Parish Clergy and Staff
Rev. Gerard R. Welsch, Pastor
Rev. Raymond Iwuji, Assisting Clergy
Rev. Matthew Ma, SJ
Deacon Paul D. Craska
Deacon John O'Hara
Cindy Meirink , Pastoral Associate
Michele Johnson, Asst. Pastoral Associate
Anita Walth, Parish Secretary
Child Safety Coordinator
Jodi Toliver, Liturgical Coordinator
Sr. Celia Perez, M.E.S.T., Rectory Staff
Sr. Maria de Jesus Tovar, M.E.S.T., Rectory Staff
Jack Stirling, Maintenance
Julie Meinert, Housekeeping & PSR Secretary
Our Sacramental Life
Regular Schedule
Monday through Friday: Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Mass 7 a.m.
Saturdays: Confessions 4-4:30 p.m.
Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
5 p.m. Mass
Sundays: Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass
Holy Days: Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Schedule varies according to Holy Day
Tuesday Services: 7 a.m. Mass followed by Perpetual Help Devotions
8 a.m. Communion Service
8:30 a.m. Rosary
8:30 - 10 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration
Reconciliation
Saturday 4:00 - 4:30 PM
Baptisms
Celebrated for infants on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month at 11:45 AM.
Celebration of the Anointing of the Sick
The letter of St. James states that the sick are to be anointed especially those members of the Church whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. Communal celebration of this sacrament will be held at special times throughout the year.
Marriage
Arrangements for Weddings
should be made at least six months in advance.
Call Father Welsch to make
an appointment.
Devotions
Perpetual Help Devotions
Every Tuesday following 7:00 AM Mass
Rosary on Tuesday at 8:30 AM
Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament Every Tuesday from 8:30 to 10 AM.
Stations of the Cross Every Friday during Lent at 3:30 p.m.
Religious Education
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR)
St. John Bosco Parish School of Religion presents our Catholic Faith accurately and consistently so that our students may foster their faith and relationship with the Lord. They are prepared to live
in a community of faith committed to the Gospel values. Many opportunities for prayer, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and study of the Scripture enhance their ongoing relationship with God. Students are
taught a respect for all persons and living things and are instructed about social justice, peace, and concerns for the Lord’s little ones. The Parish School of Religion tries to accomplish these
tasks always assisting the parents in their role as primary educator.
CHILDRENS LITURGY
This program shares the faith with our young people during the school year. They are dismissed, following the opening prayer at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, to the Church Hall.
LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children in grades 1 through 5 hear Sacred Scripture on their own level and return following the homily.
LITTLE DISCIPLES: Children ages 4 & 5 remain in the Church Hall with Ms. Eve and continue to share The Word. Parents come to the Church Hall to pick up their children.
Pastoral Ministry Office ( Located in the Parish Center)
Adult & Children's Religious Programs
Cindy Meirink, Pastoral Associate
(314) 878-6492
Email: cindy.meirink@stjohnboscostl.com
Child and Youth Protection
Safe Environment Program - Protecting God's Children
St. John Bosco Parish follows the Archdiocese of St. Louis Safe Environment Program (Protecting God's Children). The program is designed to help protect the youth, elderly, and the vulnerable adults of our parish as they participate in activities within our community. This process also provides another Program layer of protection against the possibility of false accusations for those adults who are involved in our many ministries.
Anita Walth *Child Safety Coordinator* 314-434-1312 or anita.walth@stjohnboscostl.com
Victims of sexual abuse, in addition to contacting civil authorities, are asked to come forward in order to receive pastoral assistance. Reports of abuse may be made to any Pastor or to:
* Sandra Price, Executive Director - Office of Child & Yourth Protection
314-792-7271 or sandraprice@archstl.org
*Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division
Child Abuse and Neglect HotlineHotline 1-800-392-3738
*Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210
I need to take a Protecting God's Children workshop. How do I find one?
Click on the link Prevent and Protect for the current schedule.
I need to be in compliance with the Safe Environment Program requirements. Where do I go?
Click on the link Prevent and Protect and follow the instruction sheet to get into compliance.
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SMALL GROUPS
Our small groups offer an opportunity to learn and grow in faith through the study and the sharing of Biblical themes. Sessions are offered yearly in the fall and during Lent.
Contact the Pastoral Ministry Office at 314-878-6492
Men's Annual White House Jesuit Retreat
The White House Jesuit retreat is a three day silent retreat based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. It is held on 75 acres of beautiful grounds on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The Retreat will start on Thursday evening and end around noon on Sunday.
St John Bosco 's Retreat is always in the fall of the year. the weather is generally spectacular.
The Retreat consists of presentations, and plenty of time to yourself to rest , walk, think, pray, get away from the day to day rat race and do whatever you feel like.
The Accommodations and food are great.
The 2019 retreat will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 - Sunday, Oct. 6.
If interested contact Ron Jung
A small Men's Prayer Group for fellowship, discussion and prayer, has formed and meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 7:00 a.m. in the Bosco Room. All men of the parish are invited.
Please contact John O'Hara at (314) 805-4888 for more information
RCIA is the process whereby adults are initiated into the Church. The process begins in September and continues for several weeks after reception/entrance in the Christian Community at the Easter Vigil. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center except during Lent.
ALTAR SERVERS
The young people of our Parish assist the celebrant at the altar.
The members of these groups offer support and comfort to the families of parishioners who have died. They visit the funeral home, arrange for a Mass to be celebrated at a later date, and offer whatever assistance the family may need. They also arrange for a lunch following the funeral if the family wishes this service. There is an extensive list of parishioners who very generously contribute a dish when called.
Dolores Hill (Bereavement) 434-0542
Doris Meyer (Luncheon) 434-3627
Peggy Bourne (Luncheon) 434-7836
Men and women of the parish who help distribute the Sacred Body and Precious Blood at Sunday and weekday Mass. Some take Holy Communion to the homebound on Sunday morning.
The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal order of Catholic men with an emphasis on family and service. The Cardinal Ritter Council is the local organization that meets at St. Monica Church.
These are men and women of the parish who proclaim the Word of God at Sunday and Weekday Mass.
LITURGICAL ENSEMBLE
The Liturgical Ensemble provides the music at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday. It features many and various musical instruments that accompany the inspirational music that is sung by the choir. Anyone
with the talent of playing an instrument or of singing is invited to join this group.
Jodi Toliver 298-9630
This committee coordinates liturgical ministries and oversees the planning and preparation of sacramental celebrations.
Our group offers a competitive SALARY and BENEFITS! Your salary is satisfaction and your benefits are heavenly! These men and women greet people as they enter and leave Church, distribute bulletins, take up the collection, straighten and tidy up Church before and after each Mass and take care of a variety of other tasks at the weekend liturgies. We need NEW members to join our FUN group! To start your SALARY and BENEFITS contact:
drgeorge1556@sbcglobla.net
MUSIC MINISTRY
The music ministry provides music during the Sunday liturgies as well as at various liturgical functions at the parish during the year. The traditional choir sings at the 5 p.m. Mass. Musicians and
singers are always welcome.
wgmsmith@hotmail.com
This group keeps before us, in so many different ways, the sacredness and beauty of all human life from the first moment of conception until the moment when we take our last breath. Be it by signing letters to our congress people asking them to uphold the sanctity of life, or by donating to the Life Line Coalition Collection, or by purchasing a rose on Pro-Life Sunday, the Pro-Life Committee does the all-important job of helping us to respect life.
These women give the Church a weekly light cleaning, wash and iron the linens, clean and polish the sacred vessels, care for the plants, straighten and keep neat the pew racks, and a variety of other chores. They meet every Friday morning at 9 a.m.
The St. Vincent DePaul Society responds to people in crisis with emergency assistance of all kinds. They sponsor the monthly Food Drive for St. Elizabeth, Mother of St. John the Baptist Parish, the Giving Tree and Back to School Supplies.
President Sharon Friedrich- 289-6101 code #2211
The Century Club is one of the parish’s longest standing and most rewarding fundraisers. A $100 membership entitles you to a chance each month to win a $100 prize. On the Saturday before Ash Wednesday members are invited to a catered dinner with open bar. This annual event features a drawing for a $1,000 grand prize and a $500 prize. The Century Club is looking for members who would like to join the fun and enjoy a gala event with friends and neighbors. For additional information contact:
Pat Pellegrine 606-2518
This committee meets regularly to assist in the financial operations of the parish. Each year a financial report on the status of the parish is made available to every member of the parish.
Bill Mueller, Fr. Gerard Welsch,
Carol Cullinane, John Shaughnessy, Jr.,
Ron Jung, Bob Samuelson
LADIES’ GUILD
The Ladies’ Guild meets the 4th Tuesday of the month in the Bosco Room to plan activities of a social and religious nature for the entire parish. Their Quilt Bingo, Christmas Bazaar and Birthright
Shower are just some of the activities which the parish looks forward to and enjoys.
MEN’S CLUB
The Men's Club is a very active group in the Parish. This group has put on the World Famous Fish Fry the last thirty plus years. they have allowed the parish to keep the faciilities in great shape
due to their financial support. Throughout the year they schedule other social events. All men of the parish are invited to join this group. Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. 8:00
P.M. in the Bosco Room
President, Pete Pellegrine 578-0784
Vice-President Dave George
Secretary, Dennis Buechter
Treasurer, Mike McNulty
MONEY COUNTERS
Various teams of men and women give an exact counting of our offerings collected during Mass.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council is a representative body that meets to establish policies and set goals relating to St. John Bosco Parish. Its mission is to actively reach out to all members of the parish family
and welcome and encourage involvement so that others will be drawn to Christ.
President-Lou Stamm (636) 486-2155 louisstamm@sbcglobal.net
Barbara Brown,
Toni Steiner
Richard Fitzgerald,
Elaine Holtmeyer,
Meridith Toler
Dennis Carrino,
Mary Beth Carrino
Amy Cutrell
Pamela de Garcia Cindy Meirink
Ex Officio members
Fr. Gerard Welsch
Paul Craska, Deacon
ST. JOHN BOSCO QUILTERS
The quilters of the parish make these beautiful works of art for the Ladies’ Guild Quilt Social. They meet in the Parish Center on Wednesdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. All ladies are welcome to come in
and give it a try. Never quilted before that's ok. They enjoy sharing this art to those interested.
ST. JOHN BOSCO SENIORS
This group is for people 60 years and older and meets the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Bosco Room at 2:00 p.m. to plan activities of a social and religious nature.
Bernie Gallagher 314-392-9353
Prayer Shawl Ministries
Vounteers, make the prayer Shawls/Lap Blankets. They are free.
However, if you would like to contribute to this ministry, the money will be used to purchase more material. We are always looking for those who would like to knit or crochet to help out. All shawls are prayed for as they are made and blessed when completed.
Diana Buechter 576-4689
Other Organizations
There are several ongoing activities in the parish that you are invited to support:
You Can Help!
1. On the first Sunday of the month, the St. Vincent de Paul Society collects canned goods, which are delivered to St. Elizabeth Parish in north St. Louis for distribution to the needy.
2. Each Christmas the parish hosts a giving tree in which parishioners are invited to take an ornament off the tree that denotes a gift needed at St. Augustine Wellston Center such as an alarm clock, sweat shirt, and educational toy. Bosco parishioners place the unwrapped gifts under the tree, and in early December, members of our St. Vincent de Paul Society deliver them to the Wellston Center, where clients of the center purchase the gifts at a greatly reduced cost to give to family members.
3. With spring comes new life. Our Ladies Guild have a baby shower collection and all items collected go to new mothers who are in need.
During the month of August we have a collection for those headed back to school. There are baskets at the doors, feel free to drop off paper, scissors, crayons, back packs and anything else you feel a child might need as he/she are headed back to school.
4. Recycle: The deposit bins are located on the parking lot behind the Church
B. Aluminum Cans
C. Good used Clothes
5. E-script:
Grocery purchases from Schnucks using your E-Script card benefits St. Vincent de Paul Society. To get an E-script card, visit the Customer Service Counter at
Schnucks. Follow instructions and register the card with your charity of choice (i.e. St. John Bosco). Each time you make purchases at Schnucks, hand the cashier the card to swipe. Schnucks donates a
percentage of the transaction to your charity. For St. John Bosco, all funds are donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
6. Box Tops for Education:
Box Tops for Education is a program that allows us to buy school supplies that are used in the Parish School of Religion. The labels can be dropped off in the church lobby.
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