We, the people of St. Clare Catholic Parish, In the Diocese of Belleville, are called by God

in baptism to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Centered in the Eucharist, and strengthened

by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live the Gospel and further the reign of God.

We do this by creating a vibrant faith community, by actively promoting justice and evangelization, and by using our gifts in the service of God’s people, to give God

glory and reverence all of Creation.

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street

O’Fallon, IL 62269 618/ 632-3562

www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Ed Seipp Business Manager Patrick Jurgensmeyer Facilities Manager Stephen Eros Music and Liturgy Director Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation Matt Flynn Adult Faith and Mission

ST. CLARE SCHOOL 632-6327

214 West Third Street, O’Fallon, IL Milissa Faust Principal

Gloria Schmidt Secretary

Eileen Yahl Accountant

MT. CALVARY CEMETERY 632-3562

Jim Deschesne, Sexton

PARISH TRUSTEES

Michael Crupe

John Dempsey

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL 632-4270

Emergency Assistance

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 26 , 2017

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton Bishop of Belleville

St. Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us!

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

BAPTISM—Preparation classes for parents are offered every other month for infant baptism. Call the Parish Office to sign up. Adults wishing to be baptized should also call the Office.

RECONCILIATION—Saturdays 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Community celebrations are also offered every Advent and Lent.

MATRIMONY—Contact Pastor a year prior.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK—Communal celebrations twice a year, or by appointment.

From Our Pastor...

February 25 Retta Dent Pat Taylor Tom Knaust Kristin Normansell Scott Semko Noah Cutter February 26 Mary Ann Spencer Bobbi Schaefer Dennis Collins Chris Bautz Nicole Lobring Sean Killian Erik Schneider Bayle Guskey Addison Guskey Andrew Birchem Justin Walters Felicity Ermis Avett Huber Carter Holzum February 27 Jane McManemy Peggy Sebastian Patrick Frazier Brian Spellman Rose Tanner Rodney Holas Joseph Kinsella Isabelle Wohlgemuth Grace Stapenhorst February 28 Sharon Busch Brandon Church Hayden Spencer Abigail Frazier February 29 John Boysha Brendan Girard Matthew Range

March 1 Miguel Cotto Juliette JnBaptisle Josh Flint Jennifer Tebbe Kevin O’Neill KC Riedle Taylor Klingelhoefer Seth Kueker March 2 Susan Hosman Mike Busch Christine Goss Andrew Huber Victoria Birchem Ian Ratajczyk March 3 Linda Rademacher Nancy Protocollo Tracy Pace Monique Spencer Juan Barragan Rosie Navarrete Nick Ashbaker Lanie Gravlin Nolan Gavin Simon Wiederholt Stosh Porzukowiak March 4 Ruth Ann Britt Judy Gavin John Risavy Anette Hagarty Joe Mellenthin Paul Owens Anderson Harris Brady Johnson William Barbieri Wesley Dunn March 5 Darrell Raynor Craig Coffey Giselle Russell Haley Hardimon Lauren Price Alexa Coates

Grateful Stewards of God’s Gifts! This week you received in the mail our annual “Stewardship Re-port” that highlights some of our accomplishments in the past year due to your financial support. Both the Scriptures and our Church teachings challenge each of us to remember that every-thing we have is a gift from God and to use our blessings wisely for the good of the Kingdom.

In the letter I enclosed with the brochure, I do not think I empha-sized enough my gratitude to those of you who are so faithful in your weekly or monthly tithe which is so important for our monthly budget. In addition to tithing being a spiritual commit-ment with God, I think many people underestimate how much their parish needs their financial support to sustain our parish ministries.

Remember that stewardship in the parish means “equal sacrifice but not equal giving.” One person’s $50/week may be equal sac-rifice to someone else’s $500/week. Our giving should be some-where between 3-10% of our monthly income. What percentage are you giving? Please return your pledge card next weekend as a sign to God that you are committed to “returning to the Lord” a generous por-tion of what God has given to you.

For your convenience we offer an easy ‘direct deposit’ option for making your bi-monthly tithe. I use this option for both my weekly tithe and my donation to our capital development. The direct deposit form is a simple one-page sheet that can be picked up at the office or found on our “We Share/Donate” section of our parish website. You choose an amount to be deducted from your checking or savings account and it is sent directly to our parish from your bank, allowing you to keep God at the center of your budget without writing a check or remembering your enve-lope.

Thanks again to each of you who are so faithful in your financial support of your parish. Your tithe truly makes a difference! God Bless you! Fr. Jim Deiters

This weekend, at Coffee and Donuts, we will have a slideshow running of pictures from our trip to visit our sister parish. Please join us!

Special Thanks The family of Idamay Pfeiffer would like to thank Fr. Clyde Grogan, Stephen Eros and the Choir, the Liturgical Ministers and servers for the Funeral Liturgy. We would also like to thank the ladies of the parish that prepared and served the food for the funeral luncheon. A special thank you to Fr. Jim for his visits and prayers at the hospital and Wolfersberger Funeral Home. The Family of Idamay Pfeiffer

Please pray for the sick, their loved ones and caregivers; may they never lose sight of the love of God… Jennifer R. Barajas, Wray Barr, Bill Bettorf, Shirley Carroll, Linda Cipfl, Yasuko Estabrooks, Rita Ferreri, Sharon Gage, Tom Giger, Jean Green, Hannah Grubofski, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke, Jessica Holmes, Emil Kirchgessner, Liz Klingler, Ami Kovach, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Abelina Leon, Mary Lugge, Matthew MacAinsh, Carol Martz, Nona Morgan, Doris Prosser, Dale Reeser, Megan Saldana, Madelean Sanford, Craig Seipp, Mary Ann Seipp, Richard Smith, Donna Sparks, Michelle Strube, Betty Tomasovich, Jake Van Hook, Jenny Vogt, Patricia Weiler, Steve Wells

If you have a family member that is homebound due to illness or hospitalized, please call the parish office. Please pray for our military men and women, especially those separated from loved ones by deployment.

ST. PEREGRINE DEVOTION Patron Saint of Cancer Patients

FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Belleville

Mass at 8:00 a.m. —-Devotion following

For more information, or to carpool, please call our parish office at 632-3562.

Readings of the Week February 27—March 5

Monday: Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 -- 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, February 25 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 p.m. Charles William Johnson Sunday, February 26 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. James Mannix, Sr. Delmar and Elizabeth Young Richard & Marguerite Reckamp 10:30 a.m. Harry and Margaret Durkin Monday, February 27 Weekday 12:00 p.m. Louis and Pat Gerardi Tuesday, February 28 Weekday 7:30 a.m. Arlene Schaefer 8:30 a.m. Mass in School Gym (Grandparents) Ash Wednesday, March 1 7:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word and Ashes 8:30 a.m. Mass and Ashes in School Gym 12:00 Noon Liturgy of the Word and Ashes 7:00 p.m. Joan Cavins Thursday, March 2 Thursday a er Ash Wednesday 8:30 a.m. No Mass Friday, March 3 Friday a er Ash Wednesday, St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin 7:30 a.m. Special Inten on Saturday, March 4 First Sunday of Lent 5:00 p.m. Hilda Schaefer Eric Mueller Sunday, March 5 First Sunday of Lent 8:30 a.m. Augus ne Abalos 10:30 a.m. Eleanor Dekum Eucharis c Adora on following Mass

The New Schedule for Liturgical Ministers was not available at

the time of bulletin printing.

Eucharistic Adoration Next Weekend

Sunday, March 5 after 10:30 a.m. Mass

Until 11:40 a.m. Monday, March 6

Followed by Benediction and Noon Mass

For those who come during the nighttime hours, between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., please contact the parish

office for the keypad code to enter through the door in the Mary Shrine. Sign up sheets are on the table in the Gathering Space for those who can commit to an hour. All are welcome to spend a Holy Hour with Jesus!

Lent reminds us, therefore, that Christian life is a never-ending combat in which the “weapons” of prayer, fasting and penance are used.”

Pope Benedict XVI

February 18/19 Tithe

$21,476.00

New Church $5,007.00

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop

Saturday, March 4 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

St. Clare Church Fellowship Hall

Learn the essentials of praying contemplatively using Centering Prayer at this basic workshop. During the four

short talks, you’ll learn about the Christian monastic origin of this ancient prayer form, its scriptural basis, why thoughts during prayer are natural and integral to prayer

and the role of “consent” in a relationship with God. Learn the simple guidelines and experience the prayer for yourself. For additional information/registration go to:

centeringprayerstl.org or call Mary Houseman at 618-228-7412

Vocation Corner

“A commission is a special type of com-mand. Jesus received the commission from the Father to sacrifice and die for the sins of man. Openness to God’s call and acceptance — are the foundation for every commission God gives to us. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us not to worry about “what are we to eat” or “what are we to drink?” Jesus asks us to serve the one Master and not worry about tomorrow. Here I am, Lord! Help me, equip me, and let me serve you.

“One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; Another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” Proverbs 11:24

SAVE THE DATE! Youth Group to host Trivia Night Sat. March 25 in Fellowship Hall Doors open at 6; Trivia begins at 7

Admission is $20 per person or $160 table of eight. Guests may bring snacks & adult beverages.

Soda and water for sale. RSVP to janeadotson@yahoo.com

Donations needed for silent auction Baskets, Gift Cards, Ball Tickets, feel free to “regift” something left

from Christmas!!

HOLYLAND ARTS Christian Olivewood

Handrafts

Items from the Holy Land will once again be on sale after Mass

the weekend of March 4/5.

Purchasing one of these unique items will help prevent Chris-

tians from leaving the Holy Land and build new hope in keeping

the Christian culture alive.

www.theholylands.org

STEWARDSHIP Hoyleton Mission Trip June 18-23

Energetic and enthusiastic adults needed to chaperone teens. Group leaves late afternoon on Sunday, June 18 and returns late afternoon on

Friday, June 23. If you can’t make the entire week, we could use you for a few days. Must be able to relate well to teens, help them grow in their faith, laugh, supervise yard work on minor building up-dates and be able to sleep on an air mattress or cot

in an old church and complete Child Protection Pol-icy Training and background checks. Contact Jane

at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562.

A letter of thanks and appreciation from Lynette Gage and Lisa Callahan, daughters of Bob & Sharon Gage Dear St. Clare Parish, We would like to express our gratitude for all you have provided for our family since the trag-ic accident that claimed the life of our father, Bob Gage on December 11, 2016. We are also thankful for the many continued prayers offered for the recovery of our mother, Sharon Gage, who was seriously injured in the accident. She is still healing and it will be a long journey to a full recovery. We are overwhelmed by all the people who have helped with the upkeep of our homes and pets while we have been trying to get through this difficult time in our lives. Your generosity and kindness has been overwhelming. Love and Blessings, Lynette Gage

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

March 8 at 2 p.m. Church Library

Hope For The Journey is a new ministry at St. Clare Church reaching out to anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one, recent or not. We meet for conversation, suggested reading, encouragement,

prayer and to walk this journey with you. Please join us. This month we will serve coffee & cupcakes in

memory of a very special person! If you need more information, please contact Ken & Barb Kenney

416-1410 or kj_kenney@sbcglobal.net

You Are Invited! To an Intimate Relationship with Jesus

“I came so that they might have life…

...and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Faith Formation Opportunities

Lenten Soup Series: The Mystery & Reality of the Church Mondays, March 6 - April 3, Mass at 6:00 pm, Meal and Presentation at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall Enjoy food, fellowship, prayer, and faith formation. Each session focuses on a different aspect of the mystery and reality of the Church, in which we par-ticipate as members. Faith Formation Groups Young Adults Meets monthly Are you looking for fellowship, faith formation, and growth? Contact Sally Ayoob at sally-ayoob@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook: Young Adults Group of Saint Clare of Assisi - O'Fallon, IL. Retreats and Conferences Catholic Women for Christ Conference Saturday, March 25, Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL)Experience Christ, Community, and Catholi-cism with women from St. Clare. Details at catholic-womenforchrist.org. Contact Kristy Turner at 402-0885 or krisnturner@hotmail.com for carpool and group registration.

Join us on Monday Nights of Lent

Starting March 6 For Our Soup and Speaker

The Mystery and Reality of the Church

6:00 p.m. Mass 6:30 p.m. Soup Supper 7:00 p.m. Speaker Series

Childcare is available by contacting Matt Flynn at the parish office 632-3562.

Please return your palms (from Palm Sunday) this weekend so they may be burned. The ashes collected will be blessed by

Fr. Jim for use on Ash Wednesday, March 1. When we come forward to receive ashes on

Ash Wednesday, we are saying that we are sorry for our sins and that we want to purify our hearts and grow in holiness during Lent so we will be

prepared to celebrate Easter with great joy.

Ash Wednesday March 1 Mass and Distribution of Ashes

7:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Ashes

8:30 a.m. Mass with Ashes in School Gym

Noon Liturgy of the Word with Ashes

7:00 p.m. Mass with Ashes

Lenten Reflection Booklets and CRS Rice Bowls will be available

starting Ash Wednesday, March 1

Respect Life Corner Planned Parenthood received $528 million in government funding last year. This money came from Medi-caid and Title X reimbursements from the federal government. Illinois legis-lature has a bill pending, House Bill 40, that would mandate state support of abortion cover-age in state employees’ health care plans and the Medi-caid program. Let your representative know you are against this bill.

Visit ilcatholic.org to find your legislator and protect life!

Youth Room lower level of St. Clare School

Feb 26 Youth Group Meeting in Youth Room 6—7:30 March 3-5 Luke 18 Retreat March 5 XLT 5—5:45 p.m. in Church

SAVE THE DATE! Hoyleton Mission Trip June 18-23 for incoming freshmen through graduating seniors!

PSR Parish School of Religion St. Clare School, 214 W. 3rd Street, O’Fallon

Feb 26 PSR Class except Grade 8

Mar 5 NO PSR

Mar 12 PSR Class

Mar 19 PSR Class (except 2nd grade)

Mar 19 Blessing Cup Retreat

Mar 26 PSR (except 8th grade) 2nd & 5th grade Soup Kitchen

Mar 26 Confirmation Class Activity Night 6—8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Calendar

REAP Retreat for 2017 Confirmation Students and Sponsors

Feb. 26 from 1—5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Save the Date!

Mighty Fortress Vacation Bible

School Ages 4—10

July 17—21

VBS Teachers and Adult Leaders Meeting Wednesday, March 23

7:00 p.m. in the Library New volunteers welcome!

Youth volunteers in Grades 6 & Up needed. Sign up forms coming in

April. Training Session June 10 9—10:30 a.m. at St. Clare School.

Blessing Cup Retreat March 19

St. Clare School

Third grade parents are asked to help with set up,

kitchen prep/serving, clean up and food donations for

the retreat. Three shifts are available:

10:30—11:30 Set up; 1:15—3 Food Prep/Serving;

3-4:00 Serving drinks and clean up.

Food donations needed: Fruit, finger food desserts, cheese, crackers, veggies and dip. Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562 to help.

Trivia night And Silent Auction

Saturday, March 25 St. Clare Church

Doors open at 6 p.m. Trivia begins at 7

$20 per person or $160 for a table of 8 BYOB and snacks. Reserve your table today!

632-3562 or janeadotson@yahoo.com Proceeds for trip to National Catholic Youth Conference

First Communion Parents: Top Secret Letters are due February 26

Can you help print and sort during the day? To volunteer, contact Jane at

janeadotson@yahoo.com to help out!!

ALTAR ANGELS MARCH 4: Rose Brennan Celerina Collins, Ely Gillespie, Babe Papproth SAVE THE DATE Items from the Holy Land will once again be on sale a er Mass the weekend of March 4/5. WURSTMARKT at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Sunday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pork Sausage Meal with sides, dessert & drink. All you can eat dine-in. Carry outs available. Adults (13 & up) $10; Children (6-12) $5.00. 5 & under free. 50/50, Cake Raffle, Meat Raffles, Games for kids, Quilt & Cash Raffle. 200 South 2nd St., Belleville. DATE CHANGE: The Fontebella Gala “It Takes” will be held Saturday, May 13 from 6—10:00 p.m. Four Points Sheraton Banquet Center, Fairview Heights. Tickets on sale through eventbrite.com, search Fontebella Maternity Home Gala. ST. PHILIP ALUMNI & FRIENDS “Windows to the Future” Phase 2 Fundraiser benefiting Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic School “Casino Night” will be Saturday, March 25 at St. Luke’s Parish Center. Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. $20 per person. Bring your own food. Call Patti O’Sullivan Bond for in-formation (363-4816). PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND Don’t miss out on this fabulous trip with Fr. Mark Stec and Liz Quirin. May 16-26, 2017, sponsored by The Messenger. For more information, please contact The Messen-ger at cathnews@bellevillemessenger.org or call 618-233-8670. Only five seats left!!

HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR YOUTH GROUP

By donating clothes & household items!

Learn more: Accepting donations in the

truck on parking lot: Saturday

9 a.m. to 4:30 &

Sunday 9:30 a.m.—12:30

No drop-offs in advance

We accept: Clothing Books Shoes Sporting Goods Bedding Toys & Games Towels Kitchen Items Accessories Knick Knacks CDs, DVDs Small electrical items Flat Screen TVs Computers

Our FUNDrive will be held Sat & Sun Feb 25/26

on the St. Clare Church parking lot and will benefit

St. Clare Youth Group trip to The National Catholic

Youth Conference

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SCHOLARSHIPS The Council has six (6) $500 scholarships to be awarded in 2017 and Four (4) $500 scholarships available for gradu-a ng high school seniors.

Requirements: Gradua ng senior, child or grandchild of KC member in good standing (or deceased member), complete applica on.

Two (2) $500 scholarships are available for currently enrolled college students. Requirements (con nuing student at an accredited technical school or a 2 or 4 year college, university and child or grandchild of member in good standing or deceased member, complete applica-

on). Applica on forms can be obtained at regularly scheduled mee ngs or from the Knights of Columbus informa on board, OTHS and by e-mail to robratz@a .net. Completed applica ons must be submi ed no later than 7:00 p.m., April 1.

The Good Shepherd Preschool and PreK Registration and Open House will be held February 28 at the Good Shepherd Center on St. Nicholas Campus from 6—7:30 p.m. Both half day (8:30—11:30) and Full Day (8:30—1:30) options are availa-ble with extended care offered until 3:30. For information, contact Director Sherri Hertzler sherhertz5@gmail.com or 726-6532. Also available “Infant & Toddler Playtime” on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings! This teacher led play time offers new & exciting themes for 9 mos—3 yrs and their caregiver each week.