St. John Bosco Catholic Church
12934 Marine Avenue ª St. Louis, Missouri 63146
Rectory Telephone: 314-434-1312 ª Fax: 314-514-0478
Email Address: stjohnboscostl@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.stjohnboscostl.com
Religious Education Office Telephone: 314-878-6492
St. John Bosco Parish
Clergy and Staff
CLERGY
Rev. Gerard R. Welsch-Pastor
Rev. William Kester
Rev. Raymond Iwuji
Deacon Paul D. Craska
STAFF
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F.......................... Pastoral Associate
Gail Henry.................................................................... Secretary
Amy Smith........................................................ Music Minister
Sr. Trini Fuerte, M.E.S.T................................... Rectory Staff
Sr. Maria De Jesus Tovar, M.E.S.T. ............... Rectory Staff
Karl F. Buhr, Jr.................................................... Maintenance
Anita Walth....................................................... Housekeeping
Our Sacramental Life
Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
ON SUNDAYS: Masses are celebrated at 5:00 P.M. on Saturday evening and at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 A.M. on Sunday morning.
DAILY: Mass is celebrated 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. Monday through Friday.
HOLY DAYS: Masses on Holy Days of Obligation are held at 7:00 A.M., 12:00 Noon and 7:30 P.M. on the Holy Day itself.
HOMEBOUND: The priests, deacon, or special ministers will be happy to bring Holy Communion to anyone who is not able to attend Mass at Church. Please contact the rectory for these arrangements.
Celebration of Reconciliation
SATURDAY: Every Saturday this sacrament is available from 4:00-4:30 P.M. Reconciliation times for Christmas and Easter will be published in the Parish Bulletin.
Celebration of Baptism
INFANTS: The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 12:45 P.M. Call the Parish Office well in advance to schedule a Baptism.
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.
Celebration of the
Sacrament of Marriage
Couples wishing to marry, please contact the rectory six months prior to the wedding to make arrangements.
Our Devotional Life
EXPOSITION OF THE This time for Eucharistic Adoration is
BLESSED SACRAMENT: held every Tuesday from
8:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
PERPETUAL HELP This prayer to Our Blessed Mother is
DEVOTIONS: offered a few minutes after the
7:00 A.M. Tuesday Mass.
ROSARY: This prayer of Our Blessed Mother is
recited at 8:45 A.M. on Tuesdays.
Religious Education
for Children
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION
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.
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate.................................... 878-6492
LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN
This program shares the faith with our young people, grades 1 through 5. They are dismissed following the opening prayer at Mass to the Church Hall during 9:30 A.M. Sunday Mass and return following the homily. They hear Sacred Scripture at their level and share it.
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate.................................... 878-6492
OUR LITTLE DISCIPLES PROGRAM
This program is for 4 and 5 year olds and is held during the 9:30 A.M. Sunday Mass in the Church Hall. Bible stories and coloring are two main features of these classes.
Religious Education for Adults
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.
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate.................................... 878-6492
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
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 7:00-8:30 P.M. in the Parish Center except during Lent.
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate............................... ….878-6492
Fr. Gerard Welsch....................................................................................... 434-1312
Marge Meyer................................................................................................. 878-8426
Ministerial Organizations
ALTAR SERVERS
The young people of our Parish assist the celebrant at the altar.
Paul Craska, Deacon.................................................................................. 275-4065
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE AND LUNCH COMMITTEE
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.)
Dorothy Holden (Bereavement)......................................................... 576-4356
Doris Meyer (Luncheon)......................................................................... 434-3627
Peggy Bourne (Luncheon)..................................................................... 434-7836
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
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.
Paul Craska, Deacon.................................................................................. 275-4065
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal order of Catholic gentlemen with an emphasis on family and service. The Cardinal Ritter Council is the local organization that meets at St. Monica Church.
Bill Smith........................................................................................................ 439-9893
LECTORS
These are men and women of the parish who proclaim the Word of God at Sunday and Weekday Mass.
Paul Craska, Deacon.................................................................................. 275-4065
LITURGICAL ENSEMBLE
The Liturgical Ensemble provides the music at the 11:30 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
Grace Johnson.............................................................................................. 434-2322
LITURGY COMMITTEE
This committee coordinates liturgical ministries and oversees the planning and preparation of sacramental celebrations.
Jodi Toliver................................................................................................... 298-9630
MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY/USHERS
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 week-end liturgies. We need NEW members to join our FUN group! To start your SALARY and BENEFITS contact:
David George................................................................................................ 519-1556
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 9:30 A.M. Mass. The 5:00 P.M. vigil Mass on Saturday usually has keyboard and a cantor. Cantors help by singing the psalm and leading the assembly at most weekend and holyday Masses. A children’s choir is formed for Christmas and Easter Masses. Musicians and singers are always welcome.
Amy Smith (traditional choir)......................................................... …439-9893
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The prayer shawl ministry is either a shoulder wrap or lap covering, either knitted or crocheted by someone in our Ministry to offer “tangible evidence to those for whom we are praying.” Not only are prayers said while they are being made, but after completion a priest will bless them. We would like to offer these to people who are sick, disabled, pregnant, recovering from an operation, depressed or distressed. As one woman put it, “…we are helping to provide a hug from God to those who are in need.”
The Prayer Shawl/Lap Blankets are made by volunteers. We ask for no money from anyone who receives a Prayer Shawl/Lap blanket, they are free. If someone would like to offer a voluntary contribution for this ministry, the money will be used to purchase more material for Prayer Shawls or Lap Blankets for others.
Mary Ann Sei................................................................................................. 878-7099
PRO-LIFE
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.
Carol DeGhelder.......................................................................................... 878-7245
SACRISTANS
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 9:00 A.M.
Maria Brose................................................................................................... 878-8674
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY
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.
Parish Support Organizations
FINANCE COMMITTEE
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 Church Hall to plan activities of a social and religious nature for the entire parish. Their Quilt Bingo, Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Bazaar and Birthright Shower are just some of the activities which the parish looks forward to and enjoys.
President………………………………………………………………….. Pauline Latuda
Vice-President......................................................................................... Ginny Ottes
Secretary................................................................................................... Barb Brown
Treasurer................................................................................................... Maria Brose
MEN’S CLUB
The Men’s Club meets the 1st Tuesday of the month in the Bosco room at the Parish Center. They have furnished the kitchen in the Parish Center and sponsor the Lenten Fish Fries.
President................................................................ Pete Pellegrine........ 576-4605
Vice-President....................................................................................... Dave George
Secretary.......................................................................................... Lonnie Kopuster
Treasurer................................................................................................ Don Yeargain
MONEY COUNTERS
On Monday morning various teams of men and women give an exact counting of our offerings to the Lord.
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
Barbara Brown Richard Fitzgerald Dennis Carrino
Mary Beth Carrino Violet Kelly Elaine Holtmeyer
Todd Schwent Jennifer Schwent
Ex Officio members
Fr. Gerard Welsch
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate
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 Wednesday, 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
Doris Meyer.................................................................................................. 434-3627
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.
Dick Holden.................................................................................................. 576-4356
ST. JOHN BOSCO FAMILIES/COUPLES
This group is open to all families and couples. We have a monthly social activity, including astronomy night, game night, trip to the Butterfly House/Faust Park, potlucks, volleyball, and River City Rascal games. We include children when planning our activities.
Tracy Stemler.............................................................................................. 469-6818
Other Organizations
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The members of the Athletic Association plan and oversee the sports of T-ball, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Golf for the young people of the parish and the community from grades K through high school. In all of their sports the Christian virtues of fair play and sportsmanship are always primary. In addition to the sports program of over 400 young people, many fund raising activities are held and work details organized.
President..................................................................................................... Chris Skiles
Secretary..................................................................................................... Cathy Light
Treasurer............................................................................................... Christine Hull
You Can Help!
There are several ongoing activities in the parish which you are invited to support:
1. On the FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH the
St. Vincent de Paul Society collects CAN GOODS which are delivered to St. Elizabeth Parish for distribution to the needy.
2. Recycle: The Deposit bins are located on the parking lot behind the Church
A. Paper Recycling
B. Aluminum Cans
C. Good used Clothes
3. Grocery purchases from Schnucks using your E-Script card benefits our St. Vincent de Paul organization.