HISTORY

St. Clare Parish was founded in O’Fallon, Illinois, more than 150 years ago to serve the needs of our fledgling town’s 40 Catholics. Fr. Anton Rustige, whose residency was in Lebanon, Illinois, celebrated the first Mass in our parish’s earliest church building on December 29, 1867. With the creation of a permanent pastoral residence in 1868, St. Clare Parish was formally established under the care of Fr. Theodore Kamann. He also established St. Clare School and served as its initial teacher.

Through the years, St. Clare Church has stood as a physical and spiritual landmark in our community. The historic red brick structure in downtown O’Fallon, with its soaring steeple and sturdy bell, housed our parish’s worship from 1895 until 2007. It continues to serve the needs of our school as a chapel for daily Masses and prayer services.

In 2001, Mr. Louis Rasp, a long-time parishioner, donated 20 acres of land for the construction of a new church to meet the needs of our growing parish. Our current church building, dedicated in September 2007, now serves about 1,000 households. Much as our former church, it is a visual landmark that witnesses to the strong and faithful Catholic presence in our community.

Our new church recalls the design of the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, Italy. Inside, parishioners and visitors alike find welcoming spaces for prayer and quiet contemplation as well as lively, joy-filled celebration. Be it hushed Taize prayer or glorious performances by the region’s Masterworks Chorale, St. Clare revels in celebrating the beauty of God’s creation. And week after week, our Sunday liturgies inspire all to lead Christ-centered lives.

Our parish also honors the Franciscan tradition in our dedication to Earth-friendly, environmentally respectful practices. From our cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system to our commitment to recycling, St. Clare Parish takes to heart our patroness’ call to live simply and mindfully. Our parish gardeners enhance our grounds with beautiful blooms and our tables with bountiful produce all summer long.

In addition to providing a beautiful environment for prayer and fellowship, our church and adjacent facilities help us to offer more than 80 ministries for people to grow in their faith. Hundreds of our members serve in liturgical and support ministries, volunteer their time in Christian formation and participate in evangelization and social justice activities. For example, St. Clare parishioners help stock O’Fallon’s food pantry, feed families in East St. Louis, and partner with other regional congregations to promote just causes.


The words of our Mission Statement best express the journey our founders set upon, and we continue on:
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.


Pastors
1858-1862 Fr. August Reineke
1862-1866 Fr. Clement Sieghardt
1866-1868 Fr. Anton Rustige
1868-1870 Fr. Theodore Kamann
1870-1915 Fr. William Drube
1915-1919 Fr. Henry Muenster
1919-1930 Fr. Anthony Powell
1931-1962 Fr. John Goelz
1962-1981 Fr. Edmund Lugge
1982-1994 Fr. Donald Eichenseer
1994-1996 Fr. Steven Unverferth
1996-Present Fr. James Deiters

Day of Dedication
September 30, 2007
 

Celebrant & Homilist
His Excellency The Most Reverend
Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of Belleville

Introductory Rites
The bishop and concelebrating priests, deacons and ministers approach the church doors, where the people are assembled.

Kathy Sjoquist – Building Committee
Charles Dee & Patricia Gerardi– Trustees
Dave Beringer- Architect
Ken Griesemer– Liturgical Consultant
Jerry Rehkemper – Korte Construction Company
Florine Whobrey, Dale Biver, Russell & Patty Thoman

The bishop calls upon the pastor of St. Clare, Reverend James Deiters, to open the doors.

Bishop: "Go within these gates, giving thanks; enter God’s courts with songs of praise!"

The assembly processes into the church while singing "Let Us Go Rejoicing".



Blessing and Sprinkling of Water
The bishop blesses the waters of the font. Through the waters of Baptism we are made members of Christ’s Body; we become Church. What was done to us in baptism is now done to this building, which stands as a symbol of us.
After the blessing the assembly and the building are sprinkled with these waters.

Liturgy of the Word
 

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 3: 9-17
Gospel: Matthew 5: 13-16

Prayer of Dedication and the Anointings

"Litany of the Saints" is sung. We call upon the intercession of the Church Triumphant, the saints, God’s holy ones, to surround us with their prayers. In this sacred liturgy, heaven and earth are wed.

Anointing of the Altar and Walls
Oil is an ancient symbol of healing, of strengthening, of anointing for mission. The anointing of the altar with chrism makes the altar a symbol of Christ the Anointed One. God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and made him the High Priest of the New Covenant, so that on the altar of his body he might offer the sacrifice of his life for the salvation of all.

The oil is then taken to anoint the walls of the church in the four directions – north, south, east and west. The anointing of the church signifies that it is given over entirely for Christian worship.



 
Incensation of the Altar and the Church
“How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place” is sung. Incense has been burned throughout history before the presence of the Divine. Here incense is placed on the altar to show that Christ’s sacrifice ascends as an odor of sweetness to God,
and to show that our prayers arise pleasing and acceptable as well. The altar, a symbol of Christ, is incensed. Then the people, who are themselves living temples of God’s Spirit, and the church building, are incensed. We are bearers of the divine; we are holy.  After the incensation the altar is prepared and covered with a cloth, handmade by the Poor Clare Nuns of Belleville. Flowers are also brought forward.
 


Lighting of the Altar and the Church
“Christ be Our Light” is sung. The Paschal Candle is lighted and carried to the front of the church. After a prayer by the bishop, the light of Christ spreads through the assembly.
 

His brightness illuminates our lives and shines in our hearts, calling us to be signs of truth, hope and healing for the world.

Liturgy of the Eucharist
Our gifts are presented at the altar for local, national and global needs. Among them are donations for the O’Fallon Food Pantry, letters to our congresspeople, and donations for our sister parish in Guastatoya, Guatemala.

 

 
Inauguration of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
The bishop incenses the Blessed Sacrament and carries it in procession to the Chapel of Reservation.
The Blessed Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle for the first time.
A minister lights the lamp which will burn perpetually before the tabernacle.
The reserved sacrament is there to be taken to the sick and for private prayer and adoration.
 

Blessing and Dismissal