Dear Parishioners:

While the passing of Amendment 3, by a little over 50% of the voters, presents a challenge for all, it does not change the Church’s long held position on the dignity of all life. Given the scientific fact that a human life begins at conception, the only moral norm needed to understand the Church's opposition to abortion is the principle that each and every human life has inherent dignity, and thus must be treated with the respect due to a human person. This is the foundation for the Church's social doctrine, including its teachings on war, the use of capital punishment, euthanasia, health care, poverty and immigration.

Conversely, to claim that some live human beings do not deserve respect or should not be treated as persons (based on changeable factors such as age, condition, location, or lack of mental or physical abilities) is to deny the very idea of inherent human rights. Such a claim undermines respect for the lives of many vulnerable people before and after birth.

The concept of human dignity is a strong theme throughout the social documents of the Catholic Church, and it is this theme that serves as a starting point for the Church's commitment to the protection of life. The universal dignity of all human persons and peoples is, in its broadest sense, the fundamental principle that underlies everything the church teaching has to say about human lives and their value.

Obviously, the reverence, the respect of human life is a dominant concern, but added to that umbrella of respect for human life must also cover issues such as immigration, imprisonment and capital punishment, poverty, racism and depression among young people.

That is why we are a Church of life from conception to natural death. With this in mind then we must do all we can to support women and men who find themselves in difficult situations. We must work for an end to abortions and at the same time work to support single mothers, those who find themselves in poverty, those without medical care, our immigrants. We must work for an end to executions (our country has the means to project our citizens through incarceration).

At the same time, it said, the Church must call for policies that assist women and their children in need, while also continuing to help mothers through local pregnancy help centers and a nationwide, parish-based initiative, Walking with Moms in Need, the statement continued. We must likewise continue to extend the hand of compassion to all who are suffering from participation in abortion, through the Church’s abortion healing ministries like Project Rachel Ministry.

Lastly, our parish is in need of a robust Pro-Life group of men and women working to support and educate our parish community in all issues surrounding life. I will be reaching out to see if we can establish this group. Thank you to all who voted and participated in our election and thank you to all who support life in all of its myriads of forms.

God Bless!

Msgr John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

The month of November is a time of prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving for our God and all the blessings he has sent into our lives.

In The Practice of the Presence of God written by Brother Lawrence, he presents a simple but powerful concept that God is always there. Right beside us. Every day, all day. Every night, all night. Never leaving us. Never turning away from us, even when, He ought to. Even when we behave in a manner so completely unlovable, so callously hurtful towards He who is love, still He never leaves our side and never loves us less.

I believe we oftentimes think of God in terms of someone we have to make a special point to call, like a long-distance friend, of sorts. It's far too easy to not be mindful of His presence and to find ourselves acting, speaking or thinking in ways that are very contrary to His.

With our minds and our attention being pulled in a thousand different directions in today's modern world, it is harder than ever to stay focused; especially to stay focused on what is ultimately the most important thing...God. Did I pay the electric bill? I cannot forget to stop by the grocery store. I have to get the kids off to school. I am afraid I will not meet that deadline at work. Am I going to be able to make the mortgage payment this month? Where are my keys? The phone is ringing again. Someone is at the door. I'm running late for my doctor's appointment.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

We need quiet time and when we feel that we do not have time for quiet time, which is when we need quiet time the most. We must make time in our day for God. We need to build our day around God, rather than fitting God into our day.

Were we to be more mindful of the reality that His presence is one thing that we can always count on, we would have a much easier (and much happier) time, living out our days on this earth, I do believe.

God Bless,

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

As our Elections take place this week, Catholics are called to participate in promoting the common good and, as far as possible, to take an active part in public life. Indeed, “by fulfilling their civic duties, guided by a Christian conscience, in conformity with its values, the lay faithful exercise their proper task of infusing the temporal order with Christian values.” (Gaudium et Spes, #36)

“The consequence of this fundamental teaching of the Second Vatican Council is that the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in public life.” (Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life, #1)

To fulfill this calling, Catholics must be informed, active, and responsible participants in the political process. They must be knowledgeable about the political process and have a grasp of the moral dimensions of issues facing society. To do so, they need to understand the role of government in society, to be aware of their political rights as citizens, and to know how to influence public policy so that they may work within the political structure to effect change. They need to know about current social issues, to understand the Church’s teachings about their moral dimensions, to form their consciences in light of their faith, and to act out of their moral convictions.

There is a temptation to disengage, in this election, because the situation is such a mess. But let us name that for what it is: a temptation to despair. We are called to be a people of hope, and hope expresses itself in continued engagement. So, let us remember that the day after the election, Jesus will still be Lord. People will still need to hear the Good News of his saving love. Each of us will be called to take up our cross and follow Him, serving others and suffering for our convictions. That is how our faith has shaped culture in the past; that is how our faith will shape the culture in the future. In that sense, our mandate will not have changed, no matter the outcome of this election.  May the good Lord bless and guide you as you fulfill your civic duty to vote. (See material at church entrances and  the website archstl.org for more reflective material on the election, especially on prop. 3).

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Dear Parishioners:

As our Elections take place this week, Catholics are called to participate in promoting the common good and, as far as possible, to take an active part in public life. Indeed, “by fulfilling their civic duties, guided by a Christian conscience, in conformity with its values, the lay faithful exercise their proper task of infusing the temporal order with Christian values.” (Gaudium et Spes, #36)

“The consequence of this fundamental teaching of the Second Vatican Council is that the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in public life.” (Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life, #1)

To fulfill this calling, Catholics must be informed, active, and responsible participants in the political process. They must be knowledgeable about the political process and have a grasp of the moral dimensions of issues facing society. To do so, they need to understand the role of government in society, to be aware of their political rights as citizens, and to know how to influence public policy so that they may work within the political structure to effect change. They need to know about current social issues, to understand the Church’s teachings about their moral dimensions, to form their consciences in light of their faith, and to act out of their moral convictions.

There is a temptation to disengage, in this election, because the situation is such a mess. But let us name that for what it is: a temptation to despair. We are called to be a people of hope, and hope expresses itself in continued engagement. So, let us remember that the day after the election, Jesus will still be Lord. People will still need to hear the Good News of his saving love. Each of us will be called to take up our cross and follow Him, serving others and suffering for our convictions. That is how our faith has shaped culture in the past; that is how our faith will shape the culture in the future. In that sense, our mandate will not have changed, no matter the outcome of this election.  May the good Lord bless and guide you as you fulfill your civic duty to vote. (See material at church entrances and  the website archstl.org for more reflective material on the election, especially on prop. 3).

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Dear Parishioners:

This Friday we celebrate All Saints' Day in honor of all the saints, both known and unknown. It is the day after the feast of All Hallows' Evening (also known as Halloween). This solemnity comes from Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their death. The current date of November 1 was instituted by Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ordered an annual celebration. This celebration was originally confined to the diocese of Rome, but Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the feast to the entire Church and ordered it to be celebrated on November 1.

The following day, November 2nd, the Church in an ancient feast celebrates All Souls Day where we gather and remember and pray for the faithful departed. We as Christians believe that if we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we will have eternal life. Jesus has that great desire that we are one with him, and this day commemorates our oneness with Jesus both those here on earth and those who have passed before us.

Another practice on this feast day is to attend Mass to pray for the faithful departed in our families, in our Church and all who have died in Christ. Saint Odilo, Abbot of Cluny, established All Souls' Day in the eleventh century. The day purposely follows the Feast of All Saints, in order to shift the focus from those in heaven to those in purgatory.

Our parish family we will celebrate mass for all the Faithful Departed of our parish and of our families (especially those during this past year). This mass will be on Saturday Nov. 2 at 7am .

Please see our bulletin for a listing of those who were buried from our Church this past year and please keep them and their families in your prayers. Finally, during the month of November a Book of Remembrance will be placed before our baptismal font as a reminder of our dying and rising with our Lord, first in Baptism and then into eternal life.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

The month of October is dedicated to the praying of the Rosary. The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden") or "garland of roses “is a popular and traditional catholic devotion.

How to Pray the Rosary - The purpose of the Rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events or mysteries in the history of our salvation, and to thank and praise God for them. The prayers consist of repeated sequences of the Lord’s Prayer followed by ten recitations of the Hail Mary and a single praying of "Glory be to the father” each of these sequences is known as a decade. The praying of each decade is accompanied by meditation on one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which recall the life of Jesus Christ. There are twenty mysteries reflected upon in the Rosary, and these are divided into the five Joyful Mysteries, the five Sorrowful Mysteries, the five Glorious Mysteries, and the five Luminous Mysteries.

The Pope has always had a great devotion to Mary and the rosary. During this month of October, we pray the rosary many different times in our Church. A number of years ago Pope John Paul II included new mysteries named the Luminous Mysteries, which reflect upon the public life of Jesus. During this month, you might gather with your families and pray the Rosary together as a sign of solidarity with our Pope. Perhaps you could also add the intention of all those who have fallen away from the practice of the faith, that they might be welcomed back home to the Church.

In a particular way as we pray the rosary we can also pray for religious liberty. This liberty is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can make our contribution to the common good of all Americans. Can we do the good works our faith calls us to do, without having to compromise that very same faith?

Lastly this is also Pro-Life month let us continue to pray for all life from the unborn to those near death. With the Election close at hand, we could also pray for the end to abortions and all that harms life.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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The Light is On for You!
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of God's Loving Forgiveness

Confessions will be offered (behind the screen only)

Saturdays - 3:30p.m. until 4:45p.m.

Palm Sunday - after all Masses

Wednesday, April 13th - 5:00 until 7:00p.m.

Good Friday - after the 12:00 noon Stations of the Cross and
                       after the 7:00p.m. service

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THE POWER OF PRAYER BEFORE
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

In Christ, there is always reason to have hope!!  Christ tells us that He is with us. St. Paul reminds us that all things are possible for God. We need to Pray, and part of that prayer is taking time to be with God in the silence.

In our lives there is so much going on in us and all around us. We all deeply desire Peace in our hearts, in our families, and throughout the world, especially in Ukraine. In our own Archdiocese, Archbishop Rozanski has asked us to pray daily so that all Catholics will take part in the Strategic Planning Process by giving their input through the Disciple Maker Index survey. Each member of the Archdiocese is asked to take this fifteen minute survey.

Your parish wants to invite you to come for adoration at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16th. There will be time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a Scripture reading, a brief homily, and Benediction at 7:45. Adoration will be offered on Wednesdays, March 23rd and March 30th. During the Lenten Parish Mission, Adoration will be held on Sunday, April 3rd, at 7 p.m.

V   Christ is Really there!  “I myself am the living Bread come down from Heaven.”

V   Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of His Infinite love for you! “Behold I will
     be with you always even to the end of the world...because “I have loved you  with an everlasting love,
     and constant is My affection for you.”

V   When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God. “Indeed, this is the will of my
     Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. I will raise you
     on the last day.”

V   Each moment that you spend in the Risen Christ’s Eucharistic Presence will increase His Divine Life
      within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him.  “I have come that you
      may have life and have it more abundantly.”

V   For peace in our hearts, our families, our country, our world!  “When my people humble themselves and
     seek my presence...I will revive their hearts, their souls and their lands.”

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LENTEN PARISH MISSION

I am delighted that Father Charles Samson will lead us in this year’s Mission. Father will preach the Sunday Masses on April 2nd and 3rd. On Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m., we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with a homily by Father Samson, concluding with Benediction. Holy Mass will be offered on Monday, April 4th, at 7:00 p.m., followed by an opportunity for the Sacrament of the Anointing. Then on Tuesday, April 5th after the 7:00 p.m. Holy Mass, the Sacrament of God’s Loving Forgiveness will be offered with four priests available.

Father Charles Samson was ordained a priest in 2013. Fr. Samson’s home parish is St. Clement of Rome in Des Peres. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 2005, and then entered Cardinal Glennon College seminary. After graduating from Glennon in 2009, Fr. Samson was sent to Rome to undertake advanced studies in theology. He received a Bachelor’s in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2012, a License in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 2015, and then a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian in 2022. His areas of expertise are the Book of Exodus and the Gospel of Matthew, and he specializes in ancient biblical languages and biblical archaeology. Fr. Samson leads the seminarians from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary to the Holy Land every year after Christmas for a three-week long course on biblical archaeology, which he teaches, and pilgrimage. Fr. Samson presently teaches on the faculty at Kenrick-Glennon, and he resides at the Old Cathedral downtown. Fr. Samson loves being a priest, and he enjoys young adult ministry and leading marriage preparations. Fr. Samson has a twin brother, with whom he shares a passion for running, ultimate frisbee, and Star Wars.

PRAYER and OFFERINGS for UKRAINE

Pope Francis called for a Day of Fasting and Prayer on Ash Wednesday for the people of Ukraine and peace in the world. Throughout Lent may we continue our prayers for world peace, and especially for the brave people of Ukraine who are suffering so much. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.

The Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe will be an opportunity for us to help the people of Ukraine who have lost everything. Every offering we receive through Sunday, March 13th, will be sent in its entirety to Catholic Relief Services.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

On this Wednesday, March 9th, we offer an opportunity for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7 p.m. in Church. We will conclude with Benediction at 7:45.

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Ash Wednesday, March 2nd
Mass and distribution of blessed ashes
at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Fridays, beginning March 4th
Stations of the Cross — 2:20 p.m.

Lenten Wednesday, March 9th
Adoration and Benediction
of the Blessed Sacrament & short homily
7:00 to 7:45 p.m.

GOD’S
LOVING FORGIVENESS

            The Android app “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” and the Apple app ConfesGuide” are not designed to forgive sins (we still need a priest for that) but to help prepare people to receive the Sacrament of God’s healing and loving forgiveness.  The apps include an examination of conscience, a step-by-step guide to the celebration of the Sacrament, and other prayers.  

            The Congregation for the Sacraments in Rome stated, “this is not a substitute for actual confession of sins to a priest, but it might be a very helpful aid, especially for those who have been away from the Sacrament for a long time, as well as for young people who are so attuned to the digital world.”

CONFESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE

SATURDAYS
FROM 3:30 TO 4:45 P.M.

THE SUNDAYS OF LENT
AFTER MASSES

TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 5TH

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UNCEASING PRAYER

On Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, every Catholic from Junior High on up, will be invited to participate in an anonymous comprehensive survey. The 75 multiple choice statements will provide feedback so essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the Church in St. Louis, and Annunziata in particular. We seek to identify opportunities for improvement and renewal within all parishes, schools, diocesan offices, and agencies.

Together we need to develop a strategic plan in order that our parishes, ministries and institutions can effectively share the Catholic Faith in a way that is suitable and sustainable for our children and for generations to come.

As Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski wrote, “With St. Paul, let us begin this journey together with prayer.” This Wednesday, February 23, you are invited to participate in a Holy Hour to pray in the presence of Our Risen Lord beginning at 7 p.m. Father Chris Martin, the Priest who represents the Archbishop in guiding this multi-year process called “All Things New”, will preside and preach.

As a Parish, as an Archdiocese, we need to pray unceasingly, asking for God to enter our hearts and minds and guide our actions as we consider the best path forward. Personal or private prayer on a daily basis is absolutely essential to being a mature follower of Jesus Christ.

Taking part in the Sunday Mass is very important. But it is not enough. Not even being a daily Mass-goer is sufficient for being a disciple of Jesus, if you do not “go into your inner room and pray in secret.” While participating in Sunday or weekday Mass is essential and powerful, this does not eliminate the need for private time with God.

PLEASE COME, AND BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, THE WORD OF GOD, FR. CHRIS MARTIN PREACHING, AND BENEDICTION ON THIS
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 23, at 7 pm!

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On January 25th,  Archbishop Rozanski announced a pivotal moment in the life of the Church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, meant to enable us to assess every aspect of our Archdiocese and make necessary adjustments to our ministries and supporting structures to reflect the needs of our communities for the next century.

This initiative “All Things New” seeks to enable a vibrant Catholic presence across every square mile of our Archdiocese.  Throughout this process, every Catholic will have several opportunities to provide feedback on their aspirations for the Archdiocese.  The first of these opportunities will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, where every Catholic in the Archdiocese will be asked to take a survey.

The survey, known as the “Disciples Maker Index” is an anonymous 75 question multiple choice instrument designed to provide an opportunity for parishioners to reflect on their individual spiritual growth and overall parish effectiveness.

Almost 300,000 Catholics at more than 1,500 parishes throughout 40 dioceses have taken the Disciple Maker Index since 2013, providing not just valuable data for each parish, but also for the Archdiocese, and for the Catholic Church nationally as well. 

Every Catholic, from junior high on up in age is encouraged to take the anonymous survey.  Catholics who are actively practicing their Faith, Catholics who come to Mass only occasionally, Catholics who have chosen not to practice their faith, or who have left the Catholic Church are invited to fill out this anonymous survey. Please pray that all Catholics in our parish will participate in filling out this survey instrument, which will be available online and on paper commencing March 2nd.  

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DEVOTION TO THE SAINTS

At his weekly audience, Pope Francis said that when he was little, he thought the phrase “the communion of saints” in the Creed meant that the saints in heaven were receiving Holy Communion.  Instead, the communion of saints expresses how “every member of the church is bound to each of us in a profound way and this bond is so strong that it cannot be broken even by death.”

Pope Francis sought to clarify the difference between devotion to a saint, even to Mary or St. Joseph, and superstition or idolatry.  “Sometimes even Christianity can fall into forms of devotion that seem to reflect a mentality that is more pagan than Christian.”  But the fundamental difference is that our prayer and the devotion of the faithful people is not based on trust in a human being, or in an image or an object, even when we know they are sacred.”  It is not the saints who work miracles, but only the Grace of God that acts through them.”

Just as a person can have a friendship with another parishioner, he or she can have a relationship with a brother or sister in heaven.  The saints are friends and devotion is actually a way of expressing the love that comes from this bond that unites us.

“In Christ no one can ever truly separate us from those we love.  Only the manner of being with them changes, but nothing and no one can break this bond.  The communion of saints holds together the community of believers on earth and in heaven.”

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK

February 11th, Friday of this week, is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and World Day of Prayer for the Sick.  There has always been a strong tradition of bringing the sick and suffering to Lourdes to experience love and healing. The healing offered at Lourdes sometimes takes the form of extraordinary miracles, but always brings with it a beautiful healing that comes from treating the sick and suffering with dignity and compassion.

In 1992,  St. Pope John Paul II asked that with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, all believers might offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses.  We take this opportunity to pray for Doctors and Nurses who treat the sick and for all health care workers who seek to be God’s instruments of love and compassion.

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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Our late Holy Father, St. John Paul II, visited the United States in September of 1987. On September 12th, he addressed Catholics in Louisiana, “In the most difficult hours of your struggle for civil rights amidst discrimination and oppression, God guided your steps along the way of peace. Before the witness of history the response of non-violence stands, in the memory of this Nation, as a monument of honor to the Black Community of the United States. We recall those who with Christian vision opted for non-violence as the only truly effective approach for ensuring and safeguarding human dignity. We think of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the providential role he played in contributing to the rightful human betterment of black Americans and therefore to the improvement of American society itself.

Monday, January 17, on the National Day commemorating Dr. King’s Birthday, we remember some of his inspiring words that can touch our souls:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

"The ultimate measure of a human being is not where the person stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where the person stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“By the Grace of Almighty God, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish as fools.”

(The Parish Office will be closed Monday, January 17th, National Day commemorating Dr. King’s Birthday.)

THE PASTORAL WISDOM OF POPE FRANCIS

This past Monday, January 10th, Pope Francis suggested that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus was a “moral obligation,” and denounced how people had been swayed by

“baseless information” to refuse one of the most effective measures to save lives during the pandemic. Pope Francis had previously termed vaccination as “an act of love and

contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love.” Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and

caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable.

WEARING A MASK IS LIFE-SAVING

Please wear a mask! Why, you say? The research is clear: individuals with Covid-19 can be symptom free for up to 5 days, not realizing they are carrying the coronavirus and spread it to others more at risk than themselves. We all care for our families and those we love. Let’s keep them safe!

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FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the final celebration of the Christmas season. Tomorrow, we begin “Ordinary Time” once again. But as you know, we are not in an “ordinary” year.

Pope Francis makes it clear: “Our Baptism inserts us into the Body of the Church, into the holy people of God. And in this Body, in this people who are walking, faith is transmitted from generation to generation. Baptism gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of His death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of His Church.”

On this Feast, we are urged not to forget the great gift we have received. Our Baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ. Our Baptism has also given us a share in the Church’s mission of evangelization: as disciples, we are also missionaries.

Pope Francis urges us on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord to ask the Holy Trinity to renew in us the grace of our Baptism and to make us, with all our brothers and sisters, true children of God and living members of His Body, the Church.

A NEW YEAR: FAITH DEMANDS WORSHIP

As we begin the Year of Grace, 2022, the Pope prayed that all believers might discover in a deeper way that “Faith demands worship!” Adoration means putting the Lord at the center, not ourselves. Pope Francis explained that worship means “making space for God’s plan”, realizing that we belong with God, and being able to speak to God freely and intimately. Worship means discovering that in order to pray, it is enough to say ‘My Lord and my God’, and to allow ourselves to be filled by God’s tender love.

Worship is an act of love that changes our lives. Although we have some idea of what it means to pray, the Church must go even further with the prayer of adoration, we have to grow in adoration. It is wisdom that we must learn each day.

By praying in adoration, we allow Jesus to heal and to change us…to transform us by His love, to kindle light amid our darkness, to grant us strength in weakness, and courage amid trials. By kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, in the Real Presence of the Risen Christ, we discover that life’s greatness consists not in having, but in loving!

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WELCOME TO ALL!

To all visiting Family and Friends
To new Parishioners
To all Visitors
To all our Parish Family...

a warm and loving welcome
to the Celebration of Christmas!
We hope everyone will feel at home,
as together, in song and praise,
we thank God for all our
many blessings!

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THE GREATEST GIFT

          Pope Francis presents a very timely question, “How can we respond to those who say that there is no need to go to Mass, not even on Sundays, because what is important is to live well and to love our neighbors?”

          “It is true that the quality of the Christian life is measured by the capacity to love, as Jesus says in the Gospels.  But how can we practice the Gospel without drawing the necessary strength to do it, one Sunday after another, from the inexhaustible spring of the Holy Eucharist?” 

           Our Holy Father points out that participating in Sunday does fulfill the Third Commandment and the law of the Church.  But even more importantly, we Catholics need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the Grace of Jesus, with His living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice the Great Commandment, “You shall love the Lord Your God…..and Your Neighbor as yourself” and be credible witnesses.  Holy Communion is where we find our strength for daily life.  Without the Eucharist we are “condemned to be dominated by the fatigue of everyday life.”  “Often consumed by worries and fears, Sunday Mass is where Christ gives us the strength to live each day with courage and hope.”

          “At Sunday Mass we rest from the busyness and work of the week, which teaches us to place our trust in the Father, not in earthly things," the Pope said.  The Prayer from the Roman Missal addresses God, saying:  “You do not need our praise, but for a gift of your love you call us to give you thanks; our hymns of blessing do not increase your greatness, but they obtain for us the Grace that Saves Us!”

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S MASSES

Friday, December 24th,  CHRISTMAS EVE
5:00 and 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 25th,  CHRISTMAS DAY
7:00. 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
(There will be no 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, December 25th.)

Saturday, January 1st, NEW YEARS DAY
7:00 and 10:00 a.m.
(There will be no 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday January 1st.)

NOTE:  January 1st, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is NOT
a Holy Day of Obligation.

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A NEW OUTLOOK ON CONFESSION

            Congratulations to our Second Grade Girls and Boys in our Parish School of Religion as they receive the Sacrament of Joy for the first time on this Tuesday evening!  You may ask, "what is the pastor talking about?"  I want to assure you that it is not the Sacrament of Confession, scarcely frequented these days, that is changing.  Pope Francis proposes a completely different outlook on Confession, different from the experience of so many Catholics and different from a certain historical legacy.

          First of all, Pope Francis indicates that within the Sacrament lies “the remedy” for the moments in life when we are down.  Pope Francis asks all of us, “What do you think about when you go to confession?  I am almost certain of the answer:  sins.  But are sins really the focus of confession?  Does God want you to approach God by thinking about you, your sins, OR ABOUT GOD?”

            Pope Francis proposes something that can provoke a Copernican revolution in the life of each one of us:  “I am no longer at the center of the Sacrament of Penance, humiliated with my list of sins—perhaps always the same ones—to be told with difficulty to the priest.  AT THE CENTER is the meeting with God who welcomes, embraces, forgives, and raises us up.  Go to confession as a child of God who comes to receive God the  Father’s unconditional love!  Pope Francis emphasizes, “Hear this well:  God always forgives!  Do you understand?  God always forgives!”  We are not going to a judge to settle accounts, but to Jesus who loves me and heals me!”

            This new outlook on the Sacrament of Confession proposed by Pope Francis asks us not to remain prisoners of shame for our sins, shame which is a good thing, but to overcome it, because “God is never ashamed of you.  God loves you right there, where you are ashamed of yourself.  God loves you always!”

            To those who still cannot forgive themselves, believing that not even God can do it “because I will always fall into the same sins," Pope Francis says, “When does God take offense?  When you go to ask God for forgiveness? No! Never! God suffers when you think God can’t forgive us, because it is like telling God, ‘You are weak in love!’  Instead, God rejoices in forgiving us, every time.  When God raises us up, God believes in us as God did the first time.  God does not get discouraged.  We are the ones who get discouraged, God does not.  God does not see sinners to label, but children to Love.

CONSIDER THIS:  the Sacrament of Confession—from shame to celebration, from humiliation to joy.  This does not come from Pope Francis, but from the GOSPEL!

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ADVENT…..

A TIME OF HOPE…..A YEAR OF GRACE

            Advent invites me, you, everybody to acknowledge this: 

Dear God, the world is a mess, and my own life is less than whole. Something—NO—SOMEONE—is missing.  We—I—really need YOU!  If you are willing to admit your life is not whole, that you need a rescuer, a helper, someone to intervene, and want a Savior:

PRAYER:  These days of preparation during Advent are a great time to regularly spend some quiet time with God.

BIBLE:  Read St. Luke’s Gospel 5 minutes each Advent Day.

MASS:  Participate in Sunday Mass and receive the Risen Christ in Holy  Communion.

CONFESSION:  Try to receive God’s loving forgiveness — available  every Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m. and after Mass as announced on some Advent Sundays.  THE SACRAMENT OF GOD’S MERCY AND

               FORGIVENESS WITH 3 PRIESTS  AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY,

               DECEMBER 14th, FROM  5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

CHARITY:  Advent is a time to share, love, remember, serve, forgive, help out, Let people know you care for them.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Wednesday, December 8th, is a Holy Day of Obligation

honoring the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother,

the patroness of the United States of America.  We ask for

our Blessed Mother’s intercession, that Christ will

protect our Country during this time of uncertainty. 

To allow everyone an opportunity to attend Mass on this day,

Mass will be offered on Wednesday, December 8th at

7:00 a.m., 7:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 

(There will be no vigil Mass on Tuesday, December 7th.)

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Happy Thanksgiving

PLEASE COME TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD ON THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH! 
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at
7:00 and 9:00 a.m

There is a hurting world out there who needs to hear about Jesus and witness the difference He makes in our lives as we choose to grow in obedience and produce the fruit of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, heartfelt kindness, and love…  Let’s choose to live lives of gratitude, growth, and not forget Heaven is waiting and one day there will be a welcome party for us as we come home…

Christ Our King

When Pope Pius XI instituted a special feast honoring Christ “the King” in 1925, he grieved for a world that had been ravaged by the First World War and which had begun to bow down before the “lords” of exploitative consumerism, nationalism, secularism, and new forms of injustice.

     This Sunday’s celebration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe reminds us that the Kingdom of Christ isn’t some far-off   reality.  We are living in that Kingdom now.  After all, Jesus tells the dying thief “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”  But this feast   also reminds us that while we should honor Jesus as our “Sovereign King”, we must also emulate his total gift of Himself, perfectly       embodied in His sacrifice on the Cross.  It is only by imitating our thorn-crowned King that we can help bring relief to those who suffer and God’s healing mercy to those who long for forgiveness, helping to proclaim the Good News of the Reign of Christ in the world today.

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