The next issue of The Mirror will be Nov. 1, 2019.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 Jay Mejia Branson, MO

Sharon Russell’s 50-year dream of having a family portrait came true at Project Connect in Forsyth, MO, Sept. 28. Project Connect

was a one-day, county-fair style public event led by “The Church” and joined by nonprofits and organizations to pro-vide free care, food, and family fun to struggling Taney County residents.

“I go where God’s will takes me and today it brought me here,” Rus-sell said, beaming as she received a free haircut and style by local A & Co., Sa-lon’s Ashley Welter. “I feel enlightened and blessed with so much being offered. We’re finally going to have a profession-al photo of me, my daughters, and my grandchildren for our family album.”

Over 50 volunteer Catholics from the parishes of Our Lady of the Ozarks in Forsyth and Our Lady of the Lake in Branson participated in Project Con-nect and collaborated with nine local churches, businesses, social service agencies, including Catholic Chari-ties, and other nonprofits to serve their community.

Project Connect provided Taney County families and individuals with “whole person care” giving them free haircuts, dental, vision and hearing screenings, groceries, housing assis-tance, etc.

Volunteers additionally provided residents access to behavioral health and addiction intervention and care, the Missouri Child Identification Program (MOCHIP), and govern-ment agency services for jobs, military veterans, and Medicare and Medicaid assistance.

The Forsyth Project Connect is more than a “one-off” community event, according to Fr. David Hulshof, one of the co-leaders of Project Con-nect and pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Church in Forsyth.

“Project Connect took place last year in Branson and was a great suc-cess,” Fr. Hulshof said. “I’m hopeful that more collaborative efforts can take

place between our churches and the community so that we can truly wit-ness Christ’s presence on a regular basis to our neighbors in Taney County.”

The success of this year’s Project Connect Forsyth resulted from out-reach, planning, and coordination that began six months ahead of time, according to Fr. Hulshof.

“Our local churches truly worked closely together united by Jesus Christ our Lord to help those in need in our community,” Fr. Hulshof said.

He added that organizers hope to come together in 2020 again in Bran-son and possibly in nearby Kimberling City, with the help of Our Lady of the Cove parishioners.

In Forsyth, 144 visitors flocked to the Lakewood Pharmacy booth to pick up children’s vitamins. Eight volunteer doctors and nurses were on hand and screened people to check their vision, hearing, and dental needs. Overall, 45 vendors and more than 500 people par-ticipated in this year’s Project Connect event.

With Catholic leadership & support

Project Connect delivers ‘whole person care’ in Taney CountyPERSONAL CARE—Sharon

Russell of Taneyville received a fresh hair style for a fam-ily portrait thanks to A & Co. Salon’s Ashley Welter during the Project Connect event for Taney County residents held Sept. 28 in Branson and For-syth. (Photo by Jay Mejia/The Mirror)

FREE CARE, FOOD, SCREENINGS, FUN—Over 50 volunteer Catholics from the parishes of Our Lady of the Ozarks in Forsyth and Our Lady of the Lake in Branson participated in Project Connect Sept. 28 and collaborated with nine local churches, businesses, social service agencies, including Catholic Charities and Cindy Terry (pictured), and other nonprofits to serve the community. (Photo by Jay Mejia/The Mirror)

PROJECT CONNECT—The one-day, county-fair style public event for Taney County resi-dents provided families and individuals with “whole per-son care,” giving them free haircuts, health screenings, groceries, housing assistance, etc. Overall 45 vendors and over 500 people participated in the 2019 Project Connect. (Photo by Jay Mejia/The Mirror)

“Community members received resources and met people who cared enough about them to spend a day vol-unteering at the event,” said Marietta Hagan, Project Coordinator, Popula-tion Health at CoxHealth in Branson. “Churches of many denominations worked together to host the event and show the love of Christ through the volunteers and services.”

For 71-year-old Russell, Project Connect came at just the right time.

“My prosthetic knees are giving me a lot of pain,” she said. “I need a medical professional to check them out. I need to find out if I have a staph infection.”

What struck Russell, a resident of Taneyville, the most about Project Con-nect in Forsyth was how the volunteers approached her from the moment she and her family arrived.

“The volunteers prayed with my family right up-front and gave me a beautiful prayer shawl,” Russell said. “It has many colors just like Joseph’s coat of many colors in the Bible! ©TM

2 The Mirror October 18, 2019COLUMN

Christ: present in the Eucharist, in our tabernaclesCOME, AND YOU WILL SEEBp. Edward M. Rice

One of the most important doctrines of the Catholic Church is our belief in the real presence of Christ in

the Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains, “by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood” (CCC 1376); while the ap-pearances of bread and wine remain, the substance is changed to the body and blood of Christ.

Our contemporary culture, in which “seeing is believing,” can present many challenges to our faith, which leaves much “unseen” by the naked eye to those non-believers. Just as some people were never able to look beyond the humble carpenter to see the divine son of God, so too, without faith, it can prove difficult to look beyond the appearance of simple bread and wine to see that through its consecration, Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Al-though the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist cannot be weighed or measured empirically, there have been several Eucharistic miracles throughout the ages.

For example, did you know that on Aug. 18, 1996, Fr. Alejandro Pezet discovered a defiled host in the back of Blessed Sacrament Church in Buenos Aires? Because it could not be consumed, he placed in a container of water so that it would dissolve. Several days later, when Fr. Pezet returned to dispose of the dissolved host, he found that, rather than dissolving, it now appeared to be flesh and blood. He reported this to his auxiliary bishop, Card. Jorge

Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis. On Oct. 5, 1999, Card. Bergoglio sent the sample of the substance to New York City for forensic analysis. The result—a forensic pathologist concluded that the substance was human flesh and blood that came from a man’s heart. We know that man: Jesus Christ. He is present in the Eucharist and in the tabernacles of our Catholic churches. That is why we genuflect and maintain a respectful silence in our churches. To quote Pope St. John Paul II, “May our adoration never cease.”

All saints & all soulsNovember is the

month during which we remember our beloved fam-ily and friends who have passed away. As we pray in the Opening Prayer for the Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1, “We venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints.” What does that mean? The calendar of the Church is filled with feasts of individual saints who have been officially canonized by the Church, each with their own celebration. But, on the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation to attend Mass, we recognize those “saintly” people God placed in our lives, like our parents or special men-tors of the faith, who we always con-sidered to be holy. I think of my own parents—they certainly were a holy influence for my siblings and I. They will never be canonized and that is not necessary. I know how they im-pacted me in the ways of faith. This day, the Solemnity of All Saints, is for them, and for the “saintly” people

Public CalendarMon., Oct. 21- Clergy Institute, Branson,Fri., Oct. 25 MO.Fri., Oct., 25 Mass, Equestrian Order6 p.m. of the Holy Sepulchre of

Jerusalem, Holy Trinity Parish, Springfield;

Sun, Oct. 27 Project Andrew, St. John3:30 p.m. Vianney Parish, Mountain

View.Mon., Oct. 28 Mass at Cause of Our Joy

Convent, Springfield.Tue., Oct. 29 Catholic/Pentecostal

Dialogue, Evangel Temple Christian Center, Springfield;

7 p.m. Catholic Campus Ministry “Stump the Bishop,” O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield.

Wed., Oct. 30 Mass, St. Agnes Catholic8: 30 a.m. School, St. Agnes

Cathedral, Springfield; Seminarian outing, St. Louis.Fri., Nov. 1 SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS The Catholic Center closedSat., Nov. 2 Sacrament of Confirmation,5 p.m. Our Lady of the Cove

Parish, Kimberling City, MO

Sun., Nov. 3- Episcopal Region IXFri., Nov. 8 Bishops Retreat,

Rochester, MNSat., Nov. 9 Sacrament of Confirmation,5 p.m. Immaculate Conception

Parish, Jackson, MOSun., Nov. 10 Sacrament of Confirmation,10 a.m. Guardian Angel Parish,

Oran, MOMon., Nov. 11- Fall Assembly of the USFri., Nov. 15 Conference of Catholic

Bishops, Baltimore, MDMon., Nov. 18 Mass, Cause of Our Joy

ConventTue., Nov. 19 Young Priests GatheringWed., Nov. 20 The Catholic Center Staff

Day of Recollection, Holy Trinity Parish, Springfield;

5:30 p.m. Farewell Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Paul Wightman, OMI, St. Leo the Great Mission Church, Ava, MO

Thu., Nov. 21 Mass, Cause of Our Joy Convent

Thu., Nov. 28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY The Catholic Center closed

Fri., Nov. 29 The Catholic Center closed

Young men ages 15 (with parent/guardian), or 16-40 are invited to these vocation events to learn more about the ordained priesthood as well as share prayer and a meal with Bp. Edward M. Rice and other area priests.

The Project Andrew Dinner is named for St. Andrew, who brought his brother, Simon Peter, to meet Jesus as is recorded in the passage about the first disciples in Jn 1:40-42.

A Project Andrew Dinner will be held in St. John Vianney Parish, Mountain View, on Sun., Oct. 27. The events will begin at 3:30 p.m. with vocation stories and evening prayer, followed

by dinner. Attire for this event is “business casual.” All priests and deacons are welcome. If you plan to attend, you need to contact the local pastor and/or RSVP with the Office of Vocations at (417) 866-0841, or cblaine@dioscg.org.

Project Andrew DinnerSun., Oct. 27, St. John Vianney, Mountain View, MO

in your own life. Please consult your local parish bulletin for the Holy Day Mass schedule and join in this beautiful celebration of our everyday saints.

On Nov. 2 we shift our emo-tions and focus as we remember All the Faithful Departed, All Souls Day. In the Old Testament Book of 2 Mac-

cabees 12: 45, Judas took a collection to offer sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem on behalf of those who had died in battle, reminding his men and us that it is “holy and devout” to pray for the dead. Our faith continues that tradition by having Mass offered for our de-ceased loved ones. On a side note, the stipend for a Mass was recently raised to $10. It has been that way for years in this diocese. But, accord-ing to Canon Law, a priest is obliged to offer Mass for an intention, whether there is a stipend or not. I have continued the tradition of

my predecessors and I ask you to send me the names of your loved ones who have passed away so that I may have the privilege to pray for them. I collect these names and keep them near the altar in my home cha-pel, recalling your deceased family and friends in my prayers during the month of November.

As part of the Mystical Body of Christ, we can pray for them and they can pray for us. Let us offer a ro-sary for our deceased loved ones, let us remember them with Holy Mass. Let us pray often, “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.” ©TM

A forensic pathologist concluded that the substance was human flesh and blood that came from a man’s heart.

Holy day of obligationThe Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1, is a holy day of obligation. Check parish bulletins for the times for the celebration of the Eucharist.

October 18, 2019 The Mirror 3DIOCESAN NEWS

MO Bishops support ballot initiative to expand MedicaidJefferson City

The Missouri bishops voted at their October meeting to support a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in Mis-

souri. The initiative (No. 2020-063) proposes a constitutional amend-ment expanding Medicaid to include the working poor earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. If sufficient signa-tures were collected, this proposal would appear on the ballot in the fall of 2020.

Signatures are currently being collected by advocates in favor of

initiative 2020-063. Should parish-ioners be asked to sign the ballot initiative, the bishops ask before doing so, please confirm the bal-lot language does NOT include language mandating coverage for contraception and funding for Planned Parenthood, as an earlier petition for Medicaid expansion (No. 2020-027) included such language.

For more information or questions answered about the bishops’ position on this initiative, please contact the Missouri Catho-lic Conference at (573) 635-7239 or log on to mocatholic.org. ©TM

CongratulationsCongratulations to these priests and deacon celebrating anniversaries in July:

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

PriestRev. Pat Teeter—Nov. 21, 27 yrs.Rev. Gary Carr—Nov. 26, 37 yrs.Rev. David Miller—Nov. 27, 38 yrs.Rev. John Braun—Nov. 27, 32 yrs.Rev. Randolph Tochtrop—Nov. 29, 23 yrs.

DeaconsDeacon Thomas Brewer—Nov. 30, 22 yrs.

ccm847.org 847S.Holland,Springfield (417)865-0802

Youth planning teams hammer out details for 2020 DYC

‘RISE’ FOCUS OF DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE—Fulfilling the diocesan vision of “One Church, East to West,” the youth groups from Sacred Heart Parish, Webb City (“West”) and St. Cecilia Parish, in Kennett (“East”) met in early October for a second full-team planning extravaganza with members of the diocesan Office of Youth Formation for the March Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC). The theme is “Rise,” developed by the youth groups through engaging in a time of Lectio Divina together with the readings for Sun., March 29, 2020. They talked about how God calls us each of us to “rise” out of sin and death, bringing glory to God. Additionally, they selected a theme song, “Let It Rise” by Christian artist Big Daddy Weave. They connected the song to how each of us needs to let God work in us and allow his glory and praise to “rise among us.” Mark your calendars now for DYC—March 28-29, 2020, in West Plains, MO. Additional information will be on the diocesan Website in early-November, www.dioscg.org, under the “Youth Ministry” office ministry tab. (The Mirror)

4 The Mirror October 18, 2019DIOCESAN NEWS

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 at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143. Address all communications to 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143; Telephone (417) 866-0841; 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. LV No. 13 Oct. 18, 2019 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 © 2019, The Mirror, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org

“Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau” @DioSCG

OUR MEN IN DISCERNMENT FOR THE DIOCESE

FEATURED SEMINARIAN

Ethan Osborn

Age: 29 Seminary: St. Meinrad, St. Meinrad, IN

DIOSCG.ORGFor more information regarding religious vocations, please

contact Fr. Scott Sunnenberg | 417-866-0841 | frscott@dioscg.org

Years in formation for the diocese: 1Home Parish: St. Joseph the Worker,

Ozark

Current Parish/City: SameParent’s names: Harold and Kendra

OsbornNumber of siblings: 1Confirmation Patron: St. JustinAre you a convert: YesFavorite Book(s) of the Bible: RomansFavorite Saint(s): Blessed Virgin MaryFavorite prayer: Litany of TrustFavorite form of prayer: Mass/LiturgyFavorite book outside of the Bible:

Interior Freedom Favorite band: Need to BreatheFavorite style of music: FolkFavorite food: Chili Favorite restaurant: Chick-Fil-AFavorite sport: SoccerFavorite sports team: Sporting KCFavorite hobby/pastime: Playing pianoFavorite vacation spot: Colorado

Special talents: Piano, French Horn, Sarcasm

Religious Inspiration: Fr. Patrick Nwokoye

Highlights of this past summer: Studying Spanish at the Mexican American Catholic College (San Antonio) and parish assignment at Holy Trinity, Springfield and St. Joseph the Worker. Immersion in Spanish was definitely a highlight.

What are you looking forward to the most this coming school year? Continued spiritual growth.

What is one simple piece of advice that you would give to young people discerning a religious vocation? Don’t over-complicate it; take the next step.

Please share your own vocation/discernment story/journey: Raised Baptist, lived like a pagan. Converted in college, began desiring the priesthood shortly after converting but worked for several years as a pharmacist. Finally listened to God!

Fr. Ed Dougherty, MM

St. John Marie Vianney once said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more pre-

cious, He would have given it to us.” As the patron saint of par-ish priests, his orientation to the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith presents a model for all

to follow. St. John Vianney understood

that the Eucharist has the power to transform people from within, and so he made it a priority to guide his parish of Ars back to regular atten-dance at Mass in the aftermath of the French Revolution. It’s interest-ing that he was so attuned to the miraculous power of God, found in the simplicity of Christ’s gift to us

in the Eucharist, because St. John was known in his lifetime as a man whose wisdom flowed from his simplicity.

One par-ticularly amusing story that captures how he blended wisdom and simplicity relates to the time he was struggling to become a priest. The turmoil of the French Revolu-tion had caused an interruption to his studies, and this became a major obstacle for him in the seminary. One day the rector of the seminary sum-moned Vianney to inform him of negative reports from his profes-sors, saying, “The professors do not find you fit for sacred ordination to priesthood. Some of them have called you an a** knowing nothing of theology. How can we promote you to the reception of the sacra-ment of priesthood?”

Vianney replied, “Father Rec-tor, in the book of Judges, Chapter 15, we have the narration of how God made use of Samson to kill a thousand Philistines with the jaw-bone of an a** to save the people of Israel. If with the useless jawbone of an a** God could do that won-derful deed, how much more can He accomplish with the whole of an a** like me.” The humility and sense of humor demonstrated in this answer revealed to the rector the wisdom underpinning Vian-ney’s simplicity, and he was left with no reservations in promot-ing him for ordination to the priesthood.

Vianney’s gift of wisdom and simplicity stemmed from many for-mative years in which he witnessed the heroism of priests who kept the faith alive in spite of persecution in the aftermath of the French Revo-lution. During the Mass in which he made his First Communion, the windows were blacked-out in order to hide the light of the candles from those who might obstruct their practice of the faith.

Vianney knew what a precious gift it was to be able to practice his faith, and he also understood the heroic virtue needed to persevere through the trials that test one’s faith. He called his parishioners to that heroic way of life, making a practice of challenging people to greater rigor in their spiritual lives. Far from alienating his parishio-ners, he inspired their devotion to the sacraments and eventually became a sought after confessor for the people of France looking to restore their relationship with God.

Known for his poignant teach-ings, Vianney once said, “A person who is in a state of sin is always sad. Whatever he does, he is weary and disgusted with everything; while he who is at peace with God is always happy, always joyous. … Oh, beautiful life! Oh, beautiful death!”

Let us pray that St. John Vian-ney intercede for priests every-where to lead people along the narrow road to salvation, steering their flocks away from sin and toward peace with God and eternal joy. ©TM

For free copies of the Christopher News Note “Healing Broken Families,” write: The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004; or Email: mail@christophers.org.

The wisdom & simplicity of St. John Vianney

The Eucharist: If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.

St. John Marie Vianney

October 18, 2019 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Thu., Nov. 7 1-4 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Nov. 9 9 a.m.-12-noon . . . . . . . . St. Vincent de Paul, Cape GirardeauSat., Nov. 9 9 a.m.-12-noon . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldMon., Nov. 18 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Peter the Apostle, JoplinFri., Dec. 6 12:30-3:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Dec. 7 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. . . . Our Lady of the Lake, BransonTue., Jan. 7 6-9 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . McAuley Catholic High School, JoplinFri., Jan. 10 12:30-3:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Jan. 11 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Jan. 11 9 a.m.-12-noon . . . . . . . . St. Vincent de Paul, Cape GirardeauWed., Feb. 5 1-4 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consumer Counseling, SpringfieldFri., Feb. 7 12:30-3:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldSat., Feb. 8 8:30-11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . The Catholic Center, SpringfieldMon., Feb. 10 6:30-9:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . St. Vincent de Paul, Cape GirardeauMon., Feb. 17 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.

Carthage—Calling all youth: #Christ-life invites you to join us Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. for praise, worship, and testimony in St. Ann School “rug room.” For more information, contact (417) 423-0634 or (417) 793-1008, or Email: hashtag.christ.life@gmail.com. Supported by the Diocesan Committee Charismatic Renewal; Region 1 parish charismatic prayer groups, diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, dioc-esan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis, and Youth Formation.

Carthage—St. Ann Parish will hold its Annual Chili Supper, Thu., Nov. 14. Serving times are 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Menu includes chili, vegetable soup, tamales, pie, coffee or tea. All other beverages are extra. Adults: $7; children (ages 12 and under): free; carry-outs available by calling (417) 358-4902, or Email, stannschurch@sbcglobal.net. New this year is bulk chili and soup, great for freezing. Scholastic Book Fair to benefit St. Ann Catholic School. For more information contact Patti Forman, (314) 566-3538, or Email Patti Forman pattiforeman@icloud.com.

Jackson—Immaculate Conception Parish will host a Fall Craft Festival, Sat., Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., in the school cafeteria.

There will be homemade crafts, food, and home décor by local vendors. Attendance prizes every 30 minutes. For more informa-tion, Email ICCraftShow@gmail.com.

Kelso—St. Augustine Parish will host a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, Sun., Oct. 27, 7:30-10:30 a.m., St. Augustine School. Menu includes pork sau-sage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and fruit cocktail. A goodwill do-nation is requested. Proceeds benefit the students and parents attending the 2020 March for Life in Washington, DC. For more information, call (573) 264-4106.

New Hamburg—St. Lawrence Parish will host a buffet-style Fall Dinner and Country Store, Sun., Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the Parish Center. Menu includes turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, slaw, buttered potatoes, green beans, drink, and homemade des-serts. Adults: $10; children (ages six-12): $5; children age five and under): free; carry-outs available. For more informa-tion, contact Billy Ray Johnson, Jr., (573) 545-3317.

Poplar Bluff—Sacred Heart Parish will host its 97th St. Anne’s Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Sun., Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., in the parish center.

Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 | 6:30-9 p.m.St. Ambrose Parish, Chaffee, MO

Homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a gourmet lunch with turkey/bacon or Reuben paninis, broccoli soup, salads, sandwiches, and chili will be available for purchase. There will be booths for arts and crafts, sewing, Christmas shop, baked goods including the Walz family bread, coun-try store, homemade candy orders in time for Christmas, jewelry, religious goods, and white elephant. The Guadalupe Group will be selling tamales. Proceeds support altar and parish needs, parish school, and chari-ties. For more information, contact Cassie Willey, (573) 429-1824.

Springfield—St. Agnes Cathedral Parish Fall Bazaar will be Sat., Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 533 S. Jefferson Ave. A variety of booths will include Norwex products, candles, cards, pottery, baked goods, and many handmade items. Cinnamon rolls available on Sat. morning for purchase. Booth space is still available. For more information, contact Judy at judyhauschildt@gmail.com.

Springfield—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) will host its 12th Annual Fall Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sun., Nov. 3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., in the old school gym and dining room. More than 45 craft vendors including handmade jewelry, wood crafts, crocheted items, and bake sale items will be available for purchase. For

more information, contact Annie Freelove, (417) 864-5518.

Springfield—Adorers are needed for Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish at the following times: Sun-day, 1-2 p.m.; Monday, 1-2 a.m.; Wed., 6-7 a.m.; Fri., 12-1 a.m.; Sat., 1-2 a.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Sat. 1-2 p.m.; Sat., 2-3 p.m. Join our substitute list to experience the peace of adoration. For more informa-tion, questions answered, or to sign up, call Diane Hoy, (417) 860-7134, or Sandy Hopper, (417) 270-7271. If you are un-able to participate, consider making a dona-tion to keep our candles burning bright.

West Plains—St. Mary Parish will host a 2019 Women’s ACTS Retreat,from 5 p.m. on Thu., Nov. 7, through 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sun., Nov. 10. The ACTS Retreat is a three day/three night retreat presented by fellow parishioners. Transportation to and from the retreat center will be pro-vided. The purpose of the ACTS weekend is to provide an opportunity for women to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord and fellow parishioners. Talks and activi-ties during the retreat focus on Adora-tion, Community, Theology, and Service, from which the ACTS acronym is derived. For more information, contact Lisa Phelan (580) 763-6384, or Tracy Grigsby (417) 257-8586.

Sacred Heart’s 70th AnnualTurkey Dinner,

Silent Auction, and Bake Sale

Sat., Nov. 2, Noon-7 p.m. &

Sun., Nov. 3, Noon-5 p.m.

Webb City, MO

Adults: $8 • Children: $4

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

Sacred Heart Catholic Church 909 North Madison Ave.

Webb City, MO

For more Information call: (417) 673-2044

Or visit: www.sacredheartwebbcity.org

Meals available both days!Saturday morning: Donuts, coffee & juiceSaturday lunch: Hot sandwiches & sidesSaturday evening: Pasta dinnerSunday morning: Knights of Columbus breakfast

Holy Trinity Catholic Church2019 CCW Fall Bazaar2818 E. Bennett, Springfield, MOSat., Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.Sun., Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

6 The Mirror October 18, 2019ADVERTISING

October 18, 2019 The Mirror 7ADVERTISING

8 The Mirror October 18, 2019SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT

on...

Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, MO

By Lindsey Grojean

When the School Sisters of Notre Dame

established St. Mary High School in the spring of 1925, they had an attendance of eight students and the spatial capacity for just a handful more. But nearly a century—and a few name changes later, Notre Dame Regional High School (NDRHS) in Cape Girardeau has grown to an enrollment of over 500 students, and since 2005, has annually been ranked among the Catholic Education Honor Roll’s Top 5 percent of Catholic High Schools in the nation.

That first eight-person class graduated in 1929. As enrollment jumped to 211 in 1954, a new and larger school was built between Caruthers and Clark Avenues to hold 350 to 400 students. The school’s name was changed to “Cape Catholic,” and in 1960, was renamed “Notre Dame.” In 1962, it received accreditation from the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. Thirty-six years later, thanks to a land donation from the James and Wanda Drury Family Trust, Notre Dame’s current campus on Route K was opened to accommo-date 600 students.

Notre Dame Regional High School endeavors to foster and build upon

the teaching mission of Jesus Christ, and it works to challenge and support students in their spiritual, academic, physical, and emotional develop-ment. It also encourages participation in activities that build character, with an emphasis on respect for self and others. These foundations were laid by the dedicated School Sisters of Notre Dame, and continued by the Francis-can Brothers of Brooklyn in 1999 when former principal Brother David Antho-ny Migliorino, OSF, took his post.

“The [School Sisters] really showed us how to live as Catholics and love the Catholic faith, and they had such a tra-dition at Notre Dame,” said Tim Garner, currently interim principal at NDRHS. “When he was appointed, Brother was able to give that existing joy of St. Francis in southeast Missouri a name and a meaning. That’s why it was such a successful transition with him.”

Brother Migliorino was reassigned to St. Anthony High School in South Hun-tington, NY, by his religious order at the launch of this academic session.

The Notre Dame differenceNotre Dame strives to promote both the academic and spiritual well-being of every student. The school empha-sizes a four-year program in theology, math, science, English, social studies, and at least two years of a foreign language with additional courses available in practical arts, fine arts, and physical education.

Students are encouraged to pursue the College Preparatory Studies Cer-tificate issued by Notre Dame which requires additional credits, specific grade point averages, and above-average ACT or SAT test scores. The school maintains a 13-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, and class sizes vary from 15 to 30 students.

“Our teachers are so dedicated to their subject matters, and a lot of them have gone on to receive their Masters degrees,” said Garner. “They also have a lot of academic independence in how they instruct their materials.”

Generally, 97 percent of Notre Dame graduates attend college each year. Over the last five years, approxi-mately 92 percent attended four-year

institutions while five percent attended two-year schools. Of the graduating class of 2019, 86 percent earned in excess of $7 million in scholarships.

Notre Dame has been identified by the National Catholic Education As-sociation as a STREAM school, which provides a challenging curriculum in the fields of science, technology, math, and the arts through its lens of faith. This is a commitment to teaching both Church doctrine and living a life repre-sentative of Church values.

Students are offered many opportu-nities to discover and enhance their God-given talents through an es-teemed fine arts department and an extensive list of classes in visual arts, theatre, music, and drama. Through theatrical activities, students develop a wide variety of skills in creative ex-pression, artistic design, practical life, leadership, group cooperation, and management, while having fun and building self-esteem along the way.

Six musical ensembles perform fre-quently through concerts and special events, and students host two full-stage productions each year. Since 1966, Notre Dame has continued its tradition of a musical each spring, and in 2001 began producing a play each fall. These shows typically involve 50

UGLY QUILTS—Students in Notre Dame Regional High School spent a day of retreat and service helping crafters in St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Cape Gi-rardeau, make “ugly quilts” for the indigent. NDRHS is home to 502 students, grades nine through 12. (Submitted photo)

Ninth through 12th grade502 students.

Interim principal: Tim Garner Assistant principal: Jeff Worley

October 18, 2019 The Mirror 9SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT

percent to 75 percent of the student body, and are underwritten by self-supporting ticket sales. Students in the visual arts can choose from a variety of courses, including drawing, painting, world art, 3D design, and Photoshop.

The level of excellence in academics and the arts at Notre Dame can also be seen in its athletics department with 19 state championships across nine sports. Garner said there is a lot of tradition and identity at the school, and athletics have played an important part in how Notre Dame Regional High School is present statewide through both student and parent involvement.

“Students may come to the school because they’ve heard of Notre Dame. But once they’re here, they see what we’re about, and they buy into the whole idea of what hard work really means and how it can lead to suc-cess in other areas,” Garner said. “Our athletics department is a nice addition because it melds so easily with every-thing else we do.”

Serving The Southeast Missouri communityStudent athletes not only perform on the field and court, but in the lo-cal community through the Athletes Give Back (AGB) service program. The club was launched during the 2013-14 school year, and was involved in community efforts like Boys and Girls Club and Special Olympics. Now, club

members also “adopt” families dur-ing the Christmas season, and donate prayer blankets to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.

AGB runs on a volunteer basis. Nearly 200 student athletes are involved each year.

“The people who read about us in the newspaper get to see our athletes in a different aspect out in the commu-nity,” said Kirk Boeller, coach and club moderator.

Notre Dame recently wrapped up Activity Week, the school’s biggest an-nual fundraiser. Garner said the event is important in managing the NDRHS budget and creating connections in the community.

“With Activity Week, we are able to pull in new families and people who have been part of the Notre Dame family for years,” Garner said. “It’s a good chance for them to come in and see what’s going on at the school. The nightly dinners serve around 1,100 people, which is a great way to inter-act with people.”

Numerous students are involved in outside organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Each club picks an area of service in which they want to be in-volved. Notre Dame’s Christian Service Program, which started in 1993, rec-ognizes individuals for service in the

2018-19 SOCCER CHAMPS—The Notre Dame Regional High School Lady Bulldogs were the Class 2 State Champions for 2018-19. (Submitted photo)

FOOD DRIVE—Academics, sports, and faith, all go hand-in-hand along with service to the community, such as the annual Notre Dame Regional High School food drive. (Submitted photo)

CAMPUS MINISTRY—Campus Min-istry and Franciscan Leadership at Notre Dame Regional High School encourage participation at Mass and knowledge of the faith. Area pastors, such as Fr. Michael Casteel (pic-tured), are a steady presence in the school. (Submitted photo)

HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION—Stu-dents in Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, are good citizens, often seen picking up lit-ter along its neighborhood and highways around Cape Girardeau. (Submitted photo)

local and faith community. Last year, students committed over 13,000 hours to communities, parishes, and schools through all forms of Christian service.

During Holy Week, Notre Dame makes it a priority to get out in the community to serve. Tuesday and Wednesday are dedicated to retreat and service days to afford students time for contem-plation and reflection on the Easter Triduum. Each summer, Notre Dame’s annual Joan Strohmeyer Mission Trip offers a way for students to extend their service work into other parts of the country.

“Students learn how to live out the mission of the school and larger Church, in that as disciples, we are def-initely called to serve,” Garner said. “As Catholics, that’s part of our mission.”

SpiritualityEach class period at Notre Dame be-gins with prayer. Theology classes are required for all students to learn more about the Catholic faith. New elec-tives have been added in the theology department, including “Church History Through the Saints” and “Ecumenism & Inter-religious Dialogue.” Dual credit is available to seniors through Saint Louis University, and can be trans-ferred to other schools if needed.

Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry teaches students about liturgy through education and promoting participation in Mass. Campus Ministry students de-velop an appreciation for ministering to the faithful. Students in the Francis-can Leadership class assist in planning all-school and class liturgies, which include music ministry, servers, Eucha-ristic ministers, readers, and inviting the rest of the student body to partici-pate. All sophomores are enrolled in this class as part of their theology cur-riculum, but many juniors and seniors participate on a volunteer basis.

“We have such gifted musicians and vocalists volunteering their time to lead music for our liturgies, and it just adds so many layers to worship,” said Garner. “In addition to that, we have

students who want to become Eucha-ristic ministers. A lot of times, this level of participation carries out into activity in their own parishes.”

Outside of classes, students have a wealth of opportunities to partici-pate in communal worship, formal or informal prayer, retreats, and other spiritually-centered activities. Juniors and seniors respectively participate in the Emmaus and Kairos retreats, and the freshman and sophomore classes are each offered a retreat day for a chance to bond spiritually.

Beyond graduation, Notre Dame of-fers alumni—whether near or far —a chance to continue involvement in the spiritual life of Notre Dame students through Letters from Clare. The pro-gram is modeled on the hand-written communication between St. Clare and St. Agnes, which shared insights about their spiritual life. Alumni are asked to write such letters to students, encour-aging them on their faith journey. Each student receives a letter from a Notre Dame alumnus on the first day of their first year at Notre Dame.

High School is four years, but Notre Dame is foreverNotre Dame currently employees 59 full-time faculty and staff members: 35 of those members being alumni of the high school. There are students currently in attendance that are the fourth- and fifth-generation of their family to attend high school at Notre Dame. Alumni and former parents continue to volunteer and give to sup-port future generations of students.

“Notre Dame High School has and will continue to have a lasting impression on those who walk through its doors,” said Garner. “As a graduate myself, I see and hear first-hand how much the school means to those whose lives have been touched. Whether it is through the graduates themselves or through those who have only experi-enced the school through their chil-dren, Notre Dame inspires each of us to be a part of something greater than ourselves.” ©TM

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12 The Mirror October 18, 2019ADULT FAITH

By Fr. Damian Ference

Nearly 70 percent of US Catholics do not believe that the bread and wine they receive at Communion has,

during Mass, become the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. That statis-tic is among the findings reported in a recent Pew Research Center study, and it should concern every one of us.

Transubstantiation, the action by which bread and wine become the Real Presence of Christ within the Holy Eucharist, is a concept and teach-ing central to the fact of that Presence, and it is understood or believed in by only 31 percent of those surveyed.

A constant refrain in my minis-try is “Don’t dumb down the faith,” because when we do, bad things hap-pen, and they show up in Pew studies, and in the emptying of our pews, and in a troubled society wide with scorn and narrow in solace.

So we’ve got a lot of work to do in our homes, in the classroom, from our pulpits, Online, and wherever else that we live, and move, and have our being. We have to help “smarten up” our fellow Catholics about their faith, and then help them to apply it to the culture all around. Because as with any knowledge, left unapplied it becomes sterile and empty.

Americal cultureThere are two aspects of Ameri-

can culture that have greatly impacted our understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist that I think have been flying under the radar. The first is our flawed understanding of the role food plays in the life of a human being, and the second is the effect of technology on our lives—specifically that of the cell phone.

Believe it or not, the two are related.

Human beings are the only

animals who share a meal. All other animals eat, they all take nourish-ment, but only human beings cook, set a table, read recipes, mix ingre-dients, pour wine, use utensils, add spices, wear napkins on their laps, and enjoy dessert. As philosopher Leon Kass notes in his classic work The Hun-gry Soul, on important occasions we humans dine, and on the most impor-tant occasions we feast.

For human beings, meals are not simply about nourishment; they’re about engaging in conversation—speaking, listening, inquiring, being truly present to one another, and thus building community.

When I was part of the admis-sions team at our college seminary, I would ask the young man I was interviewing how often his family eats a meal together. Since meals are one of the few times during the day where people are intentionally present to each other, they serve as a good indi-cator of one’s family dynamic. People live busy lives, but most of our guys were eating meals with their families at least a few times a week, which is good. Eating a meal with your family usually means that you are present to your family and that your family is present to you. It means that you know you matter to your family and that your family matters to you.

And that matters to the world. It’s an important part of being both human and Catholic. Think how often Jesus ate with people in the Gos-pels, and how often he fed people. He dined with sinners and tax collectors,

with Pharisees and friends, with the rich and the poor, and did some of his finest ministry around a table. In fact, the night before he died, he gathered his disciples and celebrated the first Eucharist, making the bread and wine into his Body and Blood, and he told them to eat it and drink it. It was a meal, yes, though one forever con-nected to a distinct sacrifice, which is the Mass.

Real presence in being presentBut we live in a culture that does

not promote or encourage families and friends to make time to share meals together. We often choose to “fuel up” or “have a quick bite.” We regularly eat alone in our cars or at our desks, rather than around a table with others. We may get more done by replacing a meal with a shake or by snack-ing throughout the day, but human beings flourish when we are present to each other at meals.

Sharing meals allows us to experience the real presence of one another. When we choose to eat alone or on the run, or we simply decide to “take nourishment,” we are train-ing ourselves to live with absence. A culture that promotes eating alone or on the run is a culture that promotes real absence. It’s a culture that values calories more than community, and efficiency over being. It’s not a good place to be, but unfortunately, it’s where many of us are.

Now, the cell phone (especially when it shows up during a meal) renders us absent to each other in a profound way. When your phone is sitting next to your fork or above your plate at a meal, it’s telling the people

around you that the phone is more important than they are, that the phone is more interesting, that it has a priority even at the feast.

How often do we place our phones on the table while eating, or take a phone call, or answer a text, or even check social media while dining with family or friends? We may think doing so is insignificant, but we are fooling ourselves. Bringing our phones to the table encourages us to put what is present to us on hold in order to be absent to each other.

Our phones distract us from one another, and at meals in particular, they work against our humanity and train us to be a society in absentia.

If we do not know how to come together and be present to each other at a simple meal, how can we ever become a formed com-munity of faith?

So do we need more and better catechesis, espe-cially regarding Christ in the Holy Eucharist and how we understand and relate to him there? Absolutely.

But we also need to take a closer look at the way our culture has formed our understanding of presence and absence, specifically in

how we eat, and how we use our cell phones at the table. Because the way we conduct ourselves outside of Mass prepares us—for better or for worse—for how we experience what happens within the metaphysical realities of the Mass, and how we then take it forward to a society that desperately needs Christ. ©TM

Fr. Ference is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland and is a doctoral student in philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy.

Bringing our phones to the table encourages us to put what is present to us on hold in order to be absent to each other.

WORD ON FIREFr. Damian Ference

Real presence & real absence

Why fast food and cell phones can be bad for Catholics