The Crux of the Matter - November 2025

Men of Signum Crucis, Happy Eve of the Solemnity of All Hallows.

In other words, Happy Halloween.

Don’t you find it interesting when the culture attempts to wrestle away from the Catholic Church a beautiful tradition and over-secularize it?

It’s happened many times over (think over-commercialization of Christmas, the Easter Bunny and egg hunts at Easter, drinking green alcoholic beverages to excess on St. Patrick’s Day, romantic observances on St. Valentine's Day, and yes, dressing up as ghouls to frighten children on All Hallows Eve).

The world does have its ways, doesn’t it?

But we Catholics know that, while we live in the world, we must not be “of the world.”

The world is the reality that God has given us.  We are truly blessed by it and by God, yet we know that we will not take it with us.  We know that the objects of the world will fade and pass, which, by the way, is the whole point of this feast day trifecta that we enter into today–the Eve of All Saints Day, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day.

We, like all of creation, will fade and pass by.  Today on this eve of All Hallows we begin the observance of those among us who have passed away and have been granted their eternal reward in heaven.  We call them saints, regardless whether the Church has formally canonized them or not.  They are your Uncle Ted, your Grandma Smith, your Aunt June, your friend down the street named Jed–we have hope that they indeed did live a life worthy to be purified in Purgatory, and that following that purification, God has granted them their eternal reward, joining the ranks of saints formally declared, such as St. Carlo Acutis, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Paul II, and all the others.  We honor all these saints today on All Hallows (Saints) Eve, and tomorrow on All Saints Day.

But, there are others whom God has not yet called to everlasting joy.  On Sunday (All Souls Day), we will pray for those who have passed away–perhaps it is your Uncle Ray, your son Joseph, your Aunt Betty, your father Edgar, your next door neighbor Antonio.  We are unsure whether they are in heaven, and so we offer our prayers on that day (and always), and to perform works of mercy also, to help them gain their eternal reward.  In return, they can pray for us who are fighting the good fight still here in this world.

By the way, regarding all those secular observances noted above:  don’t forget that we do live in the world, which means that the reality is that our families will be drawn into gift giving at Christmas, and perhaps an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday.  But we Catholics must strive hard to not let the secular observances overcome us–that we don't let the excesses take us over–that we do not become “of the world.”

Rather, “all things in moderation” is our mantra.  God has given us this world to live in.  Let’s live in it while always acknowledging the one who created it–and if we do that–if we keep all things (of this world) in perspective, then we will participate in these worldly events in the appropriate way.

May God richly bless you on this All Hallows Eve.

 All Souls Day Indulgence Opportunity

Men, thanks to Man of Signum Crucis Dave Herman, who presented last year on the opportunity that all Catholics have to gain a Plenary (full) indulgence when following certain rituals in November prescribed by the Church, and who reminded us during our October gathering that the time is near to work toward that goal again this year.

          Click on this link to access the conditions prescribed by the Church to gain a Plenary (full) or Partial indulgence on behalf of a deceased family or friend.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Ordination of Bishop Ralph Bernard O’Donnell

Men, Habemus Episcopum!!

Bishop Ralph Bernard O’Donnell was ordained the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City on Tuesday, October 28, the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles.  What a glorious occasion–the Ordination Mass was absolutely stunning, and Solemn Vespers the evening before were most beautiful!

I hope that you will join me in doing everything we can to make Bishop O’Donnell feel very welcome in this Diocese of Jefferson City.  Together, it is our Diocese.  I have invited him to attend our Wednesday gatherings, and he has expressed interest. 

Let us pledge our support to him and his ministry in every way possible.  As Men of Signum Crucis, it is most important that we honor those who serve us as priests, brothers, and sisters (and bishops), and to pray for and promote vocations within our families. 

Men of Signum Crucis Service Projects

At our gathering in September, I announced that our Ad Hoc Service Projects Committee had selected five service projects for the Men of Signum Crucis to focus on in the future. 

And speaking of service, the Prayer over the Offerings from Mass this past Sunday, which has also been used for four weekday Masses this week, sums up the proper purpose for service:  “Look, we pray, O Lord, on the offerings we make to your majesty, that whatever is done by us in your service may be directed above all to your glory.”

Should we not commit ourselves to some form of service to others, and to direct that service to the glory of God?   Are we not called then to share our faith with others, to evangelize others?  Jesus said, “Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Matthew 5:15, RSV-CE).

In order to cover all seven of the Corporal Works of Mercy, the committee selected the following list of projects:

●      Cemetery Clean Up at St. Peter’s Cemetery (chaired by Nick Dolson)

●      The Mustard Seed at Immaculate Conception (chaired by Mark Javersak)

●      Salvation Army/JCRATI Food Preparation (chaired by Pete Clogston)

●      Prison Ministry (chaired by Mark Rehagen)

●      Service in the Diocese, as requested (e.g., service at ordinations, assistance at the annual Ladies’ Night Out and Retreat, etc.)

           Click here to express interest and/or to be contacted regarding a service project.

I hope you are enthused about at least one of these service projects.  Any amount of time toward any of these projects will be greatly rewarding and appreciated.

Thanks to Pete Clogston, Nick Dolson, and Mark Javersak for stepping up to develop and prioritize our list of service projects.

Mark your Calendars now

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

2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference

          I am excited to report that the schedule for the 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference (HoaHMC) is finalized.  As in the past, we will offer a keynote presentation on the Friday evening (April 10), followed by our Cigar and Bourbon Reception.  Our speaker on Friday evening will be Pete Burak from Renewal Ministries in Michigan. 

          On Saturday, April 11, we will have presentations from Pete Burak (again), Msgr. Eugene Morris from St. Louis, and Father Stephen Jones from the Cathedral.

          I am also very excited that three students at the University of Missouri will join us for one of our sessions, and through a Q & A session they will discuss the reasons for their faith.  I very much look forward to introducing them to our attendees.

          Also, as in the past, we will have Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, and Benediction mid day on that Saturday.

          Mark your calendars now to deepen your faith with the best of the best men in Missouri.

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Registration Has Begun

Men, it’s time to sign up for the 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory devotion, which will begin on November 22 and will conclude on Christmas Day.  I hope you will consider treating yourself to this Christmas gift for yourself and your family.  I highly recommend this devotional, which takes only 10-15 minutes per day and is an excellent Advent exercise.

My thanks to Lay Spiritual Director Dave Lankford, who will keep us on track during the 33 days with occasional text message encouragement, and who provides us with the books that contain the daily readings.  Dave will be available at our November 19 gathering to discuss this devotional, and to distribute books to anyone wishing to take advantage of this exceptional Christmas preparatory exercise.

Thank You, Father Dan Merz

Thank you to Father Dan Merz, pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center and Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia and the Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, for presenting at our October gathering on the Liturgy of the Hours.  Father Merz is deeply steeped in the Liturgies of the Church, and it showed during his very thorough presentation. 

I hope that you have been inspired to download the iBreviary app on your phone, or to pick up a copy of Christian Prayer, to begin praying the official prayer of the Church. 

Pray for Our Priests and Seminarians

Men, let us pray for our priests and seminarians–our hope for the future.  Make sure when you see one, you let him know how much you appreciate his service to you and your family.  Pray especially for Justin Francka, a Man of Signum Crucis and current seminarian who delivered a beautiful presentation to us earlier this year

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–November 19

Our next gathering on November 19 will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation while Adoration of Jesus in the Chapel takes place.  Benediction will be offered at 7:15 p.m. to conclude our time in the Chapel.

At least four priests will be present to hear Confessions for us.  Confessions will begin at 6:15 p.m., and will conclude at 7:10 p.m.  Note that Confessions therefore will begin during the Rosary for those who would like to use the full time in the Chapel for Adoration.  Feel free to step outside the Chapel during the Rosary if you would like to make your Confession before Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins, which will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Note that your Confession that evening could fulfill that condition for a Plenary (full) indulgence (see the conditions in the website linked above).

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

In summary, the schedule for the evening is

●      6:00 p.m.:  Optional Rosary

●      6:15 p.m.:  Confessions begin

●      6:30 p.m.:  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

●      7:10 p.m.:  Confessions end

●      7:15 p.m.:  Benediction

●      7:20 p.m.:  Refreshments in Commons

●      7:55 p.m.:  Litany of St. Joseph in Commons

●      8:00 p.m.:  Conclusion

Please mark your calendars now to join your fraternity of men at Helias on November 19.

Retreat Opportunities for Men??

I am well aware that several of you Men of Signum Crucis are instrumental in providing retreat opportunities for yourself and other 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.

In Conclusion…

          I hope each of you will bring another new man or two with you to our November 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:       

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

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

●      January 21, 2026 (Mark Rehagen and Kevin Stock, “Challenges for the Catholic Man:  What It Means to Be a Man of Signum Crucis”)

●      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)

●      April 15, 2026 (Father Stephen Jones, “Shroud of Turin”)

●      May 20, 2026 (Adoration, Benediction, and Confession in the Chapel)

Mark your Calendars now

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