The Crux of the Matter - May 2025

Men of Signum Crucis, Happy Easter!!  Remember that we fast for 40 days, but we feast for 50.  I hope you are celebrating well to observe Jesus’ victory over sin and death!  Alleluia!

Also worth celebrating is today’s Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.  I hope you are observing this day by neither overworking nor underworking–by neither spending too much time and effort at work, nor by cutting corners and avoiding work.  We are to give our employers a full day of devoted work for the fair pay we receive.  Employers in turn should provide a fair wage for the work expected of their employees.

I recently heard about a man who entered the Catholic Church because of the influence of his employer.  He observed that his employer, who is Catholic, treats his customers and employees with respect and fairness.  This employer and employee are great examples of the most just St. Joseph the Worker!  Would that St. Joseph might be a model for each of us!

St. Joseph, Model of Workers, pray for us!

St. Joseph, Most Just, pray for us!

Requiescat in Pace, Pope Francis

With the news of the passing away of Pope Francis last week, our prayers have transitioned to praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Papal Conclave of Cardinals set to convene on Wednesday, May 7.  Let us pray that Pope Francis will receive his eternal reward promptly, and that the Holy Spirit will hover and touch the hearts of the Cardinals who are called on to select the next successor of St. Peter.

Click here to access an article answering 10 most asked questions regarding the selection of a pope.

2025 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference

Men, by all accounts, thanks to so many of you and especially the efforts of the Men of Signum Crucis Planning Group, the 2025 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference was a whopping success.  We’ll know that for sure after we receive the results of a survey that has been sent to all attendees.

As a wrap up of what occurred, attendees were treated to two presentations from Catholic Answers’ contributor Joe Heschmeyer, and one presentation each by Father Anthony Viviano, Father Paul Clark, and Dr. Pat Castle (LIFE Runners).  Sandwiched between morning and afternoon were the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Exposition of the Eucharist, Adoration, Confessions, and Benediction.  Lunch of pulled pork, baked beans, and chips were the treat for lunch that took place as men went back and forth between their lunch break and Adoration/Confession.

You might also have heard that the Cigar and Bourbon Reception at 7:45 p.m. on Friday was a big hit, sponsored by Father Clark and the Diocesan Vocations Office (cigars) and Josh Sandbothe (bourbon).  Thanks to each of these men for making that event a great way for men to relax while discussing matters of faith, family, and fun.

If you attended this year, we hope you gained from the conference what you had hoped for.  If not, please let us know how we can improve the conference via the survey you have received by email.  If you did not attend this year, we hope you can attend next year.

Mark your calendars now!!!

The dates for the 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference are April 10 and 11, 2026, at the Cana Hall at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Mark your calendars now!!!

Opportunities to Sponsor the 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference

Let me know if you are aware of any organization or business in good standing that might like to help sponsor our 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference.  We will make sure they receive ample recognition.

Consecration Devotions in 2025

The Consecration to St. Joseph, which started on March 31, concludes today. 

Thanks to Lay Spiritual Director Dave Lankford for guiding us through this consecration with the books and his weekly texts of encouragement and nudging. 

Dave will guide us in two other consecration opportunities yet this calendar year:

●      Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, starting on July 21 and concluding on August 22, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary; and

●      Consecration to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, starting on November 22 and concluding on December 25.

Thanks to each of you who has registered for one or more of these devotions.  Your prayers for the Men of Signum Crucis and the spiritual depth you bring to our fraternity are greatly appreciated.

Consecration Devotions in 2025

            Man of Signum Crucis Dave Lankford is once again offering to facilitate three separate and distinct Consecrations during 2025.  These are

●     Consecration to St. Joseph, which started on March 31 and continues through May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker;

●     Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, starting on July 21 and concluding on August 22, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary; and

●     Consecration to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, starting on November 22 and concluding on December 25.

Thanks to each of you who has registered for one or more of these devotions.  Your prayers for the Men of Signum Crucis and the spiritual depth you bring to our fraternity are greatly appreciated.

Catholic Radio in Mid-Missouri

          Men, I strongly encourage you to tune into our local Catholic Radio stations and get the Covenant Network app on your phone.  Covenant Network also has a beautiful Visual Rosary available on their website to use as inspiration while praying your dail Rosary.  Check out the daily programming for Catholic Radio here.  Check out the Visual Rosary here.  This is their home page.

My life has been changed greatly by Catholic Radio.  I hope you will give it a try–because if you are serious about your faith, you will be touched by what you can learn and pray with on Catholic Radio.  I never thought it would be a resource that would make an impact on me, but I have grown exponentially in my faith since it has become available to us in mid-Missouri.

Some of my favorite programs are “The Sonrise Morning Show” at 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m.; “Roadmap to Heaven” with Adam Wright at 7:00 a.m.; “The Doctor Is In” at noon; and “Catholic Answers” at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Radio stations in our area are 88.1 FM in St. Thomas/Jefferson City; 94.7 FM in Columbia; and 103.3 FM in Fulton.

Also, you can help advance Catholic Radio by attending the Catholic Radio Mass and Benefit Dinner on July 12 at Cana Hall at the Cathedral.  Let me know if you would like to know more details or have me reserve a seat for you at the benefit dinner.

Joseph Challenge Annual Pilgrimage in St. Louis

Men, are you looking for a challenge to honor the Patron Saint of the Men of Signum Crucis?

Look no further than the Joseph Challenge Annual Pilgrimage in St. Louis this Saturday, May 3.

This year’s Annual Pilgrimage is a one-day 9.5 mile walk that will take in the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine in Richmond Heights at 8:15 a.m. for Mass (starting point), the Carmel of St. Joseph (Ladue), St. Joseph Church (Clayton,) and then return to the Oratory at approximately 2:30 p.m.  

Click here to learn more about the history of this challenging event.

Thank You, Justin Francka!

Thank you to Justin Francka for sharing his youthful wisdom on the topic of the “Gift of Mission” at our April gathering.  Many men told me how impressed they were by Justin’s presentation and his enthusiasm.  Let us each keep Justin in our prayers as he enters the seminary this fall for the Diocese of Jefferson City.

I hope all you Men of Signum Crucis now understand even better the reason that we don’t rely on watching videos at our gatherings from a nationally, well known speaker on the Catholic faith.

Why do that when we have that expertise locally?  And, wouldn’t you rather hear a live presentation from someone you know?  Doesn’t this cause us to think that if he can do it, why can’t I??  Or better yet, why don’t I?

Thank you to all the laymen and priests who have inspired us at our gatherings since our inception in September 2022.

Our Next Gathering–May 21

Our next gathering on May 21 will feature our biannual offering of Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, and Benediction.  I hope you can attend.

Rosary begins at 6:00 p.m. for anyone who can arrive a bit early.

As always, we’ll enjoy refreshments and fellowship afterwards in the Commons.

Please mark your calendars now to join your fraternity of men at Helias on May 21.

In Conclusion…

          I hope each of you will bring another new man or two with you to our May 21 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.

          Thank you for your loyalty to the Men of Signum Crucis.  Your dedication to this growing apostolate is inspiring.  I pray that our gatherings help you grow in your faith each month.

          Men, don’t forget to express your gratitude to your priests as often as possible.  Thank them after each Mass you attend for giving you the opportunity to receive the Real Presence of Jesus himself.

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:       

●      May 21, 2025 (Adoration, Confession, and Benediction)

●      June 18, 2025 (David Herman, Sacred Scripture)

●      July 16, 2025 (TBD)

●      August 21, 2025 (Father Stephen Jones, “The Shroud of Turin”)

Mark your Calendars now

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