Fr. Kevin Schmittgens, Pastor

September 14-15, 2013

(636) 583-2806

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Web: Email:

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Chris:

Rev. Kev’s Cell Phone (314) 960-4745

Rev. Kev’s Thoughts: “Wise and Otherwise”

This past week was a time of reflection and rumination as we marked the 12th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the downing of United 93. Time has eased some of the wounds of that horrible day, yet the terror of that moment in our history still remains vivid for those of us who remember. There is a picture called the Falling Man. It shows a solitary soul plummeting to earth against the background of the North Tower. His position is such that it appears as though he is going headfirst towards oblivion. There was an unspoken ban on these pictures after that day. Thinking about them or showing them was thought to be dishonoring the dead. But now, twelve years past these events, we are rethinking our erasing of these human beings from history. Approximately 200 people (seemed to have) leapt to their deaths on that day. Gruesomely, one fell on a firefighter and killed him. It is estimated that the jump would have taken 10 seconds. Why do all these facts seem so repugnant to us? Is it that these people gave up? A journalist attempted to discover the true identity of the Falling Man. He reasoned that it was one of the workers from the Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the North Tower. When he asked his daughter if it might be him, she replied with an angry, vulgar retort. Her father would never have given up. Her father would never have purposefully left them. The trail seems to have led to another man from the restaurant who suffered from asthma. His relatives seemed to believe that he wanted to breath, so it may have been him. The horrific choice that those poor souls had to make on that fateful day is almost too ghastly to think about. Maybe that is why we didn’t want to look at the pictures. But these were fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. They deserve to be remembered. And as far as the hideous choice they were forced to make, I choose to believe that they leapt into the bosom of a loving, compassionate God.

Quick Inspiration: “Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Excerpts from Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff by Richard Carlson

See the Glass as Already Broken (and Everything Else Too) This is a Buddhist teaching that I learned over twenty years ago. It has provided me, again and again, with greatly needed perspective to guide me toward my goal of a more accepting self.

The essence of this teaching is that all of life is in a constant state of change. Everything has a beginning and everything has an end. Every tree begins with a seed and will eventually transform back into earth. Every rock is formed and every rock will vanish. In our modern world, this means that every car, every machine, every piece of clothing is created and all will wear out and crumble; it’s only a matter of when. Our bodies are born and they will die. A glass is crated and will eventually break. There is peace to be found in this teaching. When you expect something to break, you’re not surprised or disappointed when it does. Instead of becoming immobilized when something is destroyed, you feel grateful for the time you have had.

Holy Humor:“Some folks can look so busy doing nothing that they seem indispensable.” -Kin Hubbard

A Bit of Useless Information: (not so useless today) At 9:40 am on 9/11/01, the FAA halted all air traffic for the first time in American history.

100 Simple Secrets of Happy Families: #99 Can You Do It? Ask Yourself. Can you handle everything that is asked of you? There is only one person who can answer that question. If you think the answer is yes, you will handle all the hurdles you face in the day and even sometimes enjoy them. If you think the answer is no, you will struggle with each additional challenge and worry that more will come. You cannot do more than you think you can do. But you can do what you think you can do. Feeling personally capable reduces the likelihood that a person will feel overwhelmed by their work and family by 28 percent.

STEWARDSHIP NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?”

Psalm 116:12

Place our hand in God’s and let Him lead us into greater participation in the life of our Church.

St. Joseph News & Events

Saturday, Oct. 26thSt Joseph Dinner Auction We are selling individual seats or tables of

8 – 10 persons, Tickets are $30 per person, includes Fried Chicken/Pork Loin dinner, drinks and lots of fun. Must be 21 or older. Reservations are on first received basis payable to St. Joseph Dinner Auction, c/o Cheryl Voss, 3720 Fox Creek Rd, Beaufort, MO 63013. Questions call Cheryl @573-484-3126. BIG Raffle Tickets are in back of church. CANNED GOODS are needed for a oral auction basket ie. Salsa, jelly, etc. Place in back of church. Thank you.

YOU ARE INVITED TO HELP US CELEBRATE THE 5TH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH.

WE WILL HAVE JUICE, DONUTS AND COFFEE IN THE PARISH CENTER, AFTER FIRST MASS AND BEFORE SECOND MASS, SUNDAY, SEPT 29TH.

THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO SHARE COFFEE & DONUTS AND IF YOU ARE NEW TO OUR PARISH, TO MEET SOME OF US OLDIES, AND FOR US OLDIES TO GET TO KNOW SOME NEW FACES. PLEASE COME.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Pet Blessing, October 6th, 12 Noon

For the celebration ofthe Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, bring your favorite pet or a pet photograph and have Father Kevin bless them! Donations being accepted on behalf of the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. Sign up for attendance prizes! Any questions, call Kelly 314-973-0199. Everyone Welcome!

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Wish List

Bleach
Paper towels
White exterior paint for metal
Paint mitts

Over the fence feeders

Heat bulbs
2 way radios
Batteries – all sizes
Rechargeable batteries and chargers
Large Kong toys
Hose spray nozzles
Plastic swimming pools
Halters
Cotton lead ropes Riding Helmet / Hi-lighters
Zip ties
Jolly balls
Ziploc gallon & Quart bags

Copy paper (white, green, blue, yellow)

Duct tape

Saran wrap

Wire Cutters
Air freshener
Donations to Giddy up and Go (surgery fund)
Donation boxes (pays for feed for animals)
Gift Certificates to feed stores

The Sick of the Parish who need your prayers

Anna Marie BrueggemannRyan Elbert

Diane SchwentkerDiane Pellin

Joanne BrockmillerCecelia Helling

Zachery GossageTom Schmittgens

Tony RamspotJeffrey Allen Straatmann