Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, as well as MISSION SUNDAY.

 How do we pray? Do we only pray once a week when we come to Sunday Mass? Maybe once in awhile when something important comes up? Or do we pray regularly and purposefully? Do we try to listen to what God is telling us? Do we find prayer helpful? This weekend as we celebrate Holy Mass, let’s think about how Jesus asks us to pray and pray that we may more closely follow his example.

October 2019: Extraordinary Mission Month: October 20: Mission Sunday

THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST.

We encounter Jesus Christ living in His Church through the Eucharist, Word of God, and in personal and communal prayer. As Pope St. Paul VI said in his Apostolic ExhortatCion Evangelii Nuntiandi, “The Church is an evangelizer, but she begins by being evangelized herself… In brief, this means that she has a constant need of being evangelized, if she wishes to retain freshness, vigor and strength in order to proclaim the Gospel” (15). We begin our preparation for the Extraordinary Missionary Month where we must begin all that we do in the Church – with Jesus Christ. Only through having a personal relationship with Jesus – spending time with Him in the sacraments, Scripture, community and talking with Him one on-one, can we truly know His heart and how to share His Gospel with everyone.

There are four dimensions, specified by Pope Francis, to live more intensely the journey of preparation for and implementation of the Extraordinatory Missionary Month-October 2019:

A personal encounter with Jesus Christ living in his Church: in the Eucharist, in the Word of God, and in personal and communal prayer.

Testimony: missionary saints, martyrs, and confessors of the faith as an expression of the Church scattered throughout the world.

Missionary Formation: biblical, catechetical, spiritual, and theological. Missionary charity

There is an envelope in the set you received in the mail. There are several envelopes at the church entrances.

Next weekend we will celebrate the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. What kind of attitude do we bring with us to Mass each weekend? Do we feel proud of ourselves for what we have accomplished this week? Or do we fell inadequate, sorry for all the times we’ve failed, aware of our human weak- nesses. As we celebrate the Eucharist together, may we examine our consciences and recognize our need for God’s mercy.

Congratulations to all the 50th and 25th anniversary couples whom we honor at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday night. May God bless you and keep you faithful as you continue your lives together! (I’m sorry that the reception isn’t in the newly renovated Msgr. Schneider Hall, but the contractor hasn’t completed his work.)

Baptism Ceremonies: Steph and Mark Hampton’s baby girl, Holly, was baptized in the NICU at Mercy Hospital. The other ceremonies that were omitted because of the necessity of baptizing her in the NICU will be “supplied” during the 9:30 a.m. Mass this Sunday, October 20th. Just like the Baptism we recently had, it shouldn’t add too much time to the Mass. Congratulations to the Hamptons on the birth of their daughter, Holly, and her recovery. (See the special announcement about the Hamptons’ video that will soon be on our website.)

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, October 23, 2019: Because of a special recital program sponsored by the National Pastoral Musicians here in Saint Louis, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will END at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23. The recital will begin at 7:00 p.m. I’m sorry we didn’t give you more of a notice. I hope this suffices.

All Saints and All Souls: This is a little early, but just to remind you that All Saints Day, Friday, November 1, is a Holyday of Obligation. We will have Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. The 7:00 p.m. Mass this year will also be the remembrance of all those parishioners who have died during the past year. If you have come in the past to the evening Mass normally held on All Souls Night, November 2, you know how moving that ceremony is. Since November 2 is a Saturday, and the evening Mass is that of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, we decided to have the All Souls Commemoration at the 7:00 p.m. Mass on November 1st. There is a nice reception planned for after the Mass primarily for the families, but also for other members of the parish. On All Souls’ Day, Saturday, November 2, 2019, we will have a Mass at 8:00 a.m. for All the Faithful Departed.

The Renovation / new elevator programs are moving along. We are really, REALLY close to opening up Msgr. Schneider Hall. Last minute details are being completed and I fully expect we will be able to let everyone down into the Hall for a first look by next Sunday, October 27, after the 9:30 a.m. Mass. OF COURSE there will still be some touch up issues to be completed and the elevator won’t be up and running (or running up and down!) until around November 15th.  I know it’s been quite a while and I thank you once more for your patience as we complete our newest offering to God through the generosity of our parishioners.

One last thing: I know almost all of our parishioners are used to having two priests in this parish, and many of you remember the days of three priests here. However, the realities of the Church as they are in 2019 is that there is only one priest here now … and I am closing in on 70 years of age. I can’t do what I could do when I was 40, 50, or even 60. Please be patient.  I’m doing my best and trying to answer all the demands of a very busy parish. Thank you for your prayers, patience, and, hopefully, understanding.

Have a good week! Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

Faithfully yours,

Fr Joe Weber