St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin
February 8, 1998

Pastor's Column

The readings for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time show how we enflesh or manifest or make plain-and-clear the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, to others through our conscious and concerted efforts at evangelization.
The scripture passages highlight three important aspects of evangelization which we need to emphasize, evaluate, and enhance in our lives: the calling, the witnessing, and the drawing of others toward the Lord.
Calling: The prophet Isaiah says, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!' The responsibility to bear the message of God to others is the task of every baptized person. When we were baptized, we were given a share in the mission of Jesus who says, "I must announce the good news of the reign of God, because that is why I was sent" (Lk 4:43). The bottom line: unless we actively evangelize, we do not fulfill our vocation; if we do not fulfill our vocation, we do not reach the Kingdom.
Witnessing: St. Paul says, "I handed on to you first of all what I myself received." Evangelization is primarily making Christ real and believable to others by witnessing -- relating the wonders we've experienced with our words and showing our conviction with our actions. The bottom line: if we demonstrate a negative demeanor, a "put-off-ish" behavior, a constant crabbing or criticism, a glum disposition, we are not giving witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus who saves us.
Drawing: Jesus says: "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." The objective of evangelization is to make the Lord plain and clear to others, to be a transparent medium for Christ Jesus to shine on others, warm the hearts of others, draw others to himself. The bottom line: our all-too-human side can obscure the clarity of Jesus, make others feel unwelcome or unworthy to approach Jesus, force people away from Jesus.
So, as a result of hearing God's Word this weekend: How are you responding to his call to evangelize? How authentic and clear is the quality of your witnessing? How effective are your techniques to make Jesus known to others? What do you need to change?
--Father Benet OFM

Offering

Envelopes $4,680.42
Loose Collection $ 329.59
Children's Envelopes $ 11.25
TOTAL: $ 5,021.26
COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET:
This Week Cumulative
(2/1/98): (Week #31):
$ 5,453.06 $169,053.86
$ 5,021.26 $156,092.71
$- 431.80 $-12,961.15

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said, 'send me!'" (Is 6:8). Listen closely, God is calling. To give gratefully the first fruits of the time, talent and treasure we possess is to answer God's call to the stewardship way of life.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...

about the Second Book of Samuel
During the early weekdays of this ordinary or counted time we will be hearing from the Second Book of Samuel. The book tells of the domestic and political troubles of David, king of Israel. "Its basic message was that God has chosen Israel as a special people ... [and if] they are faithful to the covenantal laws, they will have prosperity and peace; if they disobey, they can expect punishment through natural disasters, invasion, and even exile ... The Books of Samuel, then, are not history in the modern sense but theological history-narrative accounts of God's dealings with the chosen people ... [The authors] show, by vivid stories, that God works with human freedom, caring for the people with a love that continually forgives and saves." Bowes, Collegeville Bible Commentary.
--compiled by Brother Richard OFM

Thanks

Dear Parishioners --
Once again I want to take the opportunity to voice my grateful sentiments to all of you for the many ways you demonstrate your cooperation and collaboration. As your pastor I realize that you are the ones that make this parish work!
Thanks especially for your participation in last week's survey. We collected 433 surveys; 26 of them were blank and were thrown away, but 407 were sent away to be tabulated. The results will come to us in about three weeks; the lay leaders will use the results for filling out the more extensive questionnaire on February 28.
-- Father Benet OFM

Parish News

SIGN VETO OVERRIDE POSTCARDS TODAY!

Today our parish joins thousand of other parishes across the nation in signing postcards urging the U.S. Senate to override President Clinton's veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, HR 1122. Stand up and be counted! Please sign a postcard and leave it with the ushers. Thank you for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

ENJOY A PIZZA! After all the Masses this weekend and next weekend someone will be in the back of church taking orders for Roma's Frozen Pizzas. (The price is very reasonable, and the taste is excellent, very similar to Imo's). This fund-raiser will help start up a new contemporary Christian music radio station in St. Louis to replace 104.9-FM. Thanks for your patronage.

GOOD GRIEF!!! The Good Grief Group will meet in the sacristy on Tuesday, February 17, at 6:30pm. Call our social worker Kate or our parish nurse Barb (353-7470) for details.

CPR CLASSES: CPR classes will be given at St. Anthony's by Alexian Brothers Hospital as follows:
Adult CPR on Thursday, February 19, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in St. Anthony Hall.
Infant/Child CPR on Saturday, February 21, 9:00am to 12:00 noon in the West Meeting Room.
If you are interested in either one or both, it is necessary that you call Barb Salmo (353-7470) by February 13. There is no charge.

LENTEN HOME MASSES: On the Tuesdays of Lent at 7:00pm Father Ken and Father Benet plan to celebrate Mass in the homes of parishioners. If you had not yet hosted a Mass last Lent or this previous Advent and would like to do so, please call Tom Moran, the chair of the Liturgy Commission, at 353-4791 after 6:00pm as soon as possible.

Youth Activities

SOUTH CITY YOUTH CELEBRATION on Sunday, February 15, beginning with a Youth Mass at 6:30pm at Our Lady of Sorrows (5831 So. Kingshighway) and then "Olympic Trivia Night." Call Laurie (481-9385).
ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE: All high school students are invited to Youth Conference '98 on Sunday, February 22 at St. Mary's High School. Call Karen Huckeby at 771-8136 or Greg Rohde at 371-0121.

SECOND COLLECTION

Next weekend there will be a second collection to support the United States Home Missions, especially the ministries among the African Americans and Native Americans.
This collection -- which began in 1885! -- is a way to make evangelization work through your wallet. Last year over $7 million was distributed. The support went to some of the neediest people in the United States; from the inner cities to the rural South, from the deserts of the Southwest to Alaska's cold wilderness.
Please join your sacrifice to Christ's by helping those who sacrifice daily to lead others to Christ.

NEWS ABOUT PARISHIONERS

SANCTUARY LAMP: This week one sanctuary lamp is lit as a prayerful remembrance of the Gyaky, Zarka, Wambach, Horvath and Seper Families at the request of MMG. The other one is lit as a memorial prayer for George Francis Malecek, requested by Geraldine Malecek.
QUILT WINNERS FOR JANUARY 29: Ed Parker of 4628 Leona.

THE WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: On the Thursdays of Lent, from March 5 to March 26, we will celebrate a Parish Mission at St. Anthony's with the Bishops of our Archdiocese; the theme will be the Working of the Holy Spirit.
There will be Mass and a special sermon each Thursday at 7:00pm.
Archbishop Rigali will speak March 5 on "The Holy Spirit and Conversion" and will highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in calling us to a change of heart.
Bishop Braxton will speak March 12 on "The Holy Spirit and Evangelization" and will emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the Good News of salvation.
Bishop Sheridan will speak March 19 on "The Holy Spirit and Prayer" and will concentrate on the Spirit's action in teaching us how to pray.
Bishop Naumann will speak March 26 on "The Holy Spirit and Community" and will focus on the function of the Holy Spirit in building up the Body of Christ.
The mission will conclude with a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Penance led by our Franciscan Vicar Provincial, Fr. John Doctor OFM on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00pm.

AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

THANK YOU: The seminarians, faculty, and staff of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary thank you for your recent support of their annual Christmas collection. Your gift is appreciated and makes possible their programs of priestly formation. Please continue to pray for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as the young men are prepared to serve as the archdiocesan priests in the next century.
VINCENT HOUSE: In the last four and a half years, Vincent House, an inter-denominational AIDS Ministry has assisted over 350 men, women, and children who are living with HIV/AIDS. It offers practical support including homemaker services, transportation, and emotional and spiritual support. Vincent House is seeking new volunteers to join in its vital ministry. It is especially in need of female volunteers (for its SISTERS Program to companion HIV+ women) and volunteers who can assist during the day. Interested? Call 241-2602.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST, sponsored by the Auxiliary of Alexian Brothers Hospital, will be held this Sunday, February 8, from 8:00am to 4:30pm in the hospital's Peterson Auditorium. Please support our neighbors!
SAUSAGE AND PANCAKE BREAKFAST at St. Francis de Sales on Sunday, February 15, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon.
PARISH MISSION: Our Holy Redeemer Church in Webster Groves is sponsoring a parish mission by the Redemptorist Fathers on February 15- 19 at 7:00pm; the theme of the
presentations is "Treasures of the Heart." "MARDI GRAS", a fund-raising dinner-dance- auction to benefit the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, will be held on Friday, February 20, at The Columns in St. Charles. Doors open at 6:00pm; tickets are $35. Call Sister Madelene at 240-3420 for reservations.
TRIVIA NIGHT at St. Mary Magdalen's will take place on Saturday, February 21; for time and reservations call Sheri at 752-1448 or Jeanne at 481-0558.
CAVALCADE '98, the annual dinner-auction to benefit Bishop DuBourg High School, will be held on Saturday, March 7. For more information, call 832-3030.
ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR, sponsored by the Spirit of St. Francis Drill team, will be held Saturday, March 21, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Center (Oakville); to apply for space call Karen at 845-2333.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday, February 9, Weekday
6:30 Marie A. Fox
8:00 John Folk
Tuesday, February 10, St. Scholastica
6:30 Schwald & Kadlez Families
8:00 Steve Boliance, Jr.
Wednesday, February 11, Our Lady of Lourdes
6:30 Magdalen Boliance
8:00 Richard Fritschle, Sr.
Thursday, February 12, Weekday
6:30 John Boncek
8:00 Helen & Herman Hartlieb
Friday, February 13, Weekday
6:30 Recovery of Ed Grush
8:00 Martha Krutewicz, Anniv.
Saturday, February 14, Sts. Cyril & Methodius
6:30 Roy E. Dietsch & Family
8:00 Pauline Rothweiler
Sunday, February 15, 6TH IN ORDINARY TIME
4:30 (Saturday) Raymond Buchheit
6:00 Parishioners
8:00 Alex Krutewicz & Woody Cummings
10:30 Dorothy & Mathilda Swehla

Liturgical Assistants

Week of February 9-15
LECTORS:
Weekdays, Feb. 9-14:
6:30 Georgia Berry
8:00 Joe Sestric
Sunday, February 14-15
4:30 Jackie Young, Ryan Crouch
6:00 Ken Dames
8:00 Margaret Schodroski, Gene Rombach
10:30 Family Mass
Weekdays, Feb. 16-21:
6:30 Alberta Stackle
8:00 Georgia Berry
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
Sunday, February 14-15
4:30 Hosts: Phyllis* & Jerry Forchee
Cups: Jackie Schmittgens, Dolores Buescher, Philipa Krueger, Pat Nieters
6:00 Pat Behnen
8:00 Hosts: Betty Marton, Mike Mount
Cups: Doris & Bill Kamper, Jackie & Mark Kappler
10:30 Hosts: Janice Leicht, Rich Busiek*
Cups: Pat Penrose, Bev Ruzicka, Ruth Brown, Brenda Boyer, Robert Harre, Alberta Stackle, Julia Brown**

The Coming Week

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
9:00 a.m. - R.C.I.A. (S)
10:30 a.m. - SFO Mass
2:00 p.m. - SFO Meeting
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23
7:30 p.m. - Prayer Group (E)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
6:30 p.m. - Bingo (L)
7:30 p.m. - Al-Anon Meeting (F)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, ASH WEDNESDAY
6:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass
8:00 a.m. - School Mass
11:00 a.m. - Mass at Chariton Apts.
11:00 a.m. - A.A. Meeting (W)
12:30 p.m. - Wednesday Club (L)
3:30-6:30p - Fish Fry (M)
7:00 p.m. - Special Ash Wednesday Mass
8:00 p.m. - Pastoral Council Meeting (S)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
3:00 p.m. - Holy Hour (Ch)
3:30-6:30p - Fish Fry (M)
7:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross & Benediction
8:00 p.m. - A.A. Meeting (F)
8:00 p.m. - Men's Club (L)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
8:30-4:00 - Parish Leadership Day
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
9:00 a.m. - R.C.I.A. (S)
10:30 a.m. - Scout Mass

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St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin February 8, 1998