Dear folks:
Items for this week:
**Bradford Pear Trees: You will notice that the Bradford Pear Trees around the complex are getting very large; there is a hazard with these trees. Because they are very soft wood, as they grow the branches break off. This becomes potentially dangerous for the soccer lot, the Wilson side of the complex, and the Hereford side of the complex. Alderman Joe Vollmer who does so much for the community he serves, has received a lot of legitimate concerns about these trees and so have I. Basically, a branch could fall at any moment and harm properties and/or people. The soccer lot is continuously dealing with broken branches and with the kids playing in this lot, the chance of a limb falling and harming a child is real. Friday, September 8th, a branch fell lengthwise across Wilson Avenue and stopped traffic as well as hitting a parked car. Thanks to the Friday morning 6:30 a.m. Mass attendees, the branch was moved to the side of the street until it was chopped up by the city later in the day.
Joe Vollmer is working with the city to have these trees either removed or severely trimmed back. If they are removed, just know that the complex will look a bit barren until people get used to the trees being gone; if they are trimmed back, they will look like they received a dramatic haircut. This is one of those situations that needs to be resolved. Of course, doing this changes the way the complex looks but it is necessary. Thank you, Alderman Vollmer, for your attention to this!
**Tuesday Night Rosary and Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions: Tuesday nights have always been the traditional day when we honor Mary with Rosary and Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions. Now, that the parish is blessed with a 5:30 p.m. Mass and Confessions Monday—Thursday, the Pro-Life Committee will offer Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions and rosary at 5:00 p.m. every Tuesday.
**Mass Intentions: 2024 Calendar Year: It is that time of year for folks to request specific Mass intentions for the 2024 calendar year. Now the reality is that while this is a beautiful way to honor loved ones, special anniversaries, personal requests/petitions, the challenge is to give everyone the Masses they request. Saint Ambrose—and this is a tribute to the parishioners and Priests before me—is a beacon for Mass intentions. With this in mind, it has been a tradition at Saint Ambrose predating me to allow folks just 1 weekend Mass intention and 2 weekday Mass intentions for the calendar year. How do we make this process fair? It seems to me that the only way to make this fair is to allow everyone equal access to the rectory office on a Sunday. Sunday, October 1st, 2024, from 12:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. rectory staff will be in the office to accept Mass intention request sheets. These sheets are clearly highlighted in the bulletin. Each sheet will receive a number so that we can make sure they are in proper order of reception. Folks will be asked to assemble outside the rectory office door which is located in the driveway that separates the school building from the rectory building. Keep in mind, folks must bring those sheets and it will be first come, first serve. I hope this is ok with everyone. Again, I know how important these Mass intentions are. The good news is that we have the ability to offer several weekday Masses along with the weekend Masses to hopefully get folks their intentions. Now, after these Masses are recorded the that week, then the calendar is wide-open to anyone and everyone to secure their Masses.
**Coffee and Donuts and Family Mass: Sunday, September 24th, 9:00 a.m. Mass: This is the monthly Family Mass (with St. Ambrose Catholic School Students offering most of the ministries) and then coffee and donuts following; this month, the prayer shawl ministry is hosting coffee and donuts at the Piazza Imo (weather permitting or in Msgr. Polizzi Hall if the weather doesn’t cooperate). What is the prayer shawl ministry? It is a group of folks who get together every Friday and create beautiful shawls/hats/blankets for those in need; these coverings let folks know that they can find comfort knowing that Saint Ambrose is praying for them, supporting them. It is a simple and beautiful ministry that provides comfort and warmth to so many—especially as the cold months approach.
**Stewardship Meeting: Thursday, September 28th: 6:30 p.m.: On this evening, Dave Baranowski, Head of the Stewardship Office for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, will offer a meeting to engage parishioners to help support stewardship in the parish. What is stewardship? Basically, it is recognizing the gifts that God has blessed us with and then paying those gifts forward with time, talent, and treasure to the parish. I know that so many do so much to make Saint Ambrose so special; this is just a desire to take all the good that is going here and take it to another level of grace as each person uses his/her gifts to make the parish even more alive in Christ. Please consider coming to this meeting and listening to Dave Baranowski and offering help to support Saint Ambrose be that shining light on the Hill and beyond. If you can make this meeting, please R.S.V.P. to the parish office.
**Misericordia Rosary Procession: On Sunday, October 1st, at 10:30 a.m. the Misericordia Society of Saint Ambrose will lead a procession honoring the Blessed Mother; a litany to honor Mary will be offered and all those participating will be given a booklet with which to say the litany prayers. This will take place through the streets of the Hill with the Saint Ambrose School Children invited to participate. The Misericordia Society is a wonderful parish group founded 103 years ago to do 2 things: Number one is to preserve the Italian and Italian-American culture. Number two is to show devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Mercy through religious ceremonies and to perform works of charity in Her honor. The Misericordia Society found a home at Saint Ambrose 30 years ago under then pastor, Fr. Tom Santen. The procession where a litany to the Blessed Mother is offered is part of the society’s original tradition. The picture that is carried in the procession is a copy of the original picture that hangs in the 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. As it was 100 years ago, the procession is a way to give public witness to our Catholic faith and to give honor to Mary, who always leads us to Jesus.
**Evening at the Columbia Theater: The Italian Club of Saint Louis approached me several months ago with a desire to help offset the justified and good $5,000.00 salary increase per Saint Ambrose School Teacher; this increase put a strain on the budget. The Italian Club of Saint Louis is sponsoring this effort; Angela Holland is president. If you would like to attend or would like more information on this fundraiser, please contact the rectory office for information. There are a limited number of tickets available. Thank you so much, Angela, and the Italian Club of Saint Louis for your help and support!!!!
**Priest Mass Schedule: A couple of weeks ago, I began to once again publish the Priests’ names who offer specific Masses at St. Ambrose. Well, a problem occurs if a Priest is not feeling well or has an emergency arise or cannot make his scheduled Mass; I always sub if a Priest cannot make it. People enjoy certain Priests offering Mass and if they come and that Priest isn’t offering the Mass, they are rightfully disappointed. For the most part, you can assume that Fr. Stoltz or me will be offering the weekend Masses. During the week: Fr. Rothschild, Msgr. Ramacciotti, Msgr. Griesedieck, Fr. Stoltz, or me. I won’t publish the list anymore only because things can change on a dime and then people lose confidence in the list.
**Sunday, October 1st: These are all of the events schedule for this Sunday, October 1st:
Have a good week!
Fr. Jack