Entries for 'jlindemann'

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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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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MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, Our Church can accommodate only 80 people at each Mass.  Please recognize that Christmas seating will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.  You will be assisted by an usher to find a seat.  You may NOT reserve or hold seats for others. Seats will be given to people as they arrive, so ALL those wishing to sit together must arrive together.  NO ONE MAY STAND IN THE BACK OF CHURCH OR IN THE AISLES!  ALL MUST WEAR A MASK THE ENTIRE TIME EXCEPT WHEN RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. Social distancing be-tween members of different households will be enforced. 

Once our capacity is reached, the DOORS WILL BE CLOSED, and any who cannot be accommodated will be encouraged to come to the next available Mass. 

Remember, after each Mass for Christmas, as we do after all Masses on weekends and weekdays, the entire Church and the restrooms are sanitized.

Online Mass

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS!

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Annunziata,

There is a Christmas card which reads:
“This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.”  

On the inside it reads:
“Isn’t it nice to have everything!”  

In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus.  May Jesus, our Savior, bring unconditional love, forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation to our families, our nation, and this world which so desperately needs God’s Healing Grace.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you , your families and loved ones.  May Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you and our Parish Family of Annunziata.

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No, it is not January 1st.  The liturgical (Church) year does not match New Year’s Day, the beginning of the calendar year. The Church year is distinctive.  It always begins on the first Sunday of Advent, and with it comes a shift in the cycle of Scripture readings. (This year the focus is on the Gospel of St. Mark.)

Advent is the four-week liturgical season that precedes Christmas. The term “Advent” is derived from the Latin word “advents” which means “coming,” and it focuses not only on the past coming of Jesus on the first Christmas; but also on the present coming of Jesus in the gospels, the sacraments, other people, prayer, love, truth, and personal experience; and the future coming of Jesus at the Second or Final Coming at the end of the world, the Parousia or the Last Judgement.

Advent is not Lent or a miniature version of Lent.  In fact, the two seasons are extremely different.  Advent stresses hope and joy, Lent stresses penance and sorrow;  Advent emphasizes what we need to add to our lives (e.g., grace, light, joy), while Lent emphasizes what we need to remove (sin).  Advent stresses preparation with festivity!  Advent features the Prophet Isaiah.  How great it would be if we could read two chapters of Isaiah each day.

St. John the Baptist is the main saint of Advent.  He is “the prophet of the Most High”, the immediate forerunner of Jesus, and the link between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus Himself.  John the Baptist is the voice crying out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”  John also directed peoples’ attention from himself to Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God” and made one of the momentous statements in the gospels as he declared, “He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease”.  I pray that all of us can have a spiritually profitable Advent as through the Bible, the Sacraments, Prayer, and Works of Charity, Jesus increases in power and brilliance in our lives! 

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Public Masses at Annunziata will begin on Thursday, May 28th.
Monday thru Saturday:  Mass at 7 a.m.
Saturday Vigil Mass at 5p.m.; Sundays, 7a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues until further notice.

Streaming of all Masses at Annunziata will begin with 5 p.m. Mass on May 30th.
(Simply go to our website Annunziata.org and click on the picture of the altar.)

I’m hoping that everyone will think about, reflect on, and pray for wisdom regarding the question:  “Shall I go to Mass, or not?”

Anyone over 60 years-old and those with underlying health complications are encouraged to

participate in Masses via live-stream.  (Those wishing to receive Holy Communion outside of Mass time are encouraged to call the rectory to arrange for this.)

Please take your temperature at home before determining if you should attend Mass, and do not come if your temperature is elevated or if are not feeling well.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

EVERYONE over 2 years of age is obligated to wear a mask the entire time you are on Parish property, except for the brief moment of receiving Holy Communion.  There are no exceptions to this requirement. 

The Church will be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized after every Mass.

Everyone must enter through the east (handicapped) door and follow the directives for

seating.  The pews have been marked to maximize the number of people who can safely attend each Mass while following the state mandate that everyone stay at least six feet from people not in their household. 

Because of this, the number of people able to attend Mass is greatly reduced.  Once capacity has been reached, no one else will be able to enter the church. 

Please plan to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before Mass time.  (You will not be able to get in

earlier because the cleaning crew needs time to do its work between masses, yet it will take a bit of time to be sure all are seated according to the plan that allows as many people as possible to attend each Mass.)

I continue to pray for you.

Come Holy Spirit,
Father John Leykam

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May 1, 2020 is the First Friday of a special month in the Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady.  Every year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May.

This year, the Bishops of the United States invite all of us to join in reconsecrating our Nation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking the assistance of Our Lady as we face together the effects of the global pandemic.

In this Easter Season we continue to journey with our Risen Lord that among the Graces of this time may be healing and strength, especially for all who are burdened by the many effects of the Covid-19.

Please pray the Rosary this First Friday for all our Doctors, Nurses, and Medical personnel.  Pray the Rosary for everyone who is so generous in providing police and fire-protection, and all the necessities of daily living.  Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!

Praying for You and Your Family,
Father John Leykam

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Your Church is open for prayer Monday thru Friday from 6:45 to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 6:45 to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 6:45 to Noon.

The Sacrament of Confession is offered on Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

The Archdiocese has seen an uptick in priests’ email identities being used to spam parishioners.  Please remember that messages from your Pastor are placed on the website.

In addition, the weekly Sunday bulletin is usually on our website by Saturdays at Noon.

May I ask your prayers for the Priests and staff at Regina Cleri.  As of April 21st, there are 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Each day, you and your family are prayed for at private Mass.

Christ’s Peace,
Father John Leykam

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As we begin the 50 days of our 2020 Easter Season, let’s turn to Scripture:

Above all, like you, we have faith in the One who ultimately guides our earthly pilgrimage, the One of whom St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

I received an ad for a Church banner that read:  “We will get through this together!”  Easter tells us that Christ died and Rose from the dead for us all.  Our Heavenly Father desires that all humanity become a part of the Body of Christ.  In St. Paul’s teaching, in the Body of Christ whatever one person does affects the whole, whether building it up or tearing it down.  One of God’s gifts to God’s beloved Daughters and Sons is the gift of resiliency.  Resiliency is the ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like.  Resiliency is the God given power to return to the original form, position, etc, after being bent, compressed, or stretched.

A man named Steve Maraboli said, “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” Nelson Mandela taught, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again by the Grace of God.”

Richard Young, a licensed therapist, gave this reflection, “Our God given human spirit will not be fettered. During this pandemic, we witness daily the way that so many rise up to bring comfort, sustenance, treatment, and Grace to a world in crisis.  So, while indeed this is no ordinary Easter, maybe it is offering us a striking reminder of the faithful forces; of the natural, the human and the divine, that ultimately nurture, guide, and sustain us.”

Please check our website for our Sunday bulletin.

Please pray for our First Holy Communion Class and for our Confirmation Class,  whose original celebration dates will need to be re-scheduled.

The Sacrament of God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is offered on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

God Bless You,
Father John Leykam

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Blessed Easter and Peace to you and your families! The greatest privilege of any priest is to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I offer the Eucharist for you and your intentions on this Easter Sunday and every day as I celebrate Mass in private until we are able to celebrate together again.

EASTER HOPE

St. John Paul II continually taught that the evil present in the world could only be defeated by imitating Jesus’ love and sacrifice on the cross. The Pope states, “anything else would inevitably fall short.”

It was a belief that he held until the very end of his life, offering his numerous physical sufferings as a sacrifice of love for the world.

To help enter the Easter Season of 50 days, here are five quotes from John Paul II that highlight the power hidden within love and sacrifice.

1. “Genuine love... is demanding. But its beauty lies precisely in the demands it makes. Only those able to make demands on themselves in the name of love can then demand love from others.”
2. “The question about the value of life, about the meaning of life, forms part of the singular treasure of youth. Still more so, when youth is tested by personal suffering, or is profoundly aware of the suffering of others; when it comes face to face with the mystery of sin, of human iniquity, Christ’s reply is this: ‘Only God is good; only God is love.’”
3. “Darkness can only be scattered by light, and hatred can only be conquered by love.”
4. “Yours is the gigantic task of overcoming all evil with good, always trying amidst the problems of life to place your trust in God, knowing that his grace supplies strength to human weakness. You must oppose every form of hatred with the invincible power of Christ’s love.”
5. “Prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the most powerful force in human history.”

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We are about to enter the most Sacred Days of the Church Year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. This Lent and Holy Week, Catholics across the world are experiencing an unexpected and unfortunate fast from Holy Communion, which comes in the wake of the coronavirus. In many ways, the inability to receive the Risen Christ has become an unimaginable Lenten penance.

Priests across the Archdiocese, and here at Annunziata, are offering a private daily Mass without a congregation. However, all the Priests in your Archdiocese offer the Eucharistic Sacrifice for your good and your personal intentions.

It is important to recall that, although our obligation to attend Sunday Mass is extended to at least the end of April, we are never dispensed from honoring the Third Commandment to “keep holy the Sabbath."

As I mentioned on our website several weeks ago, when you cannot physically participate in Mass, you can watch and pray on television or live stream the Mass on your computer. These Mass offerings are found on archstl.org/coronavirus

We can make a Spiritual Communion - a practice of expressing to the Lord our longing for Him and our desire for Christ to enter our hearts. While there is no formula prescribed by the Church to make an act of spiritual communion, one of the more popular acts of spiritual communion comes from St. Alphonsus Liguori: “My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You.”

We pray for all the Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Personnel who minister to those who are sick with the virus. Further, may God protect our police, firefighters, EMTs, grocery workers, pharmacy staff, and countless others who work in areas that are essential for our community.

• OUR CHURCH IS OPEN FOR PRAYER: (Please enter by east side)
• HOLY THURSDAY - 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. (Please note that this extended time is to Praise God for Holy Communion)
• GOOD FRIDAY - 6:45 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.
• HOLY SATURDAY - 6:45 to 1:00 p.m.
• EASTER SUNDAY - 6:45 to Noon

THE SACRAMENT OF DIVINE MERCY IS OFFERED:

• GOOD FRIDAY - 10:30 a.m. to Noon
• HOLY SATURDAY - 10:30 a.m. to Noon

Please pray for our Second Grade First Holy Communion Class whose May 2nd First Communion Mass is Postponed. Also, pray for this year’s Confirmation Class whose May 13th, Confirmation Mass is also Postponed.

MAY CHRIST’S RESURRECTION RENEW HOPE IN OUR HEARTS!

With Love and Prayers,
Father John Leykam

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Your Annunziata St. Vincent de Paul Society had their regular monthly meeting using the Zoom meeting platform. I wanted you to know that our parish mission of reaching out to help those in need continues! Our fellow parishioners are amazing with their innovative ways of getting needed food and health and household essentials to those who desperately need them. St. Vincent de Paul wants to say “Thank You” for your ongoing support.

Our Church remains open for prayer during this Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday from 6:45 a.m. to Noon (Blessed Palms are available)
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of Holy Week - 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Holy Thursday - 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Good Friday - 6:45 to 4:00 p.m.
• Holy Saturday - 6:45 to 1:00 p.m.
• Easter Sunday - 6:45 to Noon

Confessions, the Sacrament of Penance, is offered:

• Saturday, April 4th - 3:30 to 4:45
• Palm Sunday, April 5 - 10:30 to Noon
• Good Friday, April 10 - 10:30 to Noon
• Holy Saturday, April 11 - 10:30 to Noon

Our Parish First Holy Communion is postponed. Please pray for all our second grade girls and boys, and their families, who have been preparing to receive the Risen Christ for the first time. When we are able to re-schedule, it will be as beautiful as ever.

Special thanks to our Rosary Group who pray for us every day. Also, please know that you and all your loved ones are remembered at private Mass each and every day.

Blessed Holy Week to You
Father John Leykam

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Tomorrow, Friday, March 27th, Pope Francis invites everyone around the world to join in prayer for deliverance from this coronavirus. Yes, frequently washing your hands, shelter in place, and social distancing of at least 6 feet is critically important. More important, we need to PRAY daily for those who are sick, those who have been exposed, for all our Doctors, Nurses, Health Care givers, for all those also on the front lines such as our police, fire-fighters, EMTs, those who are providing food, and so many essential services.

Beginning at Noon, St. Louis time, the Holy Father will lead the prayer service and conclude with the “Urbi et Orbi Blessing” (Blessing to the City of Rome and to the World”). All who receive this Blessing in the state of Grace are granted a plenary indulgence. (Simply go to your search engine “Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi Blessing” or refer to EWTN. In addition, if there are children in your home, you might have them do a search for the meaning of a plenary indulgence, a teachable moment to better understand the gift of their Catholic Faith.)

Grateful for You,
Father John Leykam

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On this our Parish Feast Day, many of us were able to be spiritually connected with Christians around the world as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer at Noon today with Pope Francis for deliverance from this pandemic.

On this our Parish Feast Day, everyone can pray the rosary, that through the intercession of our Lady, those who are sick may recover, the Doctors, Nurses, and Health Care Workers may be protected, and that all will heed the sound medical guidelines that come from our Medical Professionals.

On this our Parish Feast Day, I offer private Mass for you and your families!

Pope Francis

Friday, March 27th, Our Holy Father has invited everyone to participate spiritually, through all means of communication, in prayer for the whole world affected by the coronavirus. The ceremony will consist of readings from the Bible, prayers, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live. This blessing “to the City of Rome and to the World” is normally only given on Christmas and Easter. This prayer at St. Peter’s in Rome begins at 6 p.m. Rome time. (Simply go to your search engine “Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi Blessing” or refer to EWTN.)

Casseroles for St. Patrick Center

A reminder that the First Friday of April, is next week. For those who make casseroles for the hungry and homeless cared for by St. Patrick’s Center, please leave your frozen casseroles on the table by the front door of the rectory. As we are reminded, “Hunger never takes a vacation." Thank You!

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Tomorrow, March 25, is our Parish Feastday! Catholics and many Christians are celebrating the Annunciation, the day Gabriel visited Our Lady and thus the feast of the Lord becoming flesh within the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis has invited all Christians around the globe to unite on March 25th at noon to pray the Our Father together - so that as the entire world is suffering from the pandemic, so the Lord might hear all of Christendom united in prayer.

In order to honor Our Blessed Mother, please pray the Rosary as a family, for God’s protection for all our Doctors, Nurses, Health Care Professionals, EMTs, Police Officers, and Firefighters. Through the intercession of Mary, we pray for those who have the virus, those who have been exposed, that God grant them healing.

At daily private Mass, you and your Families are prayed for!

God Protect You,
Father John Leykam

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I am happy to hear that many of you have used the information to watch and pray along with Masses on TV and at various sites on the internet which have been included on our website.

We have many e-mail addresses so we are able to send our Sunday bulletin electronically. Of course, the bulletin is still posted on our website. (If you wish to receive the bulletin via e-mail, please let Dodie Nelke know at: dodie@annunziata.org)

SLIconnect is the education resource of St. Luke Institute. SLIconnect.org offers resources for Catholic clergy, religious, and lay leadership by experts in psychological and spiritual health. While they offer courses and conferences for which they charge, they also offer free resources such as an excellent video called, “Resiliency in Times of Crisis.”

As you might have seen on the news, all public liturgies for Holy Week are suspended in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.  Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the Chrism Mass, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday Passion of the Lord, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, will be live-streamed with Archbishop Carlson from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Specific times and more information will come later.

While it is not possible to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at this time, there are still opportunities to draw close to Christ and unite with the Church during these difficult times. In the posting on our Parish Website: www.Annunziata.org last Wednesday, March 18th, and repeated in last Sunday’s bulletin, there is an explanation of Spiritual Communion and a prayer for that. In addition, for a handout on Spiritual Communion or other Liturgical Resources please visit the St. Louis Archdiocesan website: https://www.archstl.org/sacred-worship/spiritual-resources

You and your Family are remembered at private Mass,
Fr. John Leykam

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As of Tuesday, March 17th, the Archbishop suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of St. Louis in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. This pastoral decision will be maintained through April 5, 2020, pending further updates.

Annunziata Church will be open, as will all Catholic Churches, to individuals for personal prayer, devoons, and the Sacrament of Confession at the regular me on each Saturday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Church of the Annunziata opens Monday thru Friday from 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays from 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 6:45 a.m. unl Noon.

While there are no public Masses, Mass is live streamed from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis at http://cathedralstl.org/live/ (Sunday at 10 a.m. and Monday thru Saturday at 8 a.m. Mass is televised on EWTN (Sundays at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Monday thru Saturday at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Please note that this weekend’s Parish bullen should be on line later on this Friday aernoon, with hard copies available at Church beginning this weekend. In the bullen, please find addional informaon on Masses that you can live-stream.

I miss YOU!  Father John Leykam

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Today, March 19th, is the Feast of St. Joseph, Protector of Families.  During this challenging time, let us reach out in prayer for our family, friends, and community—and in a special way, for the sick, suffering, and those who are caring for them.

Pope Francis has asked everyone to pray a rosary in honor of St. Joseph for an end to this pandemic.  

God Bless You,
Father John Leykam

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In celebrating daily private Mass, I want you to know I pray for you, your families, and your special intentions.

Yesterday I suggested watching and praying with the daily Mass on EWTN. Also, there is a daily u tube video of “Mass from Bishop Barron’s Chapel”.  You can pray along with the Mass whenever you plan to watch it on your computer. Simply google, “Word on Fire Daily Mass”.

Receiving the Blessed Sacrament in the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith, but during these unprecedented times and to ensure the health and safety of all people, it is not possible to receive the Sacrament during this time.  However, there are still opportunities to draw close to Christ and unite with the Church during these difficult times.

The great theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas, teaches that Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace Him. Here is a beautiful example:

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With the suspension of all public Masses in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I encourage you to watch or record and pray with the daily Mass on EWTN. You may google “Word on Fire Daily Mass”.   Bishop Robert Barron or his associate, Father Steve Grumow, offer daily Mass from Bishop Barron’s Chapel. You can tune in to that U tube video and pray any time of the day.

I offer a daily private Mass and want to assure you that you and your dear family are remembered at the Altar.  This morning, Archbishop Gomez, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, offered the following reflection and prayer for our Nation:

“With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity—that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God.

God does not abandon us, God goes with us even now in this time of trial and testing. In this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbor. Let us draw closer to one another in our love for Christ, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives.

United with our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus. May God console them and grant them peace.

We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good.”

May God Bless You and your loved Ones,
Fr. John Leykam

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This afternoon, March 16th, at 4:30 I received an e-mail from Archbishop Robert Carlson. The Archbishop states that “in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, I am mandating the suspension of all public Masses in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Pending updates and guidance from local and state government and health officials, we have preliminary plans to resume Masses beginning April 6th; however, we will re-evaluate at a later date.”

Please know our Church will be open for individuals to come for personal prayer and devotions from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. during weekdays, from 6:45 to 5:00 on Saturdays, and from 6:45 to Noon on Sundays. Confessions will be held at the usual time on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Our Eucharistic Chapel, next to Faris Hall, will be closed until Masses resume. Our Lenten Benediction on Wednesday evenings, Stations of the Cross on Fridays, and our Parish Lenten Mission are cancelled.

Our St. Vincent de Paul Hotline remains in operation to help those in need. The number is 314-993-8133 ext. 225. We will continue to publish a Sunday bulletin which will be online. In addition, please continue to consult this website for updated information concerning our parish.

This is a strange and challenging time, but right now, the most important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. We focus on Christ, our Savior, and pray for an end to this pandemic, through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother, we pray for all who are sick, for our Doctors, Nurses, Health Care Givers, and for wisdom and trust in the power of Almighty God. (The Prayer composed by the Bishops of our Church is included on our website.)

Yes, there is actually a St. Corona whose remains are in Northern Italy. In the ninth century, at the age of 16, St. Corona gave her life to comfort a fellow Christian. Ironically, St. Corona is considered as one of the patron saints of pandemics. Let us pray through her intercession that this pandemic subsides.

God Bless you!
Fr. John Leykam

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