St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin
February 22, 1998

Pastor's Column

On this last Sunday of Ordinary Time before Lent, we focus our attention on how we enflesh or manifest or make plain-and-clear the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, to others through our fulfillment of the teachings of Jesus.
As Messiah and Lord, Jesus Christ came to fulfill "the law and the prophets." In doing so, he set a new ethical standard and moral code for those who follow him. No longer was it the norms of society or the agreed-upon behavior of a prevailing group of religious or political leaders, nor was it even the "Old Law" (the Old Testament characterized by the Ten Commandments).
This teaching of Jesus is a "new commandment," as he himself has said, a new criterion of behavior:
"Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon, and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to you."
This teaching -- "bigger and better" than before -- has three phases or expressions:
First of all, it recognizes the grace of God within us to be able to identify for ourselves the compassionate, affirming, accepting, forgiving presence of God in our lives.
Secondly, it implies taking on into one's own life these characteristics of God: compassion, affirmation, acceptance, forgiveness.

Thirdly, it indicates that what we choose to make our own in regards to others will come back upon us a hundredfold: being compassionate toward others brings others to be compassionate with us, being affirming toward others helps others affirm us, accepting others makes us acceptable, forgiving others engenders forgiveness for ourselves.
It is this three-fold movement of becoming a disciple of Jesus that makes today's words of St. Paul ring true: "Just as we resemble the man from earth, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven." In our humanness we embrace a Christlike attitude and take on a God- reflecting behavior. We are then lifted above our human limitations and soar toward the inexhaustible possibilities of life in the reign of God.
The season of Lent becomes the time to move beyond the limits of our earthly condition and transform our outlook and conduct into those which mirror Jesus. This is conversion. This is our project for Lent.
--Father Benet OFM

Offering

Envelopes $4,201.74
Loose Collection $ 269.24
Children's Envelopes $ 13.25
TOTAL: $ 4,484.23
Home Missions $1,132.30

COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET:

This Week Cumulative
(2/15/98): (Week #33):
$5,453.06 $179,959.98
$4,484.23 $165,028.81
$ -968.83 $-14,931.17
"Give and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over will they poor into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:38). The words, "give and it shall be given to you," should not be taken literally. A life of stewardship does not promise financial rewards. The rewards of stewardship may not be tangible, but they offer something greater: peace and joy.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...

about Ashes on Ash Wednesday
Originally the ritual of placing ashes on someone's head was not directly connected with the beginning of Lent. As early as the 300s, it was adopted by local churches as part of their practice of temporarily excommunicating or expelling public sinner from the community. These people were guilty of public sins and scandals such as apostasy, heresy, murder, and adultery.
By the 7th century, this custom had expanded in some churches into a public Ash Wednesday ritual. Sinners first confessed their sins privately. Then they were presented to the bishop and publicly enrolled in the rank of penitents in preparation for absolution on Holy Thursday. They lived apart from their families and the rest of the parish for the 40 days of Lent. Dressed in sackcloth and ashes, they were identified as penitents.
During the Middle Ages, emphasis was placed on personal rather than public sin. As a result, traditions of Ash Wednesday in a mitigated form were adopted by all adult members of the parish. Traditions similar to those in today's parishes were observed throughout the Church by the 11th century. In recent years an alternative formula for the imposition of ashes emphasizes a more positive aspect of Lent: "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Greg Dues, Catholic Customs and Traditions
--compiled by Brother Richard OFM

Parish News

LENT BEGINS on Wednesday, February 25.
Masses will be at 6:30am, 8:00am (with school children), 11:00am (at Chariton Apartments), and 7:00pm. Ashes will be distributed at all Masses.
Please consult the special bulletin insert for more information about Lent at St. Anthony's and about the regulations for abstinence and fasting.
PARISH LEADERSHIP DAY: On Saturday, February 28, the lay leaders of the parish will gather at LaSalette Center to work on the long survey for the self-study. Have you leaders called Gerry with your RSVP?
HEALTH LECTURE: A free lecture entitled "Heart Failure: You Can Live with It," sponsored by the Alexian Brothers Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Care Departments, will be presented on Saturday, February 28, at 10:00am in the hospital's Peterson Auditorium.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION, sponsored by the Franciscan Mothers Club & Auxiliary will be given by Fr. Jim Cormack CM on Tuesday, March 24, in St. Anthony Hall beginning at 9:30 and concluding with Mass in church at 2:00pm. For reservations call 752-9939 or 351-0926.
FLEA MARKET, sponsored by the Franciscan Mothers Club & Auxiliary, will be held on Saturday, March 28, in St. Anthony Hall from 8:30am to 2:30pm. For tables call 481-7234 or 752-4793.
NEW A.A. MEETING: Every Monday at 11:00am in the West Meeting Room there will be an newcomers' open information meeting for Alcoholics Anonymous. Anyone is welcome to come and ask questions.

FOOD PANTRY ALERT!!!

1. Are you able to shop for food and deliver it to the Food Pantry? Are you able to interview clients? Are you able to package food? If you are able and willing, we really need your help!!! Call Sister Mary Ann at 352-1460.
2. The Food Pantry needs small plastic bottles and containers with lids.
3. Each week of Lent you are asked to bring a particular food item for the Food Pantry as a lenten sacrifice. Place it on the steps of the St. Joseph Shrine on the east side of the church. For the First Sunday of Lent (March 1) the food item will be:

rice and pasta
macaroni and cheese
canned fish

PARISH MISSION OF RECONCILIATION:

This year during Lent, as special part of our parish's observance of this Year of the Holy Spirit, St. Anthony's Parish will celebrate a "Mission of Reconciliation."
The central focus of the Lent-long mission is the Thursdays of Lent, from March 5 to March 26, when the bishops of our archdiocese will celebrate Eucharist with us and teach us about the Working of the Holy Spirit. There will be Mass and a special homily each Thursday at 7:00pm:
March 5: Archbishop Justin Rigali, "The Holy Spirit and Conversion"
March 12: Bishop Edward Braxton, "The Holy Spirit and Evangelization"
March 19: Bishop Michael Sheridan, "The Holy Spirit and Prayer"
March 26: Bishop Joseph Naumann, "The Holy Spirit and Community"
On Thursday, April 2, at 7:00pm there will be a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Penance led by Fr. John Doctor OFM.
The other parts of the mission -- of which we ask each parishioner to choose at least ONE activity per week besides the mission Mass on Thursdays -- are:
Sunday, 6:00pm, Evening Prayer, Friars' Choir
Monday, 6:00pm, Evening Prayer, Friars' Choir
Tuesday, 7:00pm, Mass in Parishioners' Homes
Wednesday, 2:15pm, Stations of the Cross with school children in church
Friday, 7:00pm, Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in church
Saturday, 5:30pm, "Soup 'n' Scripture" (studying and reflecting on the Bible), sacristy

Fish Fry

During the season of Lent St. Anthony's sponsors a Fish Fry on Ash Wednesday and every Friday from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Each one is hosted by a parish organization. Every week in the bulletin the host group and the responsible person are listed:
ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25: Home and School Association (Terry Boxdorfer, 351-2836)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27: Ladies' Sodality (Flo Donovan, 845-9818)
Anyone who wants to bake a cake for one of these dates, please bring it to the Meramec Cafeteria any time after 1:00pm. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
--Adeline Kohne & The Fish Fry Committee

NEWS ABOUT PARISHIONERS

CONGRATULATIONS to Kourtney Lee, daughter of Klayton Leo Kohne and Shannon Lee Mers, who was baptized and became a member of the Body of Christ on February 8, 1998.
SANCTUARY LAMP: This week both sanctuary lamps are lit as a prayerful remembrance of the Kern, Merz, Morhaus and Fleischmann Families.
LENTEN HOLY HOUR: At the Friday Holy Hour of Adoration on February 27 we will focus on the Holy Spirit's gift of Wisdom, and we will pray for our deeper union with God. Come pray with us!
QUILT WINNER FOR FEBRUARY 22: Wilma Ziegler of Arnold, Missouri
PASTORAL COUNCIL RENEWAL: Beginning Sunday, March 8, and concluding with an all- parish meeting on March 29, we as a parish will begin a process to renew the membership of the pastoral council.

AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

"AN EVENING WITH THE ANGELS," a dinner-auction to benefit St. Joseph's Academy, will be held at the Academy on Saturday, February 28; doors open at 5:00pm with dinner from 5:30 to 7:00; call for tickets at 965-7205.

"NIGHT AT THE RACES" at St. John the Baptist will take place on Saturday, February 28; doors open at 6:00pm, races begin at 7:00pm. For reservations call Ken at 352-5760.

TRIVIA NIGHT, planned by Notre Dame Elementary School, will happen on Saturday, February 28, at St. Wenceslaus Parish Hall beginning at 7:00pm (door open at 7:00). For tickets and information call Marty at 776-7465.

TRIVIA NIGHT, sponsored by the Incarnate Word Academy Booster Club, will happen on Saturday, February 28. Call 725-5850, ext. 112, for details and reservations.

WINTER TRIVIA NIGHT, sponsored by the CAC Catholic Singles, will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30). For information and reservations call Dan at 861-0791.

ANNUAL CARD PARTY, hosted by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Ladies' Guild, is scheduled for Friday, March 6, at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30). For reservations call Pam at 487-8208.

CAVALCADE '98, annual dinner-auction to benefit Bishop DuBourg High School, will be held on Saturday, March 7;call 832-3030. PARISH MISSION preached by the Redemptorists will be held at St. Pius V Church March 8-12 at 7:30pm.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday, February 23, St. Polycarp
6:30 Mathilda M. Holdener
8:00 Marie A. Fox
Tuesday, February 24, Weekday
6:30 Souls in Purgatory
8:00 John Folk
Wednesday, February 25, ASH WEDNESDAY
6:30 Henrietta Gansmann
8:00 Rosalie Knoten
11:00 (At Chariton Apartments)
7:00 For a Good Lent for the Parishioners
Thursday, February 26, Lenten Weekday
6:30 Helen & Herman Hartlieb
8:00 Florence Roessler
Friday, February 27, Lenten Weekday
6:30 Mary & Chris Stahlhuth
8:00 Mr. Feldman
Saturday, February 28, Lenten Weekday
6:30 Joseph McGuckin
8:00 Dorothy & Mathilda Swehla
Sunday, March 1, 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT
4:30 (Saturday) Joseph McGuckin
6:00 Parishioners
8:00 Scott Hoff
10:30 Joe Becker

Liturgical Assistants

Week of February 23 - March 1 LECTORS:

Weekdays, February 23-28:
6:30 Georgia Berry
8:00 Sr. Virginia
Ash Wednesday, February 25
7:00 Georgia Berry
Sunday, February 28 & March 1
4:30 Pat Nieters, Steve Markley
6:00 Ken Dames
8:00 Bob & Karen Morgan
10:30 Scout Mass
Scouts as Lectors
Weekdays, March 2-7:
6:30 Alberta Stackle
8:00 Georgia Berry
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
Ash Wednesday, February 25
7:00 Jay Doolittle*, Tom Moran
Sunday, February 28 & March 1
4:30 Hosts: Anthony Minnick*, Jackie Schmittgens
Cups: Jackie & Mark Kappler, Joannie Medina, Dolores Buescher
6:00 Rich Steger
8:00 Hosts: Sr. Virginia Bieg, Margaret Schodroski
Cups: Doris & Bill Kamper, Betty Marton, Marie Mergel
10:30 Scout Mass
Hosts: Pat Penrose*, Robert Harre Cups: Bev Ruzicka, Rich Busiek, Jerry & Phyllis Forchee, Steve & Gloria Derickson, Phyllis Morrison**

The Coming Week

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Pastoral Council Nominations at all Masses
8:00 a.m. - Ladies' Sodality Mass
9:00 a.m. - R.C.I.A. (S)
6:00 p.m. - Lenten Evening Prayer
MONDAY, MARCH 9
11:00 a.m. - A.A. Open Information Meeting
6:00 p.m. - Lenten Evening Prayer
7:30 p.m. - Prayer Group (E)
TUESDAY, MARCH 10)
6:30 p.m. - Bingo (L)
7:00 p.m. - Lenten Home Masses
7:30 p.m. - Al-Anon Meeting (F)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
11:00 a.m. - A.A. Meeting (W)
12:30 p.m. - Wednesday Club (L)
2:15 p.m. - Stations of the Cross
7:00 p.m. - Baptismal Preparation (F)
7:00 p.m. - Liturgy Commission (F)
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
6:30 p.m. - School Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. - PARISH MISSION
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
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)
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
9am - 1pm - Festival of Joy (L)
5:30 p.m. - Soup 'n' Scripture
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
Coffee and Donuts after 10:30 a.m. Mass
9:00 a.m. - Mass at Chariton Apartments
9:00 a.m. - R.C.I.A. (S)
10:30 a.m. - Family Mass
6:00 p.m. - Lenten Evening Prayer

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St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin February 22, 1998