St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin
November 16, 1997

Pastor's Thoughts

Today's Gospel makes mention of "trials of every sort" which God's people endure as they await the Lord Jesus.

One of the greatest trials on the face of this earth is one that gets scant attention and few headlines: the lack of freedom of religion and the existence of religious persecution.

Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Torture, enslavement, and murder are among the atrocities perpetuated upon believers around the world.

To draw attention to this reality, this weekend, November 15-16, has been designated the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Churches". Here are some facts:

In China Christians are required to worship in atheistic government-controlled churches; refusal to do so brings on fierce persecution.

In the Sudan a holy war is being waged against the non-Muslim population; Christians are even sold into slavery for as little as $15 a person.

In Saudi Arabia Christianity is completely banned; Christian symbols and writings are forbidden.

In Bangladesh Christians are tortured for not celebrating Muslim holidays.

These are only a very few examples, but they are the reality! Do you think you -- a South St. Louis St. Anthony of Padua parishioner -- can do anything to improve this situation? YES!

You can pray every day for these persecuted believers; pray for their safety and protection, their strength and perseverance, their care and their concern for their families.

You can write President Clinton and voice your concern and your outrage.

You can contact the U.S. State Department and ask them to act aggressively on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world.

You can get in touch with your local U.S. Congressman and Senators and make them aware of the problem.

You can increase your own knowledge of the situation by contacting "Christian Solidarity International" at 1-800-323-2273 or Catholic Charities Refugee Services here in St. Louis at 771-2570.

Yes, you can alleviate the trials of your suffering brothers and sisters, fellow members of the Body of Christ.

--Father Benet OFM

(Brother Loyola will be away November 16-19.)

Offering

Envelopes $3,667.00
Loose Collection 409.94
Children's Envelopes 10.19
TOTAL: $4087.13
COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET:

This Week Cumulative
(11/09/97): (Week #19):
$5,453.06 $103,617.14
4,087.13 87,379.26
-1,365.93 -16,237.88

"Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and took his seat forever at the right hand of God" (Heb 10:12). As a result of God's generosity and love for us, He sent his only Son to win us life through his passion and death. Our stewardship should mirror God's generosity.

DID YOU KNOW???

A Brief Look at the History of Advent (Part 2)
Once Christmas had become a popular feast throughout the Church after the 4th century, it did not take long for Advent to evolve as a distinct liturgical season. ...
By the mid-6th century, the church in Rome had begun to focus on the December Ember Days [days of prayer and fasting] that occurred on the Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday after the feast of St. Lucy (December 13).
These days, a week before the Nativity on December 25, had a distinct penitential theme. The reason lay in a five-day pagan harvest festival of Saturnalia, from December 17 to 23. On December 17 sacrifice was offered to Saturn, god of agriculture. The days that followed were filled with gift exchanges, feastings, and excesses.
It seemed that the Church tried to offset the influence of this popular pagan festival with days of fasting, prayer, and penance as it looked ahead to the feast of the Nativity on December 25.
...By the end of the 6th century, during the reign of Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604), a short preparation season of four weeks had evolved in the Roman church. Sunday themes looked ahead to the joyful remembering of Jesus' birth on December 25. The penitential theme, popular generations before, faded. More next week.
Greg Dues. Catholic Customs and Traditions.
--compiled by Brother Richard OFM

Parish News

CALENDAR MEETING to update the 1998

events and to plan for the 1999 happenings will take place on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00pm, in the West Meeting Room. All organizations must be represented to receive a calendar for '99. (N.B. from Fr. Benet: In the past this meeting has been poorly attended and hence has caused problems for keeping the calendar correct and has generated bad feelings among parishioners. For the sake of harmony and collaboration please come or send a representative!)
NITE AT THE RACES, sponsored by the Men's Club, will be held on Saturday, November 22, at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30) in St. Anthony Hall; call 351-6618 for information and reservations. Come have a good night of fun and togetherness.
THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, has many important events for our parish. Please be alert to them and participate in them:
1. Introduction of RCIA Candidates will take place at the 8:00am Mass.
2. Important All-Parish Meeting on Parish and Neighborhood Concerns will be held at 9:00am in St. Anthony Hall. The results of the interviews will be discussed, and plans for the future will be proposed.
3 Introduction to the Parish of those to be Confirmed will happen at the 10:30 Mass.

CHANGES IN OUR WORSHIP AID

Last week I told you how the new subscription for our worship aid, Breaking Bread for 1998, would be different from the old one. This week let me tell you what we will keep the same as before.

We will still have a few missalettes available for weekday Masses and for those who are hard of hearing (but you specifically have to ask for one). They will not be in the pews, and you will have to return them after each Mass.

We ordered the large print edition, which is easier to read for many people.

Next week we will discuss the reasons why we changed from the missalette and hymnal to the one annual volume called Breaking Bread for 1998.

--Doug Potts, music minister

CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Dear Parishioners of St. Anthony's:
We are a people of hope. Thanks to your hard work and enormous generosity, the Church's Campaign for Human Development (CHD) has distributed more than $200 million to sow the seeds of hope among one in ten Americans and nearly half the poor people in the United States.

The Campaign for Human Development was established in 1970 by the nation's bishops to give life to the principles of justice and human dignity that are the core of Catholic social teaching.

This year the CHD's Collection Sunday is November 23.

On the eve of the new millennium, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, asks:

"If we recall that Jesus came to preach the good news to the poor, how can we fail to lay greater emphasis on the Church's preferential option for the poor and the outcast?"

The Campaign for Human Development is the embodiment of the Church's preferential option for the poor and outcast. As the millennium approaches, we must reaffirm our commitment to empower those in need and build strong communities where hope can flourish.

HOPE ... It's yours to give. Thank you for all that you do. Remember, your donation fills another real person with hope. Please be generous next weekend.

Sincerely in Our Lord,
Rev. Robert J. Vitillo
CHD Executive Director

REGULAR RIDE NEEDED

A ride is needed Monday through Friday from Grand and Meramec to Lucas-&-Hunt and West Florissant. Hours of work are from 7:30am to 4:00pm. If you travel this route on a regular basis and are willing to help a fellow parishioner, call Tom at 352-9415 (home) or 595-8290 (work).

GOOD GRIEF!

There will be a Grief Informational Meeting on "How to Get Through the Holidays Without Our Loved Ones" scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, at 6:30pm in the friary and on Nov. 25, at 10:30am in the West Mtg Rm. Plesse call Kate Tansey or Barb Salmo at 353-7470 if you are interested.

QUILT WINNER: Lisa Kamper - 6324 Bradley

PUT SOME ZIP IN YOUR LIFE!

Television sportscaster Zip Rzeppa will present a talk on the "Spiritual Journey" on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00om at the Radisson Hotel, 7750 Carondelet in Clayton. Admission is free and is being sponsored by the Vocation Office.

CHOIR BENEFITS FOOD PANTRY

On Saturday, November 22, at 7:30pm the BJC Health System Diversity Choir will present its second annual Holiday Giving Concert. In support of Operation Food Search attendees are asked to contribute non-perishable food items as admission to the concert. Call 362-0756 for information.

CHRISTMAS CARDS:

Call Betty Harre at 352-4582 for Christmas cards of St. Anthony's Christmas window; a limited supply is available.

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTERS

In our neighborhood are two very good senior citizen centers for you to visit:

1. Five Church Older Adults Center, 2901 Virginia at Pestalozzi, open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm, offering multiple programs and activities (644-1008).

2. Resurrection Senior Center, at 3901 Meramec, also with multiple activities and opportunities (773-2501).

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Family Resource Center, a private, non-profit child abuse/neglect prevention and treatment agency, is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) Family Support Worker to be based at Sigel Elementary Community Education Center and work with families within the zip codes 63104 and 63118. Send cover letter and resume to Executive Secretary, Family Resource Center, 3930 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis MO 63108.

Socials

1. ANNUAL HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Saturday, November 22, from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the parish center; BBQ dinner from 11:00am to 5:00pm; 481-8210.

2. AUCTION PARTY AND BUFFET of Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Parish at St. Wenceslaus Hall, Saturday, November 22, 6:00pm to 10:00pm; call 776-1333 for information.

3. ANNUAL PARISH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL sponsored by SS. Mary and Joseph Parish, Sunday, November 23, 8:00am to 1:00pm with breakfast served till noon.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday, November 17, ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, PATRONESS OF THE SFO
6:30 Helen & Herman Hartlieb
8:00 For Vocations
Tuesday, November 18, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
6:30 Joseph E. Lay & Family
8:00 Jack Mosier
Wednesday, November 19, St. Agnes of Assisi
(OSC)
6:30 Special Intentions
8:00 Dorothy Paulis
Thursday, November 20, Weekday
6:30 Special Intentions
8:00 William Behnen
Friday, November 21, Presentation of Virgin Mary
6:30 Henrietta & Louise Bauman & Family
8:00 Special Intentions
10:30 Catherine Jacko
Saturday, November 22, St. Cecilia
6:30 Edwin Horn
8:00 Anthony Eders
Sunday, November 23, CHRIST THE KING
4:30 (Saturday) All Souls Int. of J.E. Dawson
6:00 For the Parishioners
8:00 Henri Bouchard
10:30 Pauline McGee

Liturgical Assistants

Week of November 17-23

LECTORS:
6:30 Weekdays, Nov. 17-22: Georgia Berry
8:00 Weekdays, Nov. 17-22: Joe Sestric
Sunday, November 22-23
4:30 Robert Leicht, Cheryl Degenhart
6:00 Ken Dames
8:00 Bob and Karen Morgan
10:30 Family Mass
6:30 Weekdays, Nov. 24-29: Alberta Stackle
8:00 Weekdays, Nov. 24-29: Georgia Berry
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
4:30 Hosts: Janice Leicht, Martha Eggers
Cups: Ed & Wanda Meyer, Tony Minnick, Philipa Krueger
6:00 Jackie Kappler
8:00 Hosts: Gene Rombach, Valerie Geldmacher
Cups: Debbie Williams, Mike Mount, Linda Kohne, Betty Marton
10:30 Hosts: Anne Weiss SFO, Tom Moran
Cups: Betty Krull SFO, Phyllis Morrison (cand.), Ruth Brown, Jay Doolittle SFO, Marie Serafin SFO, Dorothy Schaefer

In Two Weeks

SUNDAY, NOV. 30, FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1
7:30 p.m. - Prayer Group (E)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
6:30 p.m. - Bingo (L)
7:30 p.m. - Al-Alon Meeting (F)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
11:00 p.m. - A.A. Meeting (W)
12:30 p.m. - Wednesday Club (L)
6:30 p.m. ____________________________________

ADVENT PARISH EVENING PRAYER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
9:00 a.m. - Exercise (L)
3:00 p.m. - Holy Hour (Ch)
5:30 p.m. - Ladies' Sodality Mass (Ch)
6:30 p.m. - Ladies' Sodality Party (L)
8:00 p.m. - AA Meeting (F)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
9:30 a.m. - First Confessions
10:30 a.m. - Family Mass
Reception after 10:30 Mass

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St. Anthony of Padua Bulletin November 16, 1997