SAINT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER-LITURGICAL YEAR 2009 (12:00AM)

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP

Saint Martin's feast day is celebrated on November 11.  He was born in what today is known as Hungary and developed a keen interest in Christianity while he served in the Imperial Army in the early days of the Roman Empire.  He was attracted to some of the attributes of the early Christians and practiced some of them, especially in giving to the poor, in being kind and in prayer.  It is said that one evening Martin, dressed in uniform, encountered a beggar who wa shivering from the cold.  Martin took off his cloak and cut it in two pieces, retaining one part for himself so that he would still be dressed in uniform.  That evening, the beggar appeared to Martin in a dream.  It was Christ and he still wore the half of cloak that Martin had given the beggar.  Martin was so moved by the experience that he was baptized, and following his tour of duty, became a priest.

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, PRAY FOR US!

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS-LITURGICAL YEAR 2009 (1:00AM)

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12a

"'Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.'" (Revelations 7)

Today we celebrate all of those who have gone before us in faith. The Saints are our ancestors; those who have given us a model and served as guides so that we, too, one day might join them in eternity. Let us pray today for the saints who have set an example for us and let us thank God for the gift of these people. Let's look deeper at our patron saint and attempt to model our life after him/ her.

High School Open House (12:00PM)
Open House today for Secondary Schools - High Schools are open for informational tours. Times vary throughout the day. See parish bulletins or archdiocesan website 'Open House Schedule'

Contact Info : Mrs. Carol Coughlin, Director of Secondary School Special Projects 314.792.7390 carolcoughlin@archstl.org

The Commerations Of All The Faithful Departed-Liturgical Year 2009 (1:00AM)

Wisdom 4:7-15
Psalm 25:6, 7b, 17-18, 20-21
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
(2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1)(2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10)
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a (Luke 24:13-16, 28-35)
(John 5:24-29) (John 6:37-40)

"'For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day.'" (John 6)

Our celebration continues today as we remember those who have died. It is not unlike the Feast of All Saints as this day includes the saints whom we have known personally: our parents, our children, our grandparents, friends and the countless others who have been a direct influence upon our lives. Let us thank God for the lives of those who have lived with us and for us and pray that we may live our lives with and for others.

New Elementary Principal Session (9:00AM)
New Elementary Principals - 2nd session of seminar

Location: Catholic Education Office

Contact Info : Lucia Signorelli 314-792-7335 Lsignorelli@archstl.org

Archdiocesan High School Administrators' Futures Retreat (8:00AM)
Reflectional/Planning Retreat for Archdiocesan high school administrators - Pere Marquette Center

Contact Info : Mrs. Carol Coughlin, Director of Secondary School Special Projects 314.792.7390 carolcoughlin@archstl.org

CRE / DRE Professional Day (8:30AM)
Kate Ristow, National Catechetical Consultant for RCL Benziger, will provide reflection on the topic: “Yours, Mine, and Ours: Helping Parents Get Excited about Passing on Their Faith to Their Children.”

Cardinal Rigali Center - Sr. Antona Ebo Room - 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Contact Info : To register or for more information: Dr. Barbara Blackburn 314.792.7373 BBlackburn@archstl.org

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-LITURGICAL YEAR 2009 (1:00AM)

1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44 (Mark 12:41-44)

"'Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.'" (Mark 12)

It isn't how much we give but of what we give of that makes us truly generous. Christ told us that the person who has much, much will be required. Many parishes publish the number of envelopes distributed and the number used and many of us gauge our giving in relation to those numbers. Those same parishes often give the average contribution and if they don't it's relatively easy to figure it out. It's easy to sit back and say to ourselves: "Not only am I contributing but the amount I give puts me in the top 10% of the total parish." And while this may be comforting it can make us reluctant to respond to the Gospel message above: we must return to the Lord not from our excess but from what God has given us before we take care of our personal wants and desires. The practice of good stewardship is a necessity. Let's review our tithing habits and ask God's guidance in choosing the sharing of our time, talent and treasure.

Dedication Of The Lateran Basilica-Liturgical Year 2009 (1:00AM)

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
Psalm 46:3, 4, 5-6, 8, 11
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
John 2:13-22

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3)

All of us do crazy things that we really know we shouldn't. We eat, drink, smoke and indulge in many activities that are not good for us, especially our bodies. But we do it anyhow! If we truly believed that our bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit would we do these things anyhow. Probably not! Today let's take a look at some of our personal habits and see which ones are dangerous to our temple. We'll probably find many but let's concentrate on just one or two and pray that we might be able to rid ourselves of those activities that do not respect our bodies as temples of the Spirit.

Freshman Applications Due (1:00AM)
Applications for the Class of 2014 due - Packets which were distributed in November are due back to elementary principals and coordinators/directors of religious education

Contact Info : Mrs. Carol Coughlin, Director of Secondary School Special Projects 314.792.7390 carolcoughlin@archstl.org

Teachers’ Retreat At Cedar Creek Conference Center (1:00AM)
At the Name of Jesus is the title of this three day and two night retreat experience designed to enhance Catholic identity in our elementary and secondary schools through the teacher’s closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Participants are selected by their principal.

Contact Info : For more information or to register, contact: Dr. Barbara Blackburn 314.792.7373 BBlackburn@archstl.org

Region Meeting Region 1 (12:30PM)
St. Raphael the Archangel

Region Meeting Region 7 (8:30AM)
Assumption – O’Fallon

Region Meeting Region 6 (1:00PM)
St. Pius HS

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-LITURGICAL YEAR 2009 (1:00AM)

Daniel 12: 1-3
Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32

"Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption." (Psalm 16)

Here we are with only two weeks to go before we enter another liturgical year and begin the Season of Advent 2010. The Scriptures today give us reason to celebrate and remind us one again that God's love for us is unending. Next week we celebrate the feast of Christ the King - the feast that recognizes that the Lord Jesus is the center of our lives and that his life, death and resurrection has saved us from corruption and abandonment.

Feast Of Saint Margaret Of Scotland (1:00AM)

Isaiah 58:6-11
Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9
John 15:9-17

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15)

We have free will! We make choices in our daily lives; some of which are good choices and some of which are not. Sinfulness entered our world through the act of disobedience or pride or whatever we want to call it from our first parents and that sin was expiated by the waters of baptism. We are free beings who were loved into existence by God, our Creator, and our lives are to be a reflection of that initial love of the Father. God chose us! We did not choose God! This week, as we prepare for the Feast of Christ the King, let us respond freely to God's choice by choosing to follow him in all of our actions.

Region Meeting Region 2 (8:30AM)
Holy Trinity

Region Meeting Region 4 (12:00PM)
Immacolata

Region Meeting Region 3 (12:00PM)
St. Monica

Region Meeting Region 8 (12:00PM)
St. Anthony

Communicable Disease Workshop (3:30PM)
Reviews common diseases of children

Location: Catholic Education Office

Contact Info : Julie Dwyer 314-792-7331 Jdwyer@archstl.org

Region Meeting Region 5 (8:30AM)
Our Lady of Providence

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING-LITURGICAL YEAR 2009 (1:00AM)

"'I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.'" (Revelation 1)

The Lord God is the beginning and the end. It all started with God who desired to share his love with us in the act of creation and we will return to God in the end after our earthly life is finished. Christ truly is King! He reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is waiting to welcome us into his loving arms.

Freshman Applications Sent To High Schools (1:00AM)
Apllications to high schools and received by elementary principals and coordinators/directors of religious education are sent to the high schools

Contact Info : Mrs. Carol Coughlin, Director of Secondary School Special Projects 314.792.7390 carolcoughlin@archstl.org

Thanksgiving Day (1:00AM)
No Classes

Thanksgiving-Liturgical Year 2009 (1:00AM)

Sirach 50:22-24
Psalm 138: 1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Matthew 7:7-11

"I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way." (1 Corinthians 1)

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love is everlasting! Today, millions of Americans will gather around their dining room tables that will be filled with more food than a normal family would be able to eat in weeks. At the same time, countless people will find themselves unable to share in this banquet because of circumstances beyond their control. Let us not forget to give thanks to God for his goodness to us over the past year. Let us also not forget that we should share our abundant gifts with those who are less fortunate. Whether it be donating food baskets, or working in a soup kitchen in the city, or just inviting someone who is in need from our own local community, we are called to share with others so that all may sit at the table today and enjoy the abundant blessings of our Lord and King.

Thanksgiving Holiday (1:00AM)
No Classes

Last Day Of The Liturgical Year 2009 (1:00AM)

Revelation 22:1-7
Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7b
Luke 21: 34-36

"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21)

It's the last day of the Liturgical Year 2009. Tomorrow Advent begins! Let us spend this day preparing for the gift of God's son to humanity who redeems us from our sins. We should indeed be vigilant at all times so that at the end of time we might stand before God when he says: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of time."

First Sunday Of Advent (1:00AM)
"I will cause a good seed to spring forth from David." (Jeremiah 33:15)

Feast Of Saint Andrew (1:00AM)
Saint Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother, and like his brother, he was a fisherman from Bethsaida. John’s Gospel tells us that it was Andrew who went to Simon Peter with the news: “We have found the Messiah.” Then he brought his brother to Jesus. Andrew became an apostle—a fisher of men and women. He is the patron saint of the fishing industry.

How have we shared the Good News of Jesus Christ and brought our friends and acquaintances to Jesus?