The Crux of the Matter - November 2026

Oct 29

10 min read

Men, Happy Feast of All Hallows Eve (Halloween)!

If you are like me, you are probably tiring of all the political advertisements and yard signs to show others the “right way” to think (and vote).

Regardless, we must keep up our guard on behalf of the unborn–with only four days remaining, I want to remind you just how important it is to get out to vote on Tuesday. As the Bishops of Missouri have advocated, vote “Yes on 3” on November 3. This might be the last time we in Missouri get to voice our opinion on the issue of abortion for a long time–if the battle is lost on November 3, some say it will be virtually impossible to place the issue on the ballot again for at least 10 years. Think of the innocent lives that will be lost if we allow Missourians this “right.” As Ken Sandbothe reminded us when we were around the fire during our October gathering, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing”–and though he was referring then to one of the reasons for his faith, this also applies most appropriately to Amendment 3. As the head of your household, do your best to make sure that all in your household are geared to vote in defense of those who are defenseless.

To this end, the Cathedral is setting up a day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on election day, from 6:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. I hope each of you will find time to drop in at any time during those hours at the Cathedral Adoration Chapel, which is in the former Carmelite Monastery Chapel just to the east of the Cathedral on West Main Street. I also encourage you to fast on Tuesday to combine prayer with sacrifice. If fasting from food is not possible, then I encourage you to fast in some other way.

I also continue to encourage you to combat the evil one through the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in your homes, which over a dozen of our men did during the month of September. The Enthronement is a most rewarding devotional practice that dates back to its approval in 1908 by Pope Pius X. The enthronement of an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a daily reminder to us of the victory we will gain if we follow His Sacred Heart and set aside the ways of the secular culture–and all who enter your home will know that you and your family mean business when it comes to your faith. You will make a commitment to attend Mass as often as you can, and it will be a continual source of inspiration to your family and friends.

Click here to access this 3-day devotional that will change your life and the lives of those around you:

https://lp.catholicvote.org/america250-resources-enthrone#download

As we approach this weekend, we are mindful of all the Saints in heaven. Let us invoke them in the trials we face. They ran the good race, and they finished strong. Let us run the good race and be strong in our faith, that we might one day join all the ranks of saints and angels.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Amen.

Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference, April 2 and 3, 2027

Men, the stage is set for our 4th Annual Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference, to be held on April 2 and 3, 2027, in Cana Hall.

As in the past, we are hosting a blockbuster lineup:

Friday Evening

6:30 p.m.: Deacon Dave DiNusso of True Manhood (our famous Midwest Man’s Dinner will precede Dave DiNusso’s presentation, and our equally famous Cigar and Bourbon Reception will follow the evening presentation)

Saturday

8:30 a.m.: Keynote presentation by Bishop Ralph O’Donnell

9:30 a.m.: Follow Up Presentation by Deacon DiNusso

10:30 a.m.: Mid-day Mass, celebrated by Bishop O’Donnell

11:30 a.m.: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration, Confessions, and Benediction (and lunch)

1:15 p.m.: Jefferson City native Craig Henley will present on Mountaintop experiences

2:15 p.m.: Father Nicholas Reid, Air Force Chaplain and Pastor of St. Martin’s Church, will complete the Conference with our "marching orders.”

I hope you are marking your calendars now for this great way to kick the Easter season into high gear.

Support Amendment 3

Men, as I mentioned above, November 3, the day that Missouri will decide the fate of abortion in our state, is this Tuesday, and so I ask:

● “Are we each doing all that we can to ensure that abortion will no longer be legal in our state?”

● “Are we working as hard as we can to ensure the safety of our wives, children, and grandchildren (especially daughters and granddaughters)?”

● “Are we making sure that the evil one knows without a doubt that we are fighting tooth and nail to defeat him?”

The Bishops of the State of Missouri have asked all people to support Amendment 3 to our Constitution, which will greatly restrict access to abortion in Missouri. See their video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDBE8yjZrzU&t=6s

Please push the word to your family and circle of friends. It’s not too late to place a sign in your yard or a magnet on your car, and most importantly get to the polls on November 3 to punch your ballot in favor of Amendment 3. It is essential that we Men of Signum Crucis work to protect women and children.

For more information, click here to see the information provided by the Missouri Catholic Conference, which is guided by the four bishops of the State of Missouri (including, of course, our very own, Bishop Ralph O’Donnell).

Men, I ask you to take part in this very historic moment as we again make Missouri supportive of all women and children. Work, pray, and fast for the passage of Amendment 3.

All Souls Day Prayer Service at St. Peter Cemetery

Thank you to Nick Dolson and his volunteers of the Men of Signum Crucis for their work in St. Peter Cemetery this past summer. Over 250 headstones were cleaned this year, but much cleaning still needs to be done in 2027.

To fittingly finalize our efforts this year, there will be an All Souls’ Day prayer service at 4:00 p.m. at the Cemetery, to be led by Father Tom Alber. This would be a very fitting time to pray for those who have gone before us. We will all need prayers at the time of our death to perfect our souls, so let us pray while we can for those relatives and friends who have departed this life.

Special thanks to Nick Dolson for leading us in a very successful service project this year. Plans are to continue our progress at the Cemetery next Spring, so stay tuned for more updates via future newsletters and during gatherings this winter

Talk to Nick Dolson to learn more about this project, and how you can help to fulfill one of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy (Bury the Dead).

Reasons for Hope (Part IX)

Men, it’s hard not to be hopeful, isn’t it?

I was amazed at the number of men who poured out their hearts at the gathering at the Bolton House on October 21. I left the evening very hopeful that so many men in our area treasure their faith enough to shamelessly profess it.

You are an inspiration to me and to your families.

“Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).

Help Needed for Ladies’ Night Out and Retreat

Men, as we have done for the past three years, we will again provide support for the Ladies’ Night Out and Retreat on November 20 and November 21. In return, the ladies provide the same type of help at our Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference (April 2 and 3, 2027). Help needed for the Ladies Night Out and Retreat includes working the registration table, assisting at the food and beverage table, serving as bartenders, and cleaning up.

We still need 2-3 men to help during these two days. Please sign up here to let me know of your plan to help:

https://forms.gle/8iW2FCT1y42rsiWG6

Help Needed for Helias’s Grandparents’ Day

Also, Ron Vossen has requested help at the Helias Catholic High School’s annual Grandparents’ Day to assist with managing traffic flow in the parking lots during the morning of Friday, November 13 (9:30 a.m. until noon). They have asked for the help of 5-6 men, and we still need 1 or 2 more at this time. Please sign up here if you can help:

https://forms.gle/gBdxMWAEHy24Rpg49

Help Needed to Assist with Ordination on December 5

Men, let us rejoice as a young man from Jefferson City will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on December 5, at 10:00 a.m.

Shane Kliethermes is from Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City and a graduate of Helias Catholic High School, and is currently completing his studies toward priesthood at Mundelein Theological Seminary in Chicago.

As in the past, I have offered our assistance to the Diocese in whatever way our help might be needed on Shane’s ordination day.

As of the time of this posting, I have not been notified of the specific needs for that day, but I fully expect that they will notify me soon with a list. I would expect they will need help in traffic control prior to the Mass, and clean up after the reception after Mass. If the Cathedral is not able to provide enough parishioners to assist the congregation as they enter and exit the Cathedral itself, they might also need Men of Signum Crucis to assist with that function as well.

I hope you are able to attend the Ordination. Regardless, would you consider volunteering to help that day? If so, please complete the following survey, and I will contact you later to discuss the type of service you wish to provide:

https://forms.gle/2neDCVkjtdmYAx4i9

Feel free to respond even if you are not sure at this time if you will be available–I will contact you later to confirm what type of service is needed and to see if you are able to help with that service.

Thank you for considering these requests for service in our area.

Men Are Needed to Fill Expanding Eucharistic Adoration Hours at the Cathedral

Men, the Cathedral of St. Joseph uses the former Carmelite Monastery Chapel as its Adoration Chapel, and currently they have Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Two people are scheduled each hour to ensure Jesus is with company at all times.

They are expanding these hours to include Tuesdays beginning at 7:00 a.m. to continue now through Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., which means they are looking for many wishing to adore Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament during overnight hours.

I challenge all Men of Signum Crucis to step forward and take an Adoration hour at a time that works for you. You will not be disappointed to have quiet time with Jesus.

I especially would challenge those who can to consider an overnight hour. I believe men (primarily) should be filling the overnight hours, since women might not feel comfortable being out at those hours.

Anyone interested in joining Eucharistic Adoration at the Cathedral should contact Jeni Doolittle at 816-809-0713.

This is a great opportunity to help restore Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in Jefferson City in the former Carmelite Chapel that can be used exclusively for this purpose. I hope you will help start this trend toward restoring Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.

CConsecration to the Holy Eucharist, November 23-December 25

Once again, Lay Spiritual Director Dave Lankford has offered to lead anyone who would like to participate in a Consecration to the Holy Eucharist to do so between November 23 and Christmas Day. Whether you have done this consecration in the past or not, I encourage you to prepare for Christmas in this most special way. And, for those who have recently enthroned the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your homes, this would be a great way to complete your 2026.

Dave Lankford has a supply of books that he will provide to anyone who needs a book during this time.

Click here if you are interested in this Consecration to the Holy Eucharist during Advent:

https://forms.gle/LhDMR99MQHor3fWf6

It would be highly appropriate for you to involve your family members in this Consecration during Advent.

Chris Stefanick at the Cathedral on February 24

Men, mark your calendars now for a “Reboot” with Chris Stefanick at the Cathedral on Wednesday, February 24, from 6:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.

February is just the right time to reenergize ourselves as winter sets in and Lent has begun. I hope you will make plans to attend this pivotal event. It might just be the spark you need.

Contact Man of Signum Crucis Dave Gramlich for more details.

Hope to see you there.

Set your calendars now for the 4^th Annual “Heart of a Hero”

Men’s Conference–April 2-3, 2027

Weekly Mass Schedule at the Jefferson City Parishes

It is the Eucharist that brings us the joy that we should long for. Consider inserting one or two of these daily Mass options into your schedule:

Monday: 6:30a at Immaculate Conception