UPDATED: Pope appoints Bishop-elect Ralph O’Donnell to lead this diocese

I receive this cross with great joy and gratitude. I will wear it with that same joy, knowing that it represents our relationship and the work entrusted to us in the Kingdom here in the Diocese of Jefferson City.”

Bishop-elect Ralph B. O'Donnell

He took up his cross and followed.

Bishop-elect Ralph B. O’Donnell gratefully accepted the pectoral cross — a symbol of his role as a servant leader in the Church — that came from a now-sainted pontiff.

“This was a gift of Pope St. John Paul II to our diocese, and now we’re happy to hand it on to a bishop who comes to us from Pope Leo,” Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki told Bishop-elect Ralph B. O’Donnell.

They were together at an Aug. 19 press conference at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

“I receive this cross with great joy and gratitude,” Bishop-elect O’Donnell responded. “I will wear it with that same joy, knowing that it represents our relationship and the work entrusted to us in the Kingdom here in the Diocese of Jefferson City.”

Bishop-elect O’Donnell, 55, a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, will be ordained and installed as this diocese’s fifth bishop on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Pope Leo XIV appointed him to succeed Archbishop Shawn McKnight, who led this diocese for seven years before being summoned to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s appointment was publicized Aug. 19 in Washington, D.C., by Monsignor Većeslav Tumir, chargé d’ affaires, a.i., of the Apostolic Nunciature, in the temporary absence of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, and during a press conference later that day in Jefferson City.

Msgr. Kurwicki has been serving as diocesan administrator, elected by the diocesan College of Consultors, since Archbishop McKnight’s departure in May. He will continue to do so until Bishop-elect O’Donnell takes office here.

“My friends,” said Msgr. Kurwicki, “on this warm August morning, during this month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, patroness of our diocese, we heard the voice of Pope Leo — who, inspired by the Holy Spirit and after consultation, wisely selected an experienced and seasoned pastor, Father O’Donnell of the Omaha archdiocese, as our next bishop.

“We are so grateful,” the monsignor told the Bishop-elect, “that in your life, you said ‘yes’ to Jesus. We are so grateful that you said ‘yes’ to us!”

Bishop-elect O’Donnell brings impressive experience and some providential ties to the Church in central and northeastern Missouri.

As a member of the faculty at Conception Seminary College in Conception, he helped form future priests this diocese and beyond.

As head of a secretariat for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington, D.C., he served with and learned from the future Archbishop McKnight.

As pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha, Nebraska, he helped bring a large, diverse community of Catholics closer together as the Body of Christ.

Now, in the Jubilee Year of Hope, he will lead the Jefferson City diocese into its eighth decade of grace.

He said in his Aug. 19 remarks that the most exciting part of becoming a bishop is “coming to know the Lord more deeply” with the people of this diocese.

“He calls us as he has ever been calling through the centuries, and it is such a gift in our faith,” the Bishop-elect stated. “And so, to be a part of that with you and to lead you is a real privilege. I look forward to that the most.

“This is my home, to come and be with you,” he said.

Joining him in the front of the room were the priests of the diocese’s College of Consultors: Msgr. Kurwicki, Monsignor David Cox, Monsignor Gregory Higley, Father Gregory Oligschlaeger, Father Jason Doke, Father William Peckman, Father Brad Berhorst and Father Christopher Cordes.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell said that he visited the diocesan website and found the Prayer for a New Bishop that the people of this diocese have been praying for two months.

“You didn’t know it was for me, and I didn’t know it was for me,” he noted. “But God knew the whole time!”

The Bishop-elect addressed with abundant gratitude the gathering of priests, deacons, religious sisters and laypeople, including those watching the  livestream.

“I want to begin by thanking His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, for appointing me as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City,” he stated.

The Bishop-elect finds inspiration in the recently elected pope’s generous response to being sent forth by Christ and to following in the Lord’s footsteps.

“It is my prayer that it will continue to deepen my own commitment and love of Christ and our joyful service together,” the Bishop-elect stated.

Close to the Church

Msgr. Kurwicki spoke of Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s appointment as an answer to many prayers and said his pending arrival during the Holy Year “fills us with hope.”

“Bishop-elect O’Donnell is an experienced priest of 28 years and pastor with a deep love for God and the Church,” Msgr. Kurwicki noted.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell was born in August of 1969 in Omaha, the tenth and youngest child of Mary Jane and the late Terrance O’Donnell.

He grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, where the family home was next door to the church and school grounds.

He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1987.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo. in 1993.

He attended St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1997.

On June 7 of that year, in the Cathedral of St. Cecilia in Omaha, Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss ordained him to the Holy Priesthood.

As a priest of the Omaha archdiocese, Bishop-elect O’Donnell served first as an associate pastor at Mary Our Queen and St. Vincent de Paul parishes.

He completed a Master of Arts degree in Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha in 2000.

He was appointed diocesan vocation director in 2003, and then the Urban Director of the Permanent Diaconate and Pastor of St. Bridget and St. Rose parishes in 2008.

Archbishop George J. Lucas, now retired, assigned him in 2011 to serve as vice rector at Conception Seminary College.

In 2015, he was appointed executive director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations in Washington, D.C.

The secretariat assists the bishops in promoting, supporting and educating about the Church’s pastoral needs and concerns for the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell returned to his home diocese in December 2019 to become pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha, where he continues to serve.

Crossing paths

The Jefferson City diocese (diojeffcity.org) is home to more than 90 Catholic parishes, serving 75,000 Catholics in 38 counties in central and northeastern Missouri.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell arrives with more than a passing familiarity with the people here.

He was a classmate of several priests of the Jefferson City diocese at Conception Seminary College and had helped with the formation of several other priests of this diocese while serving as the seminary’s vice rector.

He recalled taking part in meetings of the seminary’s board of regents back when he was president of the student council.

“I can still hear the gentlemanly voice of Bishop McAuliffe,” he said, referring to the man who led this diocese from 1969-97.

Later, as vice rector at Conception, the Bishop-elect came to Jefferson City each summer to visit with Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos.

“I was in your beautiful cathedral a number of times over the years,” he stated. “And wow! Wow! What a beautiful, beautiful restoration of it has taken place!”

Met and sent

As vocation director in the Omaha archdiocese, Bishop-elect O’Donnell got to visit and celebrate Mass in every parish there.

He looks forward to doing that in his new, geographically vast diocese.

“I just think it’s gonna be great to be here!” he said.

He called to mind something his college spiritual director had told him ahead of a two-day retreat at the Catholic Newman Center in Maryville, Mo.: “God will meet us there.”

He likewise recalled something his uncle, the priest who had baptized him, told him the day of his priestly ordination: “Now, it’s on to Mary Our Queen Parish! You studied about the Priesthood, (the people) will teach you how to be a priest.”

The Bishop-elect marveled at the words in the mosaic depicting Christ in Glory over the main door leading out of the Cathedral of St. Joseph: “Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation.”

“The Holy Father has sent me here to Jefferson City,” the Bishop-elect stated. “Christ sends each one of us out each day. You’ve taken a break in this day, and when you go back to whatever you were doing, know that you’re being sent as the Baptized. And know that the Lord will meet us there.”

“One family”

The Bishop-elect spoke gratefully of all those who have helped form him into the priest and future bishop he has become: his uncle, the late Monsignor Edward O’Donnell, who baptized him; the late Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan, who confirmed him; Archbishop Emeritus Curtiss, who ordained him; and Archbishop Emeritus Lucas, “who in his goodness, allowed me to be in service in so many ways.”

He said he’s grateful to Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of his home Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis, and Archbishop McKnight and Bishop Emeritus Gaydos for their roles in preparing him and welcoming him.

Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, closed the gathering by leading the assembly in the “Hail Mary.”

“We celebrate your arrival,” she told the Bishop-elect. “We sincerely look forward to having you with us as we work to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and in making disciples of all nations.”

Msgr. Kurwicki distributed lapel pins depicting the diocesan Coat of Arms.

He noted that he had ordered them for the occasion of the announcement of a new bishop, “and they arrived in the mail today!”

“They will help to remind you that we are one family, and we are better together,” he stated.

“In excellent hands”

In a statement, Archbishop McKnight said Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s appointment fills his heart with joy.

“My former diocese will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am confident the faithful there are in excellent hands with Bishop-elect O’Donnell,” Archbishop McKnight stated.

He noted that his and Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s friendship and collaboration go back many years, including his time as executive director of the USCCB Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

“His leadership in this vital work, as well as his service as vice-rector and dean of students at Conception Seminary, has given him exceptional experience in the formation of priests and the accompaniment of religious,” said Archbishop McKnight.

The Bishop-elect also brings to his new role rich pastoral experience, “which will serve him well as shepherd of the local Church,” said Archbishop McKnight.

“I pray that God’s providence will guide and bless him abundantly in the days ahead,” the archbishop said, “and I look forward to joining the people of the Diocese of Jefferson City in celebrating his installation.”

“A proven pastor”

In a statement, Archbishop McGovern of Omaha called Bishop-elect O’Donnell “a wonderful priest” and “a proven pastor with a great heart for the people that he serves.”

Archbishop McGovern pointed out that the Bishop-elect’s current responsibilities include serving as a pastor of a very large and vibrant parish, along with being a board member of the archdiocese’s Catholic Charities affiliate.

“The Lord has blessed Bishop-elect O’Donnell with many gifts that he will continue to use for the Lord and the mission of the Church in Jefferson City,” Archbishop McGovern stated. “While I will miss him personally, I trust that the Lord will bless him in his new ministry as the Bishop of Jefferson City.”

In a statement, Archbishop Rozanski expressed gratitude to the pope for the new Bishop-elect’s appointment, “and for Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s generous response.”

On behalf of himself and the rest of Missouri’s Roman Catholic Bishops — Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Bishop Edward M. Rice of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, and Archbishop-elect Mark S. Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama — Archbishop Rozanski welcomed Bishop-elect O’Donnell to the Church in Jefferson City and to the state of Missouri.

“Let us keep Bishop-elect O’Donnell in prayer as he prepares for his ordination to the Office of Bishop and to serve as ordinary of the Diocese of Jefferson City,” said Archbishop Rozanski.

“Please continue to pray for me,” said Bishop-elect O’Donnell, “as I will pray for you, and I look so forward to our days ahead.”

Visit diojeffcity.org/bishop for more information and to watch the Aug. 19 press conference.