Entries for January 2026

Dear Parishioners:

Known originally as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2) is a relatively ancient celebration. The Church at Jerusalem observed the feast as early as the first half of the fourth century, and likely earlier. The feast celebrates the presentation of Christ in the temple at Jerusalem on the 40th day after His birth.

When Christ was presented in the temple, "there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25) When Mary and Joseph brought Christ to the temple, Simeon embraced the Child and prayed the Canticle of Simeon: Nunc Dimittis "Now thou can dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).

Inspired the words of the canticle ("a light to the revelation of the Gentiles"), by the 11th century, the custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on the Feast of the Presentation. The candles were then lit, and a procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung. Because of this, the feast also became known as Candlemas. While the procession and blessing of the candles is not often performed in the United States today, Candlemas is still an important feast in many European countries.

The Church thus prays this day, Father, we praise you and we bless you because through your Son, born of woman by the working of the Holy Spirit, born under the law, has ransomed us from the law and you have filled our life with light and new hope. May our families welcome and remain faithful to your designs, may they help and sustain in their children the new dreams and enthusiasm, wrap them in tenderness when they are fragile, educate them in love for you and for all creatures. All honor and glory to you, Father.

The next day February 3 is the Feast of St. Blaise, a day when the Blessing of Throats takes place (Through the intercession of Blessed Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may you be delivered from all illnesses of the throat and any other ailments. + In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."). This blessing, a sacramental of the Church, will be celebrated this Tuesday at our daily mass.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners:

Every year the archdiocese celebrates Catholic Schools. The Archdiocese of St. Louis is abundantly blessed with so many wonderful Catholic schools. Many areas of our country are not as blessed as we are. Please consider catholic Schools. Thanks to all who support Catholic education in our parish and in our Archdiocese.

There are over 105 Catholic grade schools and 27 Catholic high schools to choose from, plus St. Louis University. In our Archdiocese, there are also over a hundred P.S.R. programs, such as we have here at The Church of the Annunziata.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our teachers both here at our Learning Center School, our PSR school and throughout our Archdiocese for their dedicated ministry to our youth. The lessons learned at our schools help to enhance the faith that is lived in our homes. It is with great joy that I commend our student body (these young men and women and all our youth) to you and ask that you keep them in your prayers.

Teachers are members of a vitally important profession. They teach essential skills and concepts; they nurture curiosity and a sense of wonder; they cultivate abilities and interests and give their students a sense of significance and purpose.

In the context of a Catholic school, however, the work of the teacher (administrator) takes on a new dimension. At Annunziata it is referred to as a vocation – a calling to become part of something of great significance; in this case, to share in the Church’s mission. In their own way, teachers and administrators in Catholic schools follow the example of Jesus to reach out to others and spread the good news about life and its purpose.

I would also like to particularly our principal Mrs. Melissa Kelley and our CRE Mrs. Caroline Hall, and our parents as first teachers for their leadership and guidance; besides enriching our over 150 students academically, morally, and interpersonally they along with our teachers help to prepare our children for the reception of the sacraments. This coming spring our second graders will receive their First Communion. Just last December our Second Graders received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, as they partook of the healing and forgiving love of our God.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

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Dear Parishioners

As we begin this new year of 2026, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski has announced that, our Archdiocese will be celebrating a Jubilee Year. This year is the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of St Louis on July 18, 1826. On January 1, 2026, on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, we begin a sacred year of reflection, celebration, and renewal as we journey toward the two hundredth anniversary of our diocese.

Our region’s Catholic heritage dates back more than 350 years with the earliest missionary encounters in the Mississippi Valley. In 1764, St. Louis was founded and celebrated the first Mass on the site where the Old Cathedral now stands. In 1818, Bishop Dubourg chose St. Louis as the episcopal seat of the new frontier Church. When Pope Leo XII established the Diocese of St. Louis in 1826, Bishop Joseph Rosati was entrusted with a vast mission territory that extended from the Louisiana border to the Rocky Mountains, encompassing lands newly acquired through the Louisiana Purchase and parts of the Illinois Territory.

On July 18, 1826, Pope Leo XII divided the Diocese of Louisiana and the Two Floridas. One of the new dioceses was the Diocese of St. Louis, which included Missouri along with vast areas of the American Midwest and Great Plains. Because of its size, the diocese was often referred to as the Rome of the West. Leo XII named Joseph Rosati as the first bishop of St. Louis.

This Jubilee Year invites us to honor the past, celebrate the present, and commit ourselves anew to the mission of Christ. Special initiatives, moments of prayer, pilgrimages, and parish celebrations throughout the year will help deepen our communion, renew our missionary zeal, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one Church.

In honor of this historic milestone, the Holy See, through the Apostolic Penitentiary, has graciously granted a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, to the truly penitent and devout Christian faithful. This indulgence, available through July 26, 2026, is a beautiful gift of God’s mercy, inviting us to deeper conversion and renewed holiness. To receive this grace, the faithful may visit several sacred sites that have been designated as pilgrimage locations: Please visit www.ArchSTL200.org to learn more about pilgrimage sites, the conditions for receiving the indulgence, and the special provisions for the sick and homebound.

And may this Bicentennial Jubilee be a time of profound gratitude, spiritual renewal, and missionary joy for all the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Christmas & New Year Blessings,

Msgr John Shamleffer

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