The Ambry….
Since I talked to you last week about the baptismal font, I would like to continue the discussion about things associated with baptism in our church. Today I want to mention The Ambry.....certainly not a household word and perhaps a word that many have never heard before.
The word ambry is derived from the Latin armarium (cupboard or chest or cabinet) and signifies the place where the vessels of oil used in celebrating the sacraments are kept. These oils are blessed by the Archbishop at the Mass of Chrism celebrated on Holy Thursday morning at the St. Louis Cathedral-Basilica. They are then brought to each parish church for the various rites of anointing throughout the liturgical year. The three oils signify the universal charisms of the Church for initiating (oil of catechumens), healing (oil of the sick), and consecrating (chrism).
As early as the sixth century, ambries were used to hold consecrated communion bread as well as the oils, and were often located in the base of the altar. By the thirteenth century, separate locked ambries were used for the Eucharist only. This was an accepted practice by the sixteenth century, when this separate container was called a tabernacle. In the meantime, smaller amounts of the oils were stored in the sacristy, or in a simple wall niche or recessed cupboard known as an ambry.
As with all other vessels used in the liturgy today, the vessels for the oils should be of a quality and design that speak of the importance of the ritual actions. The vessels should hold an ample supply of the oils, thus symbolizing the generosity of God’s gift. The gestures of anointing can then be performed with similar generosity of touch. The display of beautiful vessels reminds the community of the reverence it gives to its members as they are welcomed in baptism, confirmed in the Spirit, and anointed in their illness. To be anointed is to participate in an ancient biblical and ecclesial rite of blessing, and to enter into the mission of Jesus Christ, the anointed one of God.
The ambry at St. Peter Church is located on the west wall of our church in the rear of the church near the baptismal font and under the wall statue of our patron, Saint Peter. It was installed at that location after the 2003 re-modeling of our church. It is a beautiful wood cabinet with leaded windows displaying the three holy oils. The cruets containing the oils have initials etched on them identifying each one. The top oil is always Sacred Chrism and is initialed with the Latin abbreviation “SC” or Sacra Chrisma; the middle shelf contains the Oil of Catechumens and is initialed with the Latin abbreviation “OC” or Oleum Catechumenorum; the lower shelf holds the Oil of the Sick and is initialed with the Latin abbreviation “OI” or Oleum Infirmorum.
Before the remodeling of our church, the oils were kept in a niche in the brick wall near the sanctuary and altar. It was hidden from view of the assembly and had a brass door with “Olea Sacra” inscribed in Latin on the front. For centuries the Holy Oils were hidden from view and not part of the church environment in all Catholic Churches. It is good now, since Vatican Council II, the Holy Oils are in full view for our devotion and prayer and an obvious reminder of the sacramental life of the Church.
The next time you are in church and you have some time, check out the ambry and the holy oils contained inside it. Let them remind you of your baptism and your confirmation and the time you needed the healing sacrament of the sick.
Oil…
“Your engine’s frozen up,” the guy in the overalls said.
“What do you mean ‘frozen’?” the kid exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and sarcasm. “It’s 95 degrees outside!”
The older guy answered patiently, “You’ve got a bad oil leak. There’s nothing left to lubricate the engine. Without the oil, the moving parts got too hot and they expanded. They couldn’t move anymore. Your engine is all locked up, jammed up, frozen up. This car isn’t going anywhere.”
When we are baptized and confirmed, we are anointed on our heads with chrism, a fragrant oil. Monarchs and priests are also anointed, as our altars and churches when they are consecrated for their sacred purposes. In every case, the meaning is the same: We call upon the Holy Spirit to be present and active in this person’s life, through this person’s ministry, in this sacred place. Oil is used because it is an ancient custom, a sacramental sign that has many symbolic meanings. But perhaps for us, the clearest meaning is this: Without the Holy Spirit, we are locked up, jammed up, frozen up.
One translation of the Pentecost sequence puts it this way: “Light most blessed, shine on the hearts of your faithful – even in their darkest corners, for without your aid we can do nothing good and everything is sinful.”
Hope all of you are well and staying healthy. So far so good at our school, where 500 young people gather every day during the week. Pray for them and our amazing staff who teach them and care for them and keep them safe.
Please join me in prayer for Kevin Stillman, our business manager, and his family at the passing of his father, Ron Stillman.
Let us also pray for any of our parishioners presently unemployed or underemployed because of Covid-19 as well as those suffering from the virus at this time. Take care everyone and I’ll see you in church….or on livestream!
Monsignor Jack
0822
This Week's Bulletin
This week's bulletin is attached below. Hard copies of this weekend’s bulletin are available on the shelf in the vestibule of the rectory office.
Please join us for the Blessing of the Pets
Feast of St. Francis will be on Sunday, October 4, 2020, 6:30 pm, on the Plaza in front of church. Masks/Social Distancing Required. Weather permitting.
Feast of St. Francis will be on Sunday, October 4, 2020, 6:30 pm, on the Plaza in front of church. Masks/Social Distancing Required. Weather permitting.
How can I continue to support St. Peter Parish?
ACA Campaign Ending Soon...Donate Now
Knights of Columbus BBQ
Knights of Columbus BBQ to Benefit Sts. Teresa and Bridget's Food Pantry
Pre-order deadline is fast approaching for Kirkwood Knights of Columbus Council 2117 BBQ to benefit Sts. Teresa and Bridget’s Food Pantry. Get your order in now! A small number of meals may be available the day of the BBQ.
Join us for Sunday Mass - In Person or Livestream!
44th Annual Respect Life Convention
Archdiocese of St. Louis
44th Annual Respect Life Convention:
Live from the Ritz Carlton!
Beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, join the Respect Life Apostolate (RLA) virtually for an inspirational and educational day of prayer, dynamic speakers on the Gospel of Life, awards and Walking with Moms ministry partners –all live from the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Watch the Convention live-stream with your family, parish, school, youth group or pro-life organization!
During the 44th Annual Respect Life Convention: Walking with Moms, learn the latest from local, state and national prolife and Catholic leaders. Prayers and presentations include:
Most Rev. Mark S. Rivituso (Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis)
David Bereit (Founder, 40 Days for Life)
Elizabeth Westhoff (Press Secretary, Raymond Cardinal Burke)
Dr. James Sherley (Charlotte Lozier Institute & Asymmetrex LLC)
Dr. Patrick Yeung (St. Louis University & Catholic Medical Association)
Cynthia Haehnel JD (Respect Life Director, Archdiocese of St. Louis)
Sr. Sue Ann Hall & Sr. Delores Vogt (Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Convent)
The Convention also includes a special Teen Track Pre-Release which will be recorded and made available to archdiocesan parish youth groups and schools in early October with presentations by Jacinta Florence (Regional Coordinator, Students for Life of America) and Brian Westbrook (Executive Director, Coalition for Life St. Louis).
Sign-up online today now through October 8! Registration, pricing, sponsorship opportunities, limited live-seating options, video challenge contest, and other details available at: https://prolifestl.regfox.com/2020-respect-lifeconvention
For questions or online registration help, please contact the RLA at prolife@archstl.org or 314-792-7555.
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation begins during the Fall of 2020 for Confirmation reception on Wednesday, May 6, 2021. If you are a St. Peter Parish 8th grader attending a private Catholic school, please contact Susan Lueker at slueker@stpeterkirkwood.org. You will be added to the list of Confirmation candidates.
Students attending St. Peter School and PSR will receive information through their programs.
Prevent and Protect STL
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has developed a new system for safe environment compliance called Prevent and Protect STL. Everyone (clergy, employees and volunteers) ministering to minors and vulnerable adults in the Archdiocese are required to register in the new system before December 31, 2020. This includes those new to service as well as those who are currently compliant and in service. For those who have already attended a Protecting God's Children workshop, your previous training date will transfer to this new system. In addition to attending a live Protecting God's Children workshop, all clergy, volunteers and employees will register for an updated background screening, view two new on-line training modules on abuse reporting and the Code of Ethical Conduct, and agree to the updated Code of Ethical Conduct.
Please go to www.preventandprotectstl.org: select the ‘register’ link and enter ‘stlprotect’ for the passcode. Then create your username and password for this new system. Contact Mary Doyle, the parish Child Safety Coordinator, at (314)966-8600 or mdoyle@stpeterkirkwood.org with any questions or for assistance.
Thank you for your continued support.
We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the witness of thine Apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of thy Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.
Amen.
