Daily Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M

Rectory Office Father John Reiker

Pastor ext. 102 johnreiker01@gmail.com

Deacon Richard L. Stevens

rlsteve@sbcglobal.net

Deacon Jim G’Sell james.r.gsell@gmail.com

314-484-2055

Mrs. Rusalyne Ahlemeyer Business Manager, ext. 104

rusalynesahr@att.net

Mrs. Jackie Dostal Secretary, ext. 100 jackiesahr@att.net

Cafeteria Ext. 212

Religious Instruction Parish School of Religion

Phone (636) 677-4868 ext 118 Grades (pre-K through 8)

Mrs. Kathy Joslin mrskathyjoslin@yahoo.com

Adults - RCIA Please contact:

The Rectory Office 636-677-4868 ext. 100

Sacramental Preparation Baptism Preparation Meeting: Infant Baptisms require parental attendance at a meeting prior to baptism. Meetings will be held with the Pastor in the rectory. Call rectory office for information 636-677-4868, ext. 100. Baptisms: After 10:15 AM Mass on a Sunday of mutual arrangement. Call rectory office to schedule 636-677-4868, ext. 100.

Bulletin Deadline Monday 9:00 a.m. the week you need it to be published in the bulletin. Notices must be submitted in writing: email text to jackiesahr@att.net.

Marriages: Make arrangements with Priest or Deacon of your choice no less than six months prior to proposed wedding date.

Parish Help Line: St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1-877-238-3228, ext. 3329

New Parishioners: Welcome! Please register by contacting the rectory during business hours @ 677-4868 ext. 100

Change of Address or Telephone: Please call the rectory during business hours. 677-4868 ext. 100

Archdiocese of St .Louis Website: www.archstl.org

Catholic Elementary School: All of our parish children who wish to attend a catholic elementary school may do so at the school of their choice and still remain parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua. Call rectory for details.

Second Sunday of Advent - Year B December 10, 2017

Mass Schedule

Confessions Saturday 4:15-4:45 P.M.

By appointment anytime

Holy Days 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

RECTORY CLOSED ON ALL HOLY DAYS

Sunday Saturday 5:00 P.M.

Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:15 A.M.

St. Anthony of Padua 3009 High Ridge Blvd. High Ridge, MO 63049

Business Hours Monday - Friday

7:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. Phone (636) 677-4868

Fax (636) 677-2781 Website www.stanthonyhr.org

Pastor Father John Reiker

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to be on fire with the love of Jesus Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, to celebrate our com-munity of faith in the Eucharist and to share God's love and mercy with our neighbors through our ministries and evangelization."

Pastor’s Column

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Spread the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus and His St. Anthony Family. A Holy Community through Holy Communion! Your brother in Jesus,

The “Saint of the Week” is from the “Blessed Among Us” features that are written by Robert Ellsberg, author of numerous books, including the newly released Blessed Among Us. Joke of the Week

Saint of the Week Blessed Alberto Marvelli

Lay Apostle (1918 - 1946)

Alberto Marvelli, a young Italian layman, exempli-fied a path to holiness that, as Pope John Paul II noted, lies in “construction of God’s kingdom in fam-ily, work, culture, and politics, taking the Gospel into the heart of society.” Alberto experienced this calling at an early age, writing in his diary, “My program of life is summed up in one word: holy. At the age of eighteen Alberto became a leader of Catholic Action, setting himself to serve the poor in every way he could. As he wrote, “It is better to serve than to be served: Jesus serves.” After study-ing engineering he found work in a Fiat factory, while also leading Catholic study groups. During the war, he and his family fled the city of Rimini to escape nightly bombardments. Still, he found ways to slip back into the city to bring supplies and to help care for the sick and wounded. During the German occupation he risked his life by freeing deportees from sealed boxcars in the train station. After the war he was put in charge of housing in the ruined city of Riminii. He was elected a town councilor, organized a soup kitchen, and became active in the Christian Democratic Party. He showed every promise of playing an important role in the reconstruction of his country. But on October 5, 1946. while bicycling from a political meeting, he was struck by a truck and killed. He was beatified in 2004. “Jesus has enfolded me in his grace. I no longer see anyone but him, I think only of him.” —Blessed Alberto Marvelli

Second Week of Advent

WREATH PRAYER

Our hope is in the coming of the Lord (light two purple candles) Let us pray: that we may experi-ence fully the peace of Christ. (pause for silent prayer) Father in Heaven, the day draws near when the birth of Your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May His quiet coming fill us with true inner peace. Amen.

An Advent Reflection

The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent focus on John the Baptist. He stands in the de-sert, roughly clothed, ascetic, stark, a prophet preaching a message of power. The One is coming, he says, Repent! John the Baptist is not the only saint we celebrate during Advent. The Calendar is full of holy men and women who, like John, call us to conversion and hope through the most powerful witness of all: our lives.

Advent Prayer of the Week

Lord Jesus, I hear the call of John the Baptist. I come to You in sorrow for my sins, open to Your grace. Help me be a prophet of God’s Word and Will to our world today.

Joke of the Week A man and his wife enter a den-tist’s ofϐice. She says, “I want a tooth pulled. Don’t use anesthetic because I’m in a hurry. Just pull the tooth now.” The shocked dentist replies, “You’re a brave woman. Which tooth?” The wife turns to her husband and says, “Open your mouth and show the dentist which tooth it is, dear.”

Christmas Eve - Candlelight Masses 4:00 PM & 12 Midnight

Christmas morning 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM

Welcome To all our Guests, Fr. John Reiker, Deacon Dick and Deacon Jim and All at St. Anthony’s Parish Family welcome you and hope that your time with us may be a moment of spiritual experience. You are always welcome here and if you would like to become a member of this parish or are thinking to become a Catholic, contact the Rectory office. Our phone is 636-677-4868 ext. 100.

December 2, 2017 - December 9, 2017

SUNDAY - December 10 Children’s Liturgy 10:15 AM Mass PSR 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Family Faith Group 11:30 AM -12:45 PM (café) SERVER MTG. 12:45 PM (auditorium) Bible Study 5:30 PM (café) St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree items due MONDAY - December 11 Patriotic Rosary 7:00PM

TUESDAY - December 12 Quilters 9:00 AM Choir 6:00 PM New members/cantors/harmonies

Choir 7:00 PM Regular Practice (Christmas Practice tonight) St. Vincent de Paul 7:00 PM (7th gr.) WEDNESDAY - December 13 Youth Group 6:15 PM Men’s Faith Group 6:30 PM (7th grade) Parish Penance Service & 2nd gr. PSR First Reconciliation 7:00 PM THURSDAY - December 14 Ladies Sodality Christmas Party 6:00 PM FRIDAY - December 15 Evening with Santa 6:00 PM SATURDAY - December 16 SUNDAY - December 17

Children’s Liturgy 10:15 AM Mass PSR 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Family Faith Group 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM (café) Bible Study 5:30 PM (café)

Activities This Week

Upcoming Parish Events Wednesday, Dec. 20 Church decorating after 8:00 AM Mass - ALL Welcome - Needed! Sunday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve CANDLELIGHT Masses 4:00 PM and 12 midnight Monday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day Masses 830 & 10:15 AM Saturday/Sunday, Dec. 30/31 Holy Family Sunday - Special Blessing of all Families

Rick Byerly Theresa Chapman

John McCarthy Terry Hunt

Joaquin Vigil Phyllis Smith

Jayne Donovan Richard Siebert Hazel McCarthy

Tom Fischer Robert Mecey

Rose Hill Jenni Dillon

Edmund Bailey Sally Klohr

Margaret Hook MaryAnne Dundon

Dave Siemons Mike Kern

Paul Dischert

Giovanna Donato Charles Corley Janet Parker Judy Koebel

Toni Ahlemeyer Dorothy Hartung

Lynn Peters Vasilius Kolios Betty Moleski Ryan Heard

Cathy O’Brien Ken Loretta Kathy Ryals Dave Riley

Mason Korn Mark Korn

Josef Ellmer Justin Schnieders

Dick Bardon

Please Pray for the Sick

Names of the sick will remain on the list above for a month. You may contact the office to have a name added to the list for an additional month at a time. New additions will appear at the top of the list as they are received.

NOTE: Due to privacy laws, hospitals no longer no-tify us when parishioners are patients. If you wish a visit from the parish staff please notify the office. Thank you.

This Week with our St. Anthony Parish Family

December 10, 2017

Please Pray for the Recently Deceased

Bob Fieser brother of Fran Melenbrink Susan Kinslow mother of Michelle Meske

Mass Intentions Monday, Dec. 11 St. Damasus I 8:00 A.M. Debra Luczkowski Tuesday, Dec. 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 8:00 A.M. Judy Ruzicka Wednesday, Dec. 13 St. Lucy 8:00 A.M. Sylvester & Geneva Seyer Thursday, Dec. 14 St. John of the Cross 8:00 A.M. Ed & Joyce Carley Friday, Dec. 15 Advent Weekday 8:00 A.M. Debbie Finder Saturday, Dec. 16 5:00 PM Patrick Brandel Sunday, Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 A.M. Robert Fitzgerald 10:15 A.M. Parishioners of St. Anthony

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Join us for our meetings on Wednesdays, from 6:15 to 8:00 pm. We meet in the youth room in the back of the school. All high school-ers are needed. We hope to see you there! Questions? Call or text Kelly at 314-363-9047.

All gifts due back December 10th!

May God bless your family this Christmas season!

Follow us on Facebook Saint Anthony of Padua

High Ridge

Weekly on Monday evening 7:00 PM

In Church First Monday of each Month

Divine Mercy Chaplet 7:00 PM

Patriotic Rosary following

Patriotic Rosary

CHURCH DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

Please join us in decorating church on Wednesday, December 20th after 8:00 AM Mass. Many hands make light work!

As we prepare a new schedule for the minis-tries, we ask that you inform us of any dates you are unable to serve for the months of Feb-ruary, March, and April 2018. Please contact Jackie at jackiesahr@att.net or phone the rec-tory at 636-677-4868 ext. 100.

Deadline is Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

Thank You for Your Gifts to God & the Parish

God bless you for your generous contributions.

We all appreciate your sacrifices and love of our St. Anthony Family!

Parish Financial Report

For more information, please visit our website: www.stanthonyhr.org

Collections for December 2017: Weekly Contributions (general fund)

Building Fund Christmas Flowers

Immaculate Conception Seminary Christmas

December 10, 2017

Our Annual Christmas Party in the cafeteria will be December 14th, 6:00. We invite all ladies within the parish to enjoy a great evening with wonderful ladies gearing up for the Holiday. Please bring an appetizer and personal care items to donate to the food pantry. Items needed for the pantry include: shampoo, con-ditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine pads and tampons, paper towels and Kleenex. We hope to see y'all there.

God Bless you and yours!

Ladies Sodality Christmas Party Dec. 14th 6pm

We clean Church every Friday after the 8:00 AM Mass. Our Heavenly Dusters are in need of help! If you can offer any time, it would be deeply appreciated. Thank you!

Food Pantry News All the volunteers with the St. Anthony Food Pantry would like to send a big WELL DONE to the PSR students and teachers for their donations. Charity is one of many tools we use to build our faith.

THANK YOU The Boy Scout Food Drive was a great success. We collected 15, 735 food items. Thanks to the Boy Scout Organization, the Pantry volunteers, the K. of C. members, K of C Ladies Auxiliary, H. R. Fire em-ployees and the North Jefferson County Ambulance employees. And a special thanks to the boys who put out and collected the bags and those of you who thought enough to fill those bags. If anyone is interested in helping us purchase hams for Christmas, you may send a check to the Rec-tory. Any amount will be a big help. Please mail to: St. Anthony Rectory 3009 High Ridge Blvd. High Ridge, MO 63049

COLLECTION December 3, 2017

Contribution Collection 6,254.00 Online Giving 1,975.00 Loose 362.00 Christmas flowers 1,085.00 Christmas 35.00 Immaculate Conception 10.00 Assumption 15.00 Building Fund 630.00 Total for Parish 10,366.00

Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

-- Mark 1:3

Readings for the Week

RCIA Do you know someone who may be interested in becoming Catholic or has been away from Church for awhile and would like to be refreshed in the faith? Please contact the Rectory office at 636-677-4868, ext. 100, or email the Pastor: johnreiker01@gmail.com, for more information.

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

CHOIR Choir 6:00 PM for new members/cantors/ harmonies 7:00 PM for regular practice (Christmas practices are underway) Questions/concerns: Nancy: upholster52@aol.com

Ministry Schedule Ushers/Greeters Lectors

Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers Altar Servers

Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39- 47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Blood Donors - Thank You On behalf of “Mississippi Valley Blood Center” and Cla-rence Surmeier, thank you to the eighteen people who came to give their blood to save another life. Seventeen pints of blood were donated and up to 51 lives saved. May our Lord and savior “Jesus Christ” continue to bless you always. The next blood drive will be Sunday, March 4th, 2018.

First Saturday Prayer Breakfast

Parishioners of St. Anthony, thank you all for join-ing us at the December prayer breakfast. We had a good crowd, 50-55 , and Penny Challans shared with us her insights and research into the nativity. It was interesting and meaningful for the beginning of Advent. We look forward to seeing even more of you at the January breakfast. Look for details in up-coming bulletins.

December 10, 2017

White House Retreat All men of the parish are invited to join us on our annual retreat at White House. This will be a silent, guided retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. It’s a peaceful break from the chaos and confusion of everyday life. It’s like a 3 day vacation with Christ on their beautiful 80—acre cam-pus high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. All meals and private lodging are provided. Our retreat begins the evening of Thursday, March 1, 2018 and concludes Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM. There is no set fee to attend a retreat at White House! White House operates on a free will offering basis, asking those in attendance to simply give what they feel they can at the conclu-sion of the retreat. To register call: bob Hook 636-677-2262 or Matt Frank 636-677-0552 or visit www.whretreat.org to find additional dates. PLEASE RSVP BY JANUARY 31, 2018.

St. Anthony PSR News

For information contact Kathy Joslin at mrskathyjoslin@yahoo.com or call 636-677-4868 ext. 118 or 636-677-1567. December Prayers & Lists 1st grade – Holy Family 2nd grade – Act of Contrition (for First Reconciliation), Holy Family, Grace Before Meals 3rd grade – Grace Before Meals 4th grade – Holy Family, Angelus, Great Commandment 5th grade – Angelus, Liturgical Cycle & Colors 6th grade - Angelus, Liturgical Cycle & Colors 7th grade – Saint Michael Prayer, Glorious Mysteries 8th grade – Fatima Prayer December 10 Second Sunday of Advent Family Faith Group meets 11:30-12:45 in the cafeteria

December 17 Third Sunday of Advent Family Faith Group meets 11:30-12:45 in the cafeteria

-The questions on the class quizzes (grades 1-6) are taken directly from the online quiz. -To review for an upcoming quiz or to make up a quiz online, go to www.bemydisciples.com, scroll down to “Chapter Re-view”, choose the grade level, choose the chapter, click GO. Submit quiz scores from make-up quizzes. PSR Mass involvement – 7th grade Dec. 10th; 8th grade Jan. 21st “The Magic of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His presence.” ~ Author Unknown

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

Quiz ch. 12

Quiz ch. 10

cover ch 4

cover ch 5

cover ch 3

cover ch 20

cover ch 10

cover chs 7 & 11

Unit One Review

Dec. Point

1st grade 2nd grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

Quiz ch. 4

Quiz ch. 5

Quiz ch. 3

Quiz ch. 20

Quiz ch. 10

Quiz chs. 7 & 11

Christmas lesson

Christmas lesson

Christmas lesson

Christmas lesson

cover ch 11

Christmas lesson

Christmas lesson

Dec. Point

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Why not memorialize a loved one or friend (living or deceased) with a memorial paver?!!!

December 10, 2017

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Activities Outside the Parish

Christmas Country Church Tour Announcement

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Saint Mary’s of the Barrens

Church) in Perryville, Missouri, will again be on the Christmas Country Church Tour along with 31

other churches and chapels. The tour will take place December 14 and 15, from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00

p.m. Hear live music on both nights. Light refreshments will be served in the Visitor Center where

you can also view unique Nativity sets on display. Any questions, 1-800-264-6279, or visit our web-

site at www.amm.org.

Marriage Encounter Want to give your spouse a gift that says you truly love them and want to make the most of your

marriage? Give your spouse a gift certificate for a Marriage Encounter weekend as a Christ-mas present! You will never regret these 44 hours of growth. The next Worldwide Mar-riage Encounter weekends are February 2-4, 2018 in St. Peters, MO; March 23-25 in Spring-field, IL, Apr. 20-22 in St. Peters, MO. Simply click on www.stl-wwme.org or call 314.649.7317.

December 10, 2017

Children Celebrating Faith