March 1, 2020 - First Sunday of Lent
“He said in reply,
'It is written:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.'”
~ Matthew 4:4
Sunday's readings can be found online at
From the Pastor's Pen
As we begin now with Jesus in the desert: Why the Desert?
On my second retreat in the desert around Albuquerque recently, this became clear. To go to the desert is to leave a lot of things behind—people, personal routines,
entertainment, cell phone and internet. All the people that give me affirmation (the good times, at least) and the things I rely on or piddle away time with, were gone. All that was left—as for Jesus—was the Father. And with the community of prayer there, I reflected on how that was enough. It felt like enough. I sensed freedom, not deprivation.
So as for Jesus, “Giving things up” has no value in itself. But if making a few choices to not be so automatic about food, diversions, or “passing time” instead of doing something valuable with it, can open us to focus on more satisfying things, then some “giving up” is worthwhile. Even some of our spiritual practices can
become automatic.
That’s Lent. In fact, the word “Lent” is an old English word for Springtime. How is the date for Easter set? Since many folks enjoyed this last year, here goes: 1st Sunday After the 1st full moon After March 21st. The first full moon after the Spring Equinox, March 21, is April 8 . So Easter is April 12. Because it’s the time when the sun, the winds, even the moon, work together to warm the earth and bring out life.
The 1st Sunday of Lent, we see Jesus in the desert tempted by—and overcoming—usual human distractions: satisfaction, recognition, respect. He sought instead to be in complete union with his Father. He leads us through an exemplary human life into the fullness of his Father’s kingdom. He accepted his suffering as part of this great fullness.
A later page here shows a rich desert we’ve prepared for you: Lectio Divina talks, Faith Sharing groups, sending a text number to receive ongoing spiritual food, Ecumenical prayer, Stations. Enter the desert. The Father is waiting.
-Fr. Tom
Fish Fry Dinners Begin TONIGHT Feb. 28th, 4-7pm in School Cafeteria - see flyer below for details.
This morning Mrs. Driskill led her 3rd graders over to visit our neighbors at St. Catherine Apartments to present their Famous African American Projects for the residents there. Everyone enjoyed the students' presetntations, they were very well prepared!
Parish Meetings & Announcements
MENS ACTS RETREAT - MARCH 19-22
Gentlemen, it's time to save your spot to join this special weekend away with men of the parish at Pallottine Renewal Center. Contact Joe at 314-397-1547, Chris at 314-899-6274 or the parish office for more information
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LENTEN GATHERINGS
Wednesday, March 4th & Wednesday March 11th at 7pm in our Church
Guest speaker, Shane Van Diest from the Archdiocese Catholic Youth Apostolate,
will talk about Lectio Divina— prayerful, reflective reading of Scripture and prayer
March 25th—Ecumenical Evening Prayer hosted by our neighbors at
Lutheran Church of the Living Christ
April 1st—Ecumenical Evening Prayer here at St. Rose, with our neighbors from Lutheran Church of the Living Christ
Stations of the Cross
Join us weekly for Stations of the Cross, led by several of our parish ministries.
Friday’s during Lent at 7pm in Church
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Lent101 - a resource for lent!
This lent, walk with us on The Lenten Journey, a weekly email designed to help you enter more fully into these 40 days and consider your relationship with God and how he’s calling you to grow - no matter where you are in your faith journey.
Text lentSTL to 84576 to join us!
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PARISH STRATEGIC PLANNING - ACTION PLANNING NIGHT
Monday, March 9 at 7:30pm in Parish Hall - look for a letter in your mailbox from Fr. Tom next week for more details!
PARISH STRATEGIC PLANNING - ACTION PLANNING NIGHT
Monday, March 9 at 7:30pm in Parish Hall - look for a letter in your mailbox from Fr. Tom next week for more details!
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LEGION OF MARY
We gather every Thursday at 9:30am in Room #1. Please join us as we pray the Rosary and celebrate how Mary is important in our lives.
LEGION OF MARY
We gather every Thursday at 9:30am in Room #1. Please join us as we pray the Rosary and celebrate how Mary is important in our lives.
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PATRIOTIC ROSARY/DIVINE MERCY
We pray these prayers every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm in the Adoration Chapel.
PATRIOTIC ROSARY/DIVINE MERCY
We pray these prayers every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm in the Adoration Chapel.
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Parish Festival Planning Meetings
Parish Festival Planning Meetings
The Parish Festival committee invites anyone who is interested in helping to plan the event to join their meetings, which will be held in the school cafeteria (3500 St. Catherine St) at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- Wednesday, March 4th
- Wednesday, April 1st
- Wednesday, May 6th
The Parish Festival is scheduled for May 15-16, 2020 - mark your calendars!
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St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish S.H.E. Club
S-Socialize & Serve ~ H-Hospitality, Help & Hope
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish S.H.E. Club
S-Socialize & Serve ~ H-Hospitality, Help & Hope
~ E-Encounter Jesus in Each Other
Attention all Women of our Parish Community! Save the Date for our Upcoming
Ladies Night Out Gathering:
Attention all Women of our Parish Community! Save the Date for our Upcoming
Ladies Night Out Gathering:
Tuesday, March 31, 7pm in Parish Hall (Bunco Party)
Mark your calendars and watch the bulletin, flocknotes and website for further details. If you have questions, please contact Jen at jencracchiola@gmail.com or
314-486-8501. All are welcome - invite a friend or neighbor!
Mark your calendars and watch the bulletin, flocknotes and website for further details. If you have questions, please contact Jen at jencracchiola@gmail.com or
314-486-8501. All are welcome - invite a friend or neighbor!
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SENIOR CLUB BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 2nd at 1pm in Room 1
Monday, March 2nd at 1pm in Room 1
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TABLE OF PLENTY - If there are ANY parishioners who are in NEED of a warm, home-cooked meal twice a month, you are welcome to join us for Table of Plenty.
We gather the first and last Tuesdays of each month from 5:30-6:30pm, in the
Parish Hall. Next Date is March 3.
We gather the first and last Tuesdays of each month from 5:30-6:30pm, in the
Parish Hall. Next Date is March 3.
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YOUTH MINISTRY
ROMANS 8 YOUTH GROUP
All high schoolers: We meet every Thursday from 7-9:00PM. Go in door #1 at the church site. It is the 3rd meeting room on the right. Join us for an evening of games, snacks, & Bible discussion designed for teens!
All high schoolers: We meet every Thursday from 7-9:00PM. Go in door #1 at the church site. It is the 3rd meeting room on the right. Join us for an evening of games, snacks, & Bible discussion designed for teens!
Isaiah 64 YOUTH GROUP
5th-8th grade: We usually meet the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of every month from 6-8pm in Room #5. Next Meeting: March 7
5th-8th grade: We usually meet the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of every month from 6-8pm in Room #5. Next Meeting: March 7
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MOVIE DAY IN THE PARISH HALL
Our Women’s Faith Sharing Group will be hosting a FREE MOVIE day! Bring your own beverage and a lawn chair to sit in if that would be more comfortable for you! FREE Popcorn will be provided!! OVERCOMER is an inspirational movie for the
entire family!! Rated PG
entire family!! Rated PG
ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US
WHAT: Watch the movie “OVERCOMER”
WHEN: Sunday, March 8th
WHERE: Parish Hall
TIME: 2:00pm
WHAT: Watch the movie “OVERCOMER”
WHEN: Sunday, March 8th
WHERE: Parish Hall
TIME: 2:00pm
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St. Pat’s Casseroles
Top of the Mornin’ to ya! We will be collecting frozen, prepared casseroles at the upper parking lot between 7:30-9:30am on Monday, March 9th. The frozen casseroles are delivered to help feed the homeless at St. Patrick's Center downtown. Any questions, please call Bob or Mary at 314-395-9735.
Click here for the recipe.
Top of the Mornin’ to ya! We will be collecting frozen, prepared casseroles at the upper parking lot between 7:30-9:30am on Monday, March 9th. The frozen casseroles are delivered to help feed the homeless at St. Patrick's Center downtown. Any questions, please call Bob or Mary at 314-395-9735.
Click here for the recipe.
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Read the Full Weekly Bulletin online at
Parish Strategic Planning Continues
On Monday, January 13, 2020, the parish council welcomed each parish ministry and organization to send one or two representatives to join us for a meeting of our Parish Commissions (Liturgy, Christian Formation, Service & Social, and Administration) at 7:30pm in the parish meeting rooms. Thanks to those who were able to attend - we got a good start on the "nuts and bolts" of the strategic planning, moving from strategic goals, to success indicators, to objectives!
An action planning night is set for March 9, 2020 at 7:30pm in the parish hall. Stay tuned tot the bulletin and flocknotes for further details. By Easter, the parish council expects to have the Vision and Strategic Plan for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish ready to present and move forward with the implementation phase with milestones set to achieve the next few years. Please continue to watch for updates in the bulletin, and contact a parish council member if you are interested in more information.
Parish Council Members:
- Terry O’Neil (Chairman)
- Joe Murphy (Vice-Chairman)
- Steve Gantner (Secretary)
- Theresa Brandt
- Mike Hamilton
- Mike Kister
- Cara Koen
- Tom Rechtien
- Father Tom Wyrsch, Pastor
- Father John Nickolai, Associate Pastor
- Deacon Dennis Barbero
- Deacon Bill Johnson
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN - New System
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has developed a new system for safe environment compliance called Prevent and Protect STL. Everyone ministering to minors and vulnerable adults (clergy, employees and volunteers) in the Archdiocese are required to register in the new system before December 31, 2020. This includes those new to service and those who are currently in service. For those who have already attended a Protecting God’s Children workshop, your previous training date will transfer to this new system. In addition to attending a live Protecting God’s Children workshop, all clergy, volunteers, and employees will register for an updated background screening, view two new online training modules on abuse reporting and the Code of Ethical Conduct, and agree to the updated Code of Ethical Conduct. Please go to www.preventandprotectstl.org to register and contact your parish Child Safety Coordinator: Mariellyn Hays, 314-837-3710 with any questions or for further assistance. PASSCODE NEEDED IS: stlprotect
* *All Saints Academy - School News* *
Our new principal, Dr. Mark Gilligan, is contributing a weekly message to the parish bulletin, we hope parishioners enjoy these regular updates. You can also access the weekly school newsletter on MyParishApp under "Bulletins" - the school newsletters are posted with Friday dates and Parish Bulletins are Sunday dates.
Student Art Show at Good Shepherd Gallery - several of our students have artwork on display starting this afternoon at the Good Shepherd Arts Center (252 S. Florissant Rd) in Ferguson. Come and view the beautiful work of their hands during regular gallery hours through Feb. 22! https://goodshepherdarts.org/
* *Support Our Parish While Shopping* *
Did you know that you can support our parish while you shop? Use ShopwithScrip, Amazon Smile and Schnucks eScrip when you do your regular shopping and our parish will benefit! Check our parish website for details
When you shop Amazon - use this link: smile.amazon.com/ch/43-0731519, AmazonSmile donates to St Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church!
* * Parish Calendar Online * *
Did you know that you can access the parish calendar on the website at https://www.strpdparish.org/calendar? Events and room reservations are listed here and can also be copied to your own Google Calendar.
Also, check out the Events on our Parish Facebook Page! Like and share with your Facebook friends. Click on "Interested" on all of our parish and community events (even those you aren't planning to attend yourself) - this will help your friends see all the great things happening at our parish and school.
* * Get Texts from Our Parish * *
To receive occasional text messages with important updates from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish, just add your mobile phone number to your flocknote profile. The quickest way to do this is to send a text message to 85476 from your mobile phone and confirm your e-mail address with the link provided in response to your text message. You can also log in to flocknote at https://new.flocknote.com/StRPD and click on "My Info" to update your mobile phone number or email address. Click here for more information on updating your flocknote account. Send your questions to communication@strpdparish.org.
* * Download MyParish App * *
Download MyParish App (available in the app store on Apple and Android smartphones) and select St. Rose Philippine Duchesne for access to Daily Readings and Reflections and quick links to the parish bulletin.
Look for new features in MyParish app, with buttons for a daily message from Pope Francis, Rosary audio, Real Life Catholic and more!
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish
1210 Paddock Drive - Florissant, MO 63033
Office Phone: (314) 837-3410
Office Phone: (314) 837-3410
Parish Website: www.strpdparish.org
Weekly Parish Bulletin: https://www.e-churchbulletins.com/bulletins/982239.pdf
Online Offertory Giving: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/256
Download Our Parish App: https://www.strpdparish.org/myparishapp
Mass Schedule: https://www.strpdparish.org/mass-schedule
Our Mission: Inspired by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Our Parish serves God and community with its many ministries by witness of faith, through ongoing faith formation and evangelization of youth, while embracing cultural diversity and social justice.