‘Fun-raising’ with your parish family...In the midst of our big, busy parish – which provides many unique opportunities for each of us – there’s one annual event that brings us all together with common goals of fundraising and fun: St. Clare’s Oktoberfest! We’re so grateful for those who have already signed up to donate time, talent, items and money to make our 24th annual community festival the best ever. It’s not too late to participate! We still need many more volunteers and donations, so visit...READ MORE

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY - Wednesday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall 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.

Monday, September 9th at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. All seniors are welcome! Chicken & Dumplings and Senior Bingo!

Working toward the best-ever Oktoberfest! - Our dedicated team of Oktoberfest leaders has been working hard on plans for our fantastic annual festival. Now, it’s your turn to join us in making St. Clare’s big Oktoberfest fundraiser the best ever! Sign up today to volunteer and donate items. It’s easy to sign up online- go to www.stclarechurch.org/oktoberfest. Or, just check in with the booth captains and leaders after Mass this weekend. Top 5 reasons to sign up today for one or more of the 300 volunteer slots...READ MORE

24 HOUR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Sunday, OCTOBER 6 from 11:40am until 11:40am to Monday, OCTOBER 7, followed with Benediction. If you plan on coming during 6pm-7am, please call the parish office by to use a keypad code on the door in the Mary Shrine. Come spend some quiet time in Adoration! If you can commit to an hour, sign-up sheets are on the table in the Gathering Space or sign up online.

The Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study Study. Connect. Transform. These words describe the mission of The Cornerstone Catholic Scripture Study. We invite you to join us for our upcoming study of The Gospel of Matthew, “Jesus, The Cornerstone”. This study is for adults who wish to deepen their faith through an increased knowledge of the inspired Word of God which can transform your heart and mind. Weekly meetings will be held from September thru April at St Clare of Assisi, O'Fallon. Come and see what we are all about at a Visitors Session, Wednesday, September 25, 9:15-11:15 am in the parish hall...READ MORE

Why I Love Our Oktoberfest…When we were planning the very first Oktoberfest 24 years ago, it started out as a way to build community since at that time there were no parish-wide events that brought us together as a parish family. That goal of ‘community’ remains today and has expanded to the much larger community of the whole metro area as we keep our Oktoberfest as a very family-friendly event for everyone. As your pastor, I love seeing our parishioners of all ages volunteering together...READ MORE

Message from our Music and Liturgy Director, Stephen Eros - We are so fortunate at St. Clare to celebrate liturgies with great intentionality that embrace the rich traditions of our Catholic faith. Fr. Jim’s vision and leadership are the foundation for this, and it is an honor for me to carry out this dignified work with so many well-formed dedicated lay minsters, deacons, musicians, art and environment team members, and dozens more people behind-the-scenes. I want to acknowledge three recent donations ...READ MORE

Did you know St. Clare of Assisi sponsors a Cub Scout Pack? Cub Scouting is open to boys enrolled in K - 5th grades. Many of our members come from St. Clare School, however, we also welcome parishioners or friends from other schools! Scouting provides boys with an opportunity to serve their community while learning new skills. We realize that many boys are involved in sports and other activities, at school or in the community. We strive to make the experience of Scouting work for ... READ MORE

Tau Cross - Last weekend, one of our junior high students noticed the unique vestment I wore for the Feast of St. Clare. I wear it for various feasts of Franciscan saints since it has a beautiful, gold Tau Cross stitched onto the front, a symbol often associated with Francis and Clare. Be sure and stop by and see our beautifully carved Tau Cross made in Assisi from an old olive tree. The Tau Cross is now hanging in our St. Clare devotional chapel (located next to our baptismal font). A brief history of this unique ...READ MORE

End of Year Financial Report 7/1/23 - 6/30/24 - Thank you all for the extra effort made in June to help meet the end of the year goal for the Operating Budget. Your generosity enabled us to finish the fiscal year on June 30 with a positive financial position. This continued support allows us to offer so many programs and services to our parishioners and our community. Toni Stanton, Parish Business Manager...CLICK TO VIEW CHART

The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to join them for the Solemn Novena in honor of St. Clare. To be celebrated in the monastery chapel August 2 - 10, 2024. 7:00 p.m. Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament night prayers and Compline; 7:30 p.m. The Novena Service concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The theme of this year’s Novena will be: St. Clare of Assisi - the Lady of Holy Love. You are welcome to bring your prayer petitions with you, or mail them to The Poor Clare Monastery, 300 North 60th Street, Belleville, IL 62223-3927. For dates and times...READ MORE

Gospel Hospitality - One of the key elements of Jesus' ministry was hospitality. He welcomed all people, especially those who had been excluded by others. We try hard to practice that here at St. Clare Parish through such things as: + Welcoming liturgies that are also prayerful, + Our large ‘gathering space’ to socialize before & after Mass, + Welcome receptions for all new parishioners, +  “Donut Sundays” once a month, +  Over 80 ministries that allows/encourages everyone to be involved ... READ MORE

Parish Staff Blessings… Here at St. Clare, we are so blessed to have a great staff who give so much of themselves to keep our parish thriving and centered in prayer, Catholic faith formation, community, and the Spirit’s joy. I am so grateful for each of them and the ministry they do, which helps me stay focused on my main role as spiritual leader in the sacraments, preaching, teaching, and governing our parish and school. Their names and roles are on the front of the bulletin each week. ...READ MORE

Steubenville “illuminates” our youth...What a weekend! Thank you for your support in making our Youth Group’s trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference possible again this year. Our 52 youth (and 14 chaperones) had many great opportunities to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, music Adoration, and inspiring talks alongside 4,800 of their peers! It was powerful, faith-affirming and exhausting! Our prayer is that these wonderful young people were “illuminated” in the light of Christ

National Eucharistic Congress 2024...As most of you know, last Sunday and Monday our diocese hosted a spiritually powerful event of Eucharistic devotions. It was inspiring to have so many people (our St. Clare Youth were well represented!) from around Southern Illinois praying together around the sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist. This week (Wednesday-Friday), I will be going to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, joining thousands of ...READ MORE