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The Crux of the Matter - September 2026
Men, I was at dinner this past Saturday evening asking myself, “How does God do that?” (See the answer below)
I had the great fortune of attending a fundraiser for Covenant Network, the 501(c)(3) that provides Catholic Radio in our area (88.1 FM in the Jefferson City area) at the Cardinal Rigali Center in St. Louis when I found myself asking that question.
As is always the case, the staff of Covenant Network “assign” us to dinner tables, and my wife and I always have a great time meeting new people, mostly from the St. Louis metro area, who share an interest in furthering Catholic radio in the Midwest.
You can read more about St. Peter Chrysologus by clicking here.
This time, one of the other men at the table (from Jackson, Missouri, in the southeast part of the state) and I looked at each other and said, “I met you this past Wednesday evening at the gathering of the Men of Signum Crucis.”
Yes, it was true. We had met each other on Wednesday evening. Then, last Friday morning, I saw him at Mass at Immaculate Conception at 6:30 a.m.
When I met him Wednesday evening at our gathering in Jefferson City, he had walked in a bit late for the program, so I didn’t get a chance to speak to him for long. We introduced ourselves, and I asked him what parish he was from. He said, "Immaculate Conception.” I invited him to take a seat, and thought to myself that we have another good man from Jefferson City in our fraternity whom I will see many times in the future.
But wait, he told me on Saturday evening that he and his wife live in Jackson, Missouri. How was it that he was at our gathering the previous Wednesday?
His job brought him here to Jefferson City for a week of training. He saw the blurb in a local bulletin about the Men of Signum Crucis, and he decided to join us that evening.
So, was it just by chance that he (who attends Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson) and I bumped into one another three times in the span of four days?
No, it is obvious to me that it was God’s hand that brought him to the Men of Signum Crucis, and His hand that placed us and our wives together at the Covenant Network dinner. Why?
As a fraternity of men that stands for protecting women and children (more on that later in the section on Amendment 3), our prayers are needed for him, his wife and family of four children who hope to welcome another child into the world later this year. But, the current pregnancy is high risk, and doctors have expressed concerns and even recommended termination of the pregnancy. He and his wife will have no part in that.
Why did God bring us together? So that we might offer our prayers for him and his wife and family during their time of uncertainty.
So, to answer the question at the beginning of this newsletter, how does God put these circumstances into our lives? God is God, and we are not. He intervenes constantly in our lives, and occasionally He makes it so obvious that even this thickheaded son of God takes notice.
This happens to you too, doesn’t it? All the time, right? I invite your comments on this or any other part of this newsletter by making your comment at the bottom of this newsletter. This is a new feature for our fraternity–I hope you will share your thoughts with all other members of the Men of Signum Crucis so that we all might grow deeper in our faith.
Men, also, as I pointed out above, today is the feast day of St. Augustine, probably one of the most renowned reverts to the Catholic faith. His mother Monica (whose feast day we observed yesterday) prayed for decades that he would convert to Christianity, and after years of dissolute lifestyle, he became a Christian and went on to become a Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and much of his writings have greatly influenced our understanding of our faith. Men, let us pray for others in our circle of friends and family members who have strayed from the faith. Let us ask for the intercession of St. Augustine for these individuals.
And finally, we are on the eve of the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. Think of it. We celebrate his passion–when his head was served on a platter to the daughter of Herod’s wife. We also celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus–yes, the heart that was pierced out of love for us, and this month we have an opportunity to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our homes. If you have not already signed up to participate in this seven-day vigil to enthrone the Sacred Heart in your home, please see much more information in the section below on this very traditional practice–one that will turn your house into a home.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
St. Augustine, pray for us!
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
St. Gerard Majella, Patron and Protector of Expectant Mothers, pray for mothers who are experiencing difficulty in their pregnancies!
Amen.
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Our Homes!!
Men, as I spoke about at this past gathering, the United States Bishops have encouraged all Catholics in the United States to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes during this Semiquincentennial celebration of the founding of our country.
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart is a traditional practice that has not been spoken about in decades (or perhaps I have been negligent in my observation). This practice acknowledges that the Sacred Heart of Jesus should be at the heart of every Catholic home by placing a blessed image in a prominent place in the home. This is done after prayer is completed by (preferably) the family–if family members are not able to join in, then it is incumbent on us as the head of those households to do the enthronement on our own. The image of the Sacred Heart that would be blessed and enthroned might be a picture, a statue, or simply a prayer card.
As I reported in last month’s newsletter, Lay Spiritual Director Dave Lankford has developed an Enthronement format for the Men of Signum Crucis, and I am very excited to announce that we will use the Triduum format prepared by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, but we will expand it to be a seven-day Vigil that will include preparatory readings from Cardinal Burke. Click here to view the document that Cardinal Burke has prepared that we will use. Once you have signed up to participate in this devotion, Dave will email you the “assignments” for each of the seven days. Then, we ask you to bring your image of the Sacred Heart with you on September 16, because these images will be blessed by Father Joseph Luzindana, the celebrant of the Mass that evening at Helias.
The Enthronement Vigil will not be easy, but is worth it!! (St. Joseph chose “hard,” so we must also). It will require up to 20-30 minutes per day. But, it is so important to have an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus enthroned in our homes, and to consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially in this important period of our country’s history, when the Evil One is waging a war with the soul of this nation. Strong families thwart the work of the Evil One, so let’s band together to this Enthronement Vigil that will begin on Thursday, September 10, and will conclude on the day of our September gathering, September 16.
I also encourage you to include your family members in this Enthronement Vigil. I plan to join with my wife in doing this Vigil. I also plan to encourage my four sons who are out of the house to also do this Vigil. I hope you will think beyond yourself and have your family members at home join you, and also any children outside of the home to also participate. It will be legendary for you to involve others in your family.
Click here to complete a survey regarding your intent to participate in the Enthronement Vigil. Your response will inform us of your intent to participate, and we will email you the link to the resource that we will use for these seven days. This survey will be left open all the way up to September 10. Please give this Enthronement Vigil your most prudent consideration, and reply to the survey if this is something that you can do (hopefully with your family).
May the United States be made strong by the deep faith of its people!
Reasons for Hope (Part VIII)
Men, it’s hard not to be hopeful, isn’t it?
I have recently seen photos of orientation days taking place at two of the seminaries that some of our Diocesan seminarians attend. This is an amazing time for these seminarians as they begin a new year in the seminary, or as they make their transition into their new routine, and it’s an amazing time for our Diocese, which has a total of 17 seminarians in discernment. It has been decades since we have had so many seminarians. It is a time of great hope–these men are considering the awesome vocation that enables the Sacraments to be received by us. Think of it–which one of our future priests will give First Communion to our grandchildren, or who will be with us near the end of our time on this earth?
Keep up your prayers for our seminarians. We need many, good, holy priests.
“Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
Fundraiser Tonight for the Sisters of the Poor
Men, it’s possible that some of you have attended this annual fundraiser in the past, or wanted to, but Kevin Perry, the provider of some of the bourbon we had at the Cigar and Bourbon Reception at the 2026 Men’s Conference, is again hosting a whiskey tasting fundraiser to benefit the Sisters of the Poor. The fundraiser will be held tonight, August 28, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wardsville Knights of Columbus hall.
The Sisters of the Poor is a religious order that provides outreach to the hungry, sick, and destitute of Nigeria. Sr. Ursula Anunoby, the founder of the order, visits relatives in Jefferson City frequently, and she is here from Africa at this time.
This fundraiser will feature eight premier whiskeys. All beverages are donated. This is a “donation only” event with no prescribed ticket price. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Sisters of the Poor.
If you are able to attend, you must RSVP today (if you have not already). That can be done by texting Kevin Perry at 573-680-5069 and leaving your name and cell phone number. I hope you can attend to make this fundraiser a huge success for Sr. Ursula.
For more information regarding the Sisters of the Poor, click here.
Set your calendars now for the 4th 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
12:03p at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Tuesday: 6:30a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
6:30a at Immaculate Conception
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
12:03p at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
5:30p at Immaculate Conception
Wednesday: 6:30a at Immaculate Conception
8:00a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
8:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03p at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Thursday: 6:30a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
6:30a at Immaculate Conception
8:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03p at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Friday: 8:00a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
6:30a at Immaculate Conception
8:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03p at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Saturday: 8:00a at Immaculate Conception
Especially during the summer, I would suggest you check the weekly bulletin at these Churches to be sure the Mass will be celebrated on the day(s) you wish to attend.
Support Amendment 3
Men, it is time to take a stand in support of Amendment 3, which will be on the ballot on November 3.
The Bishops of the State of Missouri have asked all people to support this Amendment to our Constitution, which will greatly restrict access to abortion in Missouri.
Please push the word to your family and circle of friends, 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.
I distributed car magnets at our August gathering, and still have some that I will bring with me in September. I also hope to have more yard signs at our next gathering for your display in your yard.
Be aware that the opposition is receiving major contributions from outside the State of Missouri, so we will see many, many signs in yards opposing Amendment 3. We must take action and show support in our yards and on our cars. It really makes a difference to the person who is on the fence on the issue, or questions whether he or she ought to get out to vote that day. Many who are “on the fence” will vote with the side that has more outward support (measured by the number of bumper magnets and yard signs).
Read here a five-minute article written by Archbishop Charles Chaput in Philadelphia on this issue. It’s an easy read in which he educates his readers on the relativity between sin, pointing out that the sin of murder exceeds the sin of theft, and the role we have in the political world.
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 friendly to all women and children.
Eucharistic Adoration Hours Expanding 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 hours.
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 the 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 safe 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 to start this trend toward restoring Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.
Morning Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) at the Cathedral
Men, Kevin Stock has informed me that the Liturgy of the Hours will be prayed at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 a.m. (prior to 8:00 a.m. daily Mass). Father Dan Merz helped us to learn more about this official prayer of the Church in one of our gatherings in 2025. The location for this prayer group is the “Cry Room” in the back of the Cathedral. I hope you can join the world’s priests, monks, brothers, and sisters in praying this prayer of the Church.
Beatification of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Men, Fulton J. Sheen, former Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria and well-known television and radio evangelist, will be beatified (named “Blessed”) on September 24, 2026 toward his path to future canonization. The beatification Mass will take place at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on September 24, 2026.
For some of us, the name “Fulton Sheen” was well known in our youth, as he took to the airwaves and unabashedly proclaimed the Gospel on prime time television and on radio. In my mind, this was a true high mark of Catholicism in our country–the reputation of the Church was respected to the extent that one of our primary evangelists was given the opportunity to evangelize weekly on major networks!
Since that time, perhaps the Church has suffered a drought in that respect, but I see a surge of evangelization occurring again, though primarily via Catholic networks. Nonetheless, I believe we have soon-to-be Blessed Fulton J. Sheen to thank for the inspiration to spread the Gospel openly on these networks.
Because of his impact on the Catholic Church of the United States, I hope you too are excited about his beatification. Several of us Men of Signum Crucis plan to travel to St. Louis for the Mass. Please consider joining us there.
Read more about the events surrounding this momentous event here.
Hope you can join us.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) Begins Soon
Men, if you know of someone who is considering initiation into the Catholic Church, now is the time to speak to that person and make that invitation. OCIA classes are starting now in most area parishes, and will conclude just prior to Easter, with candidates and catechumens being accepted into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on March 27.
This lengthy process is required to develop wonderment and devotion in the candidate or catechumen.
By virtue of your involvement with the Men of Signum Crucis, you are developing yourself into a worthy sponsor of a candidate or catechumen. Those pondering our faith need to be guided by a person of integrity and one who also possesses a sense of wonderment regarding our faith. In the process, you also will learn immensely.
I hope you will consider leading someone (or many) into the Church for Easter 2027–you will be glad you did. I would be glad to offer further encouragement.
The Shroud of Turin Exhibition at the Cathedral of St. Joseph
Men, you won’t want to miss the Shroud of Turin exhibit that will be available for viewing at the Cathedral of St. Joseph beginning September 8, the Solemnity of the Birth of Mary, through September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Check your local parish bulletin for the times the exhibit will be open during that week, and set aside an hour to be amazed at the history and importance of the Shroud of Turin.
This exhibit will be made available free of charge to any parish or school in the Diocese, courtesy of the Shroud Exhibitors of Central Missouri, a 501(c)(3) corporation established to promote the cause of the Shroud of Turin.
Prepare to be amazed at this extensive exhibit.
St. Peter Cemetery Progress
Thank you to Nick Dolson and his volunteers of the Men of Signum Crucis for their recent work in St. Peter Cemetery. Over 100 headstones have been cleaned so far, but much cleaning work still needs to be done.
Future dates for the work of the Cemetery Crew are
● September 19
● October 17 (or 24) and
● November 2 (All Souls’ Day Ceremony only)
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).
Update on Other Service Projects
I plan to assemble all men interested in providing Prison Ministry this fall. I still have the names of several men who have previously expressed interest in serving in the prisons, and I will contact you soon. However, if you had not previously replied to me that you are interested, please contact me by text or phone call and I will add you to the list.
But, if Prison Ministry or Cemetery Clean Up does not interest you, perhaps you would like to provide outreach to the homeless. Last winter, we provided limited assistance at the Jefferson City Room at the Inn (JCRAT), and we look forward to providing service there, as well as at the Salvation Army.
Thank You to Jamie Smith
Thank you once again to Jamie Smith, who presented at our August 19 gathering. I received so many positive remarks about his presentation. I am so thankful that we have so many knowledgeable, devoted men in our area who are willing to share their faith with the Men of Signum Crucis.
May God bless each one of the men who share their faith, stories, and experiences with us.
Men’s Retreat at St. Benedict’s Abbey this Fall
Men, we are invited to once again participate in a Men’s Retreat at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, which is primarily scheduled for men from the Jefferson City area. The dates of the next retreat are Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1. We will leave from Jefferson City on that Friday at noon, and will return to Jefferson City at mid-afternoon that Sunday.
Many of you met Abbott James at the June gathering–this will be your chance to pray with the monks and gain the spiritual insight of Father Jay, our retreat Master. You will not be disappointed.
I am keeping a list of potential candidates for the retreat, so let me know before all slots are filled if you are interested in attending this retreat.
October 21 Gathering
Men, stay tuned for developments on an outdoor gathering on the third Wednesday of October (October 21) at a location to be announced at a later date (not Helias Catholic High School). Weather permitting, we hope to have a bonfire and the opportunity to hear some brief faith witness presentations by some of the Men of Signum Crucis. This event will be unlike any other gathering we have hosted in our four-year history. Food will be provided, as always, but this will be a BYOB event. I hope you will make plans to attend this opportunity to mingle in a more informal format.
Our Next Gathering–September 16, 2026
Because our Chaplain, Father Paul Clark, cannot be with us for our September gathering, I have invited Father Joseph Luzindana to celebrate Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for us at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Pius X Chapel at Helias. Father Joseph celebrated the Mass at our very first Men’s Conference in 2024, and I have looked for an opportunity to have him join us ever since. I hope each of you will express your appreciation to him for traveling from Kirksville to celebrate the Mass for us.
Our September 16 gathering marks the beginning of our fifth year as the Men of Signum Crucis!!
As always, we will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m., but feel free to come early to pray the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
Following the Mass, we will move to the Commons for fraternity and refreshments, and the evening will officially conclude with the praying of the Litany of St. Joseph at 7:55 p.m.
Please mark your calendars now to join your fraternity of men at Helias on September 16.
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 spiritual events 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
573-680-2520
Future Events:
● September 16, 2026 (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as we begin our 5th year!)
● October 21, 2026 (“Reflections around the Campfire”)
● November 18, 2026 (Adoration, Benediction, and Confession in the Chapel)
● December 16, 2026 (Father Dylan Schrader, “The ‘O Antiphons’”)
Set your calendars now for the 4th Annual “Heart of a Hero”
Men’s Conference–April 2-3, 2027
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