Setting aside TIME for prayer…I meet people daily who tell me they “wish they had more time for prayer.” I always encourage them by suggesting to start with something small. But it takes discipline and commitment. Try building prayer into your regular schedule with one of these suggestions: ... READ MORE

You are invited to join in a public square rosary rally on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 12:00 noon – 1:30pm at 202 Marilyn Dr., O’Fallon, IL. Our Rally will be one of over 20,000 rallies that will take place all across the United States on that day to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Fatima Miracle of the Sun. ...READ MORE

Friday, October 28 from 6-8 p.m. -Trunk or Treating- St. Clare Church East Parking Lot - Decorating cars: 5:15-5:45 p.m. Parking lot closes: 5:45-8:15 p.m. Hot dogs and hot chocolate - Chili cookoff -Awards for best decorating "trunks" and best chili at 7:45 p.m.

Celebrating Parishioners Generosity…The wonderful success of Oktoberfest last weekend demonstrates the great generosity of our parishioners and the bountiful graces from God. Our Poor Clare Nuns pray daily for us but especially for our Oktoberfest success and favorable weather…and once again we witnessed the power of their prayers! Their spiritual ‘boost’ and the hard work of so many parishioners came together beautifully! I was inspired to see so many...READ MORE

Masterworks Chorale and Soloists Concert - Poetry in Music: For Better or for Verse: Sunday, October 9 3:00 PM at St. Clare Church - Poetry in Music: For Better or for Verse - What comes first, the melody or the words? A dynamic blend of music and spiritual poetry, from Bach to Whitacre. Masterworks Chorale will perform vibrant European standards, including works by...READ MORE

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY - Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and 7:00 p.m. in Room 3. Hope for the Journey is for anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one, recent or not. We meet for prayer, encouragement, suggested reading, and to walk this journey with you...READ MORE

Happy Anniversary! I like how our Oktoberfest celebration is always held on the weekend closest to the anniversary of the dedication of our new church, which was on September 30, 2007. For those who are new around St. Clare, this marks our 15th year of being in this beautiful church and we couldn’t be more excited about all the great things that have happened at St. Clare...READ MORE

For children ages 6 months to 4 years. Parents, sign in children and pick up pager before Mass, as long as an adult volunteer is in the room and until we reach capacity. No food, drink, diaper bags or personal toys are allowed in nursery. Parents will be paged if child needs diaper change or to use the restroom.

Oktoberfest Hospitality- As we gear up for our main parish fun/fund-raiser next weekend, make sure you invite all your neighbors, family members, and workmates. Thanks so much to all of you are going out of your way to help us sell raffle tickets, including sharing our online link to out-of-town family members! We still have plenty of time slots open needing volunteers, so stop by the Oktoberfest table after Mass or go online to stclarechurch.org/oktoberfest. As we welcome ...READ MORE

A great fall festival for all! Our 22nd annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 24, is a great community “fun-raiser” for our parish. I love to see our parish’s great hospitality shine during this event in downtown O’Fallon as we have fun working and “playing” side by side. No matter how busy the booth is, there are plenty of smiles and laughs to go around. Please join us in putting on this celebration of our area’s German heritage. Each of you is important to the success of Oktoberfest. While Oktoberfest needs many helpers for shifts in its 24 booths between 4 and 10 p.m., it also takes many hours of preparation the weeks before. We need people to make cakes and pies, put baskets together and donate food and prizes...READ MORE

Parish School of Religion (PSR) begins Sunday, Sept. 11 St. Clare School, 214 W. Third enter through glass doors near gym First day (Sept. 11 only) will have graduated start times by grade level for students & parents to meet the teachers: 7th and 8th - 10:30 a.m. 1st and 2nd - 10:45 a.m. 3rd and 4th - 11 a.m. 5th and 6th - 11:15 a.m. Kindergarten 11:30 a.m. Parents and students stay in the classroom for the first 10-15 minutes to meet the teachers ...READ MORE

Parish Welcome Retreat Program - “Our Stories Connect Us”... St. Clare Parish is always looking for ways to provide opportunities for its members to grow in both community and spirituality. One of these is through a parish retreat called Welcome which is a Dynamic Catholic program. The retreat teams (composed of parishioners just like you) have been preparing for the last several months for both the October women’s and men’s retreats. We want to issue a special invitation for you to attend!

Just Faith Ever wonder: "Why don't people in poverty just get a job?", "What are some common hurdles that people in poverty face?", or "What are some practical tools for alleviating poverty in my community?" If so, then join us for an 8-week Just Faith series entitled "Faith and Poverty: A Solidarity Response" facilitated by Deacon John Gomez and parishioner Regan Gubera, one of the Diocese of Belleville's interns for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development this year. Meetings are every Tuesday at 7pm, starting Sept. 20th. For more information or to sign up, contact Deacon John at deaconjohn@stclarechurch.org. Materials for the series cost approximately $35 per person, depending on shipping. Please register by Sept. 6.

My List of Gratitude…I marvel at the way the way so many of you stay involved in our parish while also being committed to your own home and work. In my daily prayers of gratitude for each of you, I highlight these few this week: Our Oktoberfest Team – lots of planning going on by these leaders so let’s show them our support and gratitude by volunteering to do our part. Our Welcoming Team – they helped ...READ MORE

The Ministry of the Deacon: Image of Christ, the Servant - Presented by Deacon John Gomez & Deacon Dennis Vander Ven - Saturday, Sept. 17, 6:15-7:15 p.m. - Fellowship Hall Hear Deacons John and Dennis share from their own experiences and stories about being called to the diaconate, and learn about what the role of the deacon is in the life of the Church! All are welcome!

All high school students are invited to a special evening with Bishop Michael McGovern. “Ask the Bishop” Sunday, September 18 from 6-8 p.m. at St. Clare Church, Fellowship Hall. Pizza will be served! Please sign up online using the QR code.

Using the Spirit’s Gifts for God - This weekend, when I watch many of you process forward to return your Stewardship cards, my ‘pastor’s heart’ is filled with gratitude and joy. Like a parent, a pastor feels a sense of pride and accomplishment when the ‘kids’ work together as a family. Part of St. Clare Parish Mission is to help you get closer to Jesus by living ...READ MORE

The Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study invites you to join us for our upcoming study of The Letter of Paul to the Romans. The book of Romans explains God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. All new members are welcome for our Fall Visitors’ Day on September 21 from 9:30—11:30 a.m. This study is for men and women who wish to deepen their faith ...READ MORE

Bible Study ~ Maccabees - Tuesdays, Starting September 13 - 7—8:30 p.m. Participants may attend in-person at church or via Zoom. To register, please contact the parish office at 618-632-3562 by August 30. Cost for materials is $17 plus shipping.