Hello Friends!
A decision has been reached regarding the date for the lifting of the dispensation of the faithful to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski is lifting the dispensation as of July 1, 2021.This means that we are again under the normal obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days. While live-streaming Mass has been convenient this past year, it will no longer satisfy your Sunday obligation beginning July 1st.
We understand that these continue to be uncertain times for everyone, and we want all to feel safe returning to Mass. Please note that parishioners who are sick, homebound, immunocompromised and gravely concerned for their health retain the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, which has always been the case in normal times. These people are still excused from Mass obligation. Once the dispensation is lifted we will also discontinue the noon parking lot Mass. If you are still wanting to receive the Holy Eucharist and fall into one of the categories above, please contact the parish office and we will add you to the list for communion to the homebound.
As a reminder, the archdiocese directs that individuals who are not fully vaccinated should follow CDC guidelines and wear a mask throughout Mass except for Communion. Masks remain optional for those who are fully vaccinated. The distribution of the Chalice of the Precious Blood during Holy Communion remains prohibited until further notice from the US Catholic Bishops.
SCA Social Justice Tidbit | What is the significance of Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (June 19th) is the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American Holiday.
The slaves were freed when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and declared all enslaved people were free. Although Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered two months earlier in Virginia, slavery remained relatively unaffected in Texas. The people were free, but had no idea until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and declared all slaves are free.
REMEMBER: Every summer as the month of June approaches, circle June 19th and celebrate the day that African Americans were declared free people. Approximately 250,000 thousand people were freed over time as some enslavers withheld the information until harvest season was complete. Slavery in America was formally abolished with passage of the 13th amendment in December, 1865. Each year going forward, celebrate and remember Juneteenth as a day of freedom and a call to stand in solidarity as one human family.
The Peter’s Pence Collection occurs yearly on the Sunday closest to June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, as a sign that Catholics around the world are joined together in support of the Holy Father.
Peter Pence Collection
There has been some concern over the past few years about what the Peter's Pence collection is and how the funds are used by the Vatican. The Vatican states that “The faithful’s offerings to the Holy Father through the Peter’s Pence Collection are destined to Church needs, to humanitarian initiatives and social promotion projects, as well as to the support of the Holy See.” There has been some controversy over some of the funds being used to balance the Vatican's budget instead of the money going to the poor. A good article to review before making a decision on how/whether to donate this year can be found here: https://www.americamagazine.org/ faith/2019/12/12/vatican-misleading-donors-peterspence-explained
FULL-TIME ACCOUNTING OPPORTUNITIES – SHARED ACCOUNTING AND PARISH SUPPORT
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has multiple, full-time opportunities in the Shared Accounting Services and Parish Support Services area. These roles work directly with the parishes of the Archdiocese and collaborate with a team of accounting professionals. Our openings are:
1. Accountant serves the parishes and schools and is responsible for timely, accurate, and complete recording and reporting of financial data of all assigned parishes. This role is a great opportunity for the financial professional who enjoys the Accounting function while building relationships with their contacts.
2. Accounting Assistant works within the Shared Accounting Services team and interfaces directly with the parishes of the diocese. The Accounting Assistant will be responsible for processing accounts payable, cash receipts and other data entry projects as well as sorting incoming work and gathering completed work for courier delivery. In addition to these tasks, this individual will perform certain tasks in Excel, Word and QuickBooks as directed by the Accounting Manager.
3. Parish Support Representative is a role that assists pastors, principals, bookkeepers, secretaries, business managers, and Curia departments with administrative, procedural, and accounting duties.
For further information and full job description, please go to https://www.archstl.org/job-opportunities. Qualified candidates must be supportive of the Church and it’s teachings. For immediate consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter including salary requirements to: humanresources@archstl.org.
Fathers in Our Lives
We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives.
Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.
We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.
This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways--both big and small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
In Your Holy name, O God, we pray.
Amen.
Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.
We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.
This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways--both big and small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
In Your Holy name, O God, we pray.
Amen.