Advent and Christmas Concert
“Unto Us a Child is Born” Advent and Christmas concert will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Carmelite Monastery, 9150 Clayton Road in St. Louis. The concert stars Maria Vargo and features Christina Heddell, Michelle Malawey and the Carmelite Sisters. A freewill offering will be taken.
Christmas novena
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in St. Charles will host a Christmas novena from Dec. 15-23 at the church, 2 Seton Court in St. Charles. The novena is a series of nine consecutive days of prayer in preparation for Christ’s coming, with each night focusing on one of the “O Antiphon” titles of the Messiah. The novena will begin at 7 p.m. each night and last about 40 minutes.
Simbang Gabi
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.
Advent healing service
St. Bridget of Kildare Parish will host an Advent healing service at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the church, 111 W. Union St. in Pacific. The evening will begin with candlelight worship and a Gospel proclamation, followed by healing prayer. It will conclude with testimonies of healing and individual prayer teams.
Pro-Life Mass and Rosary
The monthly Pro-life Mass and Rosary hosted by the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate (formerly the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Mass and Rosary) will be celebrated at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at St. Gianna Church, 450 East Highway N in Wentzville. The Rosary will be prayed before Mass beginning at 7:30 a.m. Prayers will be offered on behalf of women and men facing unplanned pregnancies and for a greater respect for all human life, especially the unborn child. The monthly Mass is celebrated at different churches around the archdiocese.
Rosary for Life
The Respect Life Apostolate invites all to join in peaceful prayer and witness outside the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhoodat the First Saturday Rosary for Life on Jan. 3. Prayer will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the facility, 4521 Forest Park Ave., with additional prayer, hospitality and refreshments at the Our Lady of Guadalupe convent right after. Contact the Respect Life Apostolate with any questions at (314) 792-7555 or prolife@archstl.org.
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.
