Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God” ( Spes non confundit, 6). In the Bull announcing the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, at a moment in history in which "heedless of the horrors of the past, humanity is confronting yet another ordeal, as many peoples are prey to brutality and violence" ( Spes non confundit, 8), the Holy Father calls on all Christians to become pilgrims of hope. This is a virtue which must be sourced above all in the grace of God and in the fullness of His mercy. It is to be rediscovered in the signs of the times, which, encompassing "the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving presence, ought to become signs of hope" ( Spes non confundit, 7). Please click the link to download the full decree.

On May 9, 2024, Pope Francis issued “SPES NON CONFUNDIT” (Hope does not disappoint), Bull of Induction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. The Holy Father invited “everyone to an intense experience of the love of God” and “calls on all Christians to become Pilgrims of Hope.” The Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope will begin on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome and continue until the closing of the Jubilee Year on January 6, 2026. Please click the link and see the official letter from Archbishop Rozanski.

Join us as we come together with St. Peter Claver Parish for an Advent Penance Service on Wednesday, December 18, at 6:00 PM. Location: St. Peter Claver Parish 4330 Shreve Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115 Let us prepare our hearts and minds during this sacred season. All are welcome!

Laudato Si’ Advent Contemplating the mystery of Christ in creation. During Advent, we embark on a journey of preparation for the arrival of Christ. Focusing on His light in the darkness strengthens our ability to see God in the world. Download the Advent calendar and contemplation kit to prepare for Christ in creation.

Date: November 13, 2024 Time: 5 PM Location: Pere Marquette Gallery, DuBourg Hall, Saint Louis University Join us for a presentation on Sister Mary Antona Ebo, F.S.M., an African American sister from St. Louis known for her courageous stand in Selma, Alabama, during the 1965 voting rights campaign. Her life exemplifies enduring faith and a commitment to social justice. Speaker: Winnie Sullivan, author and director of PenUltimate Press, will share insights from her upcoming biography of Sister Ebo.

Thank you for your generous support of the St. Vincent de Paul St. Josephine Bakhita Conference 2024 Neighbor In Need Coat Drive. Through our collective prayers, donations, and the involvement of St. Louis Catholic Academy students, the drive was a tremendous success. Our parish goal of 100 coats was surpassed with 108 coats collected. In addition, the students at St. Louis Catholic Academy exemplified the school’s mission—sharing God’s love through service and respect for others—by collecting 240 coats. In total, 348 coats have been delivered to the St. Louis Crisis Nursery on parish grounds to support our neighbors in need. Thank you for helping us answer the call to serve! Harold Bailey, President

Christopher Gourdine, LTC, US Air Force - Retired Coisetta Wright, LTC, US Army - Retired Carol Wallace, SGT, US Army Korky Buhr, SPEC 5, US Army Beverly Versey, SSG, US Army - Retired Valerie Howard, A1C, US Air Force Roderick Moore, PO2, US Navy Seabees Andrew Thompson, SPEC 4, US Army Dominic Garland, SPEC 4, US Army Lee Lotts, US Army Marshall Brown, PVT, USMC Chris Engelhardt, SSG, US Army Michael Delcon, SGT, US Army (Also served in the US Navy and US Coast Guard)

Come, Lord Jesus: The Three Comings of Christ Please Join us on Saturday, December 7, 2024, for an Advent Morning of Reflection Hosted by St. Josephine Bakhita Parish and held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3519 North 14th Street, St. Louis, MO 63107. We will begin with Mass at 9:00 AM, followed by a short break for refreshments. We will then present three sessions on Christ's comings: History - Incarnation, Mystery - How he is present in our daily lives and Majesty – His triumphant return. We will end with lunch. Amid the busyness of Advent, set aside a morning to calm your spirit, strengthen your faith, and join others in fellowship as we receive spiritual gifts and blessings in anticipation of Jesus' birth. Everyone is welcome! This event is free however, for planning purposes, please register if you plan to attend.

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish Welcomes Community to Special Mass Celebration Featuring Homilist Fr. Urey Mark and Spelman Glee Club & Bowman Scholars St. Louis, MO – November 4, 2024 – St. Josephine Bakhita Parish is delighted to invite the entire St. Louis community to a soulful Mass celebration on Sunday, November 10, at 9 AM, in honor of National Black Catholic Month. This special Mass, held at 2431 N Grand Blvd, will feature guest preacher Fr. Mark from Atlanta and the acclaimed Spelman Glee Club and Bowman Scholars as the guest choir, bringing 45 young voices to enrich the liturgy with powerful and uplifting music. Fr. Urey Patrick Mark serves as the Chaplain and Director of the Lyke House Catholic Newman Center in Atlanta, where he leads Catholic campus ministry for Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Georgia State University, the largest university in Georgia. This event reflects St. Josephine Bakhita Parish’s commitment to celebrating Black Catholic heritage and cultivating a spirit of worship, evangelization, and service within the community. All are warmly welcome to join this joyful celebration and experience the spirit and unity of the St. Josephine Bakhita community. For media inquiries, please contact Dr. Alice Prince at [email protected]. Additional information is available at https://stbakhitastl.org.

Fr. Mitch is asking the community to communicate with our City Housing, Urban Development, and Zoning Committee, pledging your support for Board Bill 114. You do not have to live in the city to express your support. This bill will go a long way toward stabilizing our neighborhoods by removing the ban on many forms of transitional housing while still welcoming community engagement in the discernment of each proposed development. Fr. Mitch plans to attend the public hearing on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 6:00 pm in Room 208 of City Hall. The link below contains pertinent information that may be of interest to you. Fr. Mitch would like to thank everyone for their consideration.

We are excited to honor and celebrate Black Catholic History Month! Explore resources from the National Black Catholic Congress and follow us on social media for educational content, insightful information, and inspiring stories curated by our team. https://nbccongress.org/

Join us at Faith in Action, an event focused on prayer, reflection, and discovering ways to serve our community. With two session options—November 4 at 6:30 PM or November 18 at 10:00 AM at St. Roch Church—this event includes a Ministry Fair featuring representatives from Catholic Charities and various local organizations. All are welcome as we explore opportunities for mercy-driven service. RSVP is appreciated but not required.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Cavitte, a longtime member of St. Nicholas Parish, who passed away on October 10, 2024, in Jefferson City at the age of 94. Virginia was known for her love of God's creation, especially through her care for plants, which she nurtured with her incredible green thumb. She leaves behind her cherished son, Homer, his wife Donna, and her beloved grandson, whom she affectionately called "Gramps." Virginia’s love for family and her dedication to her faith will be remembered by all who knew her. Funeral arrangements will be shared as soon as they become available. Please keep her family in your prayers during this time. May her soul rest in eternal peace

There will be no 9:00 Mass tomorrow at Most Holy Trinity. Instead, we will gather to celebrate the Funeral Mass of Rick Molkenburg and his husband, Roy. Rick is the brother of parishioner Nicky Hoxworth. Rick and Roy both died within months of each other, in California. The Funeral Mass begins at 10:30 tomorrow morning, in Most Holy Trinity Church. Please pray for Nicky and all the family and friends of Rick and Roy who mourn their passing. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Join us for A Night Under the Stars and Around a Bonfire at the Most Holy Trinity Rectory Garden after the 6:00 PM All Saints Day Mass. Gather with friends and family for a cozy evening featuring a hot dog roast and s'mores. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy fellowship under the night sky, filled with fun and conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for our annual Church Halloween Trunk or Treat at the Sts. Teresa and Bridget Campus. The event is on October 26, 2024, from 1:30 - 5:00 PM. Call the parish office at 314-371-1190 or contact Mary Alexander at 314-629-1535 to reserve a trunk space.

The Archdiocesan Graced to be Grand Conference will explore the critical role played by grandparents and other significant elders in forming resilient, loving, faith-filled youth. Learn from experienced teachers, pastors, parents and grandparents how to meet the child in age-appropriate ways for fostering personal relationships with Jesus, while opening to God’s on-going call to your own heart. Registration: $20 donation per person, paid at the door. Scholarships are available. Online registration is requested for lunch orders – please register here.

Mark your calendars for an enlightening event on November 19 at 6:30 PM at St. Louis Catholic Academy. This program, "Seeking Truth & Reconciliation in Communion with the Ancestors," serves as a follow-up to the Forgive Us Our Trespasses (FUOT) Maafa Prayer Service. It aims to deepen our understanding of the report Slavery in the Historic Archdiocese of St. Louis, which reveals what is currently known about people historically enslaved within the Archdiocese. Join us for a space dedicated to contemplation, discussion, and connection. For more details and to read the report, visit the QR code link on the event flyer. Location: St. Louis Catholic Academy, 1106 N Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63106.

The Zechariah Men's Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Catholic Renewal Center, offers a morning of fellowship, spiritual enrichment, and inspiring talks. Join us for a delicious breakfast, prayer, and an opportunity to hear powerful testimonies of encountering Christ. The event is held at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, and live streaming options are available. All men are welcome, and cost should not be a barrier. Reservations are required. For more information and to RSVP, visit STLRENEWAL.ORG/ZPB.