This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the moment when the people of God are set on fire with the Spirit, becoming "church" sent out into the world.  Let's show our inner fire with an outward sign.  Wear your red and pray for that same flame to ignite our hearts and community to burn with the fire of Love.  In the name of the Fire, the Flame, and the Light!   

Our community of faith emphasizes meeting God by encountering each other, heart to heart.  We do that most intentionally in small groups.  But many of us have difficult work and travel schedules, find ourselves unable to travel in the evenings, or are home-bound for other reasons.  

If life circumstances have kept you from a small faith community, then we would like to hear from you.  We are considering starting a "remote" small group that connects remotely by conference call or video chat (depending on the technology available).  Please email or call Jessica 314-918-2766 if you would be interested in such a group.

As part of our newly emerging Racial and Economic Justice campaign, we welcome Ernest Jordan, president of Friends of Fr. Dickson cemetery, to speak briefly during Mass this Saturday.

The cemetery, established in 1901, is situated on 13 acres at 845 Sappington Road in Crestwood. Named for the late Rev. Moses Dickson, a social activist for freed slaves, it was one of the few places in St. Louis where blacks could be buried.

Ernest has been trying to protect the cemetery and the dignity of those souls resting there since 1988. He will tell us a bit of the cemetery's history and thank us for our tithing support.

We are also planning our first communal service project at 

Fr. Dickson's. A blessing of the graves combined with a few hours of work at the cemetery, and afterwards, a discussion with brunch at Sappington House Restaurant is in the works, date TBA shortly (tentatively 6/1). We would love to see as many there as possible either at the blessing, work hours, discussion, or all three!

After Mass  

For all those interested in seeing the HBO Documentary "Mea Maxima Culpa - Silence in the House of God", I will be showing the film on Saturday May 18th after Mass.  I know that many do not have dinner 'til after Mass, so if you want to bring a sack dinner or pick up something on your way, that would be fine with me.  I will have drinks available and maybe even dessert.  If you would please RSVP to me at 314.962.0964 or mek002@hotmail.com I would appreciate it.  I can accommodate approximately 12 people so feel free to bring a friend.  If you need directions just let me know. 

Mary Ellen Kruger

110 Hart Avenue

Webster Groves, MO 63119

Meet at 11:30 am, Leave at Noon   

Our outings to Pickle Springs Natural Area are so popular we've decided to do it again! Meet at Art and Frank's house at 11:30 am, and we'll plan to leave at 12 noon for Ste. Genevieve. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get to the trail-head, and approximately 1- 2 hours to hike the trail. Afterward, join us at Crown Valley Winery for a light dinner before heading home.

Pickle Springs Natural Area is a deep, forested gorge consisting of geological formations and plants that are found in few other places. Visitors will find examples of a sandstone glade, talus, forest, savanna, as well as a number of rare species of plants and animals. The area is noted for its blooming wild azalea and wildflowers in the spring. According to local legend, the area is named after William Pickles, a settler from Illinois who owned the land until he was shot by a band of renegades during the Civil War. Pickle Springs and other area creeks flow into Pickle Creek, which in turn traverses into Hawn State Park.

Designated a National Natural Landmark, Pickle Springs Natural Area features a two-mile hiking trail maintained by the East Ozark Audubon Society in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. This two-mile journey has an estimated hiking time of one hour and takes hikers past waterfalls, rock shelters, a double arch (photo right), towering bluffs, canyons and amazing rock outcrops. Wooden bridges along the trail aid hikers past troublesome spots.

For more information about Pickle Springs Natural Area, go to:  http://www.greatriverroad.com/stegen/sgattract/picklesprings.htm 

For more information about Crown Valley Winery, go to:  http://www.crownvalleywinery.com.

Street Soccer Tournament 

June 6, 2013

5:30 - 9:30 pm

Amsterdam Tavern

3175 Morganford

The  street soccer team sponsored by Peter & Paul Community Services, the St. Louis Roadies, is hosting a tournament. The 3100 block of Morganford will be closed for the evening and teams from around St. Louis and the Midwest will compete in  fast-paced games of 4-on-4 soccer. You are invited to come out and enjoy an exciting style of the game. For more information on registering a team or helping to sponsor the event, see the flyer.

The St. Louis Roadies is made up of homeless clients of Peter & Paul Community Services who, working together with their coaches, develop teamwork skills, self confidence, resiliency, moral character and other personal strengths. 

wisdom...reflection...insight...amusement

Community is first and foremost a gift of the Holy Spirit, not built upon mutual compatibility, shared affection, or common interests but upon having received the same divine breath, having been given a heart set aflame by the same divine fire, and having been embraced by the same divine love.

Henri Nouwen