"Every act of giving is a reward unto itself. Each time we share our gifts with others, we are glorifying God and are working for the salvation of the world. This simple belief is at the center of our faith. As Catholics, we understand that serving others is our way of constantly placing God first in our lives. As we go in peace throughout our daily lives, we must seek ways in which we can return to God what He has given to us."
—Most Rev. Robert J. Hermann, Administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
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JUNE 28, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
This past week, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of the Priest in an effort to encourage "spiritual perfection" in priests.
The Pope opened the special year with a vespers service at the Vatican June 19 -- the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. He will close the celebrations during a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square June 19, 2010.
During this jubilee year, the Pope also proclaimed St. John Vianney to be patron saint of all the world's priests. At present he is considered the patron saint of parish priests.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of this 19th-century saint who represents a "true example of a priest at the service of the flock of Christ," the Pope said.
St. John Vianney is widely known to Catholics as the Cure (parish priest) of Ars who won over the hearts of his villagers in France by visiting with them, teaching them about God and reconciling people to the Lord in the confessional.
In his address, Pope Benedict said the priestly ministry consists of total adherence to the ecclesial tradition of participating "in a spiritually intense new life and a new lifestyle which was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus and which the apostles made their own."
Priestly ordination creates new men who are bestowed with the gift and office of sanctifying, teaching and governing, he said.
The Pope underlined the necessary and "indispensable struggle for moral perfection which must dwell in every authentically priestly heart."
The Pope said he was calling for the special year for priests in an effort to foster the priest's yearning "for spiritual perfection, upon which the effectiveness of their ministry principally depends."
Priests must also be "present, identifiable and recognizable -- for their judgment of faith, their personal virtues and their attire -- in the fields of culture and charity which have always been at the heart of the church's mission," he said.
"The centrality of Christ leads to a correct valuation of ordained ministry," he said, adding that, without priestly ministry, there would be no Eucharist, no mission and even no church.
I would like to thank Fr. Tom Schaab, for his 35 years of priestly service, and Fr. Frank Bussmann, our former parishioner, who now serves the Diocese of Jefferson City, as a priest. I ask your prayers for all of us, for all who answer the call to priesthood and for all those who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I know for myself that I love being a priest more and more dearly as I grow in love for my God and His people. Please pray for priest this coming year that we might all better love and serve the Lord and His people.
Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
JUNE 21, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
A Blessed Father’s Day to all of our fathers, those living and those who have gone before us in faith. Celebrating Father’s day and Mother’s Day gives all of us an opportunity to give thanks for all the support and blessings our parents shared with us. Fathers and mothers have that wonderful opportunity to continue God’s greatest gift, the gift of life. It is a gift that God supports through his love, and the same gift of love that our parents shared with us. A simple recognition of thanks is the best gift we can give our parents, a heartfelt appreciation for all they do for us. In a special way this day and this Mass let us give thanks for the gift of our Fathers.
We are blessed here at St. Joseph to have as our patron. Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. Our beautiful stain-glass windows depict certain events in the life of St. Joseph. What I most enjoy about them is that they are reminders about family life and places where life and love are lived out. From the birth of Jesus to the death of Joseph the windows tell the story of a loving father and husband. Take some time to look at the windows. Review in the scriptures the stories told of loving fathers and let all of us give thanks for those faith-filled and loving fathers in our lives.
Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
JUNE 14, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
I, along with Fr. Schaab and our entire parish family, say welcome and Godspeed to our new Archbishop, Robert Carlson. As with any new beginning there is much excitement and anticipation. I pray that the Holy Spirit guide our Archbishop as he shepherds this local church. The Archbishop's motto is: “Ante Crucem Nihil Defensionis,” that is, Before the Cross There is No Defense. This motto reminds us that the great love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ is proclaimed loudly to all by His suffering and dying on the cross and that we as His followers are called to the same love and actions in our lives.
Bishop Carlson was born on June 30, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1979 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. On January 11, 1984 he was consecrated as an Auxiliary Bishop in his home archdiocese. He was appointed as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D. in January 1994 and later became Bishop. In 2004 he was named Bishop of the Saginaw Diocese and has lead that diocese until this week when he became the Ninth Archbishop of Saint Louis.
May we be blessed by his service here in Saint Louis and remember to keep him in our prayers as I know he will keep us in his prayers. s unique for some purpose. May the Holy Spirit empower each of us to wisely use our time, talent, and treasure as sons and daughters of the risen lord.
Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
JUNE 7, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
Last week we celebrated the birthday of our Church with the Feast of Pentecost. As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity this Sunday I would like to share with you what some young members of our community spoke about concerning our faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Do we see ourselves as real partners with the Holy Trinity? Do we believe that we can do just a little bit more to promote the Kingdom of God in our midst? The following was written by some young students and speaks to the previous two questions, which might help us as Christians to follow through on what God calls us to do:
I will do more than just belong – I will participate.
I will do more than just care – I will help.
I will do more than just believe – I will practice.
I will do more than just forgive – I will love.
I will do more than just teach – I will enrich.
I will do more than just live – I will grow.
I will do more than just be friendly – I will be a friend.
Lord, you have made each one of us unique for some purpose. May the Holy Spirit empower each of us to wisely use our time, talent, and treasure as sons and daughters of the risen lord.
Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
A Reminder that this Wednesday June 10 @ 2 PM at the Cathedral Basilica, Archbishop Robert Carlson will be installed as the Tenth Archbishop of St. Louis. All are invited to join in this Mass of Installation and welcome.
