Dear Parishioners:

I am blessed as I finish my first year as pastor here at the Church of the Annunziata many thanks for all your kind words and prayers of support. This past year I have been blessed to join in prayer with you and to share and support our faith together.

The Church has also blessed us with a number of Saints that continue to influence us these past ten days. On July 31st we had St. Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Jesuits, August 1st we had St. Alphonsus Ligouri who founded the Redemptorists, and on August 8th we had St. Dominic who founded the Dominicans. Each was unique in themselves and in their orders, but also all were united in striving to bring people to Christ.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) founded the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. Wounded in battle as a Spanish soldier he had a spiritual conversion and decided to devote his life to God. Spending a year in extreme ascetic practices he had mystical experiences that would be the basis for his book Spiritual Exercises that would become the foundational guide for the Jesuits and used by many in leading retreats. Studying at the University of Paris he would gather other students who would go with him to Rome to found the Jesuits. They would soon found many universities, go out to the world as missionaries, and are recognized as leaders in the Counter-Reformation, spreading the faithful teachings of the Catholic faith.

St. Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787), founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, or the Redemptorists. He was a lawyer at the age of 17, practiced without losing a case for eight years, and then when he lost a case by an oversight on his part he took it as a sign from God that he was to leave that profession to become a priest. In his book Moral Theology, in his preaching, and in his modest life he strived to seek a balance in life.

St. Dominic (1170-1221) founded the Order of Preachers, or the Dominicans. Unlike Ignatius and Alphonsus, Dominic was raised to dedicate his life to the Church and to be a priest. Pope Innocent III would approve the founding of the Dominican order to preach throughout various territories in opposition to heresies.

Also this past August 4th we celebrated St. John Vianney (1786-1859), the patron saint of parish priests. A man renown as a confessor, a pastor and for his sanctity.

As we remember these saints and the gift of faith they shared with us let us also strive as a community to bring Christ to those who meet. Let pray for one another as we all seek to grow in Holiness. Let us also be ambassadors and evangelizers of our faith community, spreading the good news of Jesus and Ste Genevieve by inviting men and women to join us in prayer.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS—RCIA

This September we will again start the process for men and women who are inquiring about the Catholic Faith. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process through which adults enter into the Catholic faith. RCIA is a spiritual journey designed in phases and implemented through various rites. The participants' spiritual growth is encouraged and enhanced through weekly reflection on God's Word and the teachings of Catholic doctrine and traditions. Please contact the Parish Office if interested in joining the Church 314.993.4422.

Becoming a Catholic is one of the most profound and joyous experiences of life. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are still infants, and over the course of time they grow into a recognition of the enormous grace that has been bestowed upon them, of the dignity and wonder of their identity as Catholics. Others come into the Catholic fold while they are older children or adults. In these cases it is important for people to have a grasp of the joyful process by which one becomes a Catholic.

If you know someone who might be interested in joining the Church, be that family member, fellow worker, or neighbor, please contact the parish office with their name and phone number. Our parishioners are always the best evangelists. Your faith and how you live it will speak volumes to those around you.

Let us pray for those who are contemplating joining the Catholic faith and encourage them through our words, actions and prayers. God bless you for sharing your faith!

Msgr. John Shamleffer
Pastor