Q.


A.

Our parish announced recently that we would be planning special events and programs for the Year of the Eucharist. What is it all about?

On the feast of Corpus Christ, John Paul II announced a "Year of the Eucharist" that the Catholic Church will observe from October 2004 to October 2005. The Year of the Eucharist began with the International Eucharistic Congress, Oct. 10-17, in Guadalajara, Mexico, and will end with the Synod of Bishops, which will be held in the Vatican, October 2-29, 2005, with the theme of "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church."
The Year of the Eucharist helps us focus on the central role the Eucharist plays in our faith and its role in calling us to evangelize the world, promoting what the Holy Father calls a culture of dialogue. It highlights the need for a deeper appreciation of the mystery of the Eucharist in all its dimensions and celebrations, and to make the connection between the Eucharist and service, especially in the areas of peace and justice. In his Apostolic Letter, Mane Nobiscum Domine, Pope John Paul II calls for the Church to be renewed and strengthened through a profound interiority, reflecting on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is indeed central to our belief and
practice of faith. The focus of this year will serve to help us renew our faith and deepen our love of the Eucharist.

"Be generous in your worship of the Lord and present the first fruits of your labor in full measure. Give all your gifts cheerfully and be glad to dedicate the tithe. Give the Most High as He has given to you. For the Lord always repays: you will be repaid seven times over."
      Ecclesiasticus 35:8-11

Masses:
6:30 am - Monday through Friday
8:00 am - Monday through Saturday

Penance Service:
Saturday, March 19 - 11:00 am at Sts. Joachim & Ann

Stations of the Cross:
Fridays at 7:30 pm

All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat for those over 14. Fasting (doing without some food and drink) is a good discipline during Lent and is encouraged.

We should strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer.

Joe Boman Erin Bowe
Janet Byrne Ashley-Anne Durano
Michael Gasper Kayla Gust
Michael Harper Bill Hobbs
Jesselyn Huffman  Bill Jurgiel
Jo Ann Politte David Rufkahr
Cle Schaefer Pat Schultheis
Kymberly Thornton Zachary Torbeck

Monday - March 7  Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
      6:30 am                  Kathy Duvati
      8:00 am                  Bob Guttmann
Tuesday - March 8  St. John of God
      6:30 am                  Ollie Thompson
      8:00 am                  Kathy Duvall
      1:30 pm                  Grace Tapella (Gables)
Wednesday - March 9  St. Francis of Rome
      6:30 am                  Helen Prinster
      8:00 am                  Rose (Forster) Jacobs
Thursday - March 10
      6:30 am                  Sr. Mary Weingardt CPPS
      8:15 am                  Russell Callahan (all school)
Friday - March 11
      6:30 am                  Matt Taylor
      8:00 am                  Marie Barnes
Saturday - March 12
      8:00 am                  Lester Gibbar
      5:00 pm                  Mike Bartold
Sunday - March 13 - 5th Sunday of Lent
      7:00 am                  Terry Hogan
      8:45 am                  Jeremy Maschmann
    10:30 am                  Mike Quinlan
    12:15 pm                  People of the Parish

       Toni Thornton      James Bratton      Augusta Velasco
       Mildred Behm  Annliese Volz

"Dear children! Today I call you to be my extended hands in this world that puts God in the last place. You, little children, put God in the first place in your life. God will bless you and give you strength to bear witness to Him, the God of love and peace. I am with you and intercede for all of you. Little children, do not forget that I love you with a tender love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Saturday - March 12

  5:00 pm: Chris Caudle Kayla Gust
  Kevin O'Shaughnessy
Sunday -  March 13

  7:00 am: Evan Bova James Kekeris
  Toby Barry

  8:45 am: Nick Shatro Brandon Page
  Steven Koch

10:30 am: Megan Muniz Jennifer Kubik
  Brian McAndrew, Jr

12:15 pm: Dan Sniezak Luke Manley
  Kevin Stoverink

Did You Know…
In the 25^th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said, "I assure you as often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers you did it for me." In this season of renewal and sacrifice, please pray for those who serve the poor and work to improve social conditions for all people. To learn more about the work of Catholic Charities or how you can volunteer to help, call 314-367-5500, ext. 155, or email: jsmith@ccstl.org.

Cordially invites you to a Memorial Mass honoring Priests who have spent their lives in service to those in Law Enforcement, Public Safety, the Military, and their families, counseling, comforting, at times joining them, in risk and in sorrow.

All employees and volunteers who work with children on a regular basis and have not already attended are required to attend a Protecting God's Children seminar.

The following is a listing of presentation sites and times for the Protecting God's Children program.  If you can not make the seminar in our parish, please feel free to attend at a nearby Parish. Please call the rectory to let them know you plan to attend. They will notify their coordinator or may instruct you to contact that person directly.  When you sign in be sure to indicate your home Parish.

The next sessions will be:

St. Joseph Church - Cottleville on April 9th, 9:00 -12:00 pm

Immaculate Conception - Arnold on April 11th & April 20th,
7 - 10 pm
Assumption - Mattese on August 30th, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
St. Sabina - Florissant on October 3rd, 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Will be open after all Sunday Masses. Books, video's, tapes, 1st Communion articles, including girls handmade veils starting at $10.00 will be available.  The Lending Library is located In the small  building behind the Parish Rectory.

Contribution statements for 2004 are available at the Parish Center. The office hours for pick-up will be Monday - Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm and Friday 8 am to 5 pm. The remaining statements will not be mailed.

Our Parish Health Ministry will be taking blood pressure checks after the 7:00, 8:45 and the 10:30 am Masses in the St. Joseph Room, this Sunday, March 6th. Stop by and have your blood pressure checked.

Action Alert!  Human Cloning Ban!

Efforts are now underway to pass a Human Cloning Ban in both houses of Missouri government.  The specific Senate bill is SB160.  Please contact Senator Chuck Gross and Representatives Carl Bearden and Sherman Parker and urge them to lead this effort and co-sponsor this important legislation for Missouri.  Email and other contact information can be found at http://www.senate.state.mo.us or http://www.house.state.mo.us.

For additional information, please call Wally Eggebrecht at 636-922-5703. Thank you.

Don't forget!  This Tuesday, March 8^th, Lobby Day in Jefferson City for a total Ban on Human Cloning!

Looking for a spiritual exercise this Lent?  Join a growing number of Catholics and other Christians who pray at Planned Parenthood's abortion facility EVERY Saturday morning at 6:30 am.  The complete Rosary and the Chaplet of Mercy is prayed.  The location is at Forest Park and Boyle.  There is ample parking.  The Cathedral is minutes away, if you then want to attend 8:00 Mass.

Heart Attack Risk Screening

Participants will be screened for five risk factors: history of smoking, height and weight, total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), and blood pressure. Appointments are required. A two hour fast is required to participate in the glucose screening. Cost is $15. March 5th, 9 am - 12 noon held at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center Auditorium.

Understanding Cancer
This informative lecture will explain the preventive measures, warning signs and latest in diagnostic and treatment options. Free. March 8th, 9-10 am, at the St. Louis Mills Mall, entrance #2 (proceed to store across from Circuit City).

Call 314-362-7587 or 800-392-0936 for further information.

Your Help Can Make a Difference
Catholic Charities volunteers work with preschool and school-aged children who need help with reading, math, writing, and other academic subjects. Foster grandparents and tutors are needed throughout the St. Louis area to work with children during the summer and school year.  For more information, call 314-367-5500, ext. 110, or email: jsmith@ccstl.org.

Registration will be on Sundays, April 10th and 17th in the preschool office. Children must be 3 or 4 by July 31, 2005 to enroll. A $50 program fee is due at registration. Spaces are limited and are on a first come basis. Volunteers are needed to teach and aide the classes every other Sunday from Sept.-April. This is a fun and rewarding program and no experience is necessary. Teachers' children are free! For more information or questions, call Leslie Gallagher at 441-0055, ext. 150.

By Baptism we are each blessed with a vocation. Some among us are called to serve the Church in a specific way as Sisters, Brothers, and Priests. Will you be a Voice for Vocations? In the next several weeks we ask that you join us in praying for those of our parish that God is calling in this way. Look around and see if you recognize anyone with the gifts necessary - a practicing Catholic, single or single again, a person of faith in a growing relationship with God, free to dedicate her/his life in service to God and the path of peace and justice.

How are we blind? Whom don't we see or what don't we notice happening around us? As we continue our journey with Operation Rice Bowl this week, we pray for sight to see the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.  We fast so that our hunger heightens our awareness of those in need of better health facilities and healthier living conditions. Our almsgiving is a way for us to show those looking for hope that there are others who care about their plight.

Art & Environment Committee Meeting will be held this Tuesday morning, March 8th at 10:00 am in the SJR Room.  Plans for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter will be reviewed.  Please call Mary Hirt at 240-6078 for more information.

Liturgy Commission Meeting will be held this coming Monday evening, March 7 at 7:00 p.m., SJR.  Please call Charlotte VanderBol at 936-8150 for more information.

Holy Week Combined Choir Practice will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, March 15th & 17th at 7:00 pm in the Church.  All regular choir practices will be canceled those nights.  If you haven't signed up yet, there is still time.  More choir members are needed for each night.  Thanks!

Rice Bowl Coin Boxes and Envelopes will be collected during the collection time at  Mass on Holy Thursday evening at 7 pm  or may be taken to the Parish Center during the week.

The VIP will hold its regular meeting on Friday, March 18th at 7:00 pm. We will have a speaker on Divine Mercy and Serra Club before having a short meeting. Please arrive at 7:00 pm. Refreshment committee is Jan Gagliano, Tebbes' and Burlis'. If you need a ride, please call Elaine Green at 329-1639.

All Saints Parish Quilters are sponsoring a quilt social March 12th at All Saints Church located at #7 McMenamy Rd. in St. Peters.  The social is held in the school cafeteria at 12 noon.  The event is to benefit the parish's Historic Preservation Fund.

Have you ever sensed a calling to ministry as an avenue for expressing your faith and sharing your gifts? Aquinas Institute of Theology is a Dominican-sponsored graduate school that prepares adults for collaborative leadership in ministry through strong academic programs, a commitment to spiritual formation, and a vibrant community life. Maybe you'd like to explore taking just one class for enrichment or even consider a graduate degree. Join us for an informational gathering: March 12th, 10:00-11:30 am; or March 15th, prayer at 11:30 then gather at noon-1:30 pm; or 4:00-5:30 pm; or 6:30-8:00 pm.  RSVP: Julie Quint at 314-977-7243 or www.ai.edu.

Will be collecting money or grocery store "Together We Are Better" script in order to provide an Easter meal for those in need of assistance. Please find our table in the gathering area of the church at all Masses, March 12th and 13th and March 19th and 20th. Your donation will provide a family with food to celebrate our Risen Lord.

Trivia Night

Trivia night is March 19th from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cottleville. All proceeds benefit: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro St. Louis. Cost: $25.00 per person, 8 people per table. Your admission includes; beer, wine, and soda. Cash prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. There will also be a silent auction. For reservations, please call Mike Ficken at 314-494-4561 or 636-949-9883.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry
Friday March 11^th and every Friday during Lent at the Knights of Columbus Pezold Banquet Center. Serving from 4 to 8 pm. Adult dinners (includes fish, 3 sides, and coffee or tea) are 7.00 each and children's dinners are $4.00 each (includes fish and two side dishes); children 5 and under eat free (eat in at KC Hall only). Servings are Cod, Catfish, Shrimp and Cheese Pizza with side dishes of fries, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, slaw and green beans.

The K of C Ladies Auxiliary meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th, at 7:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Please bring laundry products for our donation to Sts. Joachim and Anne Care Center

March 11 - Applications for new kindergarten through 8^th grade students -
Applications will be accepted on this date for all grade levels from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. No application will be finalized until all steps have been completed.  This process is not on a first come-first served basis.  If all necessary documentation is provided, the process should only take a short time.

This is a three-part process:
1. Submission of the application to St. Joseph School with all documentation.
a. Copy (for school's files) of Birth Certificate
b. Copy (for school's files) of Baptismal Certificate
c. Social Security Number
d. $200.00 Application Fee (non-refundable)- per student
e. Signed release for records from previous school and a copy (for school's files) of the last report card.
2. Student academic assessment testing for grade level.
3.    Interview with the assistant principal (parent and student).

The criteria for admission in St. Joseph School is as follows:

Families applying to St. Joseph Catholic School must demonstrate to the Administration (pastor/principal) a desire for the special kind of school where Catholic teaching and moral formation are an integral part of the school philosophy and environment. This includes:
a. Participation in the spiritual and community life of the parish or respective congregations.
b. Support of the concepts upheld in the Parish Witness Statement.
c. Agreement and willingness to follow the policies and procedures of St. Joseph School and the Arch. of St. Louis.

4. Willingness to financially support the Parish/school.