St. Ann Catholic Church | St. Louis, MO

Lent is late this year…

If you remember in 2008, the date for Easter Sunday was about as early as it could be.  Falling on April 24^th, this year’s celebration of Easter finds it about as late as it could be.  (Technically speaking, it actually could be one day later, mirroring the fact that in 2008 it could have been one day earlier.)  So we have a late Lent this year.  This is good news to our Fish Fryers, who will not have to brave the cold as much as in the past.  (Though with is as crazy as this winter has been, I am not counting on anything…)

It strikes me this late date also gives us an opportunity this Lent that we don’t often have – the chance to slow down our days by being OUTSIDE for a while.  Having just returned from a vacation in the warm Caribbean, I relished the opportunity to spend time under the stars at night time without freezing, and moments walking during the day soaking in the sun’s warmth.  In a society that gets so crazy busy, there is nothing like being outside to slow down the pace, and to allow time for centering oneself in God’s presence by a kind of walking prayer.

So, as you spend time choosing the disciplines that will mark the Season of Lent this year, take advantage of the warmth and do a little outside walking and praying and slowing down.  Not only will it do the spirit good, but the heart and body as well will enjoy the benefit.  And then, when you are signed by those ashes this Wednesday, commit to the journey we all pledge to walk – to connect more deeply by our prayer, fasting and almsgiving to our Savior, our Lord and brother.

Only 266 more days…

No, that is not the number of shopping days left before Christmas.  That is the number of days until the First Sunday of Advent, which will be the day we implement the new English translation of the new Latin translation of the Roman Missal.  From the responses we pray to the Mass parts we sing, a lot of the words will change.  This is a great opportunity to do a little study and reflection on the mass which we so often can take for granted.  I encourage you to join Phil Kril on Fridays after the Fish Fry, up in church, to begin your process of learning anew how to pray with the Church our great act of Thanksgiving.  There is the ‘early bird’ session – from 6:30 to 7:00.  And the later session: from 7:05 – 7:35, for three Fridays in a row, beginning March 18^th…

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Generosity…

You may know the Knights of Columbus for their tootsie roll drive for the mentally handicapped or their roses for life or the carnations they offer on Mothers Day. At St. Ann, you also know them as the folks who are selling the scrip coupons in the back of church, or ice cream at the parish picnic. What you do not see is their charitable nature. Quietly, behind the scenes, they do a lot to help this parish.

I want to thank them in your name for their recent generosity to the parish. They provided the stipend we gave to Mrs. Heather Vento who spoke to our parents as a part of our Family Life program. They helped defray the costs of a hymnal for the children – replacing the “Singing our Faith” with “Choose Christ”. They are helping to subsidize the upcoming Confirmation Retreat for our 7th and 8th grade students preparing for the sacrament. And like many of you, they are also a Sponsor to the St. Ann Dinner Dance. In your name, let me say a heartfelt THANK YOU from a grateful parish…

Bob Beckring and I attended an orientation meeting for the upcoming Annual Catholic Appeal on Tuesday night. Though it seems like we just finished last year’s appeal (that was in August) and recently completed the Visitation Drive, as well as the hugely successful Faith for the Future Campaign (thanks again for your amazing generosity), on a parish level, we begin planning for the appeal which begins in about a month. The success of the appeal is only brought about through prayer. This year’s theme is “Do this in memory of me.” In the video Archbishop Carlson said: If we pray about it, we are asking God: “What does God want to do in the world through me?” If we listen for the response, then how can the appeal not succeed – because we’re doing what God wants us to do.”

So I ask you to begin to pray about this year’s appeal. Here is the ‘official prayer’ of the ACA..

Lord God,

We thank you for the untold blessings You have bestowed upon us. We offer these blessings back to you.
We lay before You the labors and fruits of the Annual Catholic Appeal. We pray that our sole desire be to serve Your holy will.
United as Catholics, let us be reminded
of our baptismal call to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in His service to others.
We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen

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Of many things…

The painters are working in church even as I write this. Dave Marstall oversaw the caulking of some of the flashing where the water was seeping in on the east wing of the church, and that area has been dry for several months. The church roof has two small spots where we know water seeps in just a bit, one visible and the other not. Some well placed buckets easily contain those threats until we can add a little tar to the affected area above. The rest of the water spots in the main ceiling of the church came from tiny leaks in the horizontal drainage pipes that channel the water from the flat roof, out toward Natural Bridge and then down into the drainage pipes along side of church. Those are the spots that are being repainted today. Some well placed thick plastic sheeting should allow any further ‘drips’ to be contained until the water simply evaporates away. Thanks again to Dave Marstall for keeping up on the ongoing major maintenance areas in and around our parish plant.

I have seen George Schrader’s blue truck out in the cemetery already this season, a surer sign of spring than the return of the robins. George oversees a crew led by Bob Beckring, John Schulte, Pat Williams, David Ruth, Norm Jacobs and a few other volunteers who do a wonderful job keeping our cemetery in fabulous shape. Pat Williams was out the other day, top filling a plot as the earth ‘resettles’ from the grave opening. This group is always looking for additional help. Anyone who wishes to donate time and energy to cutting grass, trimming, picking up sticks, and general maintenance of the cemetery can contact Bob Beckring at their earliest convenience.

The Sponsor’s Dinner Dance committee is in full swing, soliciting Sponsors, lining up donations, sending out mailings and invitations, getting the raffle tickets out, etc. A huge thank you goes to Cheri Smith and Kay Dieckmann, the co-chairs for the event once again this year. And thanks to all the people who work closely with them on the various committees. We are gearing up for another wonderful and hopefully financially successful event on April 24th.

Finally, just a word of thanks to Sr. Celine who does such an amazing job keeping the church clean and the floors shining. Though she’ll say it is the wax she puts down that does the trick, I think it’s the praying she does while working that makes all the difference.

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