CLASS SUMMARY: For January, the focus was on learning to minister in the role of Deacon at Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals. In the Christian life, these are some of the most memorable moments in our lives. To help us perform these correctly, we had a classroom portion on the established Catholic Rite for Baptism, Weddings and Funerals. After that, we did our best with some hands-on practice...READ MORE

Read the March 2023 issue of the Diocesan newsletter, "The Belleville Deacon"

Liturgy in Lent - Our Catholic liturgical tradition is a multi-sensory experience—sights, sounds, smells, and so on. The season of Lent brings about several differences in the liturgical environment that are worth mentioning. Sights & Sounds - From the Roman Missal “During Lent, it is not permitted to decorate the altar with flowers, and the use of musical instruments is allowed only so as to support the singing.” With this direction, the Church calls us to “fast” from both visual and...READ MORE

“The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord” (Psalm 15)...This weekend, February 18-19, our parish, along with all other parishes in the diocese, will conduct our Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal. The CSMA provides a convenient way for all of us, no matter what our time limitations, to take an active role in the mission of our diocesan Church. If you did not receive a pledge card in the mail or forgot to bring it, please use one of the reply envelopes that are available in the gathering space. Our parish goal this year is $52,337. Please be as generous as you are able.

As we approach the beginning of Lent this year, I want to highlight one of our great St. Clare Lenten traditions—the Monday Night Lent Series. On the Mondays of Lent (except Holy Week), we have a special Soup Dinner and Presentation following Mass, which is at 6:00 p.m., instead of 12 noon. The soup dinner and social time is 6:30-7:15 p.m. and the presentation goes until 8:30 p.m. One of the reasons we needed to expand our fellowship hall was that we could no longer (comfortably) fit everyone for these "soup and speaker" nights...READ MORE

The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal February 18/19 every parish in the diocese will be participating in The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal. This annual collection supports the ministries and agencies in our diocese whose scope of service could not be duplicated by an individual parish. Our financial target is $52,337...READ MORE

Read the February 2023 issue of the Diocesan newsletter, "The Belleville Deacon"

Welcome Catechumens! This past Sunday, during PSR, the 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade classes celebrated the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens for their classmates Ava (6th), Brayden (4th), and Penelope (3rd), who have been preparing to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass through the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Attendees at the 8:30am Mass from now until Easter will see Ava, Brayden, and Penelope be called up and dismissed following the Homily each Sunday. This dismissal is similar to the dismissal we are used to at the end of Mass when we are sent out into the ... READ MORE

Celebrating So Many Great Things Happening…I am eager to share with you some great things happening in our parish this week. All are signs of God’s graces and so many faithful people in our St. Clare Family. • Youth – our Sunday night youth group is thriving with so many high school students and recently invited 8th graders to join them. Thanks, youth leaders! • Luke 18 Retreat – last weekend, about 60 8th grade students were a part of this event hosted by another 90 high school and college students, all growing in their relationship with Jesus. Thanks to the parents and youth leading this! • Young Adults – we are in the early stages of working ...READ MORE