirmation catechist, and as a substi-tute PSR catechist. Before joining RCL Benziger,

Barnhart taught re-ligion at an archdi-ocesan high school and history at a pub-lic high school in St. Louis. He brings experience work-ing with both small and large parishes in urban and rural set-tings and in Catho-

lic Schools. Barnhart is Jesuit

trained, having done his graduate work in theology and catechesis at St. Louis University.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Barnhart and his wife of 38 years, Diane, have two adult children. ©TM

Barnhart

August 21, 2015 The Mirror 5

Hollister—College of the Ozarks will host the Pensmore Dialogue on Science and Faith, Thu. - Fri., Sept. 24-25. This will create an op-portunity to further understand the integration of science and faith, especially in regard to the creation of the universe. The Pensmore Founda-tion and College of the Ozarks have assembled a world-class lineup of speakers to explore the theme of the dialogue: “Life and the Universe: How Did it all Begin?” For more information, visit http://www.cofo.edu/Page/Christian-Ministries/Pensmore-Dialogue/Speakers.1555.html.

Springfield—Beginning Experience of Springfield will offer a six-week class, “Coping with Life Alone,” beginning Thu., Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Classes are designed to help individuals work through the loss of a spouse through death, divorce, or sepa-ration. All sessions are led by trained facilitators who have experienced these same losses. Cost: $20 donation. “Coping” is Christian-based and open to all faiths. For more information, contact Mary Alice, (417) 887-5221; Melanie, (417) 576-5504; or Teresa, (417) 848-9280.

Springfield—The Immaculate Conception Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) will host a Day of Reflection at Trinity Hills, Sat., Sept. 12. Sr. Elizabeth Koehler, RSM, from Mercy Pastoral Care, will be the spiritual director for the day. Carpooling will be available from the Immacu-late Conception parking lot after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, or just join us at Trinity Hills at 10 a.m. A light lunch will be provided. For more information,

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

Mon., Aug. 31 5-8 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonMon., Aug. 31 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, Branson (Spanish)Wed., Sept. 2 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . .Immaculate Conception, SpringfieldWed., Sept. 2 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Immaculate Conception, JacksonTue., Sept. 8 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Teresa, CampbellWed., Sept. 9 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Lawrence, MonettThu., Sept. 10 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sacred Heart, Poplar BluffSun., Sept. 13 5-8 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, SpringfieldSat., Oct. 10 12:30-3:30 p.m. . . . . . . .Holy Trinity, SpringfieldSun., Oct. 18 1-4 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonSat., Oct. 24 10 a.m.-1 p.m. . . . . . . . .St. Vincent de Paul, Cape GirardeauThu., Nov. 12 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Guardian Angel, OranTue., Dec. 1 12-noon-3 p.m. . . . . . . .The Catholic Center (Pallotti), SpringfieldMon., Dec. 14 5:30-8:30 p.m. . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonPreregistration 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.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Saint Luke Societyevents in

September and October

Saint Luke Society Fall Seminar, Welcoming all diocesan healthcare professionals

Sat . , Sep t. 26, 2015, 9 a.m. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Dining Hall, Springfield

Special guest speaker: The Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht.

Keynote speaker: Tyler McClay, General Counsel, Missouri Catholic Conference, “Advanced

Directives and the Push for Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preferences (TROPP):

A Catholic Perspective”

Saint Luke Society Mass, Welcoming all healthcare professionals

Sat . , Oct . 24, 2015, 9 a.m. ‘White Coat’ Mass at Saint Agnes Cathedral, Springfield

Celebrant: The Most Reverend Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.

Please join us for refreshments immediately following M ass.

Questions may be directed to

Sharon Giboney, APRN, at jandsgiboney@mchsi.com, or Mark Jarek, MD, at mmjarek @msn.com

call Karen Soetaert, (417) 887-7929, or Email pksoetaert@gmail.com.

Springfield—A new Catholic Trail Life USA Scouting troop is forming in Springfield. Trail Life USA is an outdoor skills/character forma-tion program for boys between the ages of five and 18. The meetings will be the second and fourth Monday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. No previous Scouting experience needed and families from all area par-ishes are invited. For more information, contact the Office of Youth Ministry, (417) 866-0841, or, Vince at (586) 745-0606, or Email, Vince@KingSalomon.net.

Springfield—The Springfield Chapter of Missourian’s for Alternatives to the Death Pen-alty (MADP), will host its annual potluck dinner and meeting, Mon., Aug. 31, Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Dinner at 6 p.m.; at 7 p.m., Ethan Amidon from Missouri State University will present his research, “An Examination of the Relationship between Political Factors and Death Penalty Practices in the 20th and 21st Centuries.” For more information, call Donna Walmsley, (417) 459-2960.

Springfield—The Springfield Chapter of the Missourian’s for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (MADP), will hold a peaceful vigil and ecumenical rememberance of victims, Tue., Sept. 1, 12-noon-1 p.m., on Park Central Square. For more information, call Donna Walmsley (417) 459-2960.

6 The Mirror August 21, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS

Forsyth, MO

The annual Seminarian Gather-ing was held Aug. 9-13 with Bp. James V. Johnston. Also in atten-dance were Fr. J. Friedel, diocesan

Director of Vocations/Seminarians, and Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, Director of Vocation Promotions. Four new men joined the seminarian roster, which brings the total number of diocesan seminarians to 16.

“There will be many opportunities for us to spend time with one another,” said Fr. Friedel. “Time to begin new rela-tionships and strengthen old ones.”

The gathering began with the 4th annual family picnic for the seminarians and their families hosted by the Car-roll family, parents of seminarian Josh

Carroll, on Sat., Aug. 8. Opening Mass for the week was held at Our Lady of the Lake in Branson, where the local Knights of Columbus hosted lunch. Then the group departed for their final destination, the Edgewater Beach Resort in Forsyth.

“The heart of our time together, as always, are the moments we gather for prayer and especially the Eucharist,” said Fr. Friedel.

Each day, the seminarians prayed together, celebrated the Eucharist, and had individual time with Bp. Johnston. This year, a series of topics were explored which included the History of the Catho-lic Church in Southern Missouri; Sto-ries of the “Early Days” in the Diocese; Changes in the 60 Years as a Diocese; and Evolving Priestly Life in Southern

DIVINE MERCY OF JESUS—Bp. James V. Johnston spoke of the love and mercy of Christ during the Opening Mass of the an-nual Seminarian Gathering, which was held Aug. 9 in Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Bran-son. (Photo by Dan Williams)

Seminarians gather with Bishopfor annual respite before fall

ANNUAL BOAT OUTING—Seminarian Charles Peirano, Fr. Scott Sunnenberg, semi-narian Ethan Protzel, and Robert Hendrix enjoyed time on Lake Taneycomo during the annual Seminarian Gathering. Hendrix was one of several young men who attended an evening of the gathering as a guest, joining the seminarians and Bp. James V. Johnston for a meal and presentation before some leisure time on the lake. Hendrix is from St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau, and is active in Catholic Campus Ministry. The annual boat outing is sponsored by the Kimberling City Knights of Columbus. (Photo by J.B. Kelly)

ANNUAL SEMINARIAN GATHERING—Bp. James V. Johnston gave a brief presentation to the seminarians and several young men at-tending the annual Seminarian Gathering as guests on Mon., Aug. 10. There are 16 men in seminary formation and studies this fall for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The annual Seminarian Gathering was held Aug. 9-13, in Forsyth, MO. (Photo by J.B. Kelly)

ST. MEINRAD SEMINARIANS—Joseph Stoverink and Colby Elbert posed for a photo during the annual Seminarian Gathering. Both men, and Rev. Mr. Charles Dunn, are the three seminar-ians at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indi-ana. Stoverink and Elbert are third-year Theology students. Dunn is a fourth-year Theology student and a transi-tional deacon. (Photo by Dan Williams)

MUNDELEIN SEMINARIANS—Rev. Mr. David Baunach and Andrew Williams posed for a photo during the annual Seminarian Gathering. They are two of four men in formation at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, IN. They study alongside diocesan seminarians Brian Straus and Gideon Barr. Straus and Barr are second-year Theology students; Williams is in his third year of Theology studies; transitional deacon Baunach is a fourth-year Theology student. (Photo by Dan Williams)

Four new seminarians

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has added four new seminarians to its roster for the fall:

David GomezLanguage, Church, and Culture studies

John HawksCollege 1 at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis

Jacob MezzacapaCollege 1 at Conception Seminary, Conception, MO

Ethan ProtzelCollege 1 at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis

CONCEPTION SEMINARIANS—Jacob Mez-zacapa, Nicholas Newton, Josh Carroll, and Charlie Peirano posed for a photo during the annual Seminarian Gathering with a damaged and abandoned sign indicating the town in which Conception Seminary is located and, ironically, the “5” men who at-tend the seminary . Not pictured is David Go-mez, who, along with Mezzacapa, is one of four new seminarians to the Diocese . Gomez also attends Conception. (Photo by Dan Williams)

August 21, 2015 The Mirror 7DIOCESAN NEWS

Adding four new men this semester, the Diocese currently has 16 diocesan seminarians, all but one of which are

“home-grown,” and call southern Missouri home. The 2015-16 diocesan seminarians are:

ST. MEINRAD SEMINARY,St. Meinrad INRev. Mr. CHARLES DUNN— Theology 4Home parish: St. John, Leopold, MOCOLBY ELBERT—Theology 3Home parish: St. Peter the Apostle Parish, JoplinJOSEPH STOVERINK—Theology 3Home parish: St. Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau

KENRICK-GLENNON SEMINARY, St. Louis MOALLEN KIRCHNER— Pre-Theology 2Home parish: Immaculate Conception, JacksonDANIEL BELKEN—College 4Home parish: Our Lady, Help of Christians, Weingarten, MOJOHN HAWKS—College 1Home parish: St. Benedict, DoniphanETHAN PROTZEL—College 1Home parish: St. Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau

MUNDELEIN SEMINARY, Mundelein, ILRev. Mr. DAVID BAUNACH— Theology 4Home parish: St. Joseph, BillingsANDREW WILLIAMS—Theology 3Home parish: St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, Cape GirardeauBRIAN STRAUS—Theology 2Home parish: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, SpringfieldGIDEON BARR—Pre-Theology 2Home parish: Catholic Campus Ministry, Cape Girardeau

CONCEPTION SEMINARY, Conception MONICHOLAS NEWTON—College 4Home parish: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, SpringfieldJOSHUA CARROLL—College 3Home parish: St. Agnes Cathedral, SpringfieldCHARLIE PEIRANO—College 2Home parish: Sacred Heart, ConwayJACOB MEZZACAPA—College 1Home parish: St. Joseph, SpringfieldDAVID GOMEZ—Language Church and CultureHome parish: St. Ann, Carthage

Diocese of Springfield-

Cape Girardeau

Carroll, on Sat., Aug. 8. Opening Mass for the week was held at Our Lady of the Lake in Branson, where the local Knights of Columbus hosted lunch. Then the group departed for their final destination, the Edgewater Beach Resort in Forsyth.

“The heart of our time together, as always, are the moments we gather for prayer and especially the Eucharist,” said Fr. Friedel.

Each day, the seminarians prayed together, celebrated the Eucharist, and had individual time with Bp. Johnston. This year, a series of topics were explored which included the History of the Catho-lic Church in Southern Missouri; Sto-ries of the “Early Days” in the Diocese; Changes in the 60 Years as a Diocese; and Evolving Priestly Life in Southern

OPENING MASS—Fr. Rick Jones gestured during the Opening Mass for the annual Seminarian Gathering. The liturgy was held Sun., Aug. 9, in Our Lady of the Lake Par-ish, Branson, where Fr. Jones is pastor. The lo-cal Knights of Columbus sponsored lunch for the seminarians and Bp. James V. Johnston before the group headed to Edgewater Beach Resort in Forsyth for a time of respite and fel-lowship Aug. 9-13 before the beginning of the fall semester and returning to their respective seminaries. (Photo by Dan Williams)

Seminarians gather with Bishopfor annual respite before fall

Missouri. In addition to fielding ques-tions, the subject matter was addressed by priests of the Diocese who also shared moments of their own experiences of the priesthood. Msgr. William Stanton, Msgr. Raymond Orf, and Msgr. Richard Rolwing were special guests in this regard.

Two recreational highlights of the Seminarian Gathering include the annual boat ride and dinner on Aug. 10 spon-sored by the Knights of Columbus of Kimberling City. The 9th annual Minia-ture Golf Tournament was held Aug. 11.

Bp. Johnston led several reflections for the men, including one discussing “Seminarian Practicalities.” The annual gathering of discernment, respite, and fellowship closed Thu., Aug. 13. ©TM

BISHOP GREETS FAMILIES—Bp. James V. Johnston greeted family members of the dioc-esan seminarians and parishioners after the Opening Mass in Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, for the annual Seminarian Gather-ing. The Seminarian Gathering was held Aug. 9-13 in Forsyth, MO. The Diocese of Spring-field-Cape Girardeau has 16 men in seminary formation and study. (Photo by Dan Williams)

ANNUAL SEMINARIAN GATHERING—Bp. James V. Johnston gave a brief presentation to the seminarians and several young men at-tending the annual Seminarian Gathering as guests on Mon., Aug. 10. There are 16 men in seminary formation and studies this fall for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The annual Seminarian Gathering was held Aug. 9-13, in Forsyth, MO. (Photo by J.B. Kelly)

PASTOR AND SEMINARIAN—Fr. Lewis He-jna, pastor, St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, shared a laugh with seminarian Josh Carroll during the family picnic held Aug. 8 at the home of Carroll’s parents before the launch of the annual Seminarian Gathering on Aug. 9-13. Carroll’s home parish is St. Agnes Ca-thedral. (Photo by Dan Williams)

MUNDELEIN SEMINARIANS—Rev. Mr. David Baunach and Andrew Williams posed for a photo during the annual Seminarian Gathering. They are two of four men in formation at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, IN. They study alongside diocesan seminarians Brian Straus and Gideon Barr. Straus and Barr are second-year Theology students; Williams is in his third year of Theology studies; transitional deacon Baunach is a fourth-year Theology student. (Photo by Dan Williams)

NEW SEMINARIAN—Fr. Patrick Nwokoye, diocesan Director of Vocation Promotion, talked with Ethan Protzel, a new semi-narian for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Protzel is beginning his College 1 studies at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He’s in seminary with Allen Kirchner, Daniel Belken, and John Hawks, who also begins his College 1 studies for the Diocese this fall. (Photo by Dan Williams)

8 The Mirror August 21, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS

To become a sponsor or for more information, please contact:Brigitte Marrs, Director of DevelopmentCatholic Charities of Southern Missouri(417) 720-4213 or bmarrs@ccsomo.org

For more information, log on to www.ccsomo.org.Visit Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri on Facebook.Cape Girardeau: (573) 335-0134 • Joplin: (417) 624-3790 • Sikeston: (573) 481-0659• Van Buren: (573) 323-4044 • Administration: (417) 720-4213

WASHER TOURNAMENTSaturday: Begins 2 p.m. – Entry form on back

and in the Gathering Area of Main Lobby

EMBROIDERED HATS AND POLOS

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SILENT AUCTION IN SCHOOL

CAFETERIATable Closings: 8 p.m., 8:15 p.m., & 8:30 p.m.

Pick up items at 9:30 p.m. (Saturday) or

Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

ST. FRANCIS PLUSH ADOPTION

Help celebrate the life of St. Francis, loving

friend to all of God’s creatures, by adopting

a plush animal.

BBQ DINNERLocated in the Old Gym (Main Building)

Friday: 5-9 p.m.Saturday 4-8 p.m.Dinner: $10 per Adult / $7 per Senior

$4 per child age 10 or younger

Desserts: $1 each

HARVEST GRILLSnacks & RefreshmentsFriday 5-10 p.m.Saturday 2-10 p.m.

TENT ENTERTAINMENTFriday 5-7:30pmLonesome Hollow Bluegrass Band

www.lonesomehollowbluegrass.com

Friday 8-11:30 p.m.DJ – “B Sharp Entertainment”

www.bsharpdj.com

Saturday 2:30-3:00 p.m.Sonshine Dance Troupewww.sonshinedance.com

Saturday 5:30-7 p.m.Dueling Pianos – FeaturingDavid Pyck & Mike Tettamble

Saturday 8-11:45pmRum Doctors

Harvest Home 2015

Friday and Saturday

September 11 & 12

St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church

2200 W Republic Rd(417) 887-6472

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

LIFEHOUSE MOTHERS AND BABIES—Women and children of LifeHouse posed for a photo to express gratitude to the community that supports the ministry of LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home in Springfield. A ministry of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, LifeHouse will hold its annual Din-ner for Life on Sept. 18. All are welcome. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

Be present Sept. 18 with Bp. Johnston and Bp. Emeritus LeibrechtSpringfield

Those who attend Dinner for Life 2015 will affect positive changes in the lives of young mothers and their babies.

Dinner for Life is a critical fund rais-ing event that makes possible services available at LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home, a program of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri.

Since opening on Dec. 27, 2013, LifeHouse has housed 48 young wom-en and 11 toddlers and, most impor-tantly, 24 healthy babies have been born. The young women who come to LifeHouse are in desperate circum-stances—pregnant, homeless, alone, and scared. LifeHouse provides them with a safe place to call home, clothing,

and nutritious meals, as well as com-prehensive services to help them ob-tain prenatal care, an education, a job, and permanent housing. While at LifeHouse, the residents also receive counseling and take classes in parent-ing, relationships and life skills, as well as money management. They can stay for up to one year after delivery as they work toward self-sufficiency.

“I now have initials after my name,” announced one beaming resi-dent recently, “C.N.A.!” She had just completed her training and testing to become a certified nurse’s assistant, and she was so proud and happy! Her ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse.

Those who attend Dinner for Life make possible the life-altering op-portunities available to young women and babies at LifeHouse. Please plan to attend and participate in providing a positive future for women and chil-dren. ©TM

Dinner for life 2015 changes lives

August 21, 2015 The Mirror 9DIOCESAN NEWS

BISHOPS call to PRAYER for LIFE, MARRIAGE, and RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

The US bishops invite the faithful to join a movement of prayer and sacrifice for the protection of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country. Serious threats to each of these have raised unprecedented challenges to the Church and the nation. When confronted with challenges, our Lord calls us to sacrifice and pray. Click www.usccb.org/pray for more ways to answer the call:

JOIN

PRAY

FAST

Join the movement. Subscribe to weekly reminders via Email or text message. Like us on Facebook.

Prayer is a gift from God. Pray the Rosary, visit our Lord in Adoration, offer up special intentions during Mass or pray something of your choosing.

Offer a sacrifice of love, such as fasting, abstaining from meat, or some other small sacrifice of your choosing.

Lay Marists installed atSt. William Catholic Church

COMMITMENT OF NEW MARISTS—Two new Marists were confirmed in St. William Catholic Church, Buffalo, MO, on Pentecost Sunday, May 25. Pictured were Marist Leader Jeanne Toops, Jennifer Satterfield, Teresa Larimer, Hope Stubbs, Fr. David Miller, Marijo Macella, Helen Crowder, and Penny Nevills. (Submitted photo)

Buffalo, MO

Lay Marists welcomed two new members on Pentecost Sunday. Fr. David Miller, pastor, installed the new

members during a commitment ceremony during Mass in St. Wil-liam Catholic Church on May 25, 2015. There are seven committed lay Marists in St. William Church.

Marists are people who are called to do the work of Mary in her name and with her spirit in or-der to serve and evangelize through prayer, work, and study. For Mary, life was one of prayer and action. God’s will was her first concern; God’s interests were Mary’s only interests. Often called the first dis-ciple of Jesus, Mary was compas-sionate, merciful, living a life of humility, poverty, self-denial, and ardent love of neighbor.

Marists include a family of

branches: Marist Brothers, Marist Fathers, Marist Sisters, Marist La-ity, and Marist Missionary Sisters. Marist founder Fr. Jean-Claude Colin taught that lay people are called to partnership in mission with priests and religious. Marist Laity, as individuals and as groups, have often worked with Marist priests, brothers, and sisters in bringing the Gospel to the world.

As the Second Vatican Coun-cil reminds, lay people have a unique opportunity to evangelize the family, the neighborhood, and the workplace. Marist Lay groups take on a diversity of structures, works, traditions, and names, de-pending on circumstances and in-terests. The groups are called The Marist Laity, The Marist Way, or the Third Order of Mary.

More information may be found at www.maristlaity.org. ©TM

FAMILY OF THE YEAR—Dennis Labanowski and his wife, Deborah, were awarded the Family of the Year award from the Father Paul McHugh Knights of Columbus Council 6470 in Branson, MO, on Aug. 9, 2015. Pictured were Dan Drzewiecki, the Council’s program director; Fr. Rick Jones, pastor, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, and Council chaplain; the Labanowskis, and Bp. James V. Johnston, Jr. (Photo by Larry Plano)

Branson Knights name ‘Family of the Year’Plano named ‘Knight of the Year’

KNIGHT OF THE YEAR—Larry Plano (center) was awarded the Knight of the Year distinction from the Father Paul McHugh Knights of Columbus Council 6470 in Branson, MO, on Aug. 9, 2015. Plano is pictured with (left) Fr. Rick Jones, pastor, and Bp. James V. Johnston (right). Bp. Johnston and the dioc-esan seminarians were provided lunch by the Knight’s Council the same day at the launch of the Seminarian Gathering at Our Lady of the Lake Parish. (Photo by Dan Williams)

10 The Mirror August 21, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING

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Back-to-School Mass held in O’Reilly Catholic Student CenterSpringfield

A standing-room-only crowd attended the Back-to-School Mass on Sun., Aug. 16, with Bp. James V. Johnston at

Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) in Springfield. The O’Reilly Catholic Stu-dent Center is home to almost 1,000 students from the campuses of Drury University, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Technical Community College. Claretian Fr. Tom McGann,

CMF, serves as Director and Chaplain of CCM; Sr. Michelle Nguyen, CMR, is Pastoral Associate.

During the Mass, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FO-CUS) Missionaries were recognized. For the 2015-16 academic year, the FOCUS team is Evan Woolsoncroft, team lead-er; Daniel Porting, Sam Walton, Taryn Dennis, and Rachel Woolsoncroft. Bp. Johnston and Fr. McGann also in-stalled the 12-member student council at CCM during the Aug. 16 liturgy.

Springfield

The annual student-led Awak-ening retreat with Fr. Tom McGann, CMF, will be held Sept. 18-20. These days allow

for time with Jesus, time for fellow-ship, and help to prepare students for the new school year. Register or ap-ply to be a staffer at www.ccm847org/ awakening. ©TM

Register for Awakening Retreat Sept. 18-20

GIFT BEARERS—Asher Allman and Kim Kayser served as Gift Bearers to Bp. James V. Johnston at the Back-to-School Mass held in O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield on Aug. 16. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

HOLY COMMUNION—A student received Eucharist from Bp. James V. John-ston on Aug. 16 at the Catholic Campus Ministry Back-to-School Mass on the campus of Missouri State University. O’Reilly Catholic Student Center is home to almost 1,000 students. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

BACK-TO-SCHOOL—A capacity crowd filled O’Reilly Student Center for a Back-to-School Mass with Bp. James V. Johnston on Aug. 16. Cath-olic Campus Ministry serves students from Drury University, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Techni-cal Community College, in Spring-field. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

August 21, 2015 The Mirror 11DIOCESAN NEWS/LETTER TO EDITOR/ADVERTISING

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While visiting one of our six children this sum-mer, my wife and I took two of our grandsons to

Sunday church with us. As we walked toward the church, one of the grand-sons found a penny on the sidewalk.

I said to him, “Oh, you found a penny from heaven!”

The five-year-old asked me what I meant.

I told him my grandmother told me that when you find a penny on the ground like that, it must be “a penny from heaven.”

During the Mass, when the collection basket came around, my grandson put the penny into the bas-ket. After the liturgy, I complemented the boy for doing that and told him the gospel story of the widow who

gave her last coin to God. I told him that God always rewards us, often tenfold, when we share what we have with others.

As we walked back to the car about two minutes later, he found a dime on the ground! He shouted, “Oh look, God just paid me back.”

Sometimes God responds pretty quickly!

Dr. Mike and Mrs. Jane HynesOur Lady of the Lake Parish

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Sometimes God responds quickly

LETTER TO EDITORFrom Our Reader

Back-to-School Mass held in O’Reilly Catholic Student CenterActivities were held every night

the first week of classes. Some of these included a Root beer kegger; the CCM Knights of Columbus Council 11182 sponsored a barbecue; a tie-dye T-shirt night was held; Andy’s Frozen Cus-tard and Subway sponsored water-fight night; and the traditional Fellowship Friday Lunch was held drawing close

INSTALLATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL—Bp. James V. Johnston and Clare-tian Fr. Tom McGann installed the 12 members of the Catholic Campus Min-istry Student Council during the Back-to-School liturgy held Aug. 16 on the campus of Missouri State University, Springfield. (Photo by Dean Curtis/The Mirror)

to 190 students. Students will also en-joy a new sand volleyball pit that was recently added to the CCM facility.

For more information about Cath-olic Campus Ministry on the campus of Missouri State University or its ac-tivities and events, log on to www.847.org, or like “O’Reilly Catholic Student Center (CCM)” on Facebook. ©TM

12 The Mirror August 21, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS

Labor Day: Importance of work in building & supporting families

Washington

Creating sufficient, decent work that honors the dignity of families is a necessary compo-nent of the challenge facing

all Catholics, and it is the Catholic way, said the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Abp. Thomas G. Wenski of Miami cited the importance of work in supporting families in the 2015 Labor Day statement, which drew on June encyclical of Pope Francis on ecology, “Laudato Si.”

“We must not resign ourselves to a ‘new normal’ with an economy that does not provide stable work at

a living wage for too many men and women,” Abp. Wenski said. “We are in need of a profound conversion of heart at all levels of our lives.” Abp. Wenski challenged Catholics to “re-commit ourselves to our brothers and sisters around the world in the human family, and build systems and struc-tures that nurture family formation and stability in our own homes and neighborhoods.”

Abp. Wenski noted that even though work is meant for the sake of family, “Wage stagnation has increased pressures on families, as the costs of food, housing, transportation, and education continue to pile up.” He said, “the violation of human dignity

Beloved priest, author, theologian dead at age 76Perryville, MO

The Rev. Oscar J. Lukefahr, CM, died after a brief battle with cancer on Mon., Aug. 10, 2015, in the Apostle of Charity Resi-

dence, Perryville, MO. He was 76 years old.

Fr. Lukefahr was born July 20, 1939, in Highland, MO, to Marie (Hu-ber) Lukefahr and Simon Lukefahr.

He attended St. Vincent

Elementary School in Perryville, MO, and secondary school at St. Vincent College in Cape Girardeau. Fr. Lukefahr entered the Internal Seminary in 1957 and professed vows in the Congrega-tion of the Missions (Vincentian’s) on May 31, 1962. He progressed through the educational system at St. Mary Seminary through May 1964. The the-ology program shifted to DeAndreis Seminary in Lemont, IL, in the fall of 1964, and Fr. Lukefahr completed his

theology studies and was ordained a priest May 28, 1966. Fr. Lukefahr earned master’s degrees in Latin from DePaul Uni-versity in 1968 and counseling from Southeast Missouri State University in 1972.

Fr. Lukefahr began his priestly ministerial life as a high-school teach-er at St. Vincent College from 1966 to 1969, then at St. Vincent de Paul Semi-nary in Beaumont, TX, from 1969 to 1972.

His ministerial life shifted when he began 19 years in parish ministry as an associate at St. Vincent de Paul in Cape Girardeau from 1972 to 1978 and again from 1982 to 1984. He served as pastor of the Most Precious Blood Par-ish in Denver from 1978 to 1982 and Parish Administrator, St. Denis Parish in Benton, MO, from 1984 to 1991.

In 1991, Fr. Lukefahr became the director of Catholic Home Study Ser-vice based in Perryville, a ministry of the Missouri Knights of Columbus and the Vincentian Community. This education and evangelization effort involved him in the lives of many thousands of people who desired to learn more about the Catholic faith. He served as the director of the service until his death. He served also as the spiritual director of the Association of the Miraculous Medal for the last three years. At various times, he was Chapli-an and Spiritual advisor to the Knights of Columbus.

One of his greatest accomplish-ments was the writing of eight books, published by Liguori, on the Catholic

faith. These books are found all over the world and are used by Catholics to enhance their faith and understand-ing of the Church. Fr. Lukefahr was a frequent contributer to The Mirror, diocesan newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, and other publications.

He was always enthusiastic about good health and exercise. In his young-er years, he ran multiple marathons. He always enjoyed the outdoors, and particularly loved to spend time in the mountain states hiking and fishing.

With a ready smile, Fr. Lukefahr was a devoted son of the Church and of the community. He loved to share the faith during parish missions and always had a humorous anecdote to share.

He will be missed by many friends whom he impacted deeply, and by his confreres, with whom he shared his life the last 58 years.

He is survived by two sisters, Sr. Joann Lukefahr, DC, and Mary Luke-fahr; a sister-in-law, Barbara Lukefahr; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Simon “Joe” Lukefahr, Jr. Fr. Lukefahr is the neph-ew of Vincentian Fr. Oscar Huber, CM, who administered the Anointing of the Sick to Pres. John F. Kennedy and consoled First Lady Jacqueline Kenne-dy at the time of the president’s assas-sination in 1963.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held Sat., Aug. 15, in the Church of the Assumption in Perryville. Fr. Lukefahr was buried in the Vincentian Commu-nity Cemetery in Perryville.

Memorials may to made to the St. Vincent School System, the American Cancer Society, or the Association of the Miraculous Medal. ©TM

Fr. Lukefahr

“I address a strong appeal from my heart that the dignity and safety of the worker always be protected.” —Pope Francis, Regina Caeli, 4/28/13

Franciscan Sr. Lorraine Biebel, founder of The Kitchen, dies Aug. 15

Sr. Biebel

‘The rest of the world had Mother Teresa, the Ozarks had Sr. Lorraine.”

—Springfield News-Leader

Republic, MO

The Little Portion Franciscan Sisters of Republic recently announced the death of Sr. Lorraine Biebel, OSF, on the

Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15, 2015. Sr. Biebel was 91 and resided in Mercy Villa Nursing Home, Springfield.

Sr. Biebel was born Feb. 10, 1924, in Ladysmith, WI, to Michael and Catherine (Linssen) Biebel. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Pearl and Mildred. She is survived by eight nieces & nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

A former nurse, Sr. Biebel was a consecrated religious for more than 60 years and spent her life serving the poor and suffering. She founded what later became known as The Kitchen, Inc., as a humble soup

is evident in exploited workers, trafficked women and children, and a broken immigra-tion system that fails people and families desperate for decent work and a better life.”

In “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis challenges people to see the connections between human labor, care for creation, and honoring the dignity of the “universal family, a sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate, and humble respect,” Abp. Wenski said.

The full text of the 2015 Labor Day statement is available Online.

English: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/labor-employment/labor-day-state-ment-2015.cfm

Spanish: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/labor-employment/declaracion-del-dia-del-trabajo-2015.cfm ©TM

kitchen in St. Agnes School cafeteria in 1983. An ar-ticle outlining her significant contribution to the community and her life of ministry to the most vulnerable of society will be in the next issue of The Mirror.

After a prayer service and visi-tation on Aug. 19 in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Springfield, the Mass of Christian Burial was held Thu., Aug. 20, also in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, with The Most Rev. James V. Johnston as celebrant. Bp. Emeritus of the Diocese John J. Leibrecht concelebrated the liturgy as did many priests.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: Little Portion Fran-ciscans 645 Assisi Way Republic, MO 65738.

Permanent Online condolenc-es, stories, and photos may be shared at www.hlohmeyer.com. ©TM