St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin
December 28, 1997

HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY:

On this feast of the Holy Family I would like to express my warm greetings, best wishes, and grateful feelings to all the local families that make up our parish family.
I also want to elaborate on some of the "family values" which are enumerated in today's second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians as an affirmation of who we are and as a stretching toward what we might become:
Holiness: Set as an unnegotiable priority in your life the "things of God" which lead us to God's kingdom, like worship and prayer, spirituality and virtue, community and collaboration, service and outreach.
Forgiveness and Heartfelt Mercy: Put aside grudges, the desire for vengeance, and the holding on to grievances; instead pave the way to togetherness with "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you."
Kindness: Let go of "my way" and stubbornness and exercise the "golden rule" by outdoing each other with careful attention and compassionate concern, presuming the good intention of the other, and working to identify the positive motive of everyone else's action.
Humility, Meekness: Step away from that prideful approach of a "me first" attitude or that "either-all-or-nothing" behavior, say no to anything that smacks of self-promotion or self- absorption, and adopt a willingness to collaborate, to pool ideas and efforts, to be one among and together with the others.
Patience: Stop being pushy and demanding and be slow to judge, careful to act, willing to wait.
Love: Pray for, think of, act on behalf of the good and well-being of another, rather than always finding the negative, criticizing the wrong, and focusing on what you oppose or disapprove of.
Peace: Make a conscious effort to work toward union with God, harmony with the people around you, justice for your neighbor, kinship with creation, and integrity in your own heart.
Thankfulness: Begin and end every day with a word of thanks to God for all he does for you. Say "thank you" throughout the day to anyone you can. The more you give thanks, the more you realize how blessed and graced you are, and then the more you will share your treasurers with you family and communicate God's goodness to all.
These family values, expressed in a practical way at home, in the parish, and wherever people form community will go a long way toward making our society more noble and our people more moral.
--Father Benet OFM

Offering

Envelopes $ 5,491.23
Loose Collection 404.31
Children's Envelopes 12.01
TOTAL: 5,907.55

COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET:

This Week Cumulative
(12/21/97): (Week #25):
$5,453.06 $136,335.50
$5,907.55 $117,777.35
$+ 454.49 $-18,558,15
"Dedicate yourself to thankfulness" (Col 3:17). Those who live their lives with a true "attitude of gratitude" are the happiest people in the world. Gratitude is not being thankful for getting what you wanted ... it is being grateful for what you already have.

DID YOU KNOW???

The Background of Holy Family Day
The feast of the Holy Family has been celebrated by the universal Church only since 1920.
Originally celebrated on the Third Sunday after Epiphany, it is now observed on the Sunday between Christmas and January 1 (when Christmas falls on a Sunday, it is assigned to January 30th).
Devotion to the Holy Family became popular after the 16th century.
The theme of family, and this feast dedicated to it, is of special importance today in face of challenges to the contemporary family. Many parishes offer families opportunities to renew their love for each other as part of the liturgy. Greg Dues. Catholic Customs and Traditions.
--compiled by Brother Richard OFM

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

January 1, the Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God is celebrated as a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.
As their sign of commitment to the Son of God, his Mother Mary, and the Church, Catholics are required to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist on this day.
Masses will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 31, at 4:30pm and on Thursday, January 1, at 8:00 and 10:30am (no 6:00am Mass).

Parish Activities

1. THE ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE BINGO, sponsored by the Men's Club, will begin on Wednesday, December 31, at 6:00pm; doors will open at 3:30pm. (Of course, we will still have the regular bingo on Tuesday, January 30.)

2. HOLY DAY MASSES for January 1, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, will be celebrated on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, at 4:30pm and on New Year's Day at 8:00am and 10:30am. There will be NO 6:00am Mass and NO evening Mass on January 1.

3. THE PARISH "WELCOMEFEST" will be celebrated on Epiphany Sunday, January 3-4, in St. Anthony Hall after the 4:30 Mass on the 3rd and from 9:00am to 1:00pm on the 4th; the gifts and talents of the parish's commissions and organizations will be displayed. Come see what wonderful things are already happening in the parish, and what new opportunities are being considered. Surprise yourself with a visit to St. Anthony Hall!

4. "PARENTS AS FIRST CHURCH" PROGRAM will be introduced and begun after the 4:30, 8:00, and 10:30 Masses on the weekend of the Baptism of the Lord, January 10-11, in the West Meeting Room of the Meramec Building. This is a program to show parents how to share the faith with their children at home. School parents with small children and parents of newly baptized are especially invited. For more information, call Father Benet.

5. GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: The next grief support meeting will be Tuesday, January 13, at 6:30pm in the sacristy meeting room. For information, call Kate or Barb at 353-7470.

Happy New Year

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

1. St. Anthony of Padua Parish is going to hire a parish manager to coordinate and oversee the lay personnel, the finances, the buildings and their maintenance, and the parish's dealings with businesses. It will be a 40-hour-a-week job with flexible hours, combining two existing positions. All applicants must have training and experience in business administration, money management, and computer skills. If interested, contact Father Benet with resume and recommendations before January 18, 1998. Job description available upon request.
2. A part-time job is available for 10 hours a week within the parish boundaries. If interested, call 630-4139 between 8:00am and 4:30pm.

RETURN TO TEEN TOWN!!!

The St. Anthony Youth Commission will present "RETURN TO TEEN TOWN" with Bob Kuban on Saturday, February 7, 1998, in the gym from 8:00am to midnight. Tickets: $15.00 per person. Beer and set-ups included. Must be 21 or over. Paid reservations only. For information and tickets call Jane or Mike Stone at 832-5235. This fund-raiser benefits the youth programs of the parish.

NEWS ABOUT PARISHIONERS

SANCTUARY LAMP: One of the sanctuary lamps is lit this week in prayerful remembrance of Henry Marton at the request of the Marton Family. The second one is Mary Ann Ziegler's prayer of thanksgiving for Paula Katurovac's passing of her state boards.
QUILT WINNER: John Fleischmann at 454 McLaughlin.
HOUSE FOR RENT: A five-room house will be available for rent in February 1998. Are you interested or curious? Then call 351-5146 after 6:00pm.

VIDEO STILL AVAILABLE

Remember the shock of the fire? The gradual rebuilding of the church? Preserve the memory for generations to come with the unforgettable two-set video for $40.00 documenting the tragic fire and miraculous rebuilding of St. Anthony's which is still available at the parish office; call Gerry at 353-7470.

Thank You

A hearty thank you to all the volunteers who decorated the church so beautifully and so thoroughly for Christmas and to all those whose generous donations allowed us to buy the flowers, plants, and trees for Christmas.

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

The Secular Franciscan Order is a way for Catholic laity to live the Gospel of Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare in the world with the support of community and in partnership with the Franciscan friars and sisters.
It is a spirituality, a plan for daily living, a life in fraternity, and a method of evangelization for those Catholics called to live the gospel ideals from a Franciscan perspective in the everyday worldly setting.
It is, moreover, a tried-and-true way for Catholic laity to satisfy their thirst for a deeper spirituality, a stronger involvement in the Church, and a broader service to society with a Franciscan flavor in the modern world.
The Secular Franciscan Order is a way for Catholics of all walks of life to deepen their Catholic faith and to infiltrate the world with Christian values by observing as completely as possible the Gospel of Jesus Christ after the example of Francis and Clare.
A preliminary, introductory meeting for beginning a new community of Secular Franciscans will be held on SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, AFTER THE 8:00AM MASS in the sacristy meeting room. Come find out what this is all about!

Marriage Encounter

On the Feast of the Holy Family, rededicate your family to the Lord. A Marriage Encounter Weekend can keep your family dedicated to the Lord. Call 469-7312 for the 1998 weekend dates.

ESCAPE THE NOISE, DISCOVER PEACE

Vision of Peace Hermitages may be your path to inner quiet, deeper reflection, and improved two- way communication with the Lord. Only 30 miles south of downtown St. Louis, in Pevely, Missouri, are nine hermitages nestled in the hillsides of the Mississippi River, offering you a temporary and economical retreat from the phones, faxes, and follies of our busy world. Stay a day or, better yet, treat yourself to a week. Spiritual direction is available. Call for more details and reservations: 475-3697.

KING'S HOUSE

King's House Retreat and Renewal Center (700 North 66th Street in Belleville; 1-800-779-7909) has a full programs of retreats and renewal opportunities for your spiritual development.
Call for a schedule.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday, December 29, St. Thomas ... Becket
6:30 Charles Hotz
8:00 John Fugina
Tuesday, December 30, Christmas Octave
6:30 Dorothy Paulis
8:00 Loretta Schueck
Wednesday, December 31, Christmas Octave
6:30 Souls in Purgatory
8:00 Scott Hoff
Thursday, January 1. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
4:30 (Wednesday Vigil) Melba Gregory
(No Mass at 6:00am)
8:00 Robert Borgers
10:30 For Parishioners
Friday, January 2, St. Athanasius
6:30 Leo F. Schwald
8:00 Mathilda M. Holdener
10:30 (At Charless)
Saturday, January 3, Holy Name of Jesus
6:30 Henrietta Gansmann
8:00 Earl and Earlene Zink
Sunday, January 4, EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
4:30 (Saturday) Scott Hoff
6:00 For the Parishioners
8:00 William Chapman
10:30 James Breedan

Liturgical Assistants

January 1, Mary Mother of God

LECTORS:
4:30 Georgia Berry
6:00 NO MASS
8:00 Bill Kamper
10:30 Pat Neiters, LaVerne Duvall
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
4:30 Jackie Kappler
6:00 NO MASS
8:00 Doris Kamper
10:30 Phyllis Morrison, Mary Ann Schmidt

Week of Dec. 29 to Jan. 4

LECTORS:
6:30 Weekdays, 12/29-01/03: Alberta Stackle
8:00 Weekdays, 12/29-01/03: Georgia Berry
Sunday, January 3-4
4:30 Steve & Sue Geldmacher
6:00 Ken Dames
8:00 Bill Kamper, Dave Bergfeld
10:30 Scouts
6:30 Weekdays, Jan. 5-10: Alberta Stackle
8:00 Weekdays, Jan. 5-10: Joe Sestric
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
4:30 Hosts: Jay Doolittle, Doris Eagan
Cups: Dolores Buescher, Jackie Schmittgens, Valerie Geldmacher, Joanie Medina
6:00 Pat Behnen
8:00 Hosts: Doris Kamper, Linda Kohne
Cups: Sr. Virginia, Mike Mount, Debbie Williams, Gene Rombach
10:30 (Scout Mass)
Hosts: Bev Ruzicka, Rich Busiek
Cups: Pat Penrose, Jerry & Phyllis Forchee, Robert Harre, Steve & Gloria Derickson

This Coming Week

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
9am-1pm - "Parents as First Church" Program (W)
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
7:30 p.m. - Prayer Group (E)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
6:30 p.m. - Grief Support Meeting (S)
6:30 p.m. - Bingo
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
11:00 a.m. - A.A. Meeting (W)
12:30 p.m. - Wednesday Club (L)
7:00 p.m. - Baptism Instructions (F)
7:00 p.m. - Liturgy Commission Meeting (S)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
3:00 p.m. - Holy Hour (Ch)
8:00 P.M. - Men's Club Meeting (L)
8:00 p.m. - A.A. Meeting (F)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
8:00 a.m. - Pinewood Derby (L)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
(Beginning of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity)
9:00 a.m. - R.C.I.A. (S)
9:00 a.m. - Mass at Chariton Apartments
Coffee and Donuts after 10:30 Mass

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St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin December 28, 1997