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Message Ministries

 

Adult Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation is a life-long process so we need to attend to it throughout our entire life. At the parish level, we offer a few things on a regular basis and special things to address needs or interests as they arise. Each fall and spring we offer a 6 week, small group discussion series. These are promoted by the Archdiocese and are usually Scripture-based.

The Legion of Mary maintains a spiritual reading library near the Adoration Chapel in the back of the church. These materials are available to all free of charge. There is also a pamphlet rack in the back of church featuring moderately priced materials appropriate to each season.

We are partnering with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring their faith-raiser program to you and your family.  In the display located in the church lobby, you will find moderately priced CDs, books, booklets, and pamphlets by prominent Catholic speakers and writers.   (Examples include Dr. Scott Hahn, Matthew Kelly, Fr. Robert Barron, Blessed Mother Teresa, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, etc.)  These materials are very effective tools for both evangelization and catechesis.  Titles rotate often, so be sure to check the display frequently.

We are always open to suggestions. If you’re interested in something relative to faith or morals, we would like to help you find a way to explore it!
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper


Bible Study
Our parish participates in the Archdiocesan sponsored adult-ed series offered each Fall and Spring. The sessions are usually scripture-based and the 6-week small group formats take place in parishioners’ homes or at the parish.
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper


Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
During the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, children in grades K-4 are invited to leave the church with a team of volunteers to go over to the school foyer where Scriptures are proclaimed from the Children’s Lectionary. The team then provides a reflection experience after which the children pray the Apostles’ Creed and Petitions. The children return to church during the offertory. There is no fee or registration for children to participate. Four teams of parishioners rotate through the weekends of each month to provide the experience. 
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper


Elementary School Program – Grades K-8
The School is a Christ-Centered, Family-Sensitive setting that provides a quality Catholic education for the children of our parish. We are proud to prepare students in faith, with knowledge, through leadership and service to become prepared for a life of discipleship. Our commitment is best expressed by the message that greets our families as they enter the school building: Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen, but ever-present teacher in its classes, the model of its faculty, the inspiration of its students. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Elementary School is accredited by the Missouri Non-Public School Accrediting Association and is a member of the National Catholic Education Association.
Additional information is available at the School Website
Contact: Peggy Visconti – Call 314 487-1666 Ext. 214 – Email Peggy Visconti


Formed.Org
FORMED is a revolutionary digital platform that gives our parish unprecedented access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks from the Church’s foremost presenters. All parishioners are eligible to receive a FREE subscription. Simply log onto www.formed.org and register as a member of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish. Free subscriptions are for parishioners only and have been provided through the generosity of parish organizations.

Natural Family Planning Classes
Marquette Method is a science-based, research-based, professionally taught modern method of Natural Family Planning taught by health care professionals. Fertility health, fertility monitoring (current technologies) and traditional biomarkers are included.. Although couples learn several markers of fertility, they are empowered to use what “works for them”.
Contact: Mary Lee Barron PhD, APRN, FNP-BC,  Email barronml@gmail.com


Parish School of Religion (PSR) – Grades 1 – 8
The PSR Program provides religious instruction for students in grades 1-8 who do not otherwise receive formal religion classes. The program runs from September through May and meets on Monday evenings, 6:00-7:15 p.m. Registrations are taken in May for those returning and in August for new participants. Mid-year registrations are handled individually by the Director of Religious Education.
Additional information is available at the  PSR Website
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper


Preschool Program
The Preschool provides a loving Christian environment that helps three, four and five year old students grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and socially. This program is open to all families in our neighborhood and operates under the direction of the SMMA School Principal. The Preschool operates in line with the day school calendar (mid-August through May). Morning, afternoon and full day sessions are available throughout the week. 
Contact: Peggy Visconti – Call 314 487-1666 Ext. 214 – Email Peggy Visconti

Protecting God’s Children
Participation in the Protecting God’s Children Program is mandatory for all archdiocesan employees and volunteers, 18 years of age and older, who work with children on a regular basis. This includes all employees and volunteers in the Scouting Programs, all coaches/assistant coaches/umpires/referees in the sports programs, as well as all volunteers in the Youth Ministry, PSR, CLOW, ACTION, Day School, OASIS, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for the homebound.

The Archdiocesan Safe Environment Department now requires all employees and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults to register in the Prevent and Protect Program. This applies to those who previously took a Protecting God’s Children class as well as new volunteers. The registration is done by each individual online at the following website.

Go to https://www.preventandprotectstl.org Enter the passcode stlprotect when prompted. Registration for a Protecting God’s Children class is part of the new process and can only be done through this website. Contact: Hannah Antonacci, 487-2522, Ext. 206, eventscoordinator@smmaparish.org

Respect Life Committee
Rooted in the love of all human life from conception to natural death in keeping with the law of God, we commit ourselves as the Pro-Life Committee of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque parish to prayer, physical and financial assistance where there is a need to help save lives with particular focus on those issues in the culture that threaten life – abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and unethical advances in scientific technology. The SMMA Respect Life Committee meets on the third Monday of the month. All pro-life parishioners are welcome.

Contact: Ray Kalbac, 314 461-2367, Email Ray Kalbac


Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is a four-stage process for adults wanting to profess the Catholic faith. The program cycles in conjunction with the liturgical calendar and culminates with Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Inquiries about the program are always welcome.
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper


Stewardship Committee
We joyfully gather as a committee to be guided by the Holy Spirit to support our parish mission. We brainstorm, develop, and strategize ways to help ministries and parishioners recognize their gifts are from God and encourage them to use their gifts to glorify God and build His kingdom. Some fruits of our gatherings are Catholicism Uncorked and the Stewardship Newsletter. The committee is open to new membership.
Contact: Beth Vordtriede – Call 314 306-5896 – Email Beth Vordtriede


Weekends for the Engaged
For engaged couples who select a parish-based preparation program, we provide a weekend format to explore the program “Beloved.” The weekends are offered every four months and are facilitated by host couples.
Contact: Paul Cooper – Call 314 487-2522 Ext. 222 – Email Paul Cooper

Youth Ministry
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s Youth Ministry strives to guide our young Catholic Church towards the WAY of TRUTH by providing opportunities to develop and dedicate their thoughts, words and actions to living the LIFE of Christ.

Middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults are invited to grow in their faith as a community through many and varied opportunities and events throughout the year. Along with weekly youth group programming, we participate in the Steubenville Youth Conference, Washington, D.C. Pro-Life March, Luke 18 Youth Retreat, plus much more.

Middle School Ministry (7th & 8th Graders): Two Mondays a month at 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room during school year, supplemented by summer activities.

High School Ministry (9th–12th Graders): Every Sunday 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room, supplemented by weekly activities.

If you are a young adult and feel called to serve in ministry with the youth, please contact Hannah Aulbach. Adult volunteers are needed to chaperone, drive, assist with fundraisers, Luke 18 food prep and provide sleep houses.
Follow us on Instagram @smma_ym.
Call 314 487-2522 – Email Youth Ministry