“Love God, serve God, everything is in that”

165 E . SP R INGF I E LD R OAD ● S T. C LA I R , MO 63077 636-629-0315 † Fax: 636-629-2327 † www.stclarecatholic.org † Parish358@archstl.org

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Saint Clare

WELCOME

A warm welcome to all who have come to worship with us. If you are visiting, we are honored by your presence.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please call the rectory. Our Parish serves the needs of this

community in many ways. We offer preparation for Sacraments, education for children and adults, social activities,

assistance to those in difficulty, comfort to the sick and those who mourn a loss.

If we can be of service, please let us know.

For your convenience, we have blue “Let Us Know” Cards in back of church.

PARISH INFORMATION

Fr. Eric Kunz, Pastor

Deacon Harvey Dubbs

Deacon TJ Wild

Mass Times Saturday 4:30 PM

Sunday 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Monday — Friday 8:00 AM

LATIN MASS

First Saturday of each month

8:00 AM

Confessions Saturday 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Eucharistic Exposition Thursday 8:30 AM - 2:40 PM

Benediction Thursday 2:40 PM

Prayer Chain Contacts Joyce Willis 629-2573 or

Sherry Reed 629-7535

July 8, 2018 - 14th Sunday In Ordinary Time

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

2 Welcome to St. Clare Catholic Church

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood

of Jesus. The Most Precious Blood was the cost of

our salvation, the price paid by Christ for our souls.

Without the shedding of His Blood, the gates of

heaven would be closed to us and we would be

forever enslaved to the devil. We ought to look

at the chalice at the consecration at Mass and

pray in our hearts, “My Jesus mercy, for by Thy

Precious Blood Thou hast redeemed the world.”

Here is an except from Fr. John Hardon on

devotion to the Precious Blood…

I found this passage in the oldest document,

outside of sacred scripture, from the first

century of the Christian era – to be exact,

from Pope St. Clement I, dated about 96

A.D. Says Pope Clement: "Let us fix our gaze

on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly

precious It is, seeing that it was poured out

for our salvation and brought the grace of

conversion to the whole world."

To understand the meaning of the Precious

Blood we must get some comprehension of

the gravity of sin, of the awfulness of

offending God, because it required the

Blood of the Son of God to forgive that sin.

We are living in an age in which to sin has

become fashionable.

This veneration of the Precious Blood, which

is the first element in our devotion to the

Precious Blood means that we have a deep

sensitivity to the awfulness of sin. Sin must be

terrible. It must be awful. It must be the most

dreadful thing in the universe. Why?

Because it cost the living God in human form

the shedding of His Blood.

Lord Jesus, You became Man in order by your

Passion and Death and the draining of your

Blood on the Cross, might prove to us how

much You, our God, love us. Protect us, dear

Jesus, from ever running away from the sight

of blood. Strengthen our weak human wills so

that we will not only not run away from the

cross, but welcome every opportunity to shed

our blood in spirit in union with your Precious

Blood, so that, dying to ourselves in time we

might live with You in Eternity. Amen

Excerpted from The Precious Blood of Christ,

Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

To Begin Prayer

“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood

of Jesus before my lips before I pray,

that my prayers may be purified before

they ascend to Your divine altar.”

– St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

N.B. Two gentle reminders…

1. Yes it is July and it is hot…however…Church is

the dwelling of Jesus Christ in Blessed Sacra-

ment, kindly remember to dress modestly for

Church. No one is asking for tuxedos and

gowns but modesty is a must out of respect for

Our Lord and our neighbor. When in doubt,

err on the side of caution.

2. Please wait until after the final blessing to leave

Church. Occasionally there may be an

emergency where someone has to leave, i.e.,

someone is bleeding, bones are poking through

flesh, or the bat light is on and it’s your week to

respond, but normally we can all wait until the

final blessing is given. Christ hung on the cross

for us for three hours, we can give Him at least

one a week.

God is so good to us, have a blessed week,

Fr. Kunz

LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK

It seems that Jesus is always facing some kind of opposition. Today, those from his native place amaze him

because of their lack of faith. We oppose Jesus as well. It is not easy to be challenged and realize our great

need to change. We grow comfortable with ourselves and our surroundings and resist change. We become

defensive when the wisdom Jesus utters asks us to leave ourselves and our concerns and think more about

others. We lack faith in God, faith in ourselves, and faith in one another. We are asked to keep our eyes fixed

on the Lord and allow ourselves to be stretched. Jesus knows what he is talking about.

Do we really believe this?

St. Clair, MO 3

PARISH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BINGO NIGHT

TUESDAY, JULY 10th

Doors open at 5:00 pm

Bingo starts 7:00 pm (KC Hall)

We have special pricing!

The Bingo Buy-In is a 9-On for $15.00

Additional 9-On’s are $10.00 each

Additional 6-On’s are $5.00 each

(must purchase one 9-On first)

The Cover-All 50/50 Sheet is $2.00 each

See You There …. A great night of fun!

Our annual picnic is scheduled for Saturday,

August 18th. Our next meeting is July 11th at

6:30 pm in the school cafeteria.

Volunteers are needed for chairpersons and

workers, especially in the kitchen and dining

area. If you can volunteer, please call the

parish office at 629-0315.

Picnic Volunteers

Needed

Dear Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion,

Thank you so much for the service you offer to the Sacred Liturgy! I would like to commend

everyone for the attentive and reverent way you carry out your service to our parish. Recently there

has been some interest in new people becoming readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy

Communion so I thought it would be a good time to highlight some fine points so that everyone is

on the same page.

For readers, please feel free to take home a Pew Missal, so that you are able to look over and

practice the readings before Mass, there are extra in the choir loft we can bring down if someone

needs one.

For Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, typically you will be distributing the Precious Blood

from the chalice. Please come forward as soon as the priest consumes the Precious Blood from the

chalice and the bell rings. Please remember to “wipe and turn” the chalice after each

communicant. After communion is over, please bring your chalice to the credence (side) table

and consume what remains. If you cannot consume it give it to the deacon to consume or if there

is no deacon bring it to the altar and the priest will consume it. Set your chalice on the table and

return to your pew. There is no need to wait to move as a couple, just return to your place when

you are finished.

For everyone at the altar, please remember we are so privileged to be so close to Christ in the

Blessed Sacrament and to be serving our fellow parishioners in this way, modesty is a must. Everyone

performing a service at the altar must be dressed so that shoulders and knees are covered (and

everything in between of course!).

*Men: Please wear long pants and a shirt with a collar.

*Ladies: Please observe no off-the-shoulder tops and shorts or skirts that cover the knees.

*Shoes: Sandals are fine but please, no flip-flops.

Remember, angels tremble to behold what we dare to touch…

Thank you all for serving Our Lord and our parish, God’s blessings to you!

Fr. Kunz

4 Welcome to St. Clare Catholic Church

BASKET ITEMS NEEDED!

One of the favorite booths at

the Picnic is the Basket Booth.

Here, you have the chance to

win a basket full of “goodies”.

We are asking for donations to put these

“themed” baskets together. Items can include:

sporting goods, baking items, pet items, bed/bath

items, kitchen goods, wine and glasses, fun swim

items, fragrances, car items, toys (both girls and

boys), baby items, tools (men love them!),

restaurant certificates/cards, stationary items,

school goods, etc.

Donations can be dropped off in back of church

with a label identifying them as a “basket item”.

Other Area Events . . . . .

Picnic — Sunday, July 15th, St. Theodore Catholic

Church (3 miles north of Wentzville, Hwy 61 to

Grothe Rd) Fried Chicken and Kettle Beef dinners

served from 11:30 am - 7:00 pm. Adults $12,

Children ages 5-12 $6, under 5 years free.

Annual Rummage Sale — Thursday, July 19th thru

Saturday, July 21st, St. Francis Borgia Parish,

Washington, MO. Thursday open from 3:00 pm —

7:00 pm, Friday, 8:00 am — 5:00 pm, Saturday,

8:00 am — 11:00 am. Saturday Morning Special is

Brown Bag $2 (wearables) and 1/2 price White

Elephant items. Drop off times are Monday—

Wednesday prior to event from 8:00 am until

6:00 pm. No encyclopedias, tv’s or computers

please.

Project Rachel Weekend — Save The Date

August 17th—19th

This annual time of healing and hope is truly life-giving to each woman suffering from an abortion

experience. For more information, contact Respect Life Apostolate, 314-792-7555.

St. Francis of Assisi Church Picnic

Sunday, July 22nd

11:00 am until 7:00 pm

Chicken Dinner served from noon until 5:00 pm.

Adults $10, Child (6-11) $5 and under 5 free.

Activities include indoor Bingo, Civil War

Extravaganza, Chuck-O-Luck, Flea Market,

Raffles, Games for Kids and Quilt Raffle.

Sunday Mass will be at 7:30 pm.

No coolers please.

Trivia Night — Jacob’s Journey

July 14th — Doors open at 6:00 pm

Immaculate Conception Parish Center

Exercise your brain and compete with friends.

Bring your own beverages and snacks. Soda and

water will be available for a donation. Reserva-

tions can be sent to PO Box 111, Union, MO

63084. Please make checks payable to Jacob’s

Journey. For more information please call:

314-210-5808 or 636-221-5446.

Our Lady of Fatima Devotions

Monday, July 16th 7:00 PM

Our Lady of Lourdes Adoration Chapel

Come join them in praying to Mary for our

country, religious freedom, for persecuted

Christians throughout the world, for fallen away

Catholics to return to the faith, and

your own special intentions.

MORE INFORMATION . . . .

LOVE & LIFE: FAMILY MASS AND DINNER

Celebrating God’s Loving Design for

Marriage, Families and Life

You & your family are invited to enjoy an evening of

faith, fellowship and fun on Saturday, July 21, in

celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of

Humanae Vitae (July 25, 1968), a foundation

encyclical on family love & the sanctity of life. Join

friends from around the St. Louis area for this

anticipated annual event sponsored by the Office

of Natural Family Planning. Mass will be celebrated

at 5:00 pm at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis by

Archbishop Robert J Carlson, followed by a din-

ner catered by Pasta House and family enter-

tainment in Boland Hall. Adult $12; Children (Ages 3-

11) $6 {or a maximum of $60 per household}.

RSVP by July 15: 314-997-7576 or

bit.ly/HVDinner2018.

St. Clair, MO 5

THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH

DATE EVENT TIME

Mon 07/09 Mass 8:00 am

Tues 07/10 Mass Bingo (KC Hall) Doors Open

8:00 am 5:00 pm

Wed 07/11 Mass Picnic Meeting (School Cafeteria)

8:00 am 6:30 pm

Thurs 07/12 Mass 8:00 am

Fri 07/13 Mass 8:00 am

Sat 07/14 Confessions Mass

3:30 pm 4:30 pm

Sun

07/15 Mass Mass

8:00 am 10:30 am

LITURGICAL MINISTERS - JULY 14TH & JULY15TH

DATE SERVERS LECTORS EUCHARISTIC GIFT BEARERS

07/14

4:30 pm Gary Papin

CeCe DeMaris Joyce Willis

Jerry & Mary Jane

Miller Volunteers

07/15

8:00 am

Bro. Michael

Keegan Horst

Wyatt & Cole Horton Tammy Alsop

Celeste Bruns

Tammy Alsop

TJ Wild

Family

07/15

10:30 am

Aiden Buckthorpe

Cordelia Schreck

Volunteer

Keegan

Buckthorpe

Joyce Willis

Kay Blanke

David Schreck

Family

07/15 Collection Counters: Jenny Via, Kay Blanke, Tammy Alsop

Readings For The Week

Monday: Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22/Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7,

8-9 [8a]/Mt 9:18-26

Tuesday: Hos 8:4-7, 11-13/Ps 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10

[9a]/Mt 9:32-38

Wednesday: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12/Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

[4b]/Mt 10:1-7

Thursday: Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16

[4b]/Mt 10:7-15

Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14 and 17

[17b]/Mt 10:16-23

Saturday: Is 6:1-8/Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 [1a]/Mt 10:24-33

July 7th — July 15th

WEEKEND, JUNE 7TH & JULY 8TH

SAT. 8:00 AM † IVAN BRUNS

4:30 PM † KENNY HOFFMEISTER

SUN. 8:00 AM † ADOLF BRUEGGEMANN

10:30 AM † PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

MONDAY, JULY 9TH

8:00 AM † MSGR. DANIEL HOGAN

TUESDAY, JULY 10TH

8:00 AM † RICHARD SWANE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11TH

8:00 AM † MARJORIE ‘ANNE’ MELTION

THURSDAY, JULY 12TH

8:00 AM † VIRGIL HAGEDORN

FRIDAY, JULY 13TH

8:00 AM † EDWARD VEASMAN

WEEKEND, JULY 14TH & JULY 15TH

SAT. 4:30 PM † PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUN. 8:00 AM † D OF I — LIVING MEMBERS

10:30 AM † JANICE GREEN

PLEASE PRAY FOR

OUR MILITARY MEMBERS Please remember in your prayers

the following military personnel:

SGT Drew Alsop — US Army, Erin Arent — US Navy, Jeff Arent — U.S. Marines, Jason Burton — US Navy,

PFC Timothy Colton—US Army Scott Daugherty, Coty DeClue — USAF,

SGT Cameron Earley — US Army, SGT Tyler Earley — US Army,

PFC Cory Matthew Ershen — US Army, Clay Fisher — US Marines, Cory Gargus — US Marines,

SPC Tyler Grogan — US Army, Matthew Martin — US Navy, Logan Moore — USAF, Monty Perkins, And Andrew Snodgrass — US Navy.

WE PRAY FOR OUR LOVED ONES May God Provide Health and

Comfort to:

6 Welcome to St. Clare Catholic Church

May Alberta Kindel, Gordon Monk,

Claude Friend, Gordon Friend, Sharon Havin,

and Carolyn Williams.

June Marina Arizbe-Jones, Janet Myers, Josh Garrett,

Joann Haynes, and John Evans.

July

Elena Vance, Wendy Peters, John Vogelgesang,

Lori Mayer and Sandy Stecher.

Week of July 1st

Offertory Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,182.00 Loose Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280.00 Total Money For Operating Capital $ 3,462.00

Restricted Funds

Tororo Archdiocese Appeal . . . . . . . . . 645.00 Holy Father/Peter Pence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401.00 Good Samaritan Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00 St. Clare Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261.00 Total $ 1,332.00

Monthly Offertory Total To Date: $ 3,462.00

July Collection Goal: $ 17,500.00

Thanks be to God for the generosity of our Parishioners!

“As the Lord spoke to me, the spirit

entered me and set me on my feet,

and I heard the one who was speaking

say to me, ’Son of man, I am

sending you . . . “ - EZEKIEL 2:2-3

God asks each of us to do some special

work for Him. He gives us the resources we

need to do His work. However, do we listen

to God when He calls? Do we get up on our

feet and use our talent to do the work He

asks of us? Remember, God doesn’t call the

equipped, he equips the called.

What is Lectio Divina, and how

is it associated with the

Benedictine Monastic tradition,

whose founder, St. Benedict, we

honor on July 11?

Benedict desired his monks to live in community,

praying the Liturgy of the Hours together, contemplat-

ing sacred texts, and doing manual labor.

The monks developed a technique to facilitate a

spiritual and devotional reading of the Bible known as

Lectio Divina, the holy reading of a text. This method

encourages the reader to hear the biblical text with

an open heart and focus on whatever God wants to

highlight and then apply it to daily life.

There are variations on Lectio Divina, but essentially

the technique consists of a three-step process of

reflection. When the reflection is

done with a group, the

responses are shared by all the

participants.

Once the text is selected, it is

read meditatively, and the

following are then explored:

A word or phrase that attracts you; how and where

the content of this reading touches your life today;

and what you believe that God wants you to do

during this coming week (month, year, lifetime).

Thanks to Benedict, the Christian community has been

gifted with this special way of entering into the biblical

text.

This week, use the Lectio Divina process on one of the

readings for the coming Sunday and make a note of

the life connections you are making. How is this

reflection on the biblical text drawing you closer to

God and others?

©2008 Liturgical Publications Inc, New Berlin, WI 53151

St. Clair, MO 7

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