The Mirr DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURIdioscg.org/wp-content/uploads/112715all.pdf · 2. Personal Visits—Personal vis-its enhance communication and emphasize

The next issue of The Mirror will be Dec. 11, 2015.If you would like to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format, please contact Angie Toben at (417) 866-0841, or Email her: [email protected].

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Capital EndowmentCampaign

to begin in parishes in January

2 The Mirror November 27, 2015ONE CHURCH EAST TO WEST

Springfield

In early October, Bp. James V. John-ston announced a $15 million capital campaign to augment exist-ing endowments for preparing our

future priests and priest retirement, and to establish a new endowment for youth formation.

The decision to initiate the cam-paign was made for several compelling reasons. These include:1. There are unavoidable, critical

needs that would be met by a campaign;

2. These needs are positive, hope-filled and future-oriented;

3. The campaign will build on the positive momentum of our Mu-tually Shared Vision, leading to a more active engagement of the faithful, both spiritually and fi-nancially; and

4. Timing: the campaign will be the first in our diocese’s history and will coincide with our 60th anniversary.

The theme selected for the cam-paign is “Grateful for Our Past … Pre-paring for Our Future.” This theme was selected because it shows our gratitude to the generations of parishioners and priests who have advanced our diocese and our willingness and responsibility to prepare for its future.

After Bp. Johnston was appoint-ed as Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas

City-St. Joseph, the Priests Committee determined to proceed with the cam-paign for two reasons stated: 1) The ur-gency of the needs; 2) The capital cam-paign is an excellent opportunity to work together as a community of faith to meet the crucial needs of our One Church East to West.

The campaign is organized into two phases—the Major Gifts Phase and the Parish Phase. The Major Gifts Phase runs through mid-2016. Leader-ship and major gifts are sought dur-ing this phase to provide momentum and enthusiasm to parishes as they prepare and implement parish-based campaigns.

The Parish Phase will be imple-mented in three blocks from January 2016 through March 2017. Block One will consist of parishes in Regions 7, 8, and 9. These parishes will execute their individual campaigns from Janu-ary 2016—March 2016. St. Eustachius (Portageville) and St. Cecilia (Kennett) will implement their campaigns in Block 3 since St. Eusatachius is gather-ing information regarding a possible local parish project. To assist Block One parishes in the operation of their cam-paigns, three development profession-als will aid in this responsibility (Linda Becker, Kim Brayman, and Gretchen Gambon).

Block Two, will encompass Regions 2, 3, and 4, which will be implement-ed from mid-August—mid-November

2016; and Block Three, Regions 1, 5, and 6, will occur from January—March 2017. The standard timetable in which to implement a parish’s campaign is 12 weeks. However, in smaller par-ishes, the campaign timetable will be accelerated.

The diocesan map found below represents the regions of the diocese.

In larger parishes, a parish lead-ership team consisting of the pastor, campaign chairperson, advanced gift chairperson, special gift chairperson, and campaign secretary must be iden-tified, recruited, and trained as to their roles. In smaller parishes, especially those with fewer than 100 house-holds, the leadership team may con-sist of only the pastor and a campaign chairperson.

The campaign plan is simple and straightforward. If strategically implemented, one step at a time, the work involved will be reasonable and rewarding.

The success of the capital cam-paign is based upon the Four “P”s:1. Prayer—As in any endeavor,

prayer is a key part to the success of this campaign. The approved cam-paign prayer will be provided to parishioners through their parish.

2. Personal Visits—Personal vis-its enhance communication and emphasize the personal nature of giving. Just as people respond less-often to mail and telephone

solicitations, they respond most-often and most favorably to per-sonal visits.

3. Proportionate Requests—As care-takers of God’s gifts, we are en-trusted to receive, cultivate, share, and return His gifts for our own salvation and in service of others. In returning God’s gifts, we should give back joyfully and make a re-turn to the Lord with increase in a planned, proportionate, and sacri-ficial manner.

4. Pledges—Any commitment is eas-ier to make if we know we can do it over time. We buy homes and cars and make many other com-mitments over time. By making a pledge, individuals are able to contribute at a greater level than would be otherwise possible with a one-time gift.

Every parish has a financial tar-get. Targets represent the annual or-dinary income of parishes as reported on the most recent annual financial report. Ordinary income is defined as church support from envelopes and plate collections. These targets are fi-nancial goals, not assessments. His-torically, parishes are able to raise these amounts of financial targets in dioc-esan capital campaigns.

In the following pages of The Mir-ror, you will find the rationale for the diocese conducting the capital cam-paign. ©TM

Capital Endowment Campaign to begin in parishes in January

November 27, 2015 The Mirror 3ONE CHURCH EAST TO WEST

4 The Mirror November 27, 2015

ABOUT OUR DIOCESE

Established by Pope Pius XII in 1956, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau extends over 39 counties and includes 66 parishes, 18 missions, and four chapels. Although situated in the heartland, the Church in Southern Missouri is truly a mission territory. Our mission identity is also illustrated by the size and location of our parishes: small, often separated by great distances, and situated among many people of other denominations. Furthermore, our diocese faces the challenge and opportunity to minister to immigrants from Latin America, Mexico, Vietnam, and other places. Finally, our mission status makes us one of 94 dioceses in the country that receive financial assistance from Catholic Extension Society.

The Gospel message is spread by dozens of priests, permanent deacons, religious women and men; hundreds of lay teachers, administrators, and catechists; and thousands of parish lay leaders. This message reaches more than 65,000 Catholics, including over 8,300 children, youth, and young adults who attend Catholic schools and Parish Schools of Religion. It is through these young people that the Church in Southern Missouri seeks to grow.

Since the diocese’s founding nearly 60 years ago, its Catholic population has doubled. Even with this growth, which leaves us at around 6 percent of the overall population in the diocese, our positive impact in southern Missouri is significant.

The diocese supports 45-plus ministries and programs to advance its mission and to grow God’s Kingdom through families and parishes. These ministries and programs are supported by the faith-filled people of the diocese through the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF), which was established in 1971. During its existence, DDF has raised over $56 million from over 350,000 gifts/pledges. The current average gift to DDF is roughly $280. Approximately 44 percent of diocesan families contribute to DDF. These factors make it one of the most successful diocesan annual-giving programs in the country. While DDF successfully supports the annual operating needs of the diocese, it is unable to fund the major capital and endowment needs that exist today. Because of the importance of DDF to the overall funding of diocesan ministries and programs, it will be implemented on its regular schedule during the capital campaign.

ONE CHURCH EAST TO WEST

November 27, 2015 The Mirror 5

GRATEFUL FOR OUR PAST…PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE

In order to proclaim the reign of God in Word, Sacrament, and Service, it is essential the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau continues to fund services and ministries for the faithful in southern Missouri.

To do this, the diocese seeks to secure its future in God’s service by conducting a capital campaign. The campaign seeks to raise a minimum of $15 million to augment existing endowments for preparing our future priests and priest retirement, and to establish a new endowment for youth formation. The endowment funds will:

• Generate earnings to address needs of the areas outlined; the principal of the endowment funds will not be touched;

• Grow through future gifts and contributions;• Be managed by professional investment managers and monitored by the Diocesan Finance Council and the

Investment Committee; and• Operate under the responsibility of the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

The capital campaign differs from the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF), which primarily funds the yearly operational needs of the diocese. We are conducting the capital campaign in an effort to address long-term financial

needs and expand opportunities for the future.



RETIRED PRIESTS FUND

Currently, there are 15 retired priests in our diocese. We are blessed that some of these men are willing to serve in our parishes, as they are able. It is important that we provide a pension and supplemental medical coverage for these men so they are able to live out their remaining years with dignity.

The customary retirement age for priests in our diocese is 70. At retirement age, priests receive compensation for their supplementary insurance and an annual retirement allocation of $20,820.

At present, our Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society (PMBS) fund is not fully funded and will likely not sustain itself beyond another decade. The average age of our active diocesan priests is 56. Combining this with a longer life expectancy, it is evident that we need to increase our current PMBS fund. In fact, the Christian Brothers Retirement Planning Services recently completed an actuarial analysis that predicted by the year 2019, we will use not only investment income, but also will need to start using the principal of this fund itself. Increasing this endowment by $5 million will extend the number of years the PMBS will be adequately funded to provide for current and future diocesan priests in their retirement years.

Many priests have spent their lives in service to our parishes and families. We must secure their well-being for basic retirement needs after their lifetime of service, devotion, and sacrifice to our diocese.



PREPARING OUR FUTURE PRIESTS

Vocations to the priesthood are vital for meeting the spiritual and pastoral needs of the 20,000-plus households currently living their faith in our diocese. In recent years, the diocese prioritized the fostering of vocations. With the efforts and prayers of many, we have been blessed to see a tripling in our number of seminarians studying for the priesthood.

In the summer of 2015, the diocese celebrated the ordination of two men to the priesthood. As of fall 2015, 16 men are in various stages of formation. This number is very encouraging, and in the next five to six years, we could see as many as 11 ordinations!

Along with this good news comes a happy challenge: the expense of educating and preparing future priests. The endowment is not large enough to generate sufficient funds for the current number of young men studying for the priesthood. In addition, we hope to maintain or even increase the number of men in formation.

Seven men are in various stages of formation in seminary colleges. They or their families assume the majority of their educational costs.

The training of seminarians in graduate theology is highly specialized. The cost to theology students and their related expenses is totally financed by the diocese. Currently, six seminarians from our diocese are in graduate theology,



and three are in pre-theology. The cost of tuition and room and board for these individuals is over $35,000 per year. Related costs of books, health insurance, summer programs, promotions, stipends, and transportation are not covered in the above amount. All of the above costs, like expenses for all types of higher education, continue to increase. Part of this increase is due to more rigorous program requirements.

Current funding for seminarian education is through a combination of the annual Christmas collection, earnings on the seminary endowment, and miscellaneous gifts. Last year, $350,000 was earned through these sources; however, over $700,000 was disbursed for vocation expenses, mostly for seminarian education and related costs. The major factor for this shortfall is that the endowment for seminarians is underfunded. Furthermore, with a possible increase of additional men studying for the priesthood, the deficit between earning sources and expenses for the diocesan vocation program will continue to increase. By increasing the endowment for seminarian education by $5 million, we will be able to fund this program well into the future, even with an increase in the number of seminarians.

YOUTH FORMATION

Parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith. Families are aided by priests, consecrated religious, teachers, catechists, retreat directors, campus ministers, friends, coaches, and others. We all desire Catholic youth, adolescents, and young men and women and their families to have the opportunities to develop moral, religious, and spiritual values that are critical in today’s world.

Studies show that adolescents who participate in parish youth ministry programs identify faith and moral formation as a significant contribution to their life. They have a profound sense of commitment to the Catholic Church, attend Sunday Mass regularly, and show continued growth while they remain involved in a youth program. These are positive signs that the Church’s investment in ministry with adolescents is making a difference in their lives and in the life of the Church.

However, the Church’s ministry with adolescents is confronted by new challenges:

Studies show that adolescents and young adults who participate

in parish youth ministry programs identify faith

and moral formation as a significant contribution

to their life, carrying a profound sense of commitment to the

Catholic Church into adulthood.


Continues on p. 13

November 27, 2015 The Mirror 9MCC SUPPLEMENT

10 The Mirror November 27, 2015MCC SUPPLEMENT

Taking local action to end abortion

November 27, 2015 The Mirror 11MCC SUPPLEMENT


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12 The Mirror November 27, 2015MCC SUPPLEMENT



1. The social and economic forces affecting today’s families;2. Consumerism, entertainment media, and pop culture encouraging a culture of isolation; and3. Families lacking sufficient time together to develop strong family relationships, communicate life-giving values and a religious faith, celebrate family rituals, participate in family activities, and contribute to the well-being of their community.

The Church must help in addressing these contemporary challenges.

The diocese seeks to develop initiatives that will lead our young people to deepened encounters with Christ including formation, spirituality, and service. Our goals for ministry with youth will reflect those of the greater Church, such as:

• Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today;• Draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community;

and• Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.

The diocese cares for its youth through the Office of Youth

Ministry and the diocese’s commitment to Catholic

Schools, Parish Schools of Religion, College Campus


From p. 8


Ministries, young adult ministries, Hispanic Youth Ministries, the Steubenville Mid-America Youth Conferences, etc. While these are significant, we seek even more creative ways our youth could deepen their relationship with Jesus and form them as intentional disciples of Jesus.

In addition, the diocese currently serves youth through operating:

• Camp Re-NEW-All (summer camp for children in grades 5-9);• Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), and Kyros (retreat experiences for

adolescents);• Just Five Days (mission trips);• Annual Diocesan Youth Conference; and• National Catholic Youth Conference. The diocese seeks to establish a $5 million endowment fund dedicated to the Christian formation of youth, adolescents, and young men and women and their families. Over time, it is hoped that the interest of this endowment will:

• Offer a retreat experience to children during both grade school and high school years;

• Identify and establish retreat sites in the diocese; • Provide the means for offering retreats;• Fund the possible hiring of a retreat director or team of individuals working

with our youth;• Support various needs for campus ministry; • Provide scholarships for those in financial need to attend retreats and

Catholic conferences; • Underwrite contemporary programs to engage youth in their parish

communities; • Provide training and formation of lay ministers responsible for youth

ministry; and• Fund other developing opportunities.

GRATEFUL FOR OUR PAST… PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE

In each of our lives, the gifts of others have been extremely significant. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary as a diocese, we do well to reflect upon our predecessors who established and grew our diocese. This includes approximately 250 priests. Today, we follow in their footsteps and accept the challenge to share and respond to our faith by enhancing the funding for seminary education and priest retirement, and by establishing a new endowment for youth formation. We are indeed grateful for our past as we prepare for our future.


November 27, 2015 The Mirror 15ONE CHURCH EAST TO WEST

OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: THE CHURCH IN SOUTHERN MISSOURI NEEDS YOU

You can participate in this endeavor in four ways. First, please pray for the success of the capital campaign. Next, take an active part by volunteering your time when your parish implements its campaign. Third, share the goals of the campaign with others. Finally, make a gift to the campaign. In returning God’s gifts, we joyfully make a return gift to the Lord in a planned, proportionate, and sacrificial manner.

Every family in the diocese will be approached in some manner. A gift amount, with a three- to five-year pledge period, is suggested for each household to prayerfully consider. The specific gift request is formulated with our goal in mind and meant to provide a frame of reference for each family’s participation. No judgment is made on the level of gift you or others make.

Grateful for Our Past…Preparing for Our Future seeks equal sacrifices, not equal gifts.

All administrative expenses related to the capital campaign will be covered by gift proceeds.

Extending over 39 counties across southern

Missouri, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape

Girardeau serves over 65,000 Catholics in

20,000+ households, including more than

8,300 youth and young adults, through 66

parishes, 18 missions, and 4 chapels.

16 The Mirror November 27, 2015ONE CHURCH EAST TO WEST

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau601 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65806

(417) 866-0841 | dioscg.org


The Mirror: Newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau USPS Publication 117-330 Publisher: Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy, Diocesan Administrator Editor: Leslie A. EidsonProduction: Glenn Eckl Circulation/Advertising: Angie Toben, [email protected]

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 [email protected]

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Mirror, 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806-3143. When giving change of address, state both old and new address, also old and new parish. Subscription: $14 per year.Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, MO, and additional mailing offices. Vol. LI No. 16 Nov. 27, 2015 Single copy price, $0.50

Copyright © 2015, The Mirror, CNS, CNA, USCCB, The Vatican, as noted. The Mirror OnLine: www.dioscg.org “Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau”

Belleville, IL—Our Lady of the Snows Shrine will present the annual Way of Lights Christmas Display now until Jan. 1, 2016. Over 1 million lights are featured along a 1.5-mile route depict-ing the journey to Bethlehem. Reservations phone number, (636) 549-4610; activities in the visitor’s center and guild center. Bring the family on Tuesday evening and receive discounts on activities. For more information, contact the shrine at (618) 397-6700, or (314) 241-3400, or visit www.wayoflights.org.

Cape Girardeau—St. Mary Cathedral Par-ish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) will host

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

Tue., Dec. 1 12-noon-3 p.m. . . . . . . .The Catholic Center (Pallotti), SpringfieldThu., Dec. 3 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Joseph, Scott CityMon., Dec. 14 5:30-8:30 p.m. . . . . . . . .Our Lady of the Lake, BransonMon., July 18, 2016 6-9 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Joseph, Scott CityPreregistration is necessary; go to www.virtus.org and click on “registration” on the left or call your parish/school office for assistance; or call Ken Pesek at The Catholic Center, (417) 866-0841; or Email him at [email protected]. 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.

Joplin Area Catholic Schools, a Pre-K-12 system, is seeking to fill the new

full-time position of System Director starting the 2016/2017 school year.

Some of the duties include:• Facilitates the Development of the Schools’ Faith Community

• Provides Instructional Leadership

• Manages the Joplin Area Catholic Schools Program

• Promotes Development, Public Relations, and Marketing

Some of the desired prerequisites for the position include:

• Active Catholic• Master’s Degree in Educational Administration

• Successful Experience as Elementary/Secondary School Administrator

• Certifiable Status for Missouri Principal’s Certificate

Please send resumes and inquiries to: [email protected].

KHJMCatholic radio for Southeast Missouri

89.1

FM

From Jackson to the Bootheel, KHJM

89.1 FM brings the heart of Catholic

Radio to the area.

Heart of Jesus and Mary radio

DIOCESAN NEWS

Contemplative outreach of Springfieldis hosting a Silent SaturdayAs we enter into the Advent season, come take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to prepare yourself for the coming of the Christ child.

Sat., Dec. 5, 2015Join us at Holy Trinity Churchfor Mass at 9 a.m. (optional)Followed by registration at 9:45 a.m.and then prayer until 12-noon.If you have questions, please contactMike or Barb DePue at (417) 881-1381or [email protected]

a Holiday Craft and Bake Sale, Sat., Dec. 5, 3-7 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 6, 8 a.m.-12-noon, in the school cafeteria. There will be many homemade cakes, pies, breads, candies, jellies, and other specialties. For more information, contact Kate Schaefer, (573) 579-0578.

Springfield—Beginning Experience of Springfield will host a Christmas Party/Reunion, Sun., Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m., in the Pallotti Center at The Catholic Center, 601 S. Jefferson Ave. Bring a dish to share and a $10 gift to exchange. For more information, call Mary Alice, (417) 838-4651

18 The Mirror November 27, 2015DIOCESAN NEWS

Jimmie Bell visits McAuley Catholic High School

NFL PLAYER SPEAKS OF GOD—Jimmie Bell, former Ohio State foot-ball player and former member of the NFL New York Giants and the San Diego Chargers, visited McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin on Nov. 4 and spoke about the importance of God in his life. Bell (pic-tured: third from the left in the back row) met with members of the McAuley football team. He attended Catholic schools before his college and professional career. (Submitted photo)

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is committed to the protection of children and youth. Through our on-going Safe Environment program, thou-sands of people have been trained to ensure a safe environment for every-one. We strongly believe in our moral obligation to keep the young safe and provide them with a caring environment in which their faith can flourish.

Child & Youth ProtectionThe Diocese encourages the reporting of all incidents of sexual misconduct, regardless of the identity of the al-leged offender. In addition, any signs or suspicions of abuse must be reported. Diocesan employees, volunteers, or agents are mandated reporters of child abuse.

Please read the full Safe Environment Procedures of the Diocese contained in the “Diocesan Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures Handbook” located in each parish and diocesan school. One will also find the “Code of Conduct for Clergy, Employees, and Adult Volunteers” and the “Code of Conduct for Minors in Grades Seven Through Twelve,” among other resources at www.dioscg.org. For more information on a national scale about the safe-environment commitment of the US bishops to children and youth, please consult www.usccb.org.

To report abuse, call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline:

(800) 392-3738To report abuse by a Church representative also contact:

Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy, Diocesan Administrator • 601 S. Jefferson Ave, Springfield, MO 65806, (417) 866-0841

Victim Assistant Coordinators, laypersons not in the employ of the diocese, are:William J. Holtmeyer, Jr., MS, NCC, LPC, CEAP, Q-SAP at (417) 860-3858 or [email protected]

Judy St. John, LPC, NCC (573) 587-3139 or, [email protected]

For more information: Office of Child and Youth Protection, Karen M. Pesek, Director, www.dioscg.org, [email protected], (417) 866-0841

Advent once againFr. Eugene Hemrick

If we are receiving Christ regularly in the Eucharist, why do we need Advent? Isn’t his coming into our life an endless Advent?

To answer this, we need to ask why we celebrate birthdays. Although birth is a once in a life-time event, celebrating its precious moment calls for heartwarming repetition.

Birthdays are a special time for gathering with loved ones, prizing the community we inherited, and

being grateful for the nourishing relationships we enjoy.

Like a memorable birthday, Ad-vent is an opportunity to once again reflect on that precious moment we were born and God came into our lives. It is also a time to reflect on the wonderful supportive relationships that have sustained us.

Advent is likewise a call to renew our awesomeness in being selected to be a participant in God’s creation. As wonderful as is receiv-ing the Eucharist repeatedly, it can become perfunctory and lose some of

its awesomeness. Special moments of gratitude like Advent need to be gen-erated to deepen our awesomeness.

Advent encourages us to exam-ine Christ’s impact on our life more closely. Has our understanding of him during the year caused us to grow in exemplify-ing his example?

Pope Francis points out in his encyclical “Lau-dato Si’” that our world is intercon-nected by the laws of nature with which God en-dowed it. Advent encourages us to recall how these interconnecting laws sustain our life. It is a time to appreciate the world’s intercon-nectedness, the beauty of nature it generates and the horn of plenty it provides.

Most impor-tant, Advent is an

Advent is an opportunity to reflect on how well we have imitated Christ’s unselfish love in dying for us.

opportunity to reflect on the depth of our loving service and how well we have imitated Christ’s unselfish love in dying for us.

Celebrations like Advent are essential to lives that sometimes get distracted, preventing us from getting

ADVENT— The Advent wreath was lit in St. Raphael the Archangel Church in St. Lou-is. The wreath, with a candle marking each week of the season, is a traditional sym-bol of the liturgical period. (Photo by Lisa Johnson/St. Louis Review)

November 27, 2015 The Mirror 19ADVERTISING

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Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc.Brentwood Chapel • University Chapel Crematory • Columbarium

Licensed funeral directors of distinction:Bill M. Abbott W. Bruce Howell Marquis Howell, Jr.Robert Lohmeyer Harley R. WilliamsDon R. Lohmeyer Clint W. MeaseMarquis Howell, Sr. Angela N. CollinsHeather K. Howell Winford R. Laster

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Offices of the Catholic Cemeteries

Paul & Lynn WunderlichDavid Fenton • Louis Lohmeyer • Charlene Harris-Bengsch

Gene Lohmeyer • Mary Ann Johnston • Joel Champ

500 E. Walnut - Springfield (417) 862-4433www.hhlohmeyer.com

The Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8

The Holy Year of Mercy is almost here! For a host of resources, the Jubilee of Mercy has an official Website in seven languages at www.im.va; a Twitter handle: @Jubilee_va; a Facebook page; and accounts on Instagram, Flickr and Google+. Stay connected in whatever medium you like!

as close as we should to Christ. It is an opportunity to counter our

hurried environment and leave it behind for a moment.

In his book, Leisure: The Basis of Culture, author Josef Pieper highlights the importance of gazing in a way in which distractions are minimal and we make time for one person. In the case of Advent, we put other things aside to focus on Christ and his birth and existence. No better joy exists than cultivating this intimacy.

Simply put, this relationship helps us achieve a sacramental union and that is the heart of Advent’s pur-pose. ©CNS

20 The Mirror November 27, 2015ADVERTISING

The Mirr DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURIdioscg.org/wp-content/uploads/112715all.pdf · 2. Personal Visits—Personal vis-its enhance communication and emphasize

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