The Crux of the Matter - August 2025

Men of Signum Crucis, once again, the Church has presented to us a great spate of saints to observe this week, concluding with the Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, today.

Earlier this week, the Church observed the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lararus.  No doubt many of us men will skip over the parts of scripture that relate to Martha and Mary and instead try to draw a lesson from the part pertaining to Lazarus (a close male friend of Jesus–don’t we see ourselves in that role??).  But there is so much to be learned from the stories of Martha and Mary.  In the Gospel of John, we hear that Martha’s faith was rewarded with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus from the dead after professing that, “I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”  We also hear in the Gospel of Luke that, when Martha complains that Mary is not pitching in to get the necessities done in the house in order to welcome Jesus, the guest, Jesus tells her that “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  When I reflect on these stories, it causes me to think about my level of trust in God.  It causes me to consider what Jesus thinks about me when I am working overtime to be sure that everything is in place–we men can stay super busy doing things around the parish, in the K of C Hall, and in our communities.  I question whether I have complete faith in Jesus, and also, do I just pause from time to time to stop and reflect on this presence in my life.  So, I must ask myself:

○      Do my actions show that I truly have faith in Jesus, and do I let him take the steering wheel?

○      Do I sit with Jesus in Adoration in a Church close to home?

○      Do I try to make time to attend daily Mass as often as time and family commitments permit?

○      Do I try to make special devotions during the year, including those led by Man of Signum Crucis Dave Lankford?

○      Do I make regular Confessions?

○      Do I look for an opportunity to make a retreat each year, or do I find every excuse to avoid them?  (Several men in our fraternity schedule retreats every year to the Jesuit White House Retreat Center in St. Louis and Cursillos.  I am also aware of 3-day Men’s Retreats that are led by the monks at Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri that would be a great experience.)

I know–all this takes time, and for many of you with children at home, it is difficult to find the time to do these things.  But, just think how much more your children will seek their faith when they see you seeking your faith.  You know the statistic–when the father of the family stays active in his faith, 80% of the time his children remain active in the faith for the rest of their lives.  When my dad went on Cursillo back in the 1970s, it made me curious about Cursillo (and I was impressed that dad went), and although I resisted going when I became a father with children (right, Kevin?), I was very glad when I did make my Cursillo and have assisted in several others since then.  It was the example of my dad, not just in attending that Cursillo, but more importantly his daily Mass attendance that continues to be the inspiration for me to deepen my faith every day.

So, men, we do gain a lesson from both Martha and Mary–while we do need to prepare for the coming of Jesus into our homes (like Martha), we also need to spend even more time with him (Mary).

On Wednesday, the Church celebrated the Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus.  Chrysologus means “gold-worded” (just as Chrysostom, as in St. John Chrysostom, means “gold-tongued).  St. Peter Chrysologus was a bishop of the 5th century, who as his name implies, wrote and spoke eloquently, assisting Pope Gregory the Great in his teachings on the Incarnation (the most defining moment in all of human history–nothing will ever top it).  May we through increased Study become more eloquent in explaining our beliefs to others.

Yesterday, the Church observed the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), which has established Catholic high schools and universities all around the world (dozens of high schools and universities here in the United States alone).  Our own Father Helias was a Jesuit!  Like Ignatius of Loyola, what might God be calling us to do for him in our community, in our state, or in the world?

And now, today, the Church memorializes St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists.  St. Alphonsus was an 18th century Italian bishop who was well known for his spirituality.  Those who pray the Perpetual Help Devotions in their parishes owe this devotion to the Redemptorists who publish these devotion cards, who themselves have developed a devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Do we try to become more devoted to God and our faith every day, taking on new approaches to deepen our faith as we work through our day?

          Men, we stand on the shoulders of so many saints–both men and women.  Let’s take time to study their lives so that we, like them, will be an inspiration to others, lead others to Christ, and thereby might be deemed worthy of the eternal reward that Jesus earned for each of us.

          After all, we Men of Signum Crucis should do no less.

May God richly bless you!

Next Gathering of Men of Signum Crucis Will Be at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on August 20

That’s right men, for this one time only, we will move our August gathering of the Men of Signum Crucis to the Cathedral of St. Joseph.  The reason for this is, while the Cathedral is available during the summer break, we have an opportunity to take a tour of the Cathedral and Sacristy.  Father Stephen Jones and Stephen Meystrik, a docent from the Cathedral, will lead the tour that begins at 6:30 p.m.  Rosary begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral for anyone who can arrive a bit early.

It is important everyone take the time to learn more about the cornerstone structure (home) of our diocese. 

I am aware that some or many of you have previously taken a tour of the Cathedral, and might be tempted not to come.  However, might I remind you that there are many layers of symbolism in any building dedicated to Jesus Christ, especially in the Catholic faith which has produced so many theologians to aid in our understanding.  So, please come to learn something new, or ask that question you did not think to ask last time.

After the tour, we will walk downstairs to the Cana Hall for refreshments, as usual.

Hope to see everyone there!

Shroud of Turin Expert Coming August 3-4

All the way from Rome, Father Andrew Dalton, a renowned international expert on the Shroud of Turin, will be concelebrating Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, August 3, and will celebrate daily Mass on Monday, August 4 at 8:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Westphalia. 

Father Dalton will also be one of the headliners at the Shroud of Turin 2025 International Symposium and Conference on July 30-August 3 at the beautiful campus of the Augustine Institute in St. Louis.  The Symposium and Conference is sold out, so you’ll need to visit with any Man of Signum Crucis who was able to get a ticket for details of the event (thanks, Dr. Rowan).

After the Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday, Father Dalton and Nora Creech, the North American representative of the Othonia, which is an apostolate of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome (where Father Dalton teaches), will deliver a presentation on the Shroud of Turin, which will include plans for the development of curriculum for use in Catholic grade schools in the United States.  Othonia is a Greek word used by St. John in his Gospel which means, “linen cloths or strips of linen used to wrap the body of Jesus after his crucifixion.”

It would be great to see a big crowd of Men of Signum Crucis at the Mass on Sunday evening and in Westphalia on August 4–mark your calendars now.

Special arrangements for Father Dalton’s and Nora Creech’s appearance here in Jefferson City and Westphalia have been made by Men of Signum Crucis Norb Plassmeyer, Ralph Voss, and Dr. Ken Rowan.  Thank you, men, for your generosity.

Pilgrimage to Brush Creek, Missouri Tomorrow, August 2

Man of Signum Crucis Kevin Kampeter and his wife, Jackie, are organizing a pilgrimage to St. Peter Church in Brush Creek, a very notable site within the Diocese of Jefferson City, tomorrow, August 2.  The pilgrimage includes Mass celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 4:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Kevin Kampeter at 573-691-7372.

Men of Signum Crucis Ad Hoc Service Committee

Men, our motto states that the Men of Signum Crucis is a “Fraternity through Study, Devotion, and Service.”

You received our June newsletter (Crux of the Matter) on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Mother to her kinswoman Elizabeth.  In observing this act of charity, I announced that I was forming an Ad Hoc committee to help us dive further into regular service projects. 

I am pleased that Men of Signum Crucis Pete Clogston, Nick Dolson, and Mark Javersak have met to brainstorm projects for the Men of Signum Crucis.  More details will be shared soon, but in the meantime, I hope you are developing a plan to take up some form of service as a member of the Men of Signum Crucis.

Thanks to Pete, Nick, and Mark for stepping up to develop our initial list of service projects.

Mark your Calendars now

3^rd Annual “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference–April 10-11, 2026

Tim Francis to Come to Mid-Missouri in September

Tim Francis, a well known speaker on the topics of Eucharistic Miracles and Marian Apparitions, will be back in mid-Missouri in late September.  Although the dates are not yet firm, it looks as though plans are being made around the dates of September 19-28.  It appears Tim will be visiting several parishes in mid-MIssouri, so you will have your pick of a convenient place and time.  Stay tuned for more updates as September approaches.

Thanks to Man of Signum Crucis Norb Plassmeyer for his persistence in making the arrangements to have Tim Francis in our area.

Thank You, Gideon Barr of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology!

Thank you to Gideon Barr of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology for leading us at our July gathering through a primer on the Virtues.  He did an excellent job providing several examples that men can really relate to.  I hope his presentation was as helpful to you as it was to me.

If you did not get to visit with Gideon (or Justin Keusenkothen, who was here with him) about the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology, or how you can help develop this Missouri not for profit organization, click here to learn more.

Pray for Our Priests and Seminarians

Men, summer is a great time to be thinking about the impact of priests and seminarians in our lives.

Why?  Many priests will step away for a well deserved vacation during the summer months and their presence will be greatly missed in our parishes.  As they do this, I hope you will take time to offer prayers for them and to thank them for their ministry to us throughout the year.  This time of refreshment is important and necessary for them to continue to provide ministry to us during the rest of the year.

This is also a great opportunity to show our appreciation to our seminarians, many of whom will be back in the diocese during the summer months, away from their academic settings and providing ministry in the Diocese of Jefferson City.  Please take special note when you have the opportunity to say an encouraging word to one of them, and let them know that you are praying for them.  And in particular, don’t forget to say a special prayer for and offer a word of encouragement to new seminarian Justin Francka, who delivered an awesome message to us during our gathering in April.

Without our priests and future priests, we cannot receive the Holy Eucharist, which is our lifeline to heaven.  It’s just that simple. 

Let us all live virtuous lives that will produce vocations in our families and among our circle of friends.

Our Next Gathering–August 20 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph

As I mentioned above, our next gathering of the Men of Signum Crucis is on August 20 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.  I hope to see you there.

Mark your calendars now to join your fraternity of men at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on August 20

 Retreat Opportunities for Men??

I mentioned in my opening remarks above that several of you Men of Signum Crucis are instrumental in providing retreat opportunities for men in our area.  If you ever wish to offer information about your retreat opportunity at one of our gatherings, please let me know and I will make sure that we have a table in the Commons set aside for you to share information with our men.

Thanks to you men who have invited me to take part in your retreats–I appreciate that you would think that I might fit in well with your group.  That said, I know there are many men in our fraternity who would fit in well with a men’s retreat group.  Your persistence will be rewarded by God.

In Conclusion…

          I hope each of you will bring another new man or two with you to our Aug gathering–young or old, old or new.  They’ll be glad you asked them.  We are called to be disciples, and as disciples we have a calling to spread the Gospel in whatever way we can.  Bringing someone new to our monthly Gatherings is a great way to fulfill our missionary calling.

          And, let us never forget:  St. Joseph “chose hard.”  When given the choice, let’s choose to do the same.

St. Joseph, Foster Father of the Son of God, and patron saint of the Men of Signum Crucis, pray for us.

                                                            In hoc signo, vinces,

                                                            Mark Rehagen

                                                            mrehagen@heliascatholic.com

                                                            573-680-2520

Future Events:       

●      August 20, 2025 (a tour of the Cathedral of St. Joseph)

●      September 17, 2025 (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to mark the beginning of our fourth year!)

●      October 15, 2025 (Father Dan Merz, “Liturgy of the Hours”)

●      November 19, 2025 (Adoration, Benediction, and Confession in the Chapel)

●      December 17, 2025 (Gabe Jones, “Creating Silence”)

●      January 21, 2026 (TBD)

●      February 18, 2026 (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)

●      March 18, 2026 (Levi Frisbie, “Fellowship of Catholic University Students, and the State of our Youth in the Church)

Mark your Calendars now

3rd Annual “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference–April 10-11, 2026