Welcome!

Fr. Alex Ekka is the Pastor of St Ann of Warsaw, Mo., St. Peter and Paul of Cole Camp, Mo. and St. Bernadette of Hermatige, Mo. Catholic Churches.  

All Parishioners,

The Mass schedule until further notice will be on Saturdays at St. Bernadette at 4:00 PM, on Sundays at St. Ann on at 8:30 AM and at Cole Camp 11:00 AM. 

NOTE: To see Bishop McKnight's full New Decree for Pastoral Activities in View of COVID-19 dated November 11, 2020 click on the link at the bottom of this page.

Whereas the case numbers of COVID-19 infections remain at their highest levels for may counties of Mid-Missouri; and 

Whereas the common good demands that the public health requirements and recommendations of the state are to be observed whenever possible; and

Whereas the Presbyteral Council has provided their advice with regard to the ongoing reality of the pandemic; and

Whereas the current DECREE governing pastoral activities during the pandemic expires on the 27th day of November 2020;

I therefore declare, as the Diocesan Bishop, the following:

1. All dispensations, obligations and guidance of the previous DECREE of 21 August 2020, originally effective until 27 November 2020, shall now be extended until further notice.

2. All the faithful of the Diocese of Jefferson City, and those who are present in the territory of the Diocese, are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation until further notice, provided that for days of precept they do one of the following:

a. Prayerfully participate in the Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation Mass live streamed from their parish church or chapel, the Cathedral, the Vatican, or of any Mass of the day celebrated in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

b. Prayerfully read and meditate on the readings of the Mass for the Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation, and recite the rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet.

c. The faithful still have the obligation to keep the Lord's Day holy and "to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2185)

3. Parishes are highly encouraged to live stream Masses for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation to maintain a pastoral connection with their parishioners during and after the

pandemic.

4. Celebrations of penance services, as well as other seasonal services that entail extra

gatherings of the faithful apart from Mass, are to be avoided. Instead, parish priests are

asked to make themselves more available, even on a daily basis during the last week of

Advent, to hear the confessions of the faithful.

5. Whenever possible, the faithful should present themselves to their parish priest for the

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before they depart for the hospital. Because of

pandemic protocols at hospitals throughout the diocese, priests may not have access to

patients at the hospital.

6. The Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] on 24

December 2020 may be celebrated as early as 3:00 pm to accommodate an ample Mass

schedule for social distancing requirements. Whenever possible, every active priest of

the diocese shall celebrate a Vigil Mass of Christmas at 3:00 pm with the faithful so as to

minimize large numbers congregating at the most popular Mass of the season. The

allowance for a 3:00 pm Vigil Mass of Christmas is only for this year and not to be

presumed for the future.

This decree is effective from 28 November 2020 and until further notice, anything to the contrary

notwithstanding.

Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Jefferson City on this 11th day of November 2020.

Note by Fr. Alex Ekka:- The rest of the guidelines regarding face covering and social distancing are as before. Read the full text in the PDF below.

– All are obliged to wear mask or other face covering and gloves upon entering the church and continue wearing them except when seated and while consuming the Holy Communion.

– All should strictly maintain the social distance of minimum 6-foot while sitting in the pews. A family can sit together but maintain the distance of 6-foot with other family or individuals. 

– Rules of social distancing are to be strictly observed while entering and going out of the church as well as while receiving Holy Communion.

– Ushers will not go around for offertory collection. Faithful are requested to drop their contributions in baskets while entering the church.

Fr. Alex Ekka

The Rosary is prayed 30 minutes ahead of each weekend mass.

Administration/Staff:

Fr. Alex Ekka, Pastor

Phone 660-438-5870 (Residence)

Email: stannpastor@yahoo.com

Office Phone: 660-438-3844

Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Tuesday - Friday

Warsaw:

Secretary - Debra Blair 

Phone: 660-438-3844

Email: stannwarsaw1@gmail.com

Bookkeeper - Jerri Mockus

Religious Education - Deacon Chris Wickern

PC President - David Grimes

Grand Knight - David Grimes

Ladies Auxiliary - Regina Mackenberg

Altar & Rosary - Paula Billinger

Web: https://stannwarsawmo.org

Cole Camp:

Mary Craig - Secretary

Kristi Craig - Bookkeeper

Phone: 660668-3842

Email: spapcolecampmo@gmail.com

PC President - Carol Baalman

Hermitage:

Anita M. Mertz - Office Bookkeeper

Phone: 417-745-6361

Email:  StBernadetteChurch@hotmail.com

We pray for the health and recovery of all who are ill and not with us today.  We encourage those who are home to join the community by praying the Sunday Scriptures, using the readings located at www.diojeffcity.org and perhaps praying the Rosary or the Divine Chaplet. 

Protocols for COVID-19 concerns - Anyone visiting a current COVID-19 hot spot or traveling internationally will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before being allowed back on parish property. This includes anyone who is on parish property on a regular basis. Please use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) map of hot spots to help determine if your travel takes you to a current hot spot.  States at the highest levels of current cases qualify as a hot spot - https://www.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/index.html#cases

Abiding by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, use of face masks upon entering the Church, during the celebration of Mass except when in place in the pew, during the Communion procession, and upon leaving the church is required.  If social distancing cannot be maintained in the pew, then the wearing of face masks is obligatory even in the pew.

Prayer for a Pandemic

May we who are merely inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake. 

May we who have no risk factors, remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home, remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close, remember those who have no options.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home, remember those who have no home.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. 

Amen. 

MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE

For whom do the bells toll?  They toll for the more than 65 million innocents aborted since 1973.

Friday, January 22, will mark the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in the United States for any reason up to birth.

This historic case in 1973 that legalized abortion in all 50 states, is arguably one of the most controversial and divisive cases in U.S. Supreme Court history.  Since then over 65 million children have been killed by abortion on demand.  That is 60 times the number of all American casualties from every war since 1775.

You are urged to participate in the Memorial Observance of the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade from Noon – 1 p.m. on Friday, January 22, on the Pettis County Courthouse steps.  Join in prayer and then march around the courthouse to boldly proclaim  that we cannot, we will not rest….until we have a society that values all human life --- born and unborn.

ACT – Action Changes Things.  Your action accomplishes victories and challenges those who seek to destroy  innocent human life.    ACT now and plan to attend the Memorial Observance on January 22.

This event is being sponsored by the Sedalia Chapter of Missouri Right to Life. If you have questions, please contact Bonnie Diefendorf at 660-620-4773.

Catholic Stewardship Appeal - Currently, we are at 88% of our parish goal as we enter the final weeks of the Catholic Stewardship Appeal. Thanks to all who have made a gift or pledge. If you have not made a contribution yet, we appreciate any gift you are able to make.

Envelopes are available at collection tables.

75th Anniversary Celebration of St. Ann Catholic Church - Sept 2021! Looking for planning committee volunteers. This will be an exciting event and help is needed to make this an anniversary to remember!! Contact the Parish office to sign up!

Knights of Columbus Fish Fries - The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Fish Fries every Friday during Lent from February 19, 2021 through Friday April 2 from 4-7 PM.  Limited dine in seating and carry out service is available.  $11 Dine in, $10 Carry out.  Come and join us for dinner!

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - will be held February 4, 2021, 6 pm, in the Church Hall. Masks and social distancing will be required. If you feel uncomfortable, please do not attend.

The Women’s Ministry of Jefferson City was established to help the women of our diocese connect with each other so that we can support each other in our spiritual journeys.  We find inspiration and comfort in praying with each other, in talking with each other, and in sharing the stories of our faith journeys. Some of the women of our diocese have shared their stories in podcasts. These stories (diojeffcity.org/womens-ministry/reflections-from-within/) are from ordinary women doing the best they can to serve their families, their parishes, their communities and, above all, their God. Their experiences tell our story, too, about times of sorrow, challenges, hope, faith, love and joy. Each week, there will be a new podcast on this website. Let us go to our favorite resting places with our favorite beverages and spend some time with our sisters in Christ by listening to these podcasts.
 

L:atest information from the Benton County Health Department on Covid-19 vaccines. A representative from the Benton County Health Department stated earlier this week that the vaccines were expected to begin by the end of January - mid-February in Benton County (subject to change). Vaccines will be given by appointment only. The Health Department will follow CDC guidelines at the time of distribution. Currently the following individuals are scheduled to be vaccinated: high risk individuals and those with chronic illnesses, first responders and health care workers that did not obtain the first round vaccine and individuals over 65. The Health Department has not been informed which vaccine they will receive for distribution (Pfizer or Moderna).  

DONATED YARN - St. Ann’s received a thoughtful donation of a large bag of yarn. This certainly will be helpful to those making Prayer Shawls. Please see Deb or Jerri in the Parish office if you would like to use any of the donated yarn.

Contribution Statements for 2020 - have been mailed out. If you did not receive one and feel you should have, please contact the parish office. 

2021 St . Ann Calendars are in - Copies are located at the table in the foyer.

LOCAL ADVERTISEMENTS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN - on pages 6, 7 and 8. Please show your appreciation to these businesses by being patrons. Remember to mention that you saw their ad in St. Ann’s bulletin. We certainly appreciate their contributions and want to support them whenever possible.

“Donate Now“ on St. Ann’s website—https://stannwarsawmo.org

PayPal and credit/debit card payment options are now available on the St. Ann website for your Parish contributions:

· Find the purple “Donate Now” button on the first page of the website

· Enter the amount of the donation

· Choose Donate with PayPal or Donate with Credit/Debit Card

· If you choose PayPal, you will be asked to enter an email address (if you already have a PayPal account) or there is an option to create an account - complete the required information and hit “Donate Now”

· If you choose the Credit/Debit Card option - provide required information and then hit the “Donate Now” button - that easy! 

·  Please contact the Parish office with any questions or concerns.

Knights of Columbus - Are you interested in strengthening your bonds as a family, deepening your faith in the Catholic Church, and working with like-minded men to help support your Church and Community? If so, please consider joining the Knights of Columbus. You can join online at www.kofc.org/joinus, or ask a Knight for an application.

We pray the Rosary before Mass each Sunday at 10:30 am—please join us!

Mass Intentions: The Mass intention calendar needs completed for 2021. Please consider a $10 stipend for a loved one.

Best Choice Save-a-Label Program

Please save your Best Choice labels. We need the UPC portion (proof of purchase). There is a jar in the hall to put them in. The Save-A-Label program is an extremely successful program, which helps non-profit organizations raise money. Currently, there are over 8,900 non-profit groups in the AWG trade area that participate in the program. These groups earn $.03 for each Best Choice UPC symbol redeemed, with a minimum of 1,000 labels required for redemption. This program represents more than 1.2 million cases of Best Choice products purchased by consumers in one year!

Repairs done in last few months: New shingles on the church and garage, lighting updated in the fellowship hall, sidewalk entrance repaired, new cross installed, brick flower boxes replaced and beams repaired and cleaned in the Church.

Catholic Stewardship Appeal  

This year’s Catholic Stewardship Appeal goal for the entire diocese is $2,450,000. After the diocesan goal has been met, any parish meeting their individual goal is eligible to receive a rebate of 10% of the goal, plus 90% of any funds raised above the goal. Parish goals must be met with cash and/or pledges received by March 15, 2021 and fulfilled by the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

 St Bernadette has a new website, please take a look at https://stbernadette.diojeffcity.org 

Bishop McKnight's January Prayer for our Local Church is: 

 For those seeking employment; that through the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, they may find dignified work in supporting themselves and their family.