Immigrant accompaniment training
The Immigrant and Refugee Ministry will host a volunteer training for anyone interested in participating in its Immigrant Accompaniment Program from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Pius V Parish, 3310 S. Grand Blvd. in St. Louis. Come learn about the accompaniment program and how to walk in loving solidarity with our immigrant neighbors during times of fear and anxiety. For more information, contact Immigrant and Refugee Ministry accompaniment coordinator Annie Aeschbacher at (314) 328-9580 or accompaniment.irm@gmail.com.
Advent day of recollection
Father Michael Jennrich, OFM, will lead an Advent day of recollection, “A Pregnant Pause: A Reflection on our Time of Confinement,” from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the parish hall at St. Anthony of Padua, 3135 Meramec St. in St. Louis. The reflection will begin with accompanying Mary on her journey to Elizabeth and listening attentively to their conversation. Father Jennrich will also introduce Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi, whose words and deeds are an encouragement to continue along the road to rebirth and healing. The day of recollection will be followed by a meal.
Simbang Gabi
Filipino Catholics sang at the first night of the Simbang Gabi novena Mass on Dec. 14, 2023, at St. Joseph Church in Manchester. The nine-day novena of Masses to honor the Blessed Mother, held just before Christmas, is a tradition among Filipino Catholics that traces back to the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the Philippines about 500 years ago.
Members of the Catholic Filipino community in the archdiocese will celebrate Simbang Gabi, a 9-day celebration of the pregnancy of Mary and in preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Masses will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 15-23 at St. Joseph Church, 567 St. Joseph Lane in Manchester. The joyful celebration dates to the 17th century in the Philippines, when Masses “de Aguinaldo” (now known as “Simbang Gabi”), were celebrated in the early hours of the morning or dawn on the nine days before Christmas. Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will celebrate the concluding Mass on Dec. 23, which will be followed by music, dancing and food in the parish center.
Naming and Commendation
Christ Prince of Peace Parish, 415 Weidman Road in Manchester, will host the Rite of Naming and Commendation for an Infant Who Has Died Before Birth on Saturday, Jan. 10, after the 8 a.m. Mass. The rite memorializes children who have died before birth, including miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or accident. It also offers parents and families an opportunity to name the child and unite with our merciful God, which can help bring peaceful closure to great loss.
MLK Mass
The 50th annual Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The Mass commemorates the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Mass will be livestreamed at cathedralstl.org.
Roe vs. Wade Memorial Mass
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will celebrate the annual Roe v. Wade Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. There will be a Rosary after Mass, followed by a reception in Boland Hall. A collection will be taken up for the LifeLine Coalition, a network of local agencies that directly assist and serve pregnant and parenting mothers and their children. The Mass is organized by the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate. A Rosary and reception will be held in Boland Hall following Mass.
Marriage Encounter weekend
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience offers married couples the tools needed to help their marriages grow and blossom more beautifully. The next encounter weekend will be held Feb. 6-8 in St. Peters. For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org, or call Terry and Eric Engholm at (314) 649-7317.
