Do you know anyone who is ……. or who might be?
We have a program called RCIA especially for folks interested in Catholicism. Our Inquiry sessions will begin in September. Help us get the word out to anyone and everyone.
For more information call
Paul Cooper at 487-2522, ext. 222.
I received this nice “thank you” note from the Crossroads Pro Life Walkers:
“Thank you so much for welcoming us to speak at your parish! It was such a blessing to meet your parishioners, spread the prolife message, and receive so much prayerful and financial support and encouragement. We will be keeping your parish in our prayers as we continue walking across America this summer. Once again, thank you for your generosity.”
We recently selected new members for our Parish Council. After reading from the Acts of the Apostles, regarding the selection of St. Matthias, we placed eight names in a basket. The four selected were: Richard Ahrens, Chris Archer, Mike Flanagan, and Judy Sauer. Although not selected, I thank Tricia Bohler, Laura Byrne, Mike Carter, and Debbie Miller for their willingness to give their time and talent for our Parish Council.
“Hats Off!” to our Knights of Columbus for their recent $3,000 donation to our Tuition Fund. Each week at the bottom of the Sharing Our Treasure section of the bulletin we list the current amount of our Tuition Fund. Remember each year we help about 30 families with reduced tuition for our parish Catholic School. Your generosity to this fund is GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Help us spread the word about our RCIA beginning another session in September. If you know of someone interested in becoming Catholic, or just “to take a look,” contact Paul Cooper at 314-487-2522, x222 or pcooper@smmaparish.org..
Also our Parish School of Religion (PSR), for students who attend public schools, begins September 9th. Our PSR families are very dear to us here at SMMA. Contact Mr. Cooper for further information – 314-487-2522, x222 or pcooper@smmaparish.org.
Our SMMA Athletic Association is offering their annual golf tournament on Saturday, September 21st. I’m looking forward to “dusting off” my clubs! It’s a great way to support all the sports opportunities for the youth of our parish and community. Further information is here.
God Bless You!
 Msgr. Norb Ernst – Pastor
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Help Us Keep You Informed!
Pope Francis: Mary Helps Christians Enter Heaven Through the ‘Narrow Gate’
Pope Francis: Mary Helps Christians Enter Heaven Through the ‘Narrow Gate’
During his Angelus address, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel passage from Luke, when som...O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams."
— St. Augustine
St. Genesius of Rome (d. 303 AD) was a renowned actor and playwright, the leader of a popular acting troupe during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. When the Emperor was killing Christians, Genesius wrote plays to mock them and expose their secret rites to ridicule. To research for a play mocking baptism, he went to a priest pretending to desire the sacraments and was fully instructed as a catechumen. Genesius prepared his play and instructed the other actors in their parts. On performance day the Emperor was present. Genesius played the lead character seeking baptism, and the rite was performed in such a ludicrous manner that all present laughed. As the water was poured over Genesius' head by an actor playing the priest's part, Genesius saw a vision of the heavens opened and the hand of God touching him. He also saw an angel who showed him that his many sins had been washed away through the valid baptism he had just received. At that moment Genesius' heart was changed by the Holy Spirit and he believed in the truth of Christianity. At the conclusion of the play Genesius boldly declared his new faith, recounting how he had been a scoffer until that moment. He implored the audience, including the Emperor, to follow Christ. The crowd thought this was part of the performance, but once they understood it was real, Genesius was seized. The Emperor, furious, subjected him to cruel tortures daily to make him renounce his faith in Christ. Genesius staunchly refused and was beheaded. The Christians collected his body and buried him with the other martyrs. St. Genesius is the patron saint of comedians, dancers, actors, musicians, printers, and torture victims. His feast day i
This Sunday's Gospel reminds me of a story Msgr. Leach loves to tell. “When you get to Heaven there will be two surprises: one, that YOU'RE there - and two, some of the other people who are there. From the Gospel..."
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God."
Of course, our RESPONSE to God's desire to save all His children is necessary. Remember, that's why the words of the Consecration Prayer at Mass were changed.
God bless you!
"A soul which does not practise the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which, though possessing feet and hands, makes no use of them."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori