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.

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street

O’Fallon, IL 62269 618/ 632-3562

www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Ed Seipp Business Manager Patrick Jurgensmeyer Facilities Manager Stephen Eros Music and Liturgy Director Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation Matt Flynn Adult Faith and Mission

ST. CLARE SCHOOL 632-6327

214 West Third Street, O’Fallon, IL Milissa Faust Principal

Gloria Schmidt Secretary

Eileen Yahl Accountant

MT. CALVARY CEMETERY 632-3562

Jim Deschesne, Sexton

PARISH TRUSTEES

Michael Crupe

John Dempsey

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL 632-4270

Emergency Assistance

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 29 , 2017

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton Bishop of Belleville

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

BAPTISM—Preparation classes for parents are offered every other month for infant baptism. Call the Parish Office to sign up. Adults wishing to be baptized should also call the Office.

RECONCILIATION—Saturdays 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Community celebrations are also offered every Advent and Lent.

MATRIMONY—Contact Pastor a year prior.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK—Communal celebrations twice a year, or by appointment.

Friday, February 3 Games start at 6

Doors open at 5:30 Fellowship Hall

Bingo and other games!

Don’t Miss the Fun at Family Game Night!

Friday, Feb 3

St. Clare Fellowship Hall Free Fun Night!

Doors open at 5:30 Games start at 6:00

Lots of Prizes! Bring your own snacks

From Our Pastor... Celebrating Catholic Schools

Each year at the end of January Catholic parishes around the country celebrate ‘Catholic Schools Week.’ We do this for several reasons:

1. To thank all our parishioners for their prayers and financial support of this important ministry in our parish.

2. To promote the value of Catholic schools to those who may not be familiar with this parish ministry that helps parents pass on the faith to their children.

3. To help the school children realize the uniqueness of their Catholic education they are privileged to be receiving in a country that allows religious freedom.

Our own St. Clare School does a tremendous job of keeping a Catholic identity in its mission in the way it teaches the core Catholic teachings to the children. They also get involved in a wide variety of charity and justice outreach activities. Please consider joining us this Sunday afternoon for our Open House from 1:30-3:00 PM to see and learn why St. Clare School is so special.

We are also grateful to have two Catholic High Schools in our diocese relatively close to our parish that I encourage our par-ents to also consider for continuing their children’s faith for-mation. Althoff Catholic High School is in Belleville and Ma-ter Dei is in Breese, both of them within a half hour drive. I know that some of our parents also choose excellent Catholic high schools in St. Louis.

Of course our parish also supports our parents who choose our PSR program on Sunday mornings or homeschooling. But for one week a year we make an extra effort of promoting our Catholic School for parents to consider as an excellent way to help them teach the faith to their children.

I want to personally thank all of for your seeing the value of our parish offering a Catholic school education and for your financial support of it through your weekly tithe.

God’s Peace be with you, Fr. Jim Deiters

January 28 Paul Bonn Joe Gilroy Glenda Cortez JP Wohlgemuth Shawn Chaney Steve Hollenkamp Abby Ragsdale Lauren Cooley Joshua Huber January 29 Amy Peifer Elizabeth Toftemark Michelle Van DeVoorde Marcie Pfeuffer Kimberly Huber Sarah Homrig Megan Toon Cassie Saunders Joel Wisely January 30 WC McNease Gregory Butler Brendan McCauley Joe Hardimon Winnie Kenney Josh Phillips Jeremy Benedick Nolan Melesky January 31 Andrea Martin Paul O’Brien Mary Sheehey Beth Ruckwardt Michelle Erb Tyler Klingelhoefer Liberty Barr Oscar Speakes Ansley Ori Mateo Leonelli

February 1 Paul Riley Su Holmes Kathy Moore Bernard McManus Matt Steinkamp Anna Barackman Rachel Baines Lauren Sheesley Eric Banker Jimmy Hendricks Lily Klostermann Mila Venne February 2 Mary Anne Hempsted Julie Grubofski Jamie Dintelman Joshua Muckensturm Mahdi Gourdine Alex Brown Maggie Papproth Pauley Elisabeth Jordan February 3 Michelle Strube Celerina Collins Rick Klingelhoefer Dan Holtgrave Amy Ori Amber Elliott Amy Jansen Corinne Saplin Megan Koch Marissa Walker Francesca Gross February 4 Pat Stumphy Gail Jurgensmeyer Mary Pressnall Carol Martz Theresa Borges Alex Heitzman Rhianna DeBourge Kanoa Mamuad February 5 Helen Costello Judy Kocinski Cindy Johll Greg Schwartz Corey Ramsby Allison LaSalvia Abi Monroe

SPECIAL THANKS The families of Virginia Woods and Elaine Elrod would like to express their gratitude to Father Jim, Stephen Eros and the choir, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and serv-ers for the beautiful Funeral Mass; and, the wonderful ladies of the Altar Sodality for preparing and serving the luncheon to our family and guests. May the Peace of Christ be with each and every one of you!

Please pray for the sick, their loved ones and caregivers; may they never lose sight of the love of God… Jennifer R. Barajas, Wray Barr, Bill Bettorf, Shirley Carroll, Linda Cipfl, Yasuko Estabrooks, Rita Ferreri, Sharon Gage, Tom Giger, Jean Green, Hannah Grubofski, Raymond Haselhorst, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke, Jessica Holmes, Emil Kirchgessner, Liz Klingler, Ami Kovach, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Abelina Leon, Mary Lugge, Matthew MacAinsh, Carol Martz, Nona Morgan, Doris Prosser, Dale Reeser, Megan Saldana, Madelean Sanford, Craig Seipp, Mary Ann Seipp, Sybil Sheesley, Richard Smith, Donna Sparks, Betty Stogner, Betty Tomasovich, Jake Van Hook, Jenny Vogt, Patricia Weiler, Steve Wells

If you have a family member that is homebound due to illness or hospitalized, please call the parish office. Please pray for our military men and women, especially those separated from loved ones by deployment.

Readings of the Week January 30-February 5 Monday: Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday: Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22:26b-28, 30-32; Mk 5:21-43 Wednesday:Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 [22-32] Friday: Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9; Mk 6:14-29 Saturday: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34 Sunday: Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, January 28 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 p.m. Gerry Munie Sunday, January 29 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. For Our Parish 10:30 a.m. Norma Seipp David Woodward Monday, January 30 Weekday 12:00 p.m. Fr. Patrick Fletcher Tuesday, January 31 Saint John Bosco, Priest 7:30 a.m. Melvin Seipp 8:30 a.m. Mass in School Chapel Wednesday, February 1 No Mass Weekday Thursday, February 2 The Presenta on of the Lord 8:30 a.m. Mass in School Chapel First Friday, February 3 Weekday, Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; Saint Ansgar, Bishop 7:30 a.m. Jackie Perez Saturday, February 4 Fi h Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 p.m. John and Bernice Kuca Family Sunday, February 5 Fi h Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. Patricia Gundlach Clifford J. and Rose a E. Weiler 10:30 a.m. James Mannix, Sr. Frank Pu mann

Next Weekend: February 4/5

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Saturday 5:00 Nancy Buttimer, Jim & Barbara Calandro Ellen Gravlin, Dennis Holdener, Jessica Kalmer Nancy Karrigan, Barb Kenney, Donna Meyers Ann Millikin, Sella Roman, Jeff & Pat Taylor

Sunday 8:30 Marie Berry, Linda Cipfl, Bob & Michelle Crain Jeanette Giebels, Ely Gillespie, John Gomez Suzanne Huffines, Percy Menzies, Susan Price Caron Proffer, Sharon Ripplinger, Tina Whitlow

Sunday 10:30 Dan & Tara Ashbaker, Lea Bautz, Steve Bovich Jay Davila, Heather Ertel, Krystle Hatter Dominic & Rena Sabatino, Kathy Sjoquist Toni Stanton, Michele Taylor, Betsy Weinel Lectors Saturday 5:00 April Leo & Faith Rackers Sunday 8:30 Pamela Wiederholt & Brian Kloustermeyer 10:30 Ameilia Abalos & Margaret Andrasko

Servers Saturday 5:00 Jack Eberhart, Thomas Jackson, Anson Smith 8:30 Lindsey Berry, Charlie & John Moore 10:30 Sarah Dotson, Isabella Ponciroli, Hannah Sill Ushers Saturday 5:00 Su Holmes, Ken Kenney, Scott Leo Carl Lurk, Bruce Rackers, John Winkelmann

Sunday 8:30 Dennis Collins, Pat Jurgensmeyer, Walt Leninsky Ryan Luechtefeld, Don Proffer, Craig Sewell

Sunday 10:30 Gustavo Cotto, Paulo D’Amico, Joe Ertel Brian Huelsmann, Roy Rogge, Zakharie Stoll Gift Bearers Saturday 5:00 Lucy Mixen, Erin Prest Sunday 8:30 Mary Zeisset Family 10:30 Patrick, Dannette, Joseph, William & Lydia Kinsella Greeters Saturday 5:00 Bo, Cyndi, Eli & Olivia Butters 8:30 Audra Driscoll, Mark Guerrero, Mona Peach Gib & Pat Vollmer 10:30 Robert, Lisa, Rob & Ryan Clancy Sound Board Saturday 5:00 David Schmitz Sunday 8:30 Gary Borges 10:30 Jim Colombo

Bread Bakers Merlie Kirchgessner & Sarah Mattingly

Children’s Word Saturday 5:00 Amanda Mergen & Alex Eichholz Sunday 8:30 Peggy Snyder & Meredith Blair 10:30 Krissy Greene & Meaghan Bovich

Nursery 10:30 Megan & Maddie Blair

January 21/22 Tithe New Church $19,184.25 $1,525.00

Vocation Corner

“I learned about my faith at a young age and attended Catholic schools. I worked in the Philippines and China and it was there that I sensed a calling to the priesthood entrusting my vocation to God. I made my consecration to Jesus through Mary as taught by St. Louis de Montfort. I joined a religious order on August 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary.”

Father Kenneth Lao, CC, Associate Pastor, St. Timothy Catholic Church New York, Ontario, Columbia, Nov. 2015, pg. 34

“One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; Another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” Proverbs 11:24

Parishioners to receive Heart & Soul Award

Jim and Barbara Calandro, ac ve parishioners at St. Clare, are being recognized by Caritas Family Solu-

ons for their reless and selfless dedica on to the social service agency’s mission.

Barbara served on the Board of Directors for seven years and Jim is an ac ve volunteer at St. John Bosco Children’s Center. The couple will be presented with an award at the Annual Heart & Soul Gala on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Four Points Sheraton in Fairview Heights. Discounted ckets available for St. Clare parish-ioners. For ckets call 213-8714.

2017 St. Louis Catholic Men For Christ Conference

February 18 Touhill Performing Arts Center

(UMSL) Please note this is a new location for the con-ference. For information and tickets go to:

https://www.catholicmenforchrist.org/. Guest speakers for the event will be Marcus Grodi, Rev. Arthur Cavitt, Jon Leo-

netti and Damon Owens. For information or to carpool from the church at 6:30

a.m., contact Steve at scardfan@aol.com.

You are Invited to Attend Fontebella Maternity Home Gala

“It Takes”

Saturday, February 25 6:00—10:00 p.m.

Four Points Sheraton Banquet Center Fairview Heights

Tickets on sale through eventbrite.com, search Fontebella Maternity Home Gala.

Seats available for $50/$80/$100 Assigned seating available online until Jan 27.

Eucharistic Adoration Sunday, February 5

After 10:30 Mass until

Monday, February 6 Benediction followed by Noon Mass

If you can commit to one hour, sign up

sheets are in the Gathering Space. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament

because of His Infinite Love for you! Come, rest and pray in His love.

SAVE THE DATE! Youth Group to host Trivia Night Sat. March 25 in Fellowship Hall Doors open at 6; Trivia begins at 7

Admission is $20 per person or $160 table of eight. Guests may bring snacks & adult beverages.

Soda and water for sale. RSVP to janeadotson@yahoo.com Donations needed for silent auction Baskets, Gift Cards, Ball Tickets, feel free to “regift” something left

from Christmas!!

MARRIAGE ON A LAMPSTAND

St. Augusine of Hippo Catholic Church, E. St. Louis

Saturday, February 18 10—11:30 a.m.

Book Signing by Illinois authors: Andrew and Terri Lyke

Exploring a New Paradigm for Modern Christian Marriage

Purchase book at event or order at www.marriageonalampstand.com

SOUPER BOWL The annual Souper Bowl

Collection And Competition is coming up on February 4/5.

Please bring cans of soup (hearty soup that can be a meal are preferred).

All donations go to the O’Fallon Food Pantry to support those who are in need of food this winter.

February 8 2 p.m.

Church Library

Hope For The Journey is a new ministry at St. Clare Church reaching out to

anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one, recent or not. We meet for conversation, suggested

reading, encouragement, prayer and to walk this journey with you. Please join us. If you need more

information, please contact Ken & Barb Kenny 416-1410 or kj_kenney@sbcglobal.net

You Are Invited! To an Intimate Relationship with Jesus

“I came so that they might have life… ...and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Faith Formation Opportunities

Tuesday Evening Bible Study: Romans and Galatians Feb. 7 - May 9, 7 - 8:30 pm, in the Church Library Explore St. Paul’s theology of grace, salvation, and more. Register at 632-3562 by Jan. 25. Cost is $20. JustFaith: Migration, Theology, and the Human Journey Thursdays, Feb. 9 - March 30, 6:30 - 9 pm Learn about our ancestors’ journeys to America and present-day jour-neys in the context of Church teaching and public policy. Contact Mar-garet Andrasko by Jan. 22 at v.andrasko9010@att.net for information and registration. Cost is approximately $50 for reading materials. Lenten Soup Series: The Mystery & Reality of the Church Mondays, March 6 - April 3, Mass at 6:00 pm, Meal and Presentation at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall Enjoy food, fellowship, prayer, and faith formation. Each session focus-es on a different aspect of the mystery and reality of the Church, in which we participate as members. Faith Formation Groups Young Adults Meets monthly Are you looking for fellowship, faith formation, and growth? Contact Sally Ayoob at sallyayoob@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook: Young Adults Group of Saint Clare of Assisi - O'Fallon, IL. St. Clare Catholic Men for Christ Sat., Feb. 25, 8 - 10 am, Fellowship Hall (7:30 am Rosary) Get fed bodily and spiritually with St. Clare men. John Gomez will dis-cuss devotion to St. Joseph. Group meets monthly. Special Events Natural Family Planning Day Sunday, Feb. 12, starts with 10:30 am Mass, at St. Clare Event coordinated by the Diocese of Belleville Charting gotten dry? Rejuvenate with food, fellowship, and inspiration at this event for couples who use natural family planning. Contact Matt and Emily Joost at mejoost@diobelle.org or 979-8902 for information or to register. Childcare provided. Retreats and Conferences Women’s Renewal Weekend Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 am to Sunday, Feb. 19, about 3 pm Join other women of the parish for a weekend of fun, food, and spiritual renewal. Contact Leah Wilson with questions or to register at 979-8514. Register by Feb. 12. Catholic Men for Christ Conference Saturday, Feb. 18, Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL) Looking for spiritual rejuvenation? Join the men from St. Clare! Partici-pants meet in the church parking lot and carpool; contact John Burke at jburkeil@sbcglobal.net. Details and registration can be found at catholicmenforchrist.org. Catholic Women for Christ Conference Saturday, March 25, Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL)Experience Christ, Community, and Catholicism with women from St. Clare. Details at catholicwomenforchrist.org. Contact Kristy Turner at 402-0885 or krisnturner@hotmail.com for carpool and group registration.

St. Clare of Assisi Parish Women’s Renewal Weekend

February 18/19

The 2017 women’s Renewal Weekend

will offer you the opportunity to… ∗ Learn more about your faith ∗ Feel life changing personal growth ∗ Experience time away with God ∗ Relax, laugh, pray, enjoy and connect with other

women of our parish ∗ Please accept this invitation as a special gift to

yourself

For more information and to RSVP, contact Gina Beal at gina_beal2@yahoo.com or Leah Wilson at wilsonleah0918@gmail.com

or 618-979-8514

Guatemala Corner Did you know? In the two and a half years since the priests from the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit religious order have been serving our sister parish of Our Lord of Esquipulas, they have bolstered their outreach to the youth in the parish, including the villages around Guatatoya (the town where the parish is centered). In these last two and half years, the number of actively involved youth in the parish has gone from 15 to over 200. Fr. Jim asked the groups of youth we met while there to pray for our own young people who are often so busy that they find it hard to “make time” for God and Church.

Youth Room lower level of St. Clare School

Jan 29 Youth Group 6-7:30 p.m. Youth Room

Feb 5 No Meeting

Feb 12 Dodgeball Tourney Grades 7—12. All are welcome! Noon to 2:30 p.m. St. Clare School Gym. Bring a snack to share and your friends from anywhere.

Feb 19 Ice Skating Party II Steinberg Ice Skating Rink in Forest Park. Carpool from church at 5:30 p.m.

PSR Parish School of Religion St. Clare School, 214 W. 3rd Street, O’Fallon

Jan 29 Soup Kitchen Activity Kindergarten & 5th

Feb 5 PSR Class **Child Protection Training for K-8 has been rescheduled to Feb 5 on the same time schedule during PSR

Feb 12 PSR Class Soup Kitchen Activity grades 7 & 8

Feb 19 No PSR President’s Day Weekend

Special Schedule Change: No PSR on March 5 due to Luke 18

Confirmation Schedule: January 30….Confirmation Saint Report Due  

First Communion Parents Education Meeting: Thursday, February 2 from 6:30—8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Required for all parents of stu-dents preparing for 1st Communion in 2017.   Free babysitting with RSVP (by January 18) to  janeadotson@yahoo.com. 

National Catholic Youth Conference

For youth in grades 9-12 next fall November 16-18, 2017 in Indianapolis Find out about this amazing event for Our parish youth and 23,000 others!

For more information, contact Karen Jalbert at 610-9149 or Jane Dotson at 632-3562 or janeadotson@yahoo.com

The Event of a lifetime...

Attention

Youth Grades 7—12

Dodgeball Tourney &

Other games

Medals To 3 top

teams

8th Annual St. Clare Youth Dodgeball Tournament

Plus Apples to Apples and other Games

Feb. 12 at 12:30 Registration at 12 St. Clare School Gym

Bring a team of 5 (plus 1 sub) or join one there

Please pre-register at 632-3562 or janeadotson@yahoo.com

Drinks provided; bring a snack to share!

Luke 18 has been rescheduled to March 3—5 at St. Clare School

Any 8th grader not signed up in January may now register on your parish website by 1/30

Calendar

Youth Group Ice Skating Party II

Sunday, Feb 19 5:30—8:30 p.m.

Steinberg Skating Rink Forest Park

Parent permission slips at www.stclarechurch.org

Cost is $7 admission & $6 skates Please let Karen or Jane know you will attend. Siblings welcome if parent drives (carpool from Church at 5:30).

LUKE 18 Planning Meeting—Sunday, Feb 19 12:30—3 p.m. in St. Nicholas gym for all high school and college students participating in Luke 18. No lunch served; work on share groups, skits, talks, decorations and more!

ALTAR ANGELS FEBRUARY 4: Rose Brennan, Celerina Collins Ely Gillespie, Babe Papproth BAPTISM CLASS Our next Bap sm class will be held Sunday, February 19 at 1:00 in the Parish Library. Please call the parish office if you plan to a end.

Our FUNDrive will be held Sat & Sun Feb 25/26 on the St. Clare Church parking lot and will benefit St. Clare Youth Group trip to NCYC

Save the Date!

Saturday, Feb 4 4—7:30 pm

St. Clare School Cafeteria Spaghetti, Meatballs,

Salad, Bread & Dessert Adult $8; child $4

New this year: Pre-order drive through!

$10/$5 Call 618-660-4478 before

Feb. 1

Daddy—Daughter DANCE

Friday, February 10 6:30—8:30 pm

St. Clare Fellowship Hall

Join us for dancing, crafts and picture taking! Dessert and drinks will be served. This fun evening will be held to encourage family bonding and raise awareness of the pro-life movement within our community. Donations toward the LifeLine Summer Mission Trip and ultra-sound fundraiser greatly appreciated.

HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR YOUTH GROUP By donating clothes & household items!

Learn more: Accepting donations in the truck on parking lot Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 Sunday 9:30 a.m.—12:30 No drop-offs in advance, please!

We accept: Clothing Books Shoes Electric Items Bedding Toys & Games Towels Kitchen Items Accessories Knick Knacks CDs, DVDs Sporting Goods