Our Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau

OUR SACRED PURPOSE:

The sacred purpose of the Diocese of Springfield Cape-Girardeau is to joyfully live our Catholic faith as intentional disciples, leading all to a full life in Jesus Christ.

THREE (3) GUIDING VALUES FOR US AS DISCIPLES:

1. PRAYER
Through intimacy with Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit we enter in to union with the Father-in solitude and when gathered- offering our blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.  

2. GENEROUS SERVICE
The love of Christ impels us to charitably serve as instruments of hope, comfort, and peace.

3. ENTHUSIASM
Rejoicing in our relationship with God, we passionately live our faith in word and action.

 OUR FIVE-YEAR VISION:

One Church, east to west: loving Jesus, serving Jesus, and sharing Jesus.

OUR THREE (3) PRIORITIES:

1. Grow in Holiness
Do we offer opportunities to intimately encounter Christ and experience his grace? How do we help individuals deepen their prayer life, fully participate in the Sacraments, come to know the Living Word of God in Scripture, and foster the call to ongoing conversion and holiness?

2. Form Intentional Disciples
Is our faith community a place of invitation, welcome, and hospitality for ALL? What opportunities do we offer to continue formation as a disciple of Christ? Do we accompany individuals on their faith journey? Do we lead them to a fuller knowledge, understanding, and practice of life in Christ through the Catholic faith?

3. Sent to Witness
Do we equip individuals to live and share their faith vibrantly within their everyday community, including with other Christians or those who do not know Christ? Do we act as the hands, feet, eyes, ears, and heart of Jesus—reaching out to those most in need (physically and spiritually)?

The seven deaneries of the diocese cover more than 25,000 square miles which includes all 39 counties in southern Missouri. Within the deaneries, 66 parishes, 17 missions, five chapels, and one ordinariate, serve over 66,000 Catholics who comprise the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The diocese has two cathedrals: St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, Cape Girardeau, MO, and Cathedral of St. Agnes in Springfield, MO.

More than a half-century after Marquette and Joliet sighted the present state of Missouri, rich lead deposits prompted the first permanent settlement at Ste. Genevieve. Three decades later, Pierre Laclede Liguest founded a trading post, St. Louis (1764). After 1804 when the formal transfer of the Upper Louisiana Territory was made at St. Louis to the US, the population grew rapidly and the area became Americanized. Present Missouri was part of the Diocese of Louisiana until the See of St. Louis was established (1826). At first, its territory was ill-defined, but by 1850, it was restricted to the present state boundaries.

The Diocese of St. Joseph was established in 1868, followed by that of Kansas City in 1880. Except for the assignment of 11 northeastern Missouri counties to St. Joseph in 1911, the ecclesiastical division of Missouri remained the same for 76 years.

In 1956, a third See was added and the territory completely realigned. The Archdiocese of St. Louis now included the city itself and nine surrounding counties. The three suffragan dioceses became Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Although all of the southern section and more than one-third of the state’s landmass is within the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, scarcely more than five percent are Catholics.

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau was founded in 1956 and continues to grow in many ways. The diverse heritage and culture continue to bind the faith community and provide the strength for future growth. A copy of the recent diocesan CARA report provides a more in-depth look at the faithful of our diocese.

•  Established: August 24, 1956

Patron Saints:

• St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, The Lady of Mercy. Feast Day: November 18.
• St. Pope Pius X, Pope of the Blessed Sacrament. Feast Day: August 21

Past and Present Bishops:

1. The Most Rev. Charles H. Helmsing, DD — Aug. 24, 1956 – Jan. 27, 1962
2. The Most Rev. Ignatius J. Strecker, DD, STD — April 7, 1962 – Sept. 10, 1969
3. His Eminence William Cardinal Baum, STD — Feb. 18, 1970 – May 9, 1973
4. His Eminence Bernard Cardinal Law, DD — Oct. 22, 1973 – Jan. 23, 1984
5. The Most Rev. John J. Leibrecht, DD, PhD — Oct. 23, 1984 – Jan. 24, 2008
6. The Most Rev. James V. Johnston, Jr., DD, JCL — Jan. 24, 2008 – Nov. 4, 2015
7. The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice, — June 1, 2016 –

Territory: 25,719 square miles – 39 counties
Population (2010): 1,353,859. Catholic Population (2014, approx.): 65,632.
Parishes: 66
Missions: 17
Chapels: 5
Ordinariate: 1
School System: 23 elementary schools, 3 high schools
Oldest Parish: Immaculate Conception Parish in New Madrid – est. 1789Newest Parish: St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nixa – est. 2004

The Catholic Center, home of the chancery or the Bishop’s staff, is located at 601 S. Jefferson Avenue in Springfield, MO. Formerly the home of Springfield Catholic High School, the building was renovated in 1989 to accommodate the ministry work of the bishop. Collaboration is made possible on the diocesan and parish level in Administration, Education, Ministry, and Worship.