jessica.rowley@stsclareandfrancis.org  or 314.918.2766

Service Committee

Earlier this year at our convocation on social justice we surveyed those who attended about how to inform the parish about advocacy on justice issues.  A number of people indicated that they would like periodic information in the newsletter.  Thus, at this time we will highlight one organization that you can visit online to advocate for social justice: 

Network is a national Catholic social justice lobby that was formed by 47 Catholic Sisters in 1971 and has grown to include thousands of social justice advocates. You can visit their website at networklobby.org to read about the issues that are the focus of their advocacy and join in their work for justice.

This is a great way to do good work in the comfort of your home and avoid the heat. Instead of bearing the heat, we can put the heat on Congress to care about our country's most vulnerable citizens. 

July BBQ

Sunday, July 22, 2012

1:00 pm

Therese & Judy's

2239 Lehne Ct. 

Florissant MO 63031  

314.839.2225 or 314.607.7087

Come one, come all to the SCF July Parish BBQ! If you plan to attend, please call one of the phone numbers above, or e-mail and let us know. (tgabriel@gmail.com or  defrankj@att.net)

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

The LCWR is holding their Assembly 2012 in St. Louis from August 7 - 11. If you have ever received instruction, guidance or encouragement from a member of a religious order, this is your chance to say "thanks," and to offer support in their ongoing dialogue with the Vatican. We will be collecting written "Dear Sister" notes from now until July 22, to be shared with the 800 Sisters who will be attending the conference. If you would like to write a brief note of support, or perhaps share a personal memory, you can drop it in the collection at church or mail it to:

Sisters

c/o Sts. Clare & Francis

483 East Lockwood Avenue

Suite 3

St. Louis, MO 63119

Your notes will be combined with others being collected and shared with the Sisters at their Assembly.

Are Your Batteries Dead?

RECYCLING!!!  Are your batteries dead? NOW they can be easily recycled just by bringing them to church -- a great place for energy renewal. The Maryland Heights Center, near my home, has a recycling box for 9 volt, AA, AAA, C or D used batteries.  I can easily collect your discards at church, and take them to the center.  I've been looking for an easy way to recycle my own, and think it would be way cool (!) to share this service.  Besides reusing materials from the earth, this also keeps harmful heavy metals out of our water and landfills.  

Sue Stolze (scstolze@sbcglobal.net)

Get The Word Out

Let's get the word out about Sts. Clare & Francis!  Given the current religious climate in our city and beyond we want people to know that there are alternative Catholic options in the St. Louis area.  This month, the Parish Council approved a campaign for Sts. Clare & Francis that has multiple parts.

1. An underwriting campaign on St. Louis Public Radio, KWMU, for late August, early September with the goal of greater name recognition.  The announcements will highlight our Eucharist and an Open House that is being planned for early September.  At the end of every announcement, people will be invited to visit alternativecatholic.org (see #2).
2. With the help of Rob Krebs, we are building a new webpage, alternativecatholic.org, that will highlight our Eucharist and the Open House and make it easy to navigate to our webpage (www.stslcareandfrancis.org), donate, and connect with us. That website will go live in the next few weeks.
3. With the help of Mike St. John, we are producing a short video for alternativecatholic.org that will highlight our distinctives and spirit.  See the announcement below for more information on this project.
4. An e-mail blast will go out during the later weeks in August.  This is where you can help!  When you receive it, forward the e-mail to friends and family, or post it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog.  Not tech savvy?  Talk up the church and direct people to alternativecatholic.org. 

Have ideas, energy, or input about the campaign?  Contact Jessica or Frank.

A Day of Reflection with Stefan Andre Waligur  download a flyer 

Saturday, July 28th  

Sts. Clare & Francis

(Peace United Church of Christ)
204 E. Lockwood Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119

Known as Macushla, an Irish term of endearment meaning "heartbeat of the Beloved," Stefan Andre Waligur is a contemplative, musician/composer, retreat leader and leader of new chant and kirtan around the world. After a life-changing visit to the Taizé community in France he began to write music in a similar style. Although akin to Taizé chants, these new chants incorporate American rhythms and harmonies, Celtic melodies and the call and response style of Indian raga.

Learn more by visiting: www.songsofpeace.net.

A donation of $25 is welcome. Send a check payable to Sts. Clare & Francis with "day of reflection" in the memo line to our office address (483 E. Lockwood Ave., Suite 3, Webster Groves, MO 63119) or drop a check in the basket that day.

Bring your own lunch or enjoy one of Webster Groves' many restaurants.

July 13 - 15, 2012

Mercy Center

Murshid Khabir Kitz

Murshid Khabir Kitz established a Sufi center in Texas called the Shrine of the Heart. In 1976 he studied the dervish turn and continued the practice as a semazen, teaching the turn as a meditation practice. In 1981 he moved to land in the Ozark Mountains fo Arkansas where he founded Heartsong Retreat Center. In 1982 Khabir was ordained a Seraj in the Service of Universal Peace. He leads dance, meditation, turning and art workshops. Giving students the tools to find their inner guidance and discovering the creator within every being and thing is what Khabir has tried to do in life. For more details, see the flyer here.

~~~~~

Pax Christi USA

Regional Dialogue

July 28, 2012

9:30 am - 1:30 pm

St. Alphonsus "Rock" Church

1118 North Grand Avenue

Help celebrate Pax Christi's 40th anniversary by joining their new Executive Director, Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, staff member Ron Cruz and members from the National Council for a dialog on:
* Remembering the past with gratitude
* Living the present with enthusiasm
* Planning for the future with confidence and hope 

For a flyer with more information,  click here.