The next issue of The Mirror will be Aug. 3, 2018.Experiencing delayed USPS delivery? Sign up to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format: Contact Angie Toben at (417) 866-0841, or Email: atoben@dioscg.org.

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By J.B. Kelly Springfield

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau celebrated the ordination of Fr. Brian Straus by Bp. Edward Rice

on the evening of Fri., June 8, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Hundreds were in attendance at the liturgy, which took place in Fr. Straus’ home parish of St. Eliza-beth Ann Seton in Springfield. The Mirror asked Fr. Straus to reflect on beginning his ministry as a priest in southern Missouri:

What do you most look forward to as a priest?

For a long time, I’ve been thinking about what my first Mass will be like. I have really looked forward to being the celebrant of the Mass and having the privilege to speak the words of Christ, “This is my Body, this is my Blood.” My years of study and anticipation help

me appreciate what a weighty gift it is to be entrusted with that task and act in the person of Jesus in the lit-urgy! I am also excited to experience the unbelievable privilege of hearing confessions and speaking God’s words of forgiveness as a minister of His mercy. I’m unworthy of filling these roles but so grateful that the Lord has chosen me and sent me as His minister!

What do you most look forward to in celebrating the liturgy?

My studies in liturgy have impressed upon me how great a blessing is the people’s participation in the sacrifice of the Mass. I’m ex-cited to now act as Christ’s representative leading the people in this great prayer of the Church! When Bp. Rice handed me the bread and wine at the ordination, he

told me that my task is to bring the oblation of the people for sacrifice to God. I’m overwhelmed to realize that

I’ve been entrusted with the power to transform the peo-ple’s offerings, through the words and grace of Christ, into His own true presence with us. I have been chosen to bring people to God and bring God to the people!

What do you most look forward to in deepening your service to the Church / fulfilling the will of God in your life?

I know from my semi-nary experiences and sum-mers what a gift the people of the parish are to a priest’s life. I always look forward to being immersed in the

fun, the work, the business, and the socializing of the congregation in

See Straus / 16

I will give my life in service to our diocese and seek the will of God for their lives.

SACRED PRIESTHOOD—In his home parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Springfield, Brian Straus was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice on Fri., June 8, 2018. “When Bp. Rice handed me the bread and wine, he told me that my task is to bring the oblation of the people for sacrifice to God. … I’m unworthy of filling these roles but so grateful that the Lord has chosen me and sent me as His minister. (Photos by Phil Labadie/The Mirror)

Fr. Brian Strausordained to the priesthood

2 The Mirror July 20, 2018COLUMN

Shrill of cicada cues close to summerCOME, AND YOU WILL SEEBp. Edward M. Rice

DioSCG @DioSCG - Jul 12

Seminarian Nick Zummo hard at work in a Spanish Study Immersion in Wichita, KS. We are blessed by these men called to serve!

Mid-August always puts a knot in the pit of my stomach. I still

remember going to Mass on the Feast of the Assump-tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 15, and hearing the announcement at the end of Mass, “School begins tomorrow.” Ugh!! Where did the summer go? I think half the fun of summer vacation is its anticipation in May. Then, before you know it, it’s the Fourth of July. My mom used to say that if you didn’t do whatever you wanted to do over the sum-mer by the Fourth of July, you wouldn’t find the time to do it. Summer is almost over! And of course, there is the sound of the Mis-souri cicadas that singsong their noise the end of July. When you hear them, it’s like the closing music-bed of a movie: your summer is definitely over!

Schools evangelizeNow is the time for

teacher’s meetings and final touches on classrooms. It

is also a time to welcome all the new teachers for the 2018-2019 school year in our elementary, high school, and Parish School of Religion (PSR) programs. I appreci-ate all that you do! I recall last year, when speaking to the teachers, I said, “I do not hire teachers, I hire evan-gelizers.” I echo that same sentiment today to all of our new teachers, principals, volunteers, and administra-tors. No one acts alone. No one teaches alone. Just as the priests of the diocese are an extension of my work, so too are the teachers, princi-pals, and administrators. In a special way, we welcome the new Director of Springfield Catholic Schools, Sr. Cecilia Ann Rezac, MS. Principal Amy Galemore in St. Henry School, Charleston; and Prin-cipal Joanne Lown in St Mary School in Joplin.

Our schools exist to evangelize. Our schools should be places of encoun-ter with the person of Jesus Christ. Our school programs challenge our students academically and spiritually so that when they move on to the next level, they have grown in discipleship. And our Holy Father, in his new letter to the Church, “Gaud-ete et Exultate” (“Rejoice and Be Glad”), reminds us that holiness is the call of every Christian. Remember, you can be holy in the cafeteria;

INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL-ROMAN CATHOLIC DIALOGUE—Members of the International Pentecostal-Roman Catho-lic Dialogue from all over the globe met in Springfield July 12-18. They are pictured here with members of the local Pente-costal-Roman Catholic Dialogue before a dinner held in The Catholic Center, Springfield. A news article on their historical gathering may be found on p. 11 of this issue. (Photo by Leslie Eidson/The Mirror)

to embrace the lifestyle of the priesthood as proposed by the Church. How long does this take? Good ques-tion! Is a man every fully prepared? NO, and so we have to trust in the grace of God. Still, the documents are constantly reviewed with an eye on current culture. This is done to determine what issues today need to be addressed that were not on the horizon a generation ago. Today, there is a call for an extra year in the diocese

to anchor the man in the local church where he will min-ister. The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is still trying to figure out what that will look like: Will we have a house of formation? Can a seminarian live in a rectory for a year? Would he undergo some type of “Intro to Spring-field-Cape Girardeau

101?” Maybe he could be the Bishop’s “intern” and shadow me throughout my travels. That would be an education, as he would certainly become familiar with the variety of experiences within the 39 counties in our diocese.

May Our Lady protect and guide all of our students, teachers, and administrators in the coming academic year! ©TM

you can be holy during recess, in the classroom, and in your afterschool activities. Holiness is not just for the few—it is the vocation of all who have been baptized into the life of Christ. My hope for this new academic year is that everyone involved in Catho-lic education will grow in holiness, grow in discipleship and be witness to the faith to others. If we do that, this will be our best school year ever!

Seminarian formationPlease remem-

ber to pray for our seminarians, too, as they return to their courses of study for another year of for-mation. All seminar-ies are guided by the same documents, especially “Pas-tores Dabo Vobis” (“I Will Give You Shepherds”), from Pope St. John Paul II. In this watershed document, he out-lines four areas of necessary growth, the four “pillars” of seminary formation: spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human. While each has a specific area of concern, they integrate together into the man who presents himself for ordination. When all four of these areas come together, with transparency and matu-rity, the man has reached the necessary level of maturity

Holiness is the vocation of all who have been baptized into the life of Christ.

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 3

August prayer intention:For all students returning to school, especially for college students who will be away from home for the first time.

Public calendarTue., July 31 The Catholic Center Staff

Mass celebrating Bp. Rice’s birthday

Thu., Aug. 2 Marian Days in Carthage, CRM Campus;

7 p.m. Main Celebrant opening Mass;

8 p.m. Presider at Solemn Eucharistic Procession

Fri., Aug. 3 Marian Days in Carthage, CRM Campus

Sat., Aug. 4 Marian Days in Carthage, CRM Campus;

4:30 p.m. Presider at Solemn Procession of Our Lady of Fatima;

8-8:30 p.m. Pontifical Mass in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary—Bp. Kemme

Sun., Aug. 5 Marian Days in Carthage, CRM Campus

Sun., Aug. 5- Seminarian Gathering—Sat., Aug. 11 Edgewater Resort, Forsyth,

MOThu., Aug. 9 Catholic Man Night, Our6:30 p.m. Lady of the Lake, BransonFri., Aug. 10 The Catholic Center Staff

Mass celebrating Bp. Emertus John Leibrecht’s birthday

Sat., Aug. 11 Sacrament of Confirmation4 p.m. at Immaculate Conception

Parish, SpringfieldMon., Aug. 13 Back to school Mass at8:30 a.m. Immaculate Conception,

SpringfieldWed., Aug 15 Mass & Pastoral Visit,11 a.m. Nazareth Hermitage, Ava,

MOFri., Aug. 17 The Catholic Center Staff

Mass & MeetingSat., Aug. 18 Sacrament of5:30 p.m. Confirmation, Sacred Heart

Parish, Willow SpringsSun., Aug. 19 Mass & Blessing of New4 p.m. School, St. Eustachius,

PortagevilleMon., Aug. 20 Carnival, Catholic Campus6 p.m. Ministry, Springfield

COLUMNA

VEN Y VERÁS

Obispo Edward M. Rice

Los chillidos de las cigarras nos sugieren el fin del verano

A mediados de agosto, siempre tengo un nudo en la boca del estómago. Todavía recuerdo haber asistido a la Misa en la

Fiesta de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María, el 15 de agosto, y es-cuchar el anuncio al final de la Misa: “La escuela comienza mañana”. ¡¡Ay !! ¿Adónde se fue el verano? Creo que la mitad de la diversión de las vaca-ciones de verano es su expectativa en mayo. Y, antes de que te des cuenta, es el 4 de julio. Mi madre solía decir que, si no hacías lo que querías hacer durante el verano antes del 4 de julio, no encontrarías tiempo para hacerlo. ¡El verano casi termina! Y, por su-puesto, está el sonido de las cigarras de Missouri que cantan a finales de julio. Cuando las escuchas, es como la música de cierre de una película: ¡tu verano definitivamente se acabó!

Las escuelas evangelizanAhora es el momento de las re-

uniones de los maestros y los toques finales en las aulas. También es un momento para dar la bienvenida a todos los maestros nuevos para el año escolar 2018-2019 en nuestros pro-gramas de primaria, secundaria y de escuela de religión parroquial (PSR). ¡Gracias por todo lo que ustedes hacen! Recuerdo que el año pasado, cuando hablé con los maestros, dije: “No contraté maestros, contraté evangelizadores”. Me hago eco del mismo sentimiento hoy a todos nuestros nuevos maestros, directores, voluntarios y administradores. Nadie actúa solo. Nadie enseña solo. Así como los sacerdotes de la diócesis son una extensión de mi trabajo, tam-bién lo son los maestros, directores y administradores. De manera especial, damos la bienvenida a la nueva direc-tora de las Escuelas de Springfield, la

Hna. Cecilia Ann Rezac, MS.Nuestras escuelas existen para

evangelizar. Nuestras escuelas deben ser lugares de encuentro con la perso-na de Jesucristo. Nuestros programas escolares desafían a nuestros estudi-antes académica y espiritualmente para que cuando pasen al siguiente nivel, hayan crecido en el discipulado. Y nuestro Santo Padre, en su nueva carta a la Iglesia, “Gaudete et Exultate” (“Alégrense y regocíjense”), nos recuerda que la santidad es el llamado de todo cristiano. Recu-erda, puedes ser santo en la cafetería; puedes ser santo durante el recreo, en el aula y en tus actividades después de la escuela. La santidad no es solo para unos pocos; es la vocación de todos los que han sido bautizados en la vida de Cristo. Mi esperanza para este nuevo año aca-démico es que todos los que participen en la educación católica crecerán en santi-dad, crecerán en el discipu-lado y serán testigos de la fe ante los demás. ¡Si lo hacemos, este será nuestro mejor año escolar!

Formación de los seminaristasPor favor, recuerden también

orar por nuestros seminaristas cu-ando regresen a sus cursos de estudio para otro año de formación. Todos los seminarios están guiados por los mismos documentos, especialmente “Pastores Dabo Vobis” (“Les daré pas-tores”), del papa San Juan Pablo II. En este documento fuente, él delinea cu-atro áreas de crecimiento necesario, los cuatro “pilares” de la formación del seminario: espiritual, intelectual,

La santidad es la vocación de todos los que han sido bautizados en la vida de Cristo.

‘FOLLOW ME’ V ENCUENTRO—The Diocesan Intercultural and Catholic Charismatic Renewal Committee for Youth (Region 1) in collaboration with the diocesan Office of Youth Formation, held a “Follow Me,” retreat experience for area youth ages 6th-12th grades in conjunction with the National V Encuentro on June 30, 2018 at McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin. The youth were able to experience the charism of the Ecclesial Movement of Catholic Charismatic Renewal. (The Mirror)

pastoral y humano. Si bien cada uno cubre un área específica, se integran en el hombre que se presenta para la ordenación. Cuando las cuatro áreas se unen, con transparencia y madu-rez, el hombre ha alcanzado el nivel necesario de madurez para abrazar el estilo de vida del sacerdocio según

lo propuesto por la Iglesia. ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva esto? ¡Muy buena pregunta! ¿Acaso un hombre puede estar completamente preparado? NO, y entonces tenemos que confiar en la gracia de Dios. Aun así, los documentos se revisan constantemente con un ojo puesto en la cultura actual. Esto se hace para determinar qué problemas se deben abordar hoy en día que no se preveían hace una generación. Hoy, se ve la necesidad de agregar un año adicional en la diócesis para anclar al hombre en la iglesia local donde servirá. La Dióce-sis de Springfield-Cape Gi-rardeau todavía está tratando de descubrir cómo se hará eso: ¿Tendremos una casa

de formación? ¿El seminarista puede vivir en una casa parroquial durante un año? ¿Se lo someterá a algún tipo de “Introducción al Aprendizaje de Springfield-Cape Girardeau”? Tal vez él podría hacer una “pasantía” (un tiempo de práctica) conmigo, el obis-po, y seguirme de cerca a lo largo de mis viajes. Eso sería una educación, ya que sin duda se familiarizaría con la variedad de experiencias dentro de los 39 condados de nuestra diócesis.

¡Que Nuestra Señora proteja y guíe a todos nuestros estudiantes, maestros y administradores en el próximo año académico! ©TM

4 The Mirror July 20, 2018MASS & EUCHARIST

Mass makes us a living EucharistBy Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City

In his catechesis on the Mass, Pope Francis said our participation in the Holy Eucharist is not

a merely spiritual commu-nion, but a sacramental one, uniting us to Christ and his Church.

“The celebration of the Mass … is ordered to sacra-mental Communion,” Pope Francis said March 21. “It is not a spiritual communion. No, [it is] a sacramental communion.”

“While it unites us to Christ, tearing us from our selfishness, Communion opens and unites us to all those who are one in Him,” he said. “Here is the wonder

of Communion: we become what we receive!”

Transformed in ChristPope Francis continued

his catechesis by outlining and explaining the second part of the Communion Rite in light of the passage from the Gospel of John where Jesus says: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”

When we receive Holy Communion, we must let ourselves be changed, he said, because as St. Augustine said, “every time we ap-proach the Eucharist, we are transformed into Jesus.”

“As bread and wine are converted into the Body and Blood of the Lord, so those who receive them with faith

are transformed into a living Eucharist,” Francis contin-ued, explaining the parts of the Mass.

After the Sign of Peace, the priest holds up the conse-crated host and says: “Blessed are the guests at the Lord’s Supper: here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

These words are in-spired by a passage from the Book of Revelation: “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb,” he said.

“This invitation calls us to experience the intimate union with Christ, source of joy and holiness,” Pope Francis said. “It is an invi-tation that rejoices and at the same time, leads to an examination of conscience illuminated by faith.”

“If on the one hand, in fact, we see the distance that separates us from the holi-ness of Christ, on the other we believe that his Blood is ‘shed for the remission of sins.’”

Salvific power of ChristAs an aside, Francis re-

minded Christians that they have already been pardoned through the grace bestowed at their baptism and are forgiven again every time they approach the Sacrament of Penance, because “Jesus forgives us always,” he said.

Repeating a favorite phrase, he emphasized that “Jesus does not tire of forgiv-ing us, it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”

The Pope also quoted St. Ambrose, who, thinking of the salvific power of the

blood of Christ, said: “I who always sin, must always have the remedy.”

With the same faith, Francis said, we also turn our gaze to the Lamb of God, praying to him with the words: “O Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

This is the point in the Mass where we go up to receive the Eu-charist, which is “a meeting with Jesus,” he said.

He also explained that though the entirety of Christ is present under each of the two species of the Eucharist, both Body and Blood, the Church believes that the “Eucharistic banquet is expressed with greater full-ness if Holy Communion is made under the two species.”

He also noted Church teaching that the faithful may receive Communion either “standing up with devotion, or kneeling,” as determined by the local bish-ops’ conference, and that the

ONE WITH CHRIST—As the Eucharistic Liturgy concludes with the prayer after Communion, we ask that what has been received transforms our life. Pope Francis noted the signifi-cance of the final prayer for the Mass of the day, Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent: “We ask the Lord that ‘participa-tion in his sacrament should be for us the medicine of salva-tion, heal us from evil and confirm us in his friendship.’” (Photo by Daniel Ibáñez)

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: 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.Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, MO, and additional mailing offices. Vol. LIV No. 7 July 20, 2018 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 atoben@dioscg.org.Copyright © 2018, The Mirror, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org

“Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG

Next up …A person transformed in Christ can not be corrupt.

Jesus does not tire of forgiving us, it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.

faithful receive “the sacra-ment in the mouth or, where it is allowed, on the hand, as preferred.”

After receiving the Eu-charist, to help acknowledge the gift, the Pope recom-mended spending time in silent prayer, or the singing of a psalm or hymn of praise.

The Eucharis-tic Liturgy con-cludes with the prayer after com-munion, where the priest “turns to God to thank him for making us his guests and to ask that what has been received transforms our life.”

He noted the significance of the final prayer for the Mass of the day,

Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent: “We ask the Lord that ‘participation in his sac-rament should be for us the medicine of salvation, heal us from evil and confirm us in his friendship.’” ©CNA

MONDAYRev. Mr. Andrew Williams

TUESDAYAlexander SutachanDaniel Belken

WEDNESDAYAllen KirchnerNicholas Newton

THURSDAYJesse Hiett

FRIDAYNick ZummoCharles Peirano

SATURDAYJohn Hawks

SUNDAYJacob Mezzacapa

MONDAYFr. Mark G. BoyerFr. M. Oliver ClavinFr. Peter Morciniec

TUESDAYMsgr. Edward M. EftinkFr. Robert A. Landewe

WEDNESDAYBp. Emeritus John J. LeibrechtFr. Frederick J. Lutz

THURSDAYFr. Ernest J. MarquartFr. Michael V. McDevittFr. Paul J. McLoughlin

FRIDAYMsgr. Raymond V. Orf

SATURDAYMsgr. Richard C. RolwingFr. Normand G. Varone

SUNDAYFr. Mitchell S. WilkFr. J. Patrick Wissman

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 5

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.

Belleville, IL—The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate will host a talk, “Walking in the Footsteps of Fr. Paul Schulte, OMI, Inuit Culture and Missionary Work,” at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Sat., Aug. 4, 3 p.m., in the Guild Center. Presenter is Bp. Anthony Krotki, OMI, Bishop of Churchill-Hudson Bay, Canada. Admission is free. For more information, contact the shrine at (618) 397-6276, or visit www.snows.org/events.

Cape Girardeau—The St. Padre Pio Emerg-ing Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will meet Sun., Aug 12, Saint Francis Medical Center. Prayers begin in the chapel at 1 p.m., with a fraternity meeting following in the St. Agatha conference room Join us to learn more about how you can live the call of “Gospel to Life, Life to Gos-pel” in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. For more information, Contact Shawn Asmus, OFS, (573) 204-7688, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/padrepiocape/.

Glennonville—St. Teresa Parish will host its Annual Picnic of Southern fried chicken and BBQ pork, Sat., July 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: adults: $10, children (ages six-12): $5. There will be children’s games, prize drawings, and Miss Heartland Pageant. For more information, call, (573) 328-4544.

Republic—Sixth Annual Bluegrass and Barbecue, Fri., Aug. 3, Republic Community Cen-ter, 711 E Miller Road, Republic, 5:30 p.m. Music from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Silent auction, 5:30-8 p.m. Proceeds to benefit Republic Pregnancy Resource Center.

Springfield—The Followers of Francis Fraternity will meet, Sat., July 28, beginning with lunch at noon (optional), then at 1 p.m. in the day chapel at Holy Trinity Parish. Contact for new in-quirers is Steve Moncher, stevemoncher@gmail.com, or call (417) 861-2109.

Springfield—Beginning Experience of Springfield will host a six-week series, “Coping with Life Alone,” beginning Thu., Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The Coping class is designed to help individuals work through the trauma of losing a spouse through death, divorce, or separation. Cost: $20. For more infor-mation, call Diane, (417) 859-0175, or (870) 688-8829; or Donna, (417) 529-1085.

Springfield—Sacred Heart Parish will host its 13th Annual Festival of the Nations, Sat., Aug. 25, 5-9 p.m. in the parish hall. Food tickets will be available for purchase at $1 ea., and festival goers will give one, two, or three tickets per food item, depending on the dish. Countries represented include Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Japan,

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ScheduleSafe environment in-service opportunities will be held at the following locations:

Mon., July 30 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sacred Heart, Willow Springs

Tue., Aug. 7 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Joseph, Scott City

Thu., Aug. 9 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Springfield

Mon., Aug. 13 2-5 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Lady of the Lake, Branson

Mon., Aug. 27 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin

Wed., Oct. 3 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Peter the Apostle, Joplin

Sun., Oct. 28 1-4 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Lady of the Lake, Branson

Pre-registration is necessary; go to www.virtus.org and click on “registration” on the left or

call your parish/school office for assistance; or call Rosie Francka at The Catholic Center,

(417) 866-0841; or Email her at rfrancka@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.

Mexico, Slovakia, Peru, United States, and Venezuela. For more information, contact Sacred Heart Church at (417) 869-3646, or sacredheartch@sbcglobal.net.

Branson YOUTH EVENT Sept. 8-9

All seventh-12th grade youth are invited Sept. 8-9 to Our Lady of the

Lake Parish, Branson, for a weekend of prayer, praise, and playtime in

order to draw closer to Jesus and his Church: Keynote, Mike Patin, “The

Faith Horticulturist.” Cost: $50, registration deadline is Aug. 6. For more

information, please call the parish at (417) 334-2928.We currently have at least 125 pregnant moms, and have welcomed 94 new babies into 2018 with the gift of a baby basket.

Birthright contact infoIn person: 2633 Hopper Rd.Mail: PO Box 741, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702Email: birthrightcape@att.netCall us: (573) 335-0750 or (573) 335-0266

Spring and summer needs list

✓ New 0-3 & 3-6 mo light weight pjs, boy/girl✓ NEW 0-3 & 3-6 mo summer outfits, boy/girl✓ NEW 0-3 & 3-6 mo s/s onesies, boy/girl✓ 4 oz bottles for 0-3 mo, slow flow✓ Gently used baby clothes, 18 mo-4T, boy/girl✓ Enfamil formula✓ Receiving blankets, new & gently used✓ Small fleece blankets, new & gently used✓ Maternity clothes, XS-XXXL✓ New or GENTLY used nursing bras✓ Nursing supplies—shields & storage bags✓ Burp cloths & bibs, boy/girl✓ Quilts & Afghans, boy/girl✓ 15 oz baby wash & lotion✓ Diapers & pull-ups, all sizes✓ Baby wipes in hard cases✓ Woman’s sanitary napkins✓ Hooded towels & wash cloths✓ Little extras—grooming kits, rattles, pacifiers, small & new stuffed animals, newborn baby toys, little texture toys

Drop off items at 2633 Hopper Rd.

Birthright of Cape Girardeau

Attention: Adult Catholic Men

Southwest MissouriThu., Aug. 9, 6:30-9 p.m.

Our Lady of the Lake, Branson, MOAn evening of Adoration, Confession, & a Manly Meal with discussion to follow.All men and their sons are encouraged to attend.To help plan for food, please RSVP to SGFareaCatholicManNight@gmail.com or (417) 827-0303

Southeast MissouriThu., Sept. 6, 6:30-9 p.m., St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau, MO

An evening of Adoration, Confession, & a Manly Meal with discussion to follow.All men and their sons are encouraged to attend.To help plan for food, please RSVP to SEMOCatholicManNight@gmail.com orto ‘SEMO Catholic Man Night’ on Facebook, or (573) 837-2556

CongratulationsCongratulations to the priest and deacons celebrating anniversaries in August:

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

PriestFr. Francisco “Paco” Gordillo—Aug. 5, 3 yrs.

DeaconsDeacon James Walter—Aug. 12, 1 yr.Deacon Mike Fritz—Aug. 12, 1 yr.

6 The Mirror July 20, 2018DIOCESAN NEWS

St. Teresa Academy seeks President

An enthusiastic, dynamic, and visionary leader is sought to serve as the President of St. Teresa Academy in Kansas City, MO, starting with the academic 2019-20 term. The President oversees the educational and spiritual direction of 600 students and the administrative activities of 100 full and part-time faculty and staff. This position offers a rewarding op-portunity for the right educational professional to lead a premier all-female college preparatory school, equipped with the most advanced tools and spaces to learn, study, exercise, and grow in faith. To check us out, view the full job description, or to apply, please go to STASTARS.org/job.

Catholic Scouting awards held in Old St. Vincent Chapel of EaseCape Girardeau

The annual Diocesan Council for Youth Adventure Pro-grams Awards ceremony was held in Old St. Vincent

Church in Cape Girardeau, on May Day, May 1, with Bp. Edward M. Rice. The Scouts receiving Catholic Scout-

LIGHT OF CHRIST— The Light of Christ program helps the Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With parents’ active assistance and par-ticipation in this program, Scouts come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend. Pictured receiving the Light of Christ Award May 1 were (first row): Brendan Dial, Anthony Cattaneo, Joseph Alipala, Evan Griesemer, Oli-ver Irvin, and Paul Schullberger; (second row): Remington Rueseler, Stuart Moore, Matthew Miget, Brody Limbaugh, Collin White, and Connor White. (Photo by Mary Ann Hennecke/The Mirror)

PARVULI DEI—The Parvuli Dei (Children of God) award is to help the Scout discover the presence of God in his daily life, to develop a good positive self-image, and to aid him in his awareness of the responsibilities that grow out of God’s love for him. Receiving the Parvuli Dei Award on May 1 were (first row): Matthew Austin, John Paul Alipala, Ryker Bomar, and Noah Coleman; (sec-ond row): Jonah Patomson, Nicholas Dial, Owen Zwiesler, and Joseph Schwen-demann. Not pictured: Samuel Gaeta. (Photo by Mary Ann Hennecke/The Mirror)

Travel with Fr. David MillerAug. 24-Sept. 2, 2018 to

IrelandCost is $3,700 per person, airfare included from anywhere in the US.

Please refer to trip #4782 when registering. For further information please call Fr. David at (417) 532-4811. Leave message and he will return your call.

www.proximotravel.com

ing awards included youth who were from Immaculate Conception Parish in Jackson, MO, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau, and St. Paul the Apostle Parish in North Little Rock, AR.

Fr. Patrick Nwokoye is the Dioc-esan Chaplain for Catholic Scouting. ©TM

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 7MCC SUPPLEMENT

8 The Mirror July 20, 2018MCC SUPPLEMENT

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 9MCC SUPPLEMENT

10 The Mirror July 20, 2018MCC SUPPLEMENT

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 11DIOCESAN NEWS

Springfield, MO

The First Session of the Sev-enth Phase of the Interna-tional Pentecostal-Roman Catholic Dialogue took place

in Springfield, MO, July 12-18, 2018, between member-leadership of the Catholic Church and Classical Pente-costal churches.

Begun in 1972, the goal of this Dialogue is to promote mutual respect and understanding in mat-ters of faith and practice. Genuine exchange and frank discussion con-cerning the positions and practices of the two traditions have been guiding principles of these conversations, which included daily prayer services led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals.

Schedule & topicsThe general topic for this

seventh phase is: “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi” (“Praying, Believing”). The plan of discussions included a General Introduction to the topic according to each tradition (2018); Kerygma/Proclamation and the Christian Life (2019); Prayer/Worship and Christian Life (2020); Sacramen-tality and Christian Living (2021), and Preparation of the Final Report (2022). The Pentecostal Co-Chair of the Dialogue is the Rev. Cecil M. Robeck, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, USA. Msgr. Juan Usma Gómez, Bureau Chief of the Pontifi-cal Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Catholic Co-Secretary, served as Acting Catholic Co-Chair for this first meeting.

During this first session, a Catholic paper entitled, “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi: Praying, Believing, A Way of Living,” was writ-ten and presented by Fr. James Puglisi, SA. Father Puglisi is the Director of Centro Pro Unione; Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas/Pontifical University of St. Anselm, Rome, Italy. The Pentecostal paper entitled, “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi: Pentecostal Perspectives,” was writ-ten and presented by Bp. Christopher A. Stephen-son. Bishop Stephenson is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Lee University, in Cleveland, TN.

“The Catholic and Pentecostal participants enjoyed rich and mean-ingful fellowship as they worshipped

together, engaged in heartfelt dia-logue, and shared meals,” said Rev. David Cole, Pentecostal Co-Secretary. “They were blessed by warm local Springfield hospitality, and benefited greatly from the privilege of learning more about the significant heritage and current realities of the global Pentecostal movement.”

Worship, study, discussionsMembers of the International

Dialogue engaged with local Pentecostal and Catholic leaders as well as members of the lo-cal Pentecostal-Catholic Dialogue. The participants were also welcomed July 15 at the Sunday Holy Mass in St. Agnes Cathe-dral and at the Sunday worship service at Central Assembly of God, both in Springfield. Two Co-Chairs of the local dia-logue were instrumental in preparations for the event: Rev. Martin Mit-telstadt, Professor of New Testament at Evangel University, and Nicholas Lund-Molfese, Ecumeni-cal Officer for the Dio-cese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

“This meeting has been a very promising beginning for the new phase of this dialogue, for the rich and positive exchange of views as

well as for the friendly atmosphere and mutual respect, trust, and honesty,” said Prof. Teresa Francesca Rossi, a member of the Catholic team. “The Springfield setting has been very welcoming; in fact, the vi-tality of the worshipping community both at Central Assembly and at St. Agnes Cathedral, as well as the fine academic work carried on at Evangel University, were an inspiring setting for our reflection about ‘lex orandi, lex credendi.’” ©TM

For photos and a listing of Dialogue participants and their credentials, visit www.dioscg.org.

International Pentecostal-Catholic Dialogue gathers in Springfield

‘That they all may be one,’ from the Gospel of John, forms the basis of ecumenical movements in uniting denominational Christian traditions.

PENTECOSTAL PAPER—Father Al-lan Saunders listened as Bp. Chris-topher A. Stephenson spoke during the International Pentecostal-Cath-olic Dialogue meetings July 12-18 in Springfield. The Pentecostal paper entitled, “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi: Pentecostal Perspectives,” was writ-ten and presented by Bp. Stephenson, who is Assistant Professor of System-atic Theology at Lee University, in Cleveland, TN. Father Saunders is pastor of St. Mary Cathedral Parish and Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, Cape Girardeau. He attended the Dialogue as the diocese’s Official Ob-server. (The Mirror)

ECUMENICAL GATHERING—Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht, who got involved with the local Pentecostal-Catholic Dialogue not long after his arrival in Springfield in 1984, is pictured with International Dia-logue member Dr. Teresa Rossi. Dr. Rossi is Associate Director of Centro Pro Unione at the Pontifical Uni-versity St. Thomas Aquinas/Pontifi-cal University St. Anselm, in Rome. (Photo courtesy of the Dialogue for The Mirror)

CATHOLIC TEAM—The Catholic membership of the International Pentecos-tal-Roman Catholic Dialogue huddled during meetings July 12-18 in Spring-field. Father Allan Saunders looked on while Fr. James Puglisi, SA, of Rome, Msgr. Juan Gomez of Vatican City, Dr. Teresa Rossie of Rome, (standing) Fr. Marcial Macaneiro, SCJ, of Brazil, and Fr. Lawrence Iwuamadi of Switzer-land, honed in on a point of discussion. (The Mirror)

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NATIONAL RESOURCE AND LEADERSHIP CEN-TER—Some members of the Interna-tional Pentecostal-Catholic Dialogue toured the Assemblies of God Nation-al Resource and Leadership Center in Springfield. The Dialogue held its his-toric meeting July 12-18, 2018, which included discussions, study, fellow-ship, and worship. (The Mirror)

12 The Mirror July 20, 2018DIOCESAN NEWS

BentonSt. Denis Catholic School has two positions open for the 2018-19 school year: A Part-Time Cook and an After-School Care Worker. Please send resume and application to St. Denis School, Attn: Karen Powers, PO Box 189, Benton, MO 63736, or Email it to karen@stdenisbenton.eduk12.net, or bring it by school. If you have questions, please call (573) 545-3017. Application may be found at www.stdenisbenton.eduk12.net under Forms and Documents.

JoplinSt. Mary Catholic Elementary School is seeking a Teacher certified to teach K-5 in Missouri, be creative and adaptive in teaching styles, willing to partner and communicate with parents, and have a strong desire to work as part of a growing, developing, faith-filled team. St. Mary School also seeks a Music Teacher. The successful candidate will have a background in music with 3-5 years of musical experience. Interested persons please send a resume and letter of interest to Joanne Lown, Principal, at jlown@jacss.orgSt. Peter Middle School is seeking a Boys Basketball Coach. The season begins in November. Interested persons: please send a resume and letter of interest to Randy Robertson, Athletic Director, at rrobertson@jacss.org.McAuley Catholic High School, is looking for the following positions: Social Studies Teacher for grades 9-12. The applicant must be certified in the State of Missouri. Catholic preferred. *Cheerleading Sponsor to head the cheerleading team. Interested persons: please send a resume and letter of interest to Tracey Welch, Principal, at twelch@jacss.org.

Joplin Area Catholic Schools is looking for a Licensed Bus Driver to run a route twice a day for the 2018-19 school year. For more information or to apply, please call Toni LoPresti, Transportation Coordinator, at (417) 438-0681.

Monett St. Lawrence Catholic School has an immediate opening for an Elementary Principal. Preferred requirements: Active Catholic, MO Certification in teaching, Master’s degree in School Administration (or working toward it), administrative experience and 3-5 years of school experience. Contact Fr. David Baunach, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Monett MO (417) 857-7136. Download application at https://stlawmonett.eduk12.net/other?Item=Employment%20Applications, and return via Email. Interviews will begin immediately.

Pierce CitySt. Mary Catholic School is in search of a Principal for the 2018-2019 school year. Applicants must hold or be working toward a Missouri Principal’s certificate. Please contact the parish at (417) 476-2827, or Email st_marys@live.com.

SpringfieldSt. Joseph Catholic Academy is looking for a committed Full-Time Eighth Grade Teacher to compliment our team of qualified educators. Our small class sizes afford the luxury of working in a family-type atmosphere that allows for deeper and more gratifying relationships with students, parents, and fellow teachers. Applicants should be a positive, hardworking, and enthusiastic teaching professional, exhibit Christ-like behaviors, and work collaboratively with colleagues. Active Catholic preferred. Please submit: cover letter and resume to Principal Bonnie Johnson at: bjohnson@stjosephcatholicacademy.org. For more information, Email Bonnie or call (417) 866-0667.Springfield Catholic High School is seeking applicants for an Evening Custodian. Responsible for sanitation, maintenance, and security of the High School building; twelve (12) month employee; work hours are 3-11 p.m. For additional information, please contact Sam Wutke at swutke@scspk12.org, or (417) 865-5567, ext 012. An Online application may be found at www.scspk12.org: click on the “About” tab at the top and scroll down to “Employment Opportunities.”

Employment positions around the diocese

Distinguished graduate puts faith into action

ALUMNUS—Don Olinger was recently chosen as the 2018 St. Teresa Catholic School Distinguished Graduate. Olinger is pictured with Fr. William Hennecke, Jr., pastor of the Glennonville parish, and Kim Lynn, principal of St. Teresa School. Olinger is an alumnus of St. Te-resa School, active in St. Teresa Parish, and promotes the faith through his actions. (Submitted photo)

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 13DIOCESAN NEWS

CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH OF SPRINGFIELDPRESENTS

DIVINE THERAPY: A DAY OF ENRICHMENTAugust 4, 2018

PRESENTED BYJames McElroyMcElroy is on the St. Louis Contemplative Outreach Leadership Team, a founding member of the 12-Step Outreach. He is currently a Living Flame presenter. His other interests center around gardening, hiking, and traveling.

We will gather at: Holy Trinity Church, Springfield9 a.m. Mass (optional)Registration/refreshments 9:30–10 a.m.Program begins promptly at 10:15 a.m.Program will end at 3 p.m.Lunch provided

We will go over the basics of Centering Prayer briefly, and describe the psychological dynamics of Centering Prayer. We will also explore the “Four Consents” of Thomas Keating’s model for growth and development as outlined in Invitation to Love.

A free-will offering of $30 is suggested to cover the cost of lunch and handoutsIf you have questions, please contact Barb DePue at: democatsx2@gmail or (417) 881-1381 or Mary Ellison at: maryellison@sbcglobal.net or (417) 844-1318

Do you know someone having finan-cial troubles? Too much debt? Can’t pay their bills? Please refer them to Consumer Credit Counseling of the Ozarks, now a subsidiary of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. Services are strictly confidential.

We will help you organize your debt, create a plan, and pay it down. Services are available throughout the diocese by in-per-son or phone counseling. For more infor-mation, call (417) 889-7474 (Springfield); (417) 624-3790 (Joplin); or toll-free (800) 882-0808, or consult our Website:

www.cccsoftheozarks.org

Need help with

debt management or financial counseling?

Please RSVPYou may register at https://goo.gl/vKUVvm; or Email the information to kbrayman@dioscg.org; or on the diocesan Website at dioscg.org.

Please be a part of this special event!

Bishop Rice extends an invitation to all married

couples to attend

14 The Mirror July 20, 2018DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING

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What Buzz Lightyear taught me about lifeCOMMUNITY IN MISSIONMsgr. Charles E. Pope

I was interviewed on National Public Radio last year regarding a blog post I had writ-ten a few years previously about the movie “Toy Story.” The link to the interview is at the bottom of this post.

There was a movie some years ago that most of you have probably seen called Toy Story. It had

a profound impact on me, for it came out at a critical time in my life.

It was my 33rd year of life and the sixth year of my priest-hood. As I have related else-where, I had suffered a nervous breakdown that required a week in the hospital and a month off to recuperate. What drove me to that point was agreeing to take an assignment for which I really wasn’t ready. I was asked to pas-tor a parish that was in serious financial trouble. The stress nearly finished me.

Invincible? I was a young priest at the time, still in my “invincible” stage, when I thought I could do anything. I guess it’s fairly common for young men to think they can handle anything. Dur-

ing those years, opinions are strong, dreams are still vivid, and hard experiences have not yet taught their tough lessons.

So, this young priest said “yes” to the assignment, even though I had reservations. Soon enough, the panic attacks came, followed by waves of depres-sion. There were days when I could barely come out of my room. A week in the hospital for evaluation, a month off to recuperate, and years of good spiritual direction, psychother-apy, and the sacraments have been God’s way of restoring me to health.

Somewhere during the early stages of my recovery, I saw the movie ‘Toy Story.’ Right away, I rec-ognized myself in Buzz Lightyear. Buzz begins the movie as a brash, would-be hero and savior of the planet. Buzz Lightyear’s tagline is, “To infinity … and beyond!” The only problem is that he seems to have no idea that he is a toy.

He thinks he has come from a distant planet to save Earth. Buzz often radios to the mother ship and, hearing noth-ing, concludes that she must be just out of range.

At a critical point in the movie, it begins to dawn on Buzz that he is just a toy and may not be able to save the day. He struggles with this realization and resists it. He tries to leap to the res-cue, not knowing he can’t really fly, and falls from the second floor breaking off his arm. Suddenly, Buzz realizes he’s just a toy, that all his boasting was based on an illusion. Buzz then sinks into depres-sion, his sense of self destroyed.

But God wasn’t done with Buzz Lightyear. In the end, Buzz does save the day, by simply being what he was made to be: a toy. One of the

neighborhood kids, Sid, straps Buzz to a rocket, intending to launch him high in the air. In the end, that enables Buzz to “fly” and save the day at a critical moment. Although Sid meant Buzz’s launch to cause harm, God meant it for good. The humiliation Buzz suffered en-abled him to conquer his pride; it made him able to save the day.

The lesson of the movie is a critical one and certainly the lesson I learned in my own personal crisis. The lesson is that our greatness does not come from our inflated notions of our self but from God. God does not need or want us to pretend to be something we are not. He wants us to be exactly what He made us to be. It is often through our weakness that He is able to do His greatest work.

Just as Buzz comes to realize that he is just a toy, I have come to real-ize that I am but a man. I have certain gifts and lack others. Some doors are open to me and others are not. When I accept that and come to depend on God to fashion me and use me according to His will, great things are possible. If we go on living in sinful illusion, we miss our true calling and our proper place in God’s kingdom. Ultimately, each of us must come to discover the man or woman that God created us to be. That is our true greatness. It is often through our weaknesses and humiliations that we learn this best.

All this from a children’s movie!Here is the link to the 20-minute

interview, with a transcript: https://onbeing.org/programs/toy-story/. ©TM

A priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, Msgr. Pope is pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Church.

It is often through our weakness that He is able to do His greatest work.

July 20, 2018 The Mirror 15NATIONAL NEWS/ADVERTISING

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When a friend is considering abortionWashington

If someone shared with you that she was pregnant and hadn’t ruled out having an abortion, would you know how to re-

spond? Although the first instinct may be to convince her that abortion ends a baby’s life, hearing facts is not the first thing she needs. Research shows that many women in a preg-nancy crisis think, “This is the end of my life as I know it.” To face the challenges before her, your friend needs to know you care about her for her own sake and she is not alone.

First listening to your friend will help build trust and facilitate open-ness. Eventually, when she knows you truly care about her and she trusts you, you can share the truth in love. You can share facts about abor-tion, her own intrinsic worth, and the practical help and support avail-able so she can choose life for herself and her baby.

Consider the four steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach™*: Listen and Learn, Open Options, Vision and Value, and Extend and Empower.

L Listen and LearnFirst, prioritize listening

over speaking. You don’t have to worry about whether you may say

something “wrong,” and you don’t need to have all the answers. Start by listening to her story.

Ask her about her feelings, thoughts, values, beliefs, and wants. Do not interrupt, except to ask her to expound, when appropriate. Ask open-ended questions, and confirm what you think you are hearing.

O Open OptionsWhen her story is fully shared,

it is your turn to provide factual information, always in a loving and caring way. You might share

about the reality of abortion and the wounds that typically result. As they relate to her life, you might share ex-periences about having a baby, adop-tion, and marriage. It’s most helpful to keep the focus on her.

V Vision and ValueAwaken a vision in her for

a healthier life (a vision she may never have had, or that may have dimmed). Help her value herself differently. She is a special creation,

worthy of love. Reassure her there is always hope and she is not alone. She can make positive, life-giving choices. She can do it.

E Extend and EmpowerProvide practical help and sup-

port. Her local pregnancy help center (heartbeatinternational.org/world-wide-directory) can offer consulta-tion, lists of community resources, and ultrasound services. Consider keeping such lists of resources in your car, purse, or wallet. Help her plan next steps.

The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is a way to bring Christ’s love at a crucial life-saving and life-defining moment. We are created to walk with and support one another. May we not hesitate to reach out in love. ©USCCB

*The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is used in “What to Do When a Friend Is Considering Abortion” with permis-sion from Heartbeat International, Inc.

16 The Mirror July 20, 2018DIOCESAN NEWS

whatever parish I’m serving. Living my life within the lives of the fami-lies around me will be the highlight of parish priesthood for me. I’m also mindful that God has called me to embrace the joys, sorrows, concerns, and difficulties of those around me, and to offer love and encouragement in their midst. It is primarily in car-ing for and praying with the people entrusted to me that I will give my life in service to our diocese and seek the will of God for their lives.

Who do you credit for supporting you in discernment?

A special recognition and thanks go to my parents Rick and Veronica, and my brothers Andy and Ben, for making me who I am. Our family has been the foundation for my life and all the events that prepared me for my seminary journey. My large extended family has been very supportive and influential for me, especially my de-voted grandparents. At my first Mass,

though, I gave a special mention of my seminary classmates. Our diocesan seminarians, as well as my classmates and friends from other dioceses, have assisted me, built me up, and helped me grow through the last six years. I owe them an immeasurable debt for the witness, encouragement, and hon-est challenges they have offered me. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov 27:17).

Spiritually, what sustained you in your journey to the priesthood?

My seminary journey has been most significantly anchored in daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, the essentials of vocational dis-cernment. In addition, my pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Spring 2017 made an enormous spiritual impact on me. I spent time walking the footsteps of Jesus, “seeing” His miracles and “hearing” His teachings in Galilee, and praying with His passion, death, and resurrection in the streets of Jerusalem. I returned home with an

abundantly greater consciousness of who Jesus is in my life and how He is calling me to share His work and His mission as a priest. Closely tied with this is my love for reading Scripture, my favorite spiritual devotion. I read a couple pages of the Bible every day, and growing closer to Jesus Christ would not have been possible for me if it weren’t for reading the Gospel stories, the beautiful preaching and teaching of Peter and Paul and John, God’s love for His people in the Old Testament, and so much more. This love for God’s Word has inspired me so much in my preaching.

Thoughts of gratitudeMore people attended my

ordination and first Mass than I ever imagined would attend! This expe-rience has really humbled me and made me realize that my vocation as a priest is so treasured by the people. I feel unworthy and unequipped for what is required of me as a priest, but God has shown me how He can work through me to touch so many lives.

Fr. Brian Straus ordained to the priesthoodFrom Page 1 And so I am filled with gratitude and

enthusiasm, and I resolve to continue devoting myself to others, allowing God’s grace to reach them through my words and service. I would like to thank the people of the diocese for their support and prayers, especially my home parish St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, my deacon parishes in Neosho and Noel, and my internship parishes in Branson and Forsyth. I ask for special prayers as I return for one last year of school at Mundelein Seminary in fulfillment of my scholarship from Catholic Extension. When I return in the summer 2019, I look forward to diving head-first into ministry at whatever parish the Lord (and Bp. Rice) assigns me! ©TM

Fr. Straus assumed sacramental re-sponsibilities July 1 in substitute ministry at St. Mary Parish in West Plains and Sacred Heart Mission in Thayer while the pastor, Fr. Shoby Chettiyath, has been away at Catholic University of America studying Canon Law. That assignment concludes Aug. 5.

VESTING—(Right) Fr. J. Friedel assisted Fr. Brian Straus to vest during the liturgy June 8 ordaining him a priest in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Springfield. BLESSING—(Above) At the reception af-ter his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Brian Straus blessed many rosaries, religious medals, and other precious pieces. ANOINTING—(Left) Bishop Edward M. Rice anointed the hands of Fr. Brian Straus as he was ordained a priest June 8 in St. Elizabeth Ann Se-ton Parish, Springfield. (Photos by Phil Labadie/The Mirror)

FAMILY—(Left) Parents Rick and Veronica showed their approval as Bp. Ed-ward Rice announced Fr. Straus' summer assignment. (Above) At the recep-tion after his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Brian Straus blessed his brothers and mother and father. Father Straus' ordination was in his home parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, in Springfield, on June 8. (Photos by Phil Labadie/The Mirror)