St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock" Catholic Church

1118 North Grand Blvd. St Louis, MO 63106 314-533-0304 (ph) 314-533-4260 (fax) [email protected] (e-mail) www.stalphonsusrock.org (website) or Like us on Facebook at St Alphonsus “Rock” Liguori Catholic Church

Rev. Stephen Benden, C.Ss.R., Pastor Rev. Rodney Olive, C.Ss.R., Associate Pastor

Mission “To Joyfully Preach, Teach, and Live the Word of God”

Theme “Leaning On His Everlasting Arms, Knowing That We Will Overcome In 2021” PASTORAL STAFF

Sharon Cooney-Smith, Dir. Religious Education Roberta George, Secretary Deborah Grant, Clerical Support Angela Harris, Bulletin Editor

SUPPORT STAFF

Bro. Steve Fruge, Pastoral Staff Terrance Gipson, Maintenance Terri Schneider, Dir. Hardin Food Pantry Athletic Office: 314 533-0304 Teen Ministry: 314 533-0304

MUSIC MINISTRY

Malcolm Speed Danny duMaine

REDEMPTORISTS IN RESIDENCE

Rev. Tom Donaldson, C.Ss.R. Rev. Dave Polek, C.Ss.R. Rev. Peter Schavitz, C.Ss.R.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Call for Appointment)

SUNDAY MASSES: 10:00 a.m.

DAILY MASSES: Monday 5:30 p.m. (Eucharistic Adoration 4:45 p.m. (W. Th & F.) 11:30 a.m. (Rectory Chapel) Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. (Church)

MONDAY:

Eucharistic Adoration 4:45 p.m.—5:30 p.m.

TUESDAYS:

Exposition & Benediction: 11:30 a.m. Our Perpetual Help Novena & Mass FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

In the Old Testament, God sent many prophets to the Weekly Israelites to try and get them to change their lives. Most, if Readings…

not all, were rejected; many were even killed because they Sunday: challenged the status quo of the people. God wanted Ez 2:2-5/Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 [2cd] 2 Cor 12:7-10/Mk 6:1-6a His people to repent and change, but instead, they rejected the prophet’s voice. In time, the Lord would Monday: Gn 28:10-22a/Ps 91:1-2, 3-4, punish His people. Many times, this is the only way to 14-15 ab [cf. 2b]/Mt 9:18-26

get people to change. Tuesday: Gn 32:23-33/Ps 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15 [15a]/Mt 9:32-38 In the Gospel, Jesus is considered a prophet, and He also is met with Wednesday: rejection. Jesus spends his whole ministry healing and challenging. The Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a/Ps 33:2 healing, the people loved, the challenging not so much. As a prophet, Jesus -3, 10-11, 18-19 [22]/Mt 10:1-7

is calling the people to a deeper commitment to God. The Pharisees are Thursday: much too preoccupied with the law and have no time for love. Jesus’ call to Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5/Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21 [5a] love is not easy. Jesus’ call to forgiveness is not easy. But it is the call the Mt 10:7-15

Father wanted Jesus to make. Jesus did the will of His Father even to the Friday: point of total rejection. Gn 46:1-7, 28-30/Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27 -28, 39-40 [39a]/Mt 10:16-23

Saturday: There is a lesson here for us, as a people of God. We may, at times, if we are Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a/Ps 105:1-2, 3 doing the work of God, fail to convert the people. But this should not get us -4, 6-7 [cf. Ps 69:33]/Mt 10:24-33

down. Jesus met with rejection because following the voice of God is not Sunday: easy. We should not find it any different in our own lives. Sometimes our Am 7:12-15/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10/Mk 6:7-13 actions and words may challenge others to a better life, but others may be so caught up in the way of the world they forget God altogether; this should not stop us. There is still plenty to do. In our own way, we must be prophets, always calling one another to a better way of life, to a deeper intimacy with the Lord. With God, all things are possible.

th SAINTS AND SPECIAL I want to wish everyone a happy 4 of July, and I hope everyone has a nice OBSERVANCES

day with outdoor barbeques. Next Sunday is our Parish Picnic. It’s been a long time since we have all gotten together. Hopefully, the weather will Sunday: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time cooperate, and everyone will have a good time. The picnic will be a little Independence Day different; we ask that you bring your entrée, and the church will provide tables, chairs, snacks, water, and entertainment for everyone. Monday: St. Anthony Zaccaria, Priest

I also want to inform everyone that on August 1st, we will have another St. Elizabeth of Portugal st th special Mass. August 1 is the feast of St Alphonsus. It is also Fr. Tom’s 50 Tuesday: profession anniversary and Fr. Rodney’s and my 40th anniversary. Last year St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr was Fr. Pete’s 50th, but because of COVID, we were not able to celebrate it. Friday: Our profession date is more important than our ordination because it is the St. Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and step we took to become Redemptorists. Companions, Martyrs

Saturday: God bless you all. BVM

Sunday: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Page (2) FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

LAST CHANCE

MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY!

NOTE: Names will remain listed for 2 weeks INTENTIONS 06/22/21 Oldani, Shirley Beasley, Stephanie Reedy, Judith Collins, Tamika Remsberg, Cory Sgt. Ford, Eric Scherer, Karl George, Roberta Schnelle, LaVerne Hearns, Zeysean Smith, Melba LeSeur, JaVaughn Stricklin, Shontea Martin, Michael Strong, Betty Perry, Kameron Thompson, Mary Ann Smith, Paulette Vet, Alphonso Valle, Dot Vinson, Kelly Webb, Kim Weaver, Stephen

INTENTIONS 06/29/21 SICKNESS 06/29/21 Adams, Deborah Dobbs, Vivienne Burke, Terry Bro. George, Betty Jackson, Tamica Green, Alonzo Polek, David Fr. Green, Jackie Reedy, Sid Haine, William (Bill) West, Kathleen & Family Massingale, Bryan Fr.

SICKNESS 06/22/21 Moore, Joyce Atherton, Andrew Mozee, Sylvester Atherton, Vertibe Parran, Rodrick Bolden, Roderick Perkins, Stephen Caprese, Brittany Porter, Markeeta Chapman, Bonnie Potts, Mary Gipson, Joseph Potts, Rick Fr. Hart, Edgar Serio, Jessica Harris, Tobey Stamps, Arlecia Howard, Yvonne Valle, Jr., Robert (Bobby) Jones, Lavell Watkins, Darnell (Chef D) Whitfield, Edna (Mother) Latham, Jean Luster, Juanita HOSPITAL 06/22/21 Moore, Brenda Green, Alonzo O’Brien, Nancy Reedy, Christian

SHUT-IN’s Atherton, Andrew McCoy, Bernice Bohannon, Ida McCoy, Carolyn Brack, Dorothy Peters, Mae Clay, Irving Thomas, Bernice The Archdiocese of St. Louis is partnering with Support Prayer For Renewed Strength After Abortion to launch the summer tour of " Viable" a O Lord, my God, new Pro-Life play on Friday, July 9th at the Cardinal Rigali Center (20 Archbishop May Dr., St. Louis, MO 63119) Please give those listed above the grace to maintain their hope in You The play is free and online pre-registration is required. For Through all of life’s changes questions: contact [email protected] or call 314.792.7555.

and to taste and see Your goodness. Amen Click here then scroll down to register for an upcoming show.

Page (3) FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

LITURGY NOTES...

When St. Alphonsus Liguori founded the Redemptorists he placed the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer under the patronage of Mary, the Immaculate Conception. In 1854 when Pope Pius IX solemnly declared the doctrine of Mary’s sinlessness from the moment of her conception, St. John Neumann, himself a spiritual son of St. Alphonsus, was present for the occasion.

St. Alphonsus Liguori, wrote an explanation of the Salve Regina in his monumental work The Glories of Mary. St. Alphonsus identifies two reasons as to why Mary is our life. Mary is our life because she obtains for us the pardon of our sins and because she obtains for us perseverance. Mary is our sweetness because she renders death sweet to her clients. And lastly, Mary is the hope of all, including sinners. These three attributes accorded to Mary in the Salve Regina are best summarized by the Hail Mary. As is the case with many of the Church’s beautiful traditions, the composer of the Salve Regina is not certain. It has pleased Providence to cast a veil over the human origin of this masterpiece of Christian piety, in order to highlight the action of the Paraclete.

There is a long-standing tradition of singing the Salve Regina immediately after the Concluding Rite of the Liturgy as Fr. Steve and Fr. Rodney did at Our Mother of Perpetual Feast Day Mass on June 27. As a prayer, Hail Holy Queen, it is commonly said at the end of the rosary.

Salveve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ, Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevæ, To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. in hac lacrimarum valle. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos and after this, our exile, misericordes oculos ad nos converte; show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Je- sus. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. of Christ.

Page (4) FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS PARISH EVENTS

NOVENA PRAYER TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

ADAPTED TO BE PRAYED IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION

July 11, 2021

12:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.

Bring your Own Basket

Mission Appeal Given By The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette

Having brought the fullness of Life to our THE ROSARY PRAYER world when He rose from the dead, Jesus sent Mother of Perpetual Help, with his disciples to share this life with all of Join us every creation. "They went forth and preached the greatest confidence we come Tuesday & Thursday before your holy picture to everywhere" (Mk 16:20).

at 11 a.m. as we seek The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette beseech your intercession.

minister to people of every race, language, Our Holy Mother’s We think of you, Mother, at the intercession in prayer culture and way of life - beginning at the La Salette Shrine in France where our foot of the Cross. Your heart DIAL-IN NUMBER Blessed Mother appeared in 1846. must have bled to see your Son 978-990-5000 St. Alphonsus Liguori will host a mission in agony. But your joy was great . ACCESS CODE 544322# appeal today Fr. Clifford (Cliff) Hasler, MS when He rose from the dead, will be making the appeal. victorious over the powers of evil. SCRIP GIFT CARDS STILL AVAILABLE Mother of Sorrows, pray for us

BRINGING LOVE TO A WOUNDED WORLD in this time of trial. Help us not The ROCK Church has many great gift to lose heart. Intercede for your cards that you pay only the face value, people who are afflicted with including $50 Visa Gift cards with no Coronavirus. service fee!

This is a fundraising effort for our church Comfort your people who are and we carry a variety of cards for your vulnerable and anxious. Protect convenience. healthcare workers who put their

We have an assortment of cards not just lives at risk. Inspire our leaders to use as gifts, but for daily use as a to make good decisions. Change Join Us For Fun July 10, 2021, specific debit card. our hearts so that we may act

Exercise, Games, and Food... We carry fast-food/restaurant cards, as responsibly. Rain or Shine! Free!! well as cards for discount stores, depart- Teach us to trust in God’s love Contact the parish office to leave ment stores, and home improvement stores. and mercy and to share with you your contact information if you are the joy of having courageously willing to volunteer your time or Call the parish office for details. donate toward this ministry. faced up to all the challenges of Life. Amen. Please call 314 533-0304.

Page (5) FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

Financial Corner... ROCK Church

Winners Circle Club General Fund Actual Contributions Received New Season

JUNE 20th 27th October 2020—September 2021 Envelopes $ 6,134.00 $ 9,185.00 Stephanie Brown Deborah Jones Loose Donations $ 874.00 $ 439.00 Virginia Brown Donald and Joyce Jones Total Contributions $ 7,008.00 $ 9,624.00 Linda Brown-Reed Mary Ellen Judge Cheryl Carr Mark and Linda Kamp Weekly Target Amount $12,000.00 $12,000.00 Ann-Marie Clark Steve and Helene LaBerta Under/Over Weekly Target $( 4,992.00) $(2,376.00) Esther Darris Pamela Leong Janice Englander Brenda McDonnell Stewardship Prayer… Kurt Englander Glenn & Deborah Miller That we generously use our God-given gifts to do the work God has placed us here on earth to do Paul Foster Karen and Sylvester Mozee Shirley Foster Barbara Jean Nashville “As the Lord spoke to me, the spirit entered me and set me on my Marisa Franklin (1) Leo & Linda Peoples feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me, ‘Son of man, I am sending you…’” Marisa Franklin (2) Ben and Denise Phillips EZEKIEL 2:2-3 Richard Gaines Eugene Wallace

God has a plan for each of us. He calls us to do something for Prentiss Gatewood Janis Weaver-McSpadden Him. But, He doesn’t leave us on our own to figure it out. He Carl Harris Sheila Williams gives us the resources we need to do His work. Are you listening for God’s call? When you hear it, do you get on your feet and do Kalyn Harris Jocelyn Woodson-Reed the work He asks of you? Do not be afraid. God doesn’t call the Monica Huddleston equipped, he equips the called. Answer His call.

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – God’s Grace is Sufficient In today’s second reading, St. Paul says “a thorn in the flesh was given to me.” Some think of this as a physical alignment that Paul was experiencing while others think this may be referring to a person who has been giving Paul a hard time. In either case, Paul is “suffering.” Suffering, the archenemy of today’s god of comfort. People today avoid suffering at all cost, even the slightest bit of discomfort. This is the result of living a “self-centered” life, every- thing revolves around me. As Christians, we are called to live “God -centered” lives. Using our God-given gifts for the glory of God and the benefit of others. From this viewpoint, suffering takes on a different meaning. First of all, suffering unites us with Jesus, who suffered and died for our sins to restore our relationship with God Do Not Be Afraid and open the gates of Heaven for us. Second, suffering shows our Just Have Faith dependence of God. We were not designed to journey through life alone, we need God’s guidance. Finally, through suffering, we open Mark 5:36 our hearts and are filled with God’s love and mercy. We become instruments of His love and mercy for others. archstl.org/dynamic Dynamic Catholic started with a dream: to help ordinary people discover the genius of Catholicism.

This is an organization where you can go to find many resources for free.

Visit archstl.org/dynamic to view all the re- sources available to you! Page (6) FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 04, 2021

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAYER MEMORIALS

Tillie Mae Alexander, Larry Ambus, Garvin Anderson, Hortense Anderson, Elizabeth Henckler Aton Anita Louise Banks, Lillian Barnes, Jean Irene Becker, Herron Beckley, Mother Dorothy Granberry Bennett, Deacon Morris E. Bohannon, Willie Steve Bowens, James R. Boykin, Dorothy Brady Theodore Branch, Jr., Irma King Brown, James Buford, Kenita Bush, Anna Chopin, Betty Jean Colbert, Charmaine Davenport, Walterene Dougherty, Roger Downs, Sr., Sr. Antona Ebo, FSM, Jerome Fields Ossie R. Foster, Queen E. Dunlap Fowler, Craig Franklin, Willie Goss, Georgette Gregory Ann Marie Hatchett, Rosalind Hood, Jamar Huffmon, Cherry Ophelia Jackson, Barbara Hudson Jones Mark Jones, Nadine Jones, Mother Ruth Jones, Robin Kyles, Stephen LaBerta, Rosemary Lee Eldwyn Lewis, Anice Mahone, Barbara McCalebb, Leon Zack McClendon, Eric L. McKinnie Louis T. McKinnie, Glenn Miller, Marshall Mosley, Anne Ortwerth, Lucille Palmer Kathy Lin Cheers Parran, Alton Pritchard, Wendell M. Sams, Drenea Sanders, Eugene Sanders Christine Slaughter, Irma Steen, Lorraine Fite Stewart, Oswald Lee Thomas, Susan Colbert Threats Ralph Tyler, Robert Joseph Valle, Ralph Watkins Jr., Juanita West, Marlene Williams Richard Williams, Vernie Woolfork, Clarence Zacher

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Sharon Cooney-Smith, DRE Kurt Englander Angela Thames Linda Kamp 314-533-0304 ext. 1001 President Vice President Secretary

RCIA/RCIC Linda Brown Reed Ben Phillips Children’s Liturgy of the Word Wanda Caldwell Travis Threats Baptism Joy Camp Eric Thurman First Reconciliation Mike Coffman Kevin Triggs First Communion Rhonda Graham Confirmation Matrimony ATTENTION

COMMISSIONS & CHAIRS If your telephone number, home address or email address has changed, please contact the office at 533-0304 or email Christian Formation Jean Anthony [email protected]. You may also put your updated in- Christian Service TBD formation in the locked multipurpose box located on the Finance & Adm. Monica Huddleston north-side entrance ushers’ table. Liturgy Richard Buckley Social Life Rose Graham Youth & Young Adults TBD Bulletin announcements must be in the office by 12 noon Tuesdays. Please fax items to 314 533-4260 or e-mail to [email protected] COMMUNITY HELP

Wilhelmina Hardin Food Pantry Terri Schneider, Dir. of Wilhelmina Hardin Food Pantry ANOINTING OF THE SICK & VISITS (Emergency Aid) (314) 531-1040

St. Charles Lwanga Center (314) 367-7929 "Is anyone sick among you? Call in the priests of the church and they will pray for the sick person and anoint them with Community Health In Partnership Services (C.H.I.P.S.) oil." (James) This is the sacrament of the sick. ARE YOU (314) 652-9231 SERIOUSLY SICK, GOING TO THE HOSPITAL OR HAVING Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) AN OPERATION? Call and leave your hospital information at (314) 289-7523 the office.

HIV/AIDS: 314 531-0304 Ext. 1502 Page (7) A.L. Beal Mortuary Serving St. Louis Contact Richard Brogna to place an ad today! Since 1913 [email protected] or (800) 477-4574 x6602 WWW.BEALMORTUARY.COM Call Dominic 314-389-9675

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Carolyn Jones – President/CEO Office:(314) 354-8303 | Mobile: (314) 753-4620 [email protected] | www.eagleglobalent.com 6439 Plymouth Ave., Suite W127 • St. Louis, MO 63133

2405 Marcus Avenue St. Louis, MO 63113 Phone: (314) 533-3400 “Caring Beyond A Lifetime”

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For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com St Alphonsus Liguori, St Louis, MO A 4C 01-1425