The Crux of the Matter - October 2025

Men of Signum Crucis, happy Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. 

If you are like me, we owe a lot to our guardian angel.

Yes, the guardian angel we learned about in the first grade.  Yes, the one who is with us throughout our lives, helping us through thick and thin, in our highs and lows, and in our strength and in our weakness. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels” (section 334), and that, “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.  Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (section 336).

Powerful stuff, taught by the Angelic Doctor himself, St. Thomas Aquinas, based on several books of Sacred Scripture.

This corps of angels is as real as the cup of coffee in your hand.

Today and always, let us shift the reliance on our own power to the power of the angelic hosts, and let us be grateful for the intercession of our guardian angels.  And God assigned your guardian angel to you, so what are we waiting for?

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

“Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here.  Ever this day, be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.  Amen.”

May God richly bless you.!

 Reasons for Hope

Men, my recent encounters with young people in our diocese and recent events in our country seem to support that there is a serious shift of thinking occurring in our culture.

It is reported that young men are increasingly becoming more committed to family life and raising children, and are seeking not the base things of our culture, but rather the higher things of our existence, the transcendentals taught to us by the Church (goodness, beauty, and truth).

Have you witnessed any events recently that would cause you to think the same?

Sometimes, it can be easy to wonder if our world is spiraling downward with large catastrophic events of the world in mind (wars in Ukraine and the Mideast, hunger, people downtrodden by the abuse of their political leaders, etc.).  But, really, how can this be when God sent his only Son to redeem us?  There will always be a presence of God in our world, because the gates of the nether world will never overcome us.  And, in my observation, the presence of God is once again becoming more and more noticeable.

I hope you feel the same.

So, this might be a good time to evaluate what we are doing to step into the fray.  Are we taking the opportunities presented to us to mentor our young family members, hopefully directly, but if not, indirectly?  Do we look for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others?  Do we bring our knowledge of and devotion to Jesus Christ to others?

Or do we wish to stay on the sidelines and hope for the best for our families and friends? 

Regardless of whether there truly is a cultural move occurring, we Men of Signum Crucis need to be on the front lines to bring Christ to the world.

Just something to think about…..

Ordination of Bishop-Elect Ralph B. O’Donnell

Men, Habemus Episcopum!!

Bishop-Elect Ralph B. O’Donnell will be ordained the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City on Tuesday, October 28, the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles.

Mark your calendars now for this very historic occasion.

I hope that many of you, especially any of you who are retired, will be able to attend, and help in some way that day.  I have offered the services of the Men of Signum Crucis to Diocesan staff as they begin to plan for the big day.  Here is a survey that you can complete to let me know that you likely would be able (and willing) to help in some way.  If we are asked to assist, I will pass along to those who have let me know via this survey what tasks and hours are needed, and you could select your specific service at that time. If you are able to help, please reply via the survey as soon as possible.

Men of Signum Crucis Service Projects

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

Recall that on the Feast of the Visitation earlier this year, I observed that Mary strove to provide service to her cousin Elizabeth, even as she herself was recently informed that she was ”with child.”

Should we not also commit ourselves to some form of service to others, especially since we have spent the past 36 months learning more about our faith, and becoming more devoted to God?  Are we now (at least somewhat) closer to becoming more fully catechized in our faith due to the Study and Devotions we have encountered at our monthly gatherings?  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:

●      Prison Ministry (chaired by Mark Rehagen)

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

●      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)

          At the October gathering, the chairmen of each service project will be available to answer questions regarding their 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 appreciated. 

          Remember what Father Clark said in his homily during our September gathering:  as we become more and more well versed in the Study and Devotions of our faith, we also become more aware of the real reason for service:  it is out of love for Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant of humanity, the one whom we Study and to whom we increase our devotion.  Let us keep this great reminder in mind as we prayerfully consider which project(s) we can provide assistance.  Click here to express interest and/or to be contacted regarding a service project.

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

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Registration Begins

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 the next two gatherings to discuss this devotional with anyone with questions, and to distribute books to anyone wishing to take advantage of this exceptional Christmas preparatory exercise.

Thank You, Father Paul Clark

Thank you to our Chaplain, Father Paul Clark for celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for us at our September gathering.  Father Clark’s homily was exceptional, as always (see above).  Thanks also to Father Christopher Aubuchon and Father Brad Berhorst for attending and concelebrating the Mass with Father Clark.

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 now 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–October 15

Our next gathering on October 15 will feature Father Dan Merz presenting to us on the topic of the Liturgy of the Hours.  The Liturgy of the Hours is prayed by all priests, all religious, and many lay people around the world everyday, and along with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, is the official prayer of the Church.  I know you will find this topic to be very helpful for your faith development, and I hope to see you there.

For those of you with Smart Phones, I would suggest you load the iBreviary app on your phone before that evening.  For others (including myself), we will have hard copies available.

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 October 15.

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 by God.

In Conclusion…

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

●      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 (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”)

Mark your Calendars now

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