CATHOLIC CHURCH CREATES NEW DIOCESES

When the Roman Catholic Church announced it would create new dioceses within Missouri, many area Catholics weren't surprised.

The announcement came from Vatican City Aug. 29, 1956. The church combined the Kansas City-St. Joseph area into one diocese and created two new ones: Jefferson City and the Springfield-Cape Girardeau dioceses.

Choosing Cape Girardeau as a cathedral city and St. Mary's Church as a cathedral was a surprise "only to show who do not know the Catholic Church and its devoted priests, religious and laity in southern Missouri," said the Most Rev. Charles M. Helmsing, the newly appointed bishop for the area.

"For me the appointment as bishop of the new diocese binds so more closely to the priests, religious and laity of an area where I have served happily for the past seven years," said Helmsing. "With God's help I know that the heavy tasks of the future will be fruitful not only for the Catholics but for the non-Catholics, many of whom I have met and whose good will and cooperation I value."

Helmsing was previously serving in the St. Louis Archdiocese as secretary to the archbishop.

He accepted the throne as bishop in a ceremony Dec. 6, 1956, at St. Mary's Cathedral.

The church was newly designated as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation.

Members of the honor guard of fourth-degree Knights of Columbus escorted Helmsing and clergy into church, with swords formed in an arch through which the clergy passed to the altar.

The cathedral was filled for the Mass and included members of Roman Catholic churches from across the southern part of the state.

Before the Mass began, the Rev. Robert Schumacher, administrator of Cape Catholic High School, now known as Notre Dame High School, read a decree from Pope Pius XII establishing the new diocese and naming the bishop.

In his Mass homily, Helmsing recalled the work of pioneers in the region who lived and worked so the church could have a foothold.

As bishop, Helmsing planned to split his time equally between St. Mary's in Cape Girardeau and St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield. He said the cathedrals are equal in their position within the diocese.

Helmsing also called attention to the construction in the area. Work was under way at the new Catholic high school, parishes and convents in the diocese.

"One needs but to look at these," he said, "to see how the Lord has given to people of the diocese."

Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter of St. Louis didn't need to be present for the ceremony, but wanted to see the historic event.

"The Holy Father could not have done better in selection of a new bishop," Ritter said. "You could have no better shepherd given you than the one who holds the pastoral staff here this afternoon. He has been a tower of strength to me in his position of secretary."

"I prophesy that this will be a great thing done in the name of the Lord in your new diocese."

Helmsing served as bishop in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese until 1962 when he was transferred to the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese.

Helmsing was the first bishop to serve in the 41-county diocese.

During his tenure, several construction projects began or were completed.

A new church, Immaculate Conception, and rectory were built at Jackson and a new school at Poplar Bluff.

St. Vincent's Church in Cape Girardeau started construction on a new rectory and convent.

During the years from 1956 to 1962, 15 new churches or chapels were built in the diocese, eight schools or auditoriums; eight rectories; four convents and centers for Catholic students attending state colleges in Cape Girardeau and Springfield.

Also, a residence for the bishop was built and property attained for four new parishes.

Helmsing organized the first diocese synod gathering of all priests in 1961.

Helmsing was ordained in 1933 and named auxiliary bishop in 1949. He served in that role until being appointed as bishop in 1956.