Gospel Hospitality - One of the key elements of Jesus' ministry was hospitality. He welcomed all people, especially those who had been excluded by others. We try hard to practice that here at St. Clare Parish through such things as: + Welcoming liturgies that are also prayerful, + Our large ‘gathering space’ to socialize before & after Mass, + Welcome receptions for all new parishioners, +  “Donut Sundays” once a month, +  Over 80 ministries that allows/encourages everyone to be involved ... READ MORE

Parish Staff Blessings… Here at St. Clare, we are so blessed to have a great staff who give so much of themselves to keep our parish thriving and centered in prayer, Catholic faith formation, community, and the Spirit’s joy. I am so grateful for each of them and the ministry they do, which helps me stay focused on my main role as spiritual leader in the sacraments, preaching, teaching, and governing our parish and school. Their names and roles are on the front of the bulletin each week. ...READ MORE

Steubenville “illuminates” our youth...What a weekend! Thank you for your support in making our Youth Group’s trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference possible again this year. Our 52 youth (and 14 chaperones) had many great opportunities to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, music Adoration, and inspiring talks alongside 4,800 of their peers! It was powerful, faith-affirming and exhausting! Our prayer is that these wonderful young people were “illuminated” in the light of Christ

National Eucharistic Congress 2024...As most of you know, last Sunday and Monday our diocese hosted a spiritually powerful event of Eucharistic devotions. It was inspiring to have so many people (our St. Clare Youth were well represented!) from around Southern Illinois praying together around the sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist. This week (Wednesday-Friday), I will be going to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, joining thousands of ...READ MORE

Recommending a New Book...John Mark Comer's new book, Practicing the Way - Be with Jesus, Become like Him, Do as He did. His nine rules of life for practicing the Way: 1. Practice Sabbath in a culture of hurry and exhaustion. 2. Practice solitude in a culture of anxiety and noise. 3. Practice prayer in a culture of distraction and escapism. 4. Practice community in a culture of individuality and superficiality. 5. Practice scripture in a culture of ideological infection and ...READ MORE

Parish Staff Change Blessings - Our wonderful parish Facility Manager, Eric Schmitt, is retiring from his position here at St. Clare. Eric has been such a faithful, humble servant, who has done so many great things for us. You will still see him in the pew and volunteering but having more time for the outdoors and his hobbies. Thank you, Eric! I am pleased to introduce Steve Michelfelder, who will take over Eric’s position. Steve and his wife, Laura, have been very involved in several ministries...READ MORE

Eucharistic Revival Sunday July 7th Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM 3:00 PM: Opening Activities: ~ Come early to enjoy the beauty of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. ~ Enjoy activities at the Visitors Center including music by Steve Angrisano. ~ Tour Devotional Sites and Shrine Museum. ~ Visit the Children’s Art Display at Millennium Spire at the amphitheater - READ MORE

Thank you to our parish choirs!...It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job to work with the nearly 100 singers who comprise our parish choirs each week of our choir season, which extends from September through the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Parishioners often stop me after Mass and offer compliments on how our choirs enrich our liturgies. I would like to publicly acknowledge these singers' talent and significant commitment to our parish...READ MORE

INFANT BAPTISM CLASS Saturday, July 28 1:00 p.m. - Room 3 For parents that have not attended a Baptism Class at St. Clare and wish to have their child baptized here. Please call the parish office if you plan to attend! (618) 632-3562.

St. Clare School Updates...First, I want to thank our parishioners who serve so generously as parish representatives on our School Board. Special thanks to our two board members who are transitioning off the board, Tim Claxton and Jen Tebbe. Tim and Jen have done such a great job. This past year Tim has served as chairperson. Thanks Tim and Jen! Our two new members who have stepped up and said “yes” to serving are Emily Joost and Lauren Walford. Thank you Emily and Lauren! Other St. Clare ... READ MORE

Ordinary Time...After Pentecost, we begin the Liturgical Season called “Ordinary Time,” which lasts until Advent. During this season, the Gospel focuses on ‘basic’ ways that we are to follow Jesus, which are anything but ‘ordinary’ as we live in an overly secular world. During these summer months, our amazing choirs take some time off and the music is a bit simpler. I/we are SO grateful for the many volunteer parishioners who lift our spirits and prayer life through their music ministry in our...READ MORE

An Abundance of Grace…It was 33 years ago, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, that I was ordained to the Priesthood. Thus it was extra special for me last Sunday to have so many of you join in the Eucharistic Procession, celebrating the Gift of the Eucharist that sustains and enriches our lives in our varied vocations and stages of life. Last Sunday, someone counted over 200 people who were at the School Chapel for the Benediction and Consecration to the Eucharist prayer after the procession...READ MORE

Signs of Reverence - On this great Solemnity of Corpus Christi, I want to acknowledge some of the inspiring ways I see many of you showing signs of reverence for the Eucharist in the church and during Mass. In a culture of ‘casual’ and “informality,” it takes extra effort to show honor and respect to the Real Presence of Christ when we are in church. Here are a few traditional ways we give God reverence of which we sometimes need reminded on details: 1. Genuflection - ...READ MORE

Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession...Next Sunday, June 2, the same Spirit of Pentecost will be with us at our feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ) as we prayerfully walk one mile from church to our old church (School Chapel). Logistics: The procession will flow out of the 10:30 Mass. You can either process with us or meet us in front of the old church on Third and Oak Street at 11:40. Plan to carve out an hour (11:45 - 12:45) to join us for this very special procession down Lincoln Avenue...READ MORE

This feast of Pentecost has always been called the “Birthday of the Church” as the Holy Spirit gave ‘birth’ to a new beginning for all followers of Jesus. Today’s feast is an opportunity for us to reflect on how each of us continue to ‘add to’ the ongoing growth and mission that the Spirit gave to us as a Church. I want to personally thank each of you for the ways that you reveal to me the variety of gifts that the Holy Spirit pours upon us. Today’s Pentecost Festival is a testament of God’s Spirit so alive and present in our midst. I am so grateful for ...READ MORE

INFANT BAPTISM CLASS - Saturday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m. - Room 3. For parents that have not attended a Baptism Class at St. Clare and wish to have their child baptized here. Please call the parish office if you plan to attend! (618) 632-3562.

Liturgical Ministries Signups! I want to extend an invitation to everyone—yes, each person in the parish!—to become a part of our liturgical ministry program. Serving in a liturgical ministry is a great way to deepen your participation in and understanding of the Sunday Mass. Next week, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. Commitment cards will be turned in that weekend as we recall that the Holy Spirit has given each of us different gifts for the benefit of the Church...READ MORE

Save the Date! Sunday 19 May- Celebrate the Holy Spirit in our Parish! I want to encourage you to save the date and be a part of our annual Parish Pentecost Festival on Sunday, May 19. For those who are new to the parish or have never been before, this is a super fun, great food and music event to celebrate the Spirit of Pentecost and the diverse ethnicities within our own parish. Tickets go on sale after Mass this weekend – just $5 per person or $30 per family for a feast of great ethnic foods. There will be a wide variety of food booths representing ...READ MORE

Totus Tuus replaces VBS this year - Our Vacation Bible School has been a great success over the years with classes full of faith and fun, thanks to hundreds of wonderful volunteers and parents who supported VBS. This summer, we are trying something even more exciting – and more Catholic – with an expanded and fun new program, called “Totus Tuus,” for students entering grades 1-12. It will take the place of our traditional VBS for our grade-school children during...READ MORE