Archdiocesan news briefs
Holy Hour for vocations
There will be a Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at the Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive, off the 6000 block of Telegraph Road in south St. Louis County.
Candlelight Christmas concert
Christ the King Church will host a candlelight Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the church, 7316 Balson Ave. in University City. All are welcome to celebrate the fifth day of Christmas with music from instrumentalists and singers from area parishes.
Purgatory prayers
The St. Joseph Purgatorial Society will meet to pray for the souls in purgatory at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at St. Wenceslaus Church, 3014 Oregon Ave. in St. Louis. Prayers will include the Rosary and five short purgatory prayers. Confessions are available at 3 p.m., and Mass is at 4 p.m. All are welcome to join the society for these prayers on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, contact Maurice at (314) 577-6300 or mprater@msf-america.org.
Divine Mercy mission
A Divine Mercy Parish Mission will be held from noon-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at St. Ann Clover Bottom in the parish center, 7851 Hwy YY in Washington. Bill Gegg and Julie Johnson of the Divine Mercy Mission Team at St. Francis Borgia Parish will present two talks on “What is God Calling You To?” and “Divine Mercy: Eucharist and Adoration.” Confessions will be available from 1:30-3 p.m. and participants are invited to bring a snack to share. The event is hosted by St. Gertrude, St. Ann and Holy Family parishes.
The Search series
“The Search: Let’s Explore the Meaning of Life” will take place on Tuesday evenings in January and February from 7-8:15 p.m. in the upper cafeteria at Holy Infant Church, 627 Dennison Drive in Ballwin. The seven-week video series from the Augustine Institute will explore the purpose of life, followed by small-group discussion. Dates and topics include, “What Do You Seek?” on Jan. 6; “Who Are You?” on Jan. 13; “Why a God?” on Jan. 20; “What’s Our Story?” on Jan. 27; “Who is Jesus?” on Feb. 3; “Am I Saved?” on Feb. 10; and “Why a Church?” on Feb. 17. The series covers life and death, sorrow and happiness and science and faith and is open to everyone, regardless of where they are in their faith journey.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated Jan. 18-25. This year’s theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). Drawing from the Christian churches of Armenia, this year’s prayer highlights the story of Noah and the covenant made between all people and God. The week will be highlighted on Sunday, Jan. 25, with an ecumenical prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Monica Church, 12136 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur. Rev. Taniel Manjikian of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church will preach. Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will preside. The prayer service will be followed by a light reception and social.
