Dear Parishioners:

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1Peter 4:10

The theme for this year’s Stewardship Sunday is, A Steward is a servant of All. This idea flows out of the ministry of Jesus who told us he came not to be served but to serve.

In a commercial society, we waste a lot of time and energy trying to gain happiness from possessions; we will never have everything that we want. Taking time to be profoundly grateful for what we already have is a source of wonderful peace and joy. God has already blessed us with so many gifts. The gifts God has given us, including our money, were given to us in a sacred trust. They were meant to be shared. God will judge us by how we have shared the gifts we were given.

Here at the Church of the Annunziata we are blessed with an abundance of gifts. These gifts are evident in the people, in our buildings and in our community. We are blessed with people of faith who share their gifts with others--we are blessed with talents expressed in our liturgies and in our parish organizations and in our monetary contributions.

Prayer is the cornerstone to good stewardship. Stewardship begins with giving time to God in prayer. Then we are able to clearly see our Time, Talent and Treasure and how we can be good stewards of our gifts.

Our parish is in the process of reconstituting our Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, and Grounds and Maintenance committee. If you would be interested in sharing your gifts with any of these committees, please contact me at the rectory office. There will also be a financial report to inform everyone where their contributions have been used. As you will see we are truly blessed.

I ask you to prayerfully consider your gifts and blessings these coming weeks. Some points to consider in making your discernment might be:

Do I give the first day of the week to God by attending weekend Mass?

Do I make it a priority to share my time and talent in ministry?

Do I give a first share of my treasure to God, bringing to the altar a gift that is planned and proportionate to the many gifts God has given to me?

Thanks again for all your gifts that you share with our parish community and let us pray for one another as we all strive to follow the gospel message to be good and faithful stewards.

God’s Blessings,

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

Thank You!  Those two words might be the most important words we speak each day.  They evoke an understanding and awareness that we have been blessed by our God and others.  Think about that for a minute. What did you thank God for yesterday? Did you thank God for your family and friends, your health, your home, your job or livelihood? Did you thank God for the gift of faith or the abundant love that he showers upon you each day?

Stewardship, quite simply, is recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God and being grateful and generous with those gifts.

Stewardship isn’t a process, or a campaign, or an accounting of our gifts.  Rather, it is a lifestyle rooted in gratitude and generosity.

The whole point of stewardship is to help each other strengthen our relationship with God and get to Heaven!  The foundation of stewardship is prayer – talking and listening to God every day, throughout the day.

Stewardship means putting complete trust in God, in all things.  Stewardship means sharing all of our gifts, especially that one that means the most to you.

By sharing all of our gifts, it helps us keep God first in everything, from putting other “gods” before God.  It helps us live “God-centered” lives and not “self-centered” lives.

Of all the gifts that God gives us, the one he wants the most is our heart.  He wants us to share out of love, not out of obligation.  When we align our thoughts and actions with God’s plan and use our gifts in the way God intended, our lives become transformed with Joy, Love, Mercy and Peace!

Again thank you, by your monetary contributions and the sharing of your gifts and talents with our parish community, you have helped to share the joy and peace of Christ always and everywhere.

Gratefully yours in Christ,
Msgr. John Shamleffer
Pastor

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The acronym C.H.R.I.S.T. stands for the six components and virtues of stewardship: charity, humility, respect, investment, sacrifice, and thankfulness.  Each of these Christian virtues undergirds the Christian reality of stewardship, especially at the intersection where money and faith meet.  As we reflect and pray about our gifts it is noteworthy to briefly review each component in their Christian setting of stewardship and in relation to finances and faith.

Charity: The virtue of charity is a selfless act by those who have the means to enable, enrich, and empower others in the service of God, community, and neighbor.  The practice of charity leads to a life of grace.  Charity is also important in handling money.  Christians are called to be good stewards of their finances and to be responsible for others quality of life as well because “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Humility: The virtue of humility is rooted in the reality of truth and a deep awareness of our limitations and shortcomings.  Humility is closely connected to apage (love) and is lowliness becoming selflessness.  Observing humility in matters of money will curb greed and materialism and help to live moderately.  Tempering humility and our own self-worth can be a delicate act, but a necessary one: “for everyone who exalts themselves will eventually be humbled” (Luke 18:14).

Respect: The virtue of respect is the foundation of any healthy relationship and it should be freely given and freely received.  Respect also involves responsibility and both are necessary in handling money.  Respect is an important for developing financial responsibility and integrity because it forces Christians to view money as a tool for stewardship not a measuring-stick of self-worth.  “Give respect to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Investment: The virtue of investment is often overlooked by Christians; however, there are many ways to invest one’s self into something worthwhile: school, sports, family, relationships, God, and money.  Investment in terms of stewardship is important because it allows Christians to develop practices that can become habitual and long term.  “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones” (Luke 16:10).

Sacrifice: The virtue of sacrifice is closely connected to spirituality and stewardship because sacrifice is part of living the Christian live.  Unfortunately, knowing when and how to sacrifice is something that few people understand. In terms of finances and money, sacrifice requires that the amassing of material goods and wealth or the accumulation of financial debt should not get in the way of Christian ideals.  “Live in love. . . and as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Thanksgiving: The virtue of thanksgiving is paramount in the Catholic tradition because it is strongly associated with gratitude (gratus—“thankful”) and Eucharist (eucharistia—“thanksgiving”) as responses and signs of the God’s wonderful gifts.  Stewardship is born out of thanksgiving and love for Jesus the Christ the par excellence gift of God!  If Christians are not thankful for the gifts they have then it may be quite difficult to share with others their time, talent, and treasure. “Do not cease to give thanks. . . to God” (Ephesians 1:16).
These six components of stewardship are essential to learning about faith-based money management, sacrificial giving, and living as a Christian disciple in a complex world. 

Stewardship is a Catholic Christian way of life based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. When lovingly embraced, Christian stewardship produces a spirituality that refreshes our lives with the Holy Spirit, deepens our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and glorifies our Heavenly Father.

Simply stated, stewardship is an expression of gratitude to God. It reminds us that we are the administrators, not the owners, of our assets. It fills a need deep within each of us to worship God and to thank Him for the abundant blessings He has showered upon us.

God Bless,

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program is set to begin both here at The Church of the Annunziata and at Ste Genevieve du Bois.   I again encourage anyone who is interested or knows of someone interested in the Catholic Faith to please contact me at the parish.  This year we will be conducting a joint RCIA program with the two parishes Gathering together.  An introduction meeting will take place on Wednesday September 18 at 7pm in parish meeting room at Ste Genevieve du Bois. I also ask for your prayers for our catechumens and candidates, those who are preparing to enter into the faith this year.  Your solidarity with these men and women is a great source of support to them.

A catechumen (from Latin - catechumenus, Greek - instructed) is one receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. For this reason, those who are already validly baptized in another Christian Faith are not known as Catechumens, but rather Candidates.

The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life.

This is achieved in the following ways:

1. Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word.
2. The Catechumens and Candidates learning to:Turn more readily to God in prayer

• To bear witness to the Faith
• In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
• To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
• To practice the love of neighbour, even at the cost of self-renunciation

Our parish community has again been blessed this year with men and women who are journeying in the faith and preparing for reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil.  Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their journey of faith in the Catholic Church.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

This Monday is Labor Day, which is celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894.  It is a day to give thanks for all those who labor for us.

One the feast days of St. Joseph is that of Joseph the Worker.  Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955.  While this is a recent feast, the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers has a longer history. In a constantly necessary effort to keep Jesus from being removed from ordinary human life, the Church has from the beginning proudly emphasized that Jesus was a carpenter, obviously trained by Joseph in both the satisfactions and the drudgery of that vocation. Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Also, coming next week is the twenty-third anniversary of the attacks and tragedy of September 11, 2001. With so much violence and fatal shootings in our world, country and our own city I invite you to take some time in the coming week either at Mass or in prayer to remember those who died, their families and to pray for an end of terrorism, racism and violence in our homes, city, country and world.

Pope John Paul II said. The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people,   But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail, he stressed. Christ’s word is the only one that gives a response to the questions which trouble our spirit.  He continues; Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.

Through prayer and solidarity, we will remember those who lost their lives, and pray with the still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy and unfortunately the many that have followed.  Hopefully our thoughts and prayers will be a source of comfort for all and help to console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace, religious freedom and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.

God Bless!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Feast Of The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ

In the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Mass), bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole CHRIST is truly present—BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, and DIVINITY—under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. The Catholic Church teaches that the Risen Christ is fully present under either species of Holy Communion. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the “REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST” in Holy Communion.

As we are all aware, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, various restrictions were put in place across the Archdiocese of St. Louis to help stop the spread of the virus. One of those restrictions was the stopping of the use of the common chalice for the faithful.

On this Feast of Corpus Christi, Archbishop Rozanski has asked each pastor in the Archdiocese to make a responsible decision which is prudent for the local situation regarding the return of the common chalice. I have consulted with medical and scientific experts on Covid, and based on their risk assessments and advice, have decided at this time to postpone resumption of the common chalice.

All Things New - Strategic Pastoral Planning

I hope that you were able to read Archbishop Rozanski’s column from the Faith St. Louis magazine that I re-printed in our parish bulletin for the last two weekends. The Archbishop directly responded to “Addressing some of the rumors around “ALL THINGS NEW.”

As I have shared in previous bulletins, Annunziata had 370 people fill out the surveys which gathered information on our parish. Our parish committee has held one virtual zoom meeting and three in person meetings to go over the results and then submit our review to the Archdiocesan Committee. The results will be shared with the parish later this summer.

All Things New is to enable a vibrant Catholic presence throughout the Archdiocese for future generations. It is a multi-year process of prayer, evangelization, and re-organization of parishes and schools. Following the surveys, new models for spreading the Gospel will be proposed for the best use of the resources of the Archdiocese. Please, visit the website: www.allthingsnew.archstl.org

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Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

“The grace of Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”

The Catechism teaches that “by sending His only Son and the Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed His innermost secrets.

God Himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and He has destined us to share in that exchange.” (CCC221)

“The Complete Trinity dwells in us” (R.P. Philippon)

“By worshiping the Trinity we realize the full truth of ourselves.”

“In the communion of grace with the Trinity, man’s living area is broadened and raised up to the supernatural level of divine life. Man lives in God and by God.” (St. John Paul II)

“We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity.” (Athanasian Creed)

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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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