PHOTOS: Diocesan 2026 Eighth Grade Mass
Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell presiding, with the students’ pastors, May 5, 2026
Hundreds of eighth-graders and their teachers and principals from the 36 Catholic grade schools in the diocese join their hearts and voices for an end-of-the-school-year Mass with Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. Their pastors concelebrated the Mass. Students from many schools served in the choir. It was the 52nd anniversary of the dedication and the third anniversary of the rededication of the Cathedral. Bishop O’Donnell congratulated the eighth-graders on their upcoming move from grade school to high school and urged them to take their Catholic faith and identity proudly with them. He encouraged them to turn back to God whenever they realize that they’ve strayed from him, and to continue sharing their joys and sorrows with their pastors and the people of their parish. The eighth-graders had lunch and fellowship downstairs in Cana Hall after Mass. (106 photos)
