Covenant Network and Catholic Radio Network partner with donors to make it happen
CATHOLIC RADIO NETWORK–Jim O’Laughlin is pictured with the equipment located at the Catholic radio station KQOH 91.9 FM. O’Laughlin is president of Catholic Radio Network which owns and operates the Springfield-area station, the second in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Covenant Network operates the Dexter-based station of KHJM-FM 89.1, the diocese’s first Catholic radio station, which was launched in 2010. (Photo by Leslie A. Eidson)
The first Catholic radio station in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau began broadcasting out of offices of Sacred Heart Parish, Dexter, MO. Dedicated to the Heart of Jesus and Mary, KHJM 89.1 FM, hit the airwaves on March 25, 2010, and can be heard in many areas throughout southeast Missouri including the Bootheel.
That same year, members of a lay apostolate were working to launch a Springfield-area station they anticipated a “sign-on” date later in 2010. Finances, as well as issues related to land surveying, site studies, and negotiating lease agreements, caused several delays to the process. Read more
A Mass of blessing was offered 10 years to the day after a tornado on May 4, 2003, destroyed most of Pierce City, MO. Bp. James V. Johnston was the main celebrant of the May 4, 2013, Mass in St. Mary Catholic Church, marking the storm’s effects and blessing a community that has seen healing and rebuilding. Concelebrating the Mass with Bp. Johnston were Bp.-Emeritus John J. Leibrecht; Fr. Bob Landewe, retired; and Fr. Peter Morciniec, pastor, St. Mary Parish. Attended by many from surrounding communities, the Mass was followed by a reception in St. Mary Parish hall. Read more
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, I ask you to introduce into the culture of this new environment of communications and information technology the values on which you have built your lives. In the early life of the Church, the great Apostles and their disciples brought the Good News of Jesus to the Greek and Roman world. Just as, at that time, a fruitful evangelization required that careful attention be given to understanding the culture and customs of those pagan peoples so that the truth of the Gospel would touch their hearts and minds, so also today, the proclamation of Christ in the world of new technologies requires a profound knowledge of this world if the technologies are to serve our mission adequately. It falls, in particular, to young people, who have an almost spontaneous affinity for the new means of communication, to take on the responsibility for the evangelization of this ‘digital continent’. Be sure to announce the Gospel to your contemporaries with enthusiasm. You know their fears and their hopes, their aspirations and their disappointments: the greatest gift you can give to them is to share with them the ‘Good News’ of a God who became man, who suffered, died and rose again to save all people. Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds!” –Pope Benedict XVI, 43rd message for World Communications Day, released Jan. 24, 2013. Read more
Bp. James V. Johnston announced the following list of Pastoral Assignments that will be effective on Mon., July 1, 2013, in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
“I am asking for your prayers for those in new assignments and the continued ministry of all the priests, deacons, and religious in our diocese,” said Bp. James V. Johnston in a May 28 memorandum announcing the appointments. “I would also like to extend my personal thanks to each of you for the outstanding ministry that you provide on behalf of the Church. May God continue to bless you and the people who you serve so faithfully.” Read more
The second annual Fortnight for Freedom will take place from June 21 to July 4, and will consist of national and local efforts to educate Americans on challenges to religious liberty both at home and abroad. As with last year’s Fortnight, the event will begin and end with a special Mass.
Locally, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau will open the Fortnight for Freedom with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, on Fri., June 21. Bp. James V. Johnston, Jr., will be the celebrant. Fr. Tom Kiefer will offer Mass in St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau, on Fri., June 21 at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.
“Where the Catholic family is strong, the Catholic Church is strong. Where the family is weak, the Church is weak. Where the family is struggling for survival, the Church is struggling for survival. Where the Catholic family is dying, the Catholic Church in those cultures and countries is dying. And once the Catholic family as instituted by Christ disappears, the Church of Jesus Christ has been removed from that nation or people.” –The Survival of the Catholic Family, Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ, (1914–2000)
This column has only barely addressed the vocation(s) of families vocation(s) and within the context of family life: even though it is among the most common contexts for living one’s personal vocation. These vocational paths are among the most needed in our time, and working toward holiness in family life is a central concern of Bp. James V. Johnston, Jr., this paper’s publisher. Read more
The recent Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord provides us with the perfect opportunity to reflect not only upon our faith and belief regarding the Holy Eucharist, but also our attitude and preparation regarding the Eucharist. As Catholics, participating in the Mass should be the high point of our week. It is something we should look forward to because, in reality, it is the most important necessity we do here on earth for our salvation. Read more
TRINITY HILLS EGG PRODUCTION–Trinity Hills, a diocesan center for prayer, service, and formation, just donated its 10,000th egg to Springfield’s The Kitchen, Inc. The Kitchen uses the eggs from the Trinity Hills free-range chickens in its resident meal program at The Missouri Hotel, a homeless shelter and education center. Pictured were Trinity Hills farm manager Clare Lund-Molfese; Misty Jordan Farrell, Coordinator of Health Services at The Kitchen; and Catherine Lund-Molfese, farm manager at Trinity Hills. To date, Trinity Hills has donated 10,068 eggs to The Kitchen. To learn more about Trinity Hills, log on to www.thills.org. (Photo by Astara T. Pearson)
