St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock"

1118 North Grand Blvd. St Louis, MO 63106 314-533-0304 (ph) 314-533-4260 (fax) [email protected] (e-mail) www.stalphonsusrock.org (website)

Rev. Richard Potts, C.Ss.R., Pastor Rev. Stephen Benden, C.Ss.R., Associate Pastor Mission “To Joyfully Preach, Teach, and Live the Word of God”

Theme “One Hundred Fifty Years of Standing on the Rock”

PASTORAL STAFF

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

SUPPORT STAFF

Bro. Terry Burke, C.Ss.R., Plant Manager Terrance Gipson, Maintenance Terri Schneider, Dir. Hardin Food Pantry Athletic Office: 314 533-0304 Teen Ministry: 314 533-0304

MUSIC MINISTRY

8:15—Malcolm Speed 11:00—Danny duMaine

REDEMPTORISTS IN RESIDENCE

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

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Call for Appointment)

SUNDAY MASSES: 8:15 & 11:00 a.m.

DAILY MASSES: Monday 5:30 p.m. (W. Th & F.) 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays: 7:00 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays: 9:30 a.m.

MONDAY:

Eucharistic Adoration 4:30 p.m.—5:15 p.m.

TUESDAYS:

Exposition & Benediction: 10:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m. (1st — Tuesday) followed by our Perpetual Help Novena & Mass OF THE LORDS PASSION APRIL 14, 2019

Dear sisters & brothers,

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of our Lenten Journey. We gather together as a community on this very special Sunday. The only Sunday where we read two Gospels. The first Gospel is proclaimed even before we enter our church. And after proclaiming ’ triumphal entrance into His own city, we too acknowledge our King and enter our church with great jubilation! It is a joyous parade where we bear witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord & King of all! The Apostles must have been on cloud-nine. Despite all of their fear and worry, everything was going wonderful. People were gathering from all over the city and country-side to pay homage to Jesus. They were covering the street before Him with palm branches, and giving all glory to God.

But those with evil in their hearts... those with only darkness in their souls... the small, the petty, the jealous... all they wanted to do was destroy Jesus. They could not recognize the Hand-of-God at work in the world. All they could see was themselves. They were the only ones that mattered. So all they did was double their efforts. They began to sow rumors of evil and fear. They began to spread rumors of heresy. They labeled Jesus as an outsider, and his friends as sinners and criminals. They warned people that anyone who believed in Jesus... that anyone who listened to His teachings... that anyone who sought his healing, would be labeled a sinner and condemned to die right along with Him.

It is amazing how fast things changed. The very people who were singing His praises, now wanted Him crucified. Those who saw Him as their hope & salvation, now labeled Jesus a sinner. Even those he had healed, those who had been crippled and deaf and mute and even blind, now came down with amnesia and refused to standby He who had given them back their life. Just like the “other nine lepers” who never came back to thank Jesus, now thousands upon thousands of people crept off to hide in the dark. One minute people are tearing off someone’s roof so they can be healed, and the next, they have not only forsaken Jesus, but many of them joined right in with the Pharisees.

Our last Sunday of goes from a jubilant parade to the crucifixion of an innocent man, our Lord and Savior. While Jesus’ human nature is afraid, even asking for this cup to pass Him by, He nevertheless understands that this is how it must be. As the only truly innocent person, He will take the sins of the world upon Himself. He will offer Himself as the unblemished lamb, as both the first and the last, perfect & true sacrifice. Despite the blindness that lurks in our hearts, the fear that dominates our lives, the sin that often controls our behavior, Jesus still loves us. And out of love, He embraces The Cross. Out of mercy & compassion, even for those who cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” He goes to the grave willingly. He is the link between heaven & earth, between The Father & we, who become His adoptive children through this perfect act of selfless love.

So we may mourn for a short time my sisters & brothers, just as Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus. But remember Rock Church, we will REJOICE again! We WILL see our Lord & friend again. We WILL stand before the OPEN tomb and sing the glories of heaven! So let us walk beside our Lord & King, both in triumph and to Calvary. Let us remain faithful, even when the others run away in fear. Let us gather in The House of our Lord, even if many pews are empty. Let us remind others that Jesus is just as relevant today as He was when He triumphantly entered Jerusalem. Let us remind ourselves what Jesus willing does this for you & me. Surely He deserves our loyalty, our faithfulness, our companionship. Let us stand by Jesus in His hour of need, just as He has always been there in ours. We must daily remind ourselves that Jesus Christ must live in our hearts. He must be relevant to our lives. He must not only be a day off at the end-of-our-week, but He must be a part of our entire week, our whole lives.

And let us continually bear witness to the entire world that Jesus Christ is LORD & KING!!!

In the Redeemer,

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PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORDS PASSION APRIL 14, 2019

Upcoming Bulletin Announcement Deadlines

All items must be in the office, faxed or emailed no later than 12 noon on the date listed below. NOTE: Names will remain listed for 2 weeks

INTENTIONS 04/02/19 Valle, Jr., Robert (Bobby) Deadline Bulletin Publication Ambus, Ruby Voss, Greg Bowers, Lynette & Family Watkins, Darnell (Chef D) th st April 15 April 21 issue Cloyd, Cori SICKNESS 04/09/19 Cloyd, Kalonda Atherton, Andrew Darden, Priscilla & Family Atherton, Vertibe The St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church Frazier, Amaura Ball, Beth Frazier, Darren Banks, Anita George, Darrion Caprese, Brittany Youth Group Goodman, Laurie Chapman, Bonnie Jefferson, Keith & Family Chapman, Kimberly Would Like to Thank Everyone for Making Our Jefferson, Kelsey Cloyd, Martin-jon Jones, Chris & Family Corbett, Deacon Dan Bake Sale a Huge Success Kyles, Robin Dobbs, Vivienne Merriweather, Cynthia Donaldson, Tom Fr. Parran, Kristin Fitzsimmons, Dan Pickett, DaShaun Florian, Maggie (April 19, 2019) is a day of abstinence Reedy, Judy Haine, William (Bill) Reedy, Sid for all Catholics over the age of 14. Hardy, Pierangela Sanders, Arvin Helland, David On this day, fast, as well as abstinence, is also Smith, Paulette Henry, Rebecca obligatory for those from the ages of 18-59. Stewart, Rita & Family Hood, Rosalind Tyler, Kai Anne Abstinence means abstinence from meat. Horstmann, Shannon Young, Debra Howard, Yvonne Young, Nevaeh Fast means one full meal a day, with two smaller Humphrey, Steve Fr. INTENTIONS 04/09/19 LaBerta, Steve meals and nothing between meals (liquids are Daily, Marvin Latham, Jean permitted). No Catholic will lightly excuse him/ Dailey, Nikia Moore-Jones, Brenda herself from this obligation. George, Roberta & Family Ortwerth, Ann Schneider, Terri Remsberg, Cory Sgt.

SICKNESS 04/02/19 Schneider, Roy Community Women Against Hardship Ambus, Larry Schnelle, Laverne Downs, Roger Serio, Jessica Barnes Jewish Hospital Smith, Melba Fisher, Kyle Fr. Ameren Missouri Jordan, Almetta Strode, Dolly Strode, Fred Richardson Endocrine Care Lee, Marcia Luster, Juanita Thompson, Mary Ann Presents

Mozee, Karen Weaver, Stephen th Vet, Alphonso 15 ANNUAL WALK—FOR—LIFE Ortwerth, Gloria WALK—A—THON Parran, Rodrick & Reedy, Christian Sams, Mary HEALTH FAIR

8:00 a.m. Registration SHUT-IN’s Warm-Up—8:30 a.m. Barnes, Lillian McCoy, Carolyn Walk begins promptly at 8:45 a.m. Brack, Dorothy Peters, Mae Dougherty, Walterene Steen, Irma May 18, 2019 Lee, Rosemary Thomas, Bernice McCoy, Bernice Tower Grove Park Turner, Hortense 4256 Magnolia

Grand Entrance—South of Rest Shelter

For details call 314 289-7523

www.cwah.org

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION... LITURGY NOTES...

BAPTISM GUIDELINES: also known as Great and by the Eastern Catholics and orthodox—is Newborn – 6 years old. A parent or legal guardian the week preceding and the final and godparent(s) must attend a Baptism preparation week of Lent. Holy Week begins with class, instruction materials are provided. Palm Sunday and ends with , the day before Easter Sunday. Ages 7 – 10: The child must attend special Baptism Holy Week includes Holy Thursday (also known as preparation classes and the parent(s) or legal guardian ) and Good Friday, which, together and godparent(s) must attend a Baptism preparation with Holy Saturday, are known as the Triduum. session prior to the ceremony. During Holy Week, Christians commemorate the Ages 11 – 17: The young person must enroll in the Passion of Christ, who died on Good Friday in Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) reparation for the sins of mankind and rose on Easter program. Sunday to give new life to all who believe. Thus, while Holy Week is solemn and sorrowful, it also anticipates Age 18 and Older: The Candidate must enroll in the the joy of Easter through the recognition of God's Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) goodness in sending his son to die for our salvation. program. Palm Sunday can also go by Passion Sunday.

MATRIMONY – Engaged couples, seeking to be The Passion is the narrative of Jesus' capture, his married at the Rock Church, must meet with the sufferings, and death. You may hear Holy Thursday Pastor before setting a date. called Maundy Thursday. It is believed that the term "maundy" comes from the Latin word for "mandate." RCIA/RCIC – ARE YOU SOMEONE OR DO Maundy signifies the time that Jesus washed the feet of YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO… the disciples at the on Holy Thursday. During Holy Week, the Catholic Church recalls the •Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Passion of Christ by reading the accounts of His Death in the Gospels. •Has a child over the age of seven who has not been baptized? In English, Good Friday can also be called Great

Friday, Black Friday, Easter Friday. Many have wondered why the term "good," has been used as a •Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not descriptor for the Crucifixion. The word "good," celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and formerly had another meaning in English. A now Eucharist? obsolete form of the word also meant "pious" or "holy." We offer an opportunity to come together in a group to learn more about the Catholic Faith. Sessions fo- Holy Saturday is the day in the Christian liturgical cus on the teachings and experience of the Church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments calendar that celebrates the 40-hour-long vigil that the of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. There are followers of Jesus Christ held after his death and burial separate sessions for children and youth. You are on Good Friday and before his resurrection on Easter welcome to participate in the process with your Sunday. questions, insights and your faith story in a warm accepting setting.

For information on requesting any of the above Sacraments and/or to register for classes, please contact the Director of Religious Education, Sharon Cooney-Smith at 314-533-0304 ext. 1001, or via e-mail @ [email protected]. (Source:www.thoughtco.com/Scott P. Richert)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS PARISH EVENTS

The Legend Singers Choral Grill to Glory April 19, 2019 Ensemble celebrates 78 years with Good Friday a concert at West Side Missionary Join us for Fun, Parish Office Closed Baptist Church located at 4675 Page Blvd. Exercise, Games and Food! Mother Of April 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019 Perpetual Help Free Admission – Freewill Offering Devotion and Mass 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays’

Guest soloist: Dr. Ronald L. Bobo, 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Edwin R. Williams, Celesta Brown, and In conjunction with Better Family Ronnie Harris, Guest Pianist: Reginald Life, we are reaching out to our Eucharistic Adoration ‘Reggie’ Thomas and Jazz Edge neighbors to join us for a couple of Orchestra, Thomas Moore, Director Mondays’ hours of fun and fellowship! 4:30 p.m.—5:15 p.m. 2019 Fall Rock parishioners are encouraged to Festival-Card Party/ Bingo/ come out and bring their kids, What a beautiful thing to be able to sit quietly with the Lord. This will be Auction Meeting grandkids, and neighbors! followed by mass at 5:30. I hope you can make time for Jesus. The 2019 Fall Festival meeting has St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Church been scheduled for Saturday, June Please use the entrance off the parking th 1118 North Grand Blvd lot to enter the Church. 29 at 10:00 a.m. in room 113 in the St. Louis, MO 63106 Parish Hall. WE STILL SELL GIFT CARDS!

Please place it on your calendars Don't forget that our church raises and plan to attend. needed funds from the sale of gift cards after masses in the rear of church. Gift Hope to see you there! cards cost to you is only their face value, nothing more. We accept cash or checks. These cards are not just to use as gifts, but daily as stores or restaurant Join Us For The Third Annual specific debit cards

LEON HENDERSON We are counting on you to purchase the Gospel Concert cards so the church can get anywhere Benefiting Cardinal Ritter College Prep from 2% to as much as 13% of the value of each sold, at no additional cost to you. April 27, 2019 Please support this fundraising effort. St. Alphonsus Rock Church 1118 N. Grand Blvd Rock Seniors In Action

St. Louis, MO 63106 Are you retired and nothing to do or 4:00 p.m. busy doing nothing? Come join us the st 1 Tuesday of the month.

Featuring We play fun games while talking with THE CRCP Alumni Choir old friends or making new ones. Field trips are planned regularly and pot luck lunches are monthly. Tickets: $10 Advance tickets are encouraged, limited Guest speakers are invited to discuss topics that concern seniors. seating. What a wonderful afternoon to do nothing but enjoy!

Call Eleen McClure-995-3032 or Reola Weaver-533-9953

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ROCK Church Winners Club

Financial Corner... Current Members

General Fund Actual Contributions Received Jean Anthony Carl Harris, Jr. Christine Bluett Janice Hawthorne-Stewart st th Elizabeth Boykin Carol Henderson-Powell MARCH / APRIL 31 7 Ruby Brown Gregory & Rosalind Hood Virginia Brown Monica Huddleston Envelopes $11,220.00 $10,468.00 Linda Brown-Reed Deborah Jones James & Susan Buford Donald & Joyce Jones Loose Donations $ 1,632.00 $ 659.00 Maseline Cannon Mark & Linda Kamp Rochelle Catus JoAnn Keene Total Contributions $12,852.00 $11,127.00 Anne Marie Clarke Yetta Kilgore Selena Cloyd Pamela Leong Weekly Target Amount $12,000.00 $12,000.00 Mike & Cherina Coffman Brenda Mahr Nicole Colbert-Botchway Brenda McDonnell Under/Over Weekly Target $ 852.00 $( 873.00) Karen Collins Sylvester & Karen Mozee Bessie Cunningham Emelyn Dela Pena Willie Cunningham Linda Peoples Stewardship Prayer… Esther Darris Aaron Phillips

That we keep God first in everything and not put other gods before God. Janice Englander Ben & Denise Phillips Kurt Englander Derrick & Pat Pou Maudelle Fite Patricia Quain Shirley Foster Anita Stewart “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three Richard Gaines Kimberly Thomas times that you know me.” Wanda Garner Monica Tyler (Luke 22:34) Gregory Glore Redemptorist Fathers’ Rose Graham Reola Weaver How many times have you heard someone make a disparaging comment Alonzo Green Sheila Williams about Jesus or our Catholic faith? How did you react? Do you remain Georgette Gregory Jocelyn Woodson-Reed quiet not to cause a disturbance? Or, do you remain quiet because you Angela Harris believe people will think negatively about you? Pray for the courage to speak up and enter into a respectful dialogue when the opportunity arises. Annual Catholic Appeal Week-End(s)

th Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: April 28

Praise and glorify the name of Jesus May 5th

May 12th In today’s reading from Luke on the with Palms the crowd, including his disciples, were praising and glorifying the name of Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. The Pharisees demanded that Jesus reprimand His disciples but Jesus replied, “I tell you, if When we pray the creed at Mass – our profession they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” Then, Paul reminds us in of faith – we offer our yes to all that God has done his letter to the Phillipians that every knee will bend and “every and all that He has given to us. Saying I Believe is tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” a personal proclamation and a bold promise to Unfortunately, we hear in the reading of the Passion that Jesus’s share our blessings with others. Saying I Believe Apostles became fair-weather friends. One betrayed Jesus, one is not always easy. At times it is extremely denied Jesus, none of them prayed with Him in the garden, and difficult. In recent times the bond of trust with the John was the only Apostle with him at the foot of cross. Can you Church and its leaders has been severely broken. imagine how Jesus felt about this? Can you put yourself in His Many have been hurt and the faith of some has place? The good news is that this gives all of us hope, because been shaken. with Jesus there is always a resurrection. We all push Jesus aside in our lives and we forget to praise and glorify Him to those Your continued prayers and support of the Annual around us. However, if even his Apostles, who are now all saints Catholic Appeal is a choice to participate in did this, then we have cause for great hope. As we enter into Holy restoring trust and giving new life to God’s plan.

Week we can ask ourselves: “How do I praise and glorify Jesus by I invite you to share your gifts joyfully, to say I my words and actions?” Believe confidently! www.archstl.org/live-the-faith

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OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAYER MEMORIALS

Tillie Mae Alexander, Hortense Anderson, Elizabeth Henckler Aton Mother Dorothy Granberry Bennett, Deacon Morris E. Bohannon, Willie Steve Bowens Irma King Brown, Kenita Bush, Anna Chopin, Charmaine Davenport, Sr. Antona Ebo, FSM Jerome Fields, Ossie R. Foster, Queen E. Dunlap Fowler, Craig Franklin, Willie Goss Ann Marie Hatchett, Cherry Ophelia Jackson, Mark Jones, Eldwyn Lewis, Leon Zack McClendon, Marshall Mosley, Lucille Palmer, Kathy Lin Cheers Parran, Drenea Sanders, Eugene Sanders Christine Slaughter, Susan Colbert Threats, Ralph Tyler, Robert Joseph Valle Juanita West, Marlene Williams, Richard Williams, Clarence Zacher

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Sharon Cooney-Smith, DRE Elizabeth Boykin-Moore Kurt Englander 314-533-0304 ext. 1001 President Vice President

RCIA/RCIC Richard Banks DeWayne Johnson Children’s Liturgy of the Word Linda Brown Reed Mark Kamp Baptism Wanda Caldwell Kendra Martin First Reconciliation Joy Camp Vincent Nutt First Communion Mike Coffman Ben Phillips Confirmation Matrimony

ATTENTION COMMISSIONS & CHAIRS If your telephone number or address has changed, please Christian Formation Jean Anthony contact the office at 533-0304. You may also put your updated Christian Service Sheila Grigsby information 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 COMMUNITY HELP [email protected]

Wilhelmina Hardin Food Pantry Terri Schneider, Dir. of Wilhelmina Hardin Food Pantry (Emergency Aid) (314) 531-1040 ANOINTING OF THE SICK & VISITS St. Charles Lwanga Center (314) 367-7929

Community Health In Partnership Services (C.H.I.P.S.) "Is anyone sick among you? Call in the priests of the church (314) 652-9231 and they will pray for the sick person and anoint them with oil." (James) This is the sacrament of the sick. ARE YOU Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) SERIOUSLY SICK, GOING TO THE HOSPITAL OR HAVING (314) 289-7523 AN OPERATION? Call and leave your hospital information at HIV/AIDS: 314 531-0304 Ext. 1502 the office.

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