St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street

O’Fallon, IL 62269 618/ 632-3562

618/ 632-9036 (fax) www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Shirley Seipp Business Manager John Harter Facilities Manager Sr. Carolyn McWatters Liturgy & Music Director Tom Docter Accompanist Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation

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

Ascension of the Lord May 17, 2015

PentecostFestival

Take a trip around the world—just by stepping outside the doors of St. Clare Church. Our sixth annual Pentecost Fes val features entertainment, games and displays with a global flavor. Sample foods from our parishioners’ homelands, while visi ng with old friends and mee ng new ones! Volunteers are needed to work a shi , too. Sign up to help and buy your ckets for the fes val a er Mass star ng this weekend!

Sunday,May24OneMassat10:30a.m.Festivalbeginsat11:30—2:30Tickets$5/personor$15/family

PentecostNovenaPrayer Good and gracious God, grant us:

- the Spirit of Wisdom, that we may see as you see and act with your heart of love;

- the Spirit of Understanding, that we might grasp the light of your truth and strive to follow your will in all things;

- the Spirit of Right Judgment, that we may seek first your reign of justice and peace;

- the Spirit of Courage, that we may bear our cross-es with patience and love, and give without counting the cost;

- the Spirit of Knowledge, that we may know you and know ourselves, and grow in holiness;

- the Spirit of Reverence, that we may find peace and fulfillment as your daughters and sons through serving others;

- the Spirit of Wonder and Awe in your presence, that we may be filled with a loving reverence toward you, and discern your presence in all things.

Teach us to be faithful disciples of Jesus, and animate us in every way through the power of your Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle within us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth!

May 16 Jim Sabella David Schur Michael Howk Destini Wurth Emily Dean Rebecca Dean John Fair Camryn Espinoza May 17 Judy Biver Mark Smith Eric Carlson Bill Theismann Michael Roman Carolyn Howk Kylie Wilson May 18 Patrick DeGonia Christina O’Neil Evan Fitzgerald Matthew O’Keefe May 19 Mike Vernier Steve Benway John Spain Kit Zimmerman Susan Frazier Brian Fix Jessica Schneider Michael Turner May 20 Gary O’Connor Mark Jones Angie Fitzgerald Jackson Slaby Dee Dee Barragan

May 21 Paulette Knapik Matt Walters Scott Compton Sarah Youngbauer Austin Minor Josie Nieroda Celine Hooper Mimi Ragsdale Mariah Spencer Katelyn White May 22 Stefanie Smith Merlie Kirchgessner Nelia Silveo Page Belongy Tracy Rouch Dawn Gavin Nick Lang Marissa McIntyre Christine Huber Wyatt Laswell William Kinsella Maddex Evans Cami Compton May 23 Betty Schmidt Jackie Brewer Julie Hicks Steven Thomas Lori Kabel Jacqueline Zink Nicole Boewe Noah Huffines Carter Hemesath May 24 Joe Cortez Gary Goldberg Carla Missey Jomary Chenet Robert Gilmore Brenda MacAinsh Robert Cullen

From Our Pastor... who’s having a birthday!!

We are so blessed to have THREE seminarians from our parish at this time who are discerning a call to the priesthood. This is a 300% increase from two years ago! I am still hoping and pray-ing for a dozen of them! With a parish our size it is possible as long as parents and grandparents encourage their sons and grandsons…and our prayers for priesthood vocations continue. As a parish we pray our prayer for priesthood vocation together once a month and we offer our monthly Eucharistic Adoration for this intention as well. These prayers are bearing fruit!

Seminarian Joel Seipp (son of Larry and Shirley Seipp) will be doing his summer internship at St. Dominic parish in Breese. Consider a visit over there or sending him a note of support at 493 North 2nd Street, Breese, IL 62230.

Seminarian Nick Fleming (son of Dr. Tom and Mary Fleming) will be doing his internship here at St. Clare parish so you will see him serving in various ministries. A note of support can be sent to him at 1028 Cypress Pointe Drive, Caseyville, IL 62232.

Seminarian Brother Rinju Chenet (son of Franz and JoMary Chenet) is discerning a vocation to the Religious Life with the Institute of the Incarnate Word. He stays active in the parish connected with his novitiate in Maryland in working with youth and other parish ministries. A note of support and prayers can be sent to: Institute of Incarnate Word, 3706 Rhode Island Ave., Mt. Rainier, MD 20712.

In this month’s packet of tithing envelopes there is a new enve-lope to support the diocesan costs of our seminarian’s schooling. Please be generous in supporting this very important cause. And let us keep praying for and encouraging our young men to con-sider this wonderfully joy-filled vocation!

Easter Peace, Fr. Jim Deiters

PS: Please note the three times/days for Sr. Carolyn’s Farewell parties. Also remember to get your tickets for our Pentecost Festival!

Vacation Time…is still Mass Time!

When traveling this summer, be sure to use the following website to help you find Mass Times and Churches for the area in which you will be visiting: www.masstimes.org

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, Joe Burroughs, Shirley Carroll, George Covington, Lori Dalton, June Dean, Dennis & Delores Dumstorff, Yasuko Estabrooks, Rita Ferreri, Mildred Gerardi, Mike and Linda Gilkerson, Hannah Grubofski, Patricia Gundlach, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke, Jessica Holmes, Boston Johnson, Rosemarie Jones, Pauline Keller, Dan Kimutis, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Thelma LaSalvia, Virginia Leninsky, Abelina Leon, Vincent Lepes, Mary Lugge, John Molnar, Mary Molnar, Nona Morgan, Helen Murphy, Margaret Nettles, Katie Paulochk, Thomas Peters, Doris Prosser, Lynn Robke Crutcher, Madelean Sanford, Michael Schmitz, Clete Schwaegel, Craig Seipp, Diane Gettis-Simmons, Betty & Jean Stogner, Pat Thompson, Jack Titterington, Betty Tomasovich, Jake Van Hook, Steve Wells, Virginia Woods Please pray for all our military families, especially those separated by deployment.

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, May 16 Seventh Sunday of Easter 5:00 p.m. Dick and Norma Seipp Norman Wright

Sunday, May 17 Seventh Sunday of Easter 8:30 a.m. George and Dolores Harvilla 10:30 a.m. For Our Parish Monday, May 18 Easter Weekday, Saint John I, Pope and Martyr 12:00 Noon Special Inten on Tuesday, May 19 Easter Weekday 7:30 a.m. Special Inten on 8:30 a.m. School Mass in the School Gym Wednesday, May 20 Easter Weekday, Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest 7:00 p.m. St. Clare 8th Grade Gradua on at St. Nicholas Thursday, May 21— No School Mass Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Companions, Martyrs Friday, May 22 Easter Weekday, Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious 7:30 a.m. John and Pat Chamberland Saturday, May 23 Pentecost 5:00 p.m. Gene and Ann Langhauser Charlo e, Sharon and Steve Sandheinrich

Sunday, May 24 Pentecost 8:30 a.m. No Mass 10:30 a.m. Peter Si ner Cletus Becherer

Weekly Readings for May 18—24 Monday: Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25 Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25; Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15

The Good Life: How to Build Your Life on God’s 3 Bold Promises

Coming to St. Clare June 6, 2015 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Featuring best selling author and speaker,

Dr. Allen Hunt

With Special Musical Guest

George Lower

During this event, you'll discover prac cal, profound and specific ways to experience God’s immense love,

constant presence and unique plan for your life!

God’s 3 Bold Promises

“I Love You” This talk will help you discover a profound experience of God’s immense love. That love is what you’re made for. God’s love treasures, seeks and rejoices in you.

“I Will Never Leave You nor Abandon You” We will all encounter moments in life where God feels distant or absent. Yet, God boldly promises never to leave us alone. He will not abandon us. His mercy and forgiveness will follow us wherever we go.

“I’m Preparing a Place for You” For every journey, it is important to begin with the end in mind. God has a des ny and a des na on in mind for you, His child. God’s grace will draw you deeper into the good life that leads you there.

♦ What is the Good Life? ♦ How do we find it? ♦ How do we embrace it?

Ticket sales a er weekend Masses during May or through the parish office. Online cket sales are also available through Dynamic Catholic.

A limited number of ckets for high school and college youth are $5.

Summer Lunch Program 

A Month of Guided Prayer Is Coming to St. Clare

The Risen Jesus is With Us…Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity

Jesus promised us, “I will not leave you orphaned.” (Jn 14:18) In our increasingly secularized culture suffering from loss of morals, faith and hope, we need His peace more than ever. People are exhausted by the constant noise from cellphones, TV, computers, iPod, and tex ng. We need silence to hear the Lord whispering in the quietness of our soul.

In the movie “Field of Dreams”, Shoeless Joe Jackson advises not to sell the magical ball field, “It’s money they have but it’s peace they lack… They will come.” We have a special mys cal place where we can find peace, before the True Presence of our Lord in Eucharis c Adora on. In the quietness of Adora-

on, we build a rela onship with Jesus that will overflow with so many graces.

In this CD, Stay With Us Lord, Fr. David Simone gives one of the most thorough presenta ons on Eucharis c Adora on, why we should par cipate in this devo on, what to do during Adora on, well-known people and saints who have had this devo on, and the benefits we receive from spending me with our Lord in this way, among many other wonderful rea-sons why we all need this form of prayer and quiet me with Jesus. Amazing, powerful and educa onal!

Fr. Simone was ordained in 2005 as a priest for the Archdio-cese of Chicago. In an invi ng manner, he preaches missions, days of reflec on, and retreats with humor and Gospel joy. He shares his own account of how the Lord drew him to the priest-hood, how he relies upon Christ in the Eucharist, and how Jesus

calls each of us to spend me with Him in Adora on. Our next Eucharis c Adora on is June 6/7.

“I got a lot out of this talk!! I have been thinking about doing an hour at my church of Eucharis c Adora on. But it was very easy to make excuses to myself about why I couldn’t do it. I am a married, 31 year old mother of 4, one of who is a newborn. But I really want and need to have a closer rela onship with God and I need guidance and help for family issues I am having. I also want to read the Bible more and there is no quiet at my house usually. So a er being out and about one night, I stopped at our church on my way home and checked the available mes for adora on. My husband and I are going to take a me! I’m excited and I feel it will be really good for both of us!”

Please check our kiosk in the Gathering Space for new CD and book tles. Suggested dona ons are: CDs - $3.00, Books - $4.00, Booklets $2.00. Please place payments in the slots on either side of the kiosk. Thank you! Your dona ons go directly toward ordering new tles. Find us on the parish website stclarechurch.org for more informa on about Lighthouse Catholic Media…click on the Lighthouse logo on the main webpage.

Feed  My 

Lambs 

This weekend after Mass we are taking names of people who want to donate food or money or help make sandwiches, pack lunches or deliver lunches during our Feed My Lambs program.

Now in its third year, a network of churches conduct the Feed My Lambs program to provide sack lunches to more than 200 local students in need five days a week during the summer when students don’t have access to the free lunch pro-gram at school.

St. Clare and St. Nicholas churches will provide lunches every other Friday starting in June.

Mark your calendars now for a retreat in everyday life. Pray on your own 20 minutes each day and meet one-on-one with a prayer guide one hour each week for four weeks. Morning, afternoon and evening meeting times available. Starts July 19. This is an individually directed retreat tailored to your own deep desires. Committed couples also have the option to participate as a couple. For more information, look for brochures in church or visit www.weekofguidedprayer.org.

Contact Ellen Gravlin at 531-9151 or ellen.gravlin@charter.net.

Corpus Christi and Saint Clare Parishes

Vacation Bible School July 13—17

9 a.m. to Noon St. Clare School

Ages 4—10 Registration forms available on line at stclarechurch.org or the parish office.

Fee is $20 by June 8. Space available basis. Late registration fee after June 8.

May 17 No Meeting...study for finals, pick up study bag/graduation bag after Mass

May 24 No Meeting; All youth asked to help with children’s games at Pentecost Fesitval. Sign up after Mass today!

May 31 Meeting 6—7:30 p.m. in Youth Room

Youth Group  Schedule 

MONDAY MOMS!

Faith Based Study & Prayer Activities, Support Group, Play Time

St. Clare Church Nursery 9:30—11 a.m.

2nd and 4th Mondays each Month

For more information, call Stephanie 573-424-6733

Crazy 8’s For all 7th & 8th Graders

Including recent 8th grade graduates!

Summer BBQ Picnic & Games Sunday, June 28 from 6-8 pm

Fellowship Hall & church lawn

Bring a friend from any parish or faith.

Parents asked to sign up to supply food or soft drinks. Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562

Parents, Students, Friends and St. Clare School Alumni: Please join us as we cele-brate the hard work and many years of service of our re ring teachers: Mrs. Peggy Moeller, Mrs. Dorothy Price, Mrs. Donna Riley, Mrs. Joan Sparks and Mrs. Bernade e Zi el. Mass will be held

in the School Gym at 8:35 a.m. on May 19 followed by a Re rement Ceremony and Recep on.

High School Youth and Adults: Come along and make a difference for others.

Youth Mission Trip June 21-26

Hoyleton Children’s Home, Hoyleton, IL

Help with landscaping, painting, clean-up and fix-up at Hoyleton. Interact with kids in need. Eat, share, pray and laugh with teens from our parish.

Sign up with Youth Group Leader Karen Jalbert and return registration forms to the parish office by June 1. Forms are available in the Youth Room,

on line or in the parish office. Cost is $45 per person. Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562 for more information.

Chaperones are needed, too.

You’ll see a difference in your faith life!

Stewardship

Sunday , May 10, 2015 Tithe…………..$17,300.76 New Church….$4,185.00

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

     

Na onal Catholic Youth Conference November 19-22, 2015 in Indianapolis

All Parish Youth in grades 9-12 next fall are invited to join us at this amazing event!!

Share God’s Gifts

You have been given wonderful gi s from God…Will you share them?

The Event of a Lifetime!

Planned Giving – An Expression of Everlas ng Gra tude Do you own stock or mutual funds that have ap-preciated significantly since you purchased them and thus are subject to capital gains tax? In place of cash, you may be able to make a gi of the stock to the parish and receive immediate tax benefits while avoiding paying capital gains taxes under new tax legisla on. Contact your broker or finan-cial advisor today. They can provide you with more informa on about the benefits of planned giving.

RETROUVAILLE (A French Word meaning Rediscovery)

Marriage Challenges? Retrouvaille is a program to help couples heal and renew their marriages that offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage rela onship. It has helped thousands of couples with marital problems and crises even couples who are separated and divorced. The next pro-gram begins with the weekend of June 5—7, 2015.

For more informa on, call 1-800-470-2230 or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

Mary, A Special Role—As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary has a unique position among the saints, indeed, among all creatures. She is exalted, yet still one of us. Learn, Act, Connect, Pray—Mary embraces God’s will and freely chooses to cooperate with God’s grace, thereby fulfilling a crucial role in God’s plan for salvation. What Mary does for the salvation of the human family does not come from her own power, but from the gift of divine grace. Ask Mary to pray for us that we hear and embrace our call as she did hers.

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce.”

Stewardship is made easier than ever with our new online giving system, WeShare. A simple click on our parish home page will lead you step-by-step through giving via credit card, debit, checking or savings account.

With WeShare you can donate to any collection, make a one-time gift, or set up recurring draws such as a weekly or monthly tithe. The WeShare site allows you to direct your donations to specific causes --for instance, our church mort-gage payment or St. Vincent DePaul Society-- so you know your gift will go exactly where you wish.

To start giving online today: 1. Visit stclarechurch.weshareonline.org and click on any

collection. 2. Select your donation amount and frequency. 3. Enter in your account and payment information.

God has blessed us all abundantly, in so many ways, and it’s never been easier to share!

ALTAR ANGELS May 23: Connie Garre , Cathy Sweeney, Carol Williamson, Bobbi Schaefer

ALTAR SODALITY POTLUCK DINNER MEETING MONDAY, MAY 18 AT 6:00 PM IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL Fried chicken and dessert will be provided, please bring a side dish to share. All women of the parish are invited to join us! ALTHOFF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE will be held Sunday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to Noon. See the unveiling of the Hall of Inspira on honoring the school’s 50 dis nguished alumni and rising stars! ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION On June 7 at 1 p.m. Bishop Braxton will celebrate a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter honoring the Sacrament of Matrimony. Couples married 25, 30, 40, 50 & 60 plus years are invited to a end. Please call the parish office if you will be celebra ng a milestone anniversary this year! SENIOR GROUP UPCOMING EVENTS include The Grizzlies Game on June 16 and Fairmont Race Track on July 7. Any parishioner over 55 is invited to join the Seniors group, which usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month in the Fellowship Hall for evenings of great food, lots of laughs and a variety of entertain-ment and guest speakers. The seniors group is strictly social; no work or fundraising is involved. For more informa on, please contact Judy at 632-4074. TEC Anyone who has ever been involved in Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), the Na onal TEC is celebra ng it's 50th anniversary this summer at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows June 12-14. 2015. For more informa on or to register for the event visit tecconference.org. Interested in volunteering for this na onal event? Contact Sarah Harbaugh at harbaugh@siu.edu or 618-971-8018 for more info on how you can help. SAVE THE DATE...COSMIC BINGO ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 AT THE O’FALLON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL! Proceeds benefit the youth trip to NCYC.

RECOMMENDATION FORM FOR PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

ST. CLARE OF ASSISI PARISH I recommend ________________________________________ as someone who would serve the parish well as a member of our Pastoral Council for the following reason(s): Signed:_______________________________________________

(Forms must be submitted by May 17)

SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR NEPAL Our Parish will assist Catholic Relief Services’ emergency efforts in Nepal, following the devasta ng earthquake there on Saturday, April 25 and this past week. CRS, the official Catholic relief program under the auspices of the United States bishops, is assis ng 10,000 families with emergency shel-ter, blankets, water treatment and hygiene kits—transported to Nepal for immediate distribu on. Thank you in advance for your generosity during this weekend’s special collec on for the people of Nepal! NATIVE SPEAKERS FOR NEEDED FOR PENTCOST! We would like to have 12 people who are able to speak another language besides English (or who can at least translate and read something) to read the intercessions at our two Pentecost Masses, May 23-24, 5:00 and 10:30. Please contact Sister Car-olyn by Thursday morning at 632-3562 or scmcw2001@yahoo.com. VBS YOUTH HELPERS Youth in junior high or high school are invited to sign up to help with the St. Clare and Cor-pus Chris Parishes Vaca on Bible School scheduled for July 13-17 at St. Clare School. You must register for this with a form signed by a parent or guardian. Forms are available on in the Gathering Space, the parish office or our website at stclarechurch.org under Forma on. Deadline is June 8. WATER DISPENSER NEEDED Do You have a gently used office water cooler or water dispenser you no long-er need? Our choir room needs a dis-penser for our vocalists and musicians. Please contact the parish office at 632-3562.