Entries for June 2026

Dear Parishioners:

It has been great seeing so many parishioners at our weekday masses this summer, thanks to all of you for your faith-filled lives.  I also want to encourage us all to invite others to the faith. Our  RCIA process begins this fall if you know of anyone interested in joining the church please invite them or contact the parish office and we will get in touch with them.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS—RCIA

This September we will again start the process for men and women who are inquiring about the Catholic Faith.   RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process through which adults enter into the Catholic faith. RCIA is a spiritual journey designed in phases and implemented through various rites. The participants' spiritual growth is encouraged and enhanced through weekly reflection on God's Word and the teachings of Catholic doctrine and traditions.  If you have any questions, please contact the parish office.

Becoming a Catholic is one of the most profound and joyous experiences of life. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are still infants, and over the course of time they grow into a recognition of the enormous grace that has been bestowed upon them, of the dignity and wonder of their identity as Catholics.

If you know someone who might be interested in joining the Church, be that family member, fellow worker, or neighbor, please contact the parish office with their name and phone number.  Our parishioners are always the best evangelists.  Your faith and how you live it will speak volumes to those around you.

Let us pray for those who are contemplating joining the Catholic faith and encourage them through our words, actions and prayers.  God bless you for sharing your faith!

Msgr. John Shamleffer

It was uplifting to see so many enter the Church this past year just a quick reminder that all are invited and that our entire community supports you!

Ten top reasons to come to RCIA—not in any particular order.

1. You want to become Catholic.
2. You are marrying someone outside the faith and they desire to know more about our faith.
3. You are Catholic, and did not receive all of the Sacraments of Initiation—Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
4. You have children to teach and don’t know the faith well enough.
5. You have a friend or family member interested in learning more about the faith, who would be more comfortable if you came with them.
6. You have experienced a loss of some kind in your life and need a small faith community.
7. Your spouse is not Catholic, and might be interested in joining our Church as your children are receiving first communion or confirmation.
8. You are Catholic, and would like to learn current Church teaching and practice.
9. You’ve heard it is a great experience.
10. God is calling you.

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Dear Parishioners:

A blessed Father’s Day to all of our fathers: both those whom are living and those whom have gone before us in faith.  Celebrating Father’s Day and Mother’s Day gives all of us an opportunity to give thanks for all the support, blessings and love our parents have shared with us.  Fathers and mothers have that wonderful opportunity to continue God’s greatest gift, the gift of life; a life and love which both our God and our parents constantly share with us.  A simple recognition of thanks is the best gift we can give our parents, a heartfelt appreciation for all they do for us.  In a special way this Sunday both in word and at Mass, let us give thanks for the gift of our Fathers.

We are blessed as a Church to have as the patron of father’s St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.  While there is no written word, in the scriptures, of Joseph speaking, much is written about how he responded to God’s call in his life and the utter care he gives to Jesus and Mary.  From the birth of Jesus to the death of Joseph the actions of Joseph tell the story of a loving father and husband.  Perhaps you can take some time this week to review in the scriptures the stories told of loving fathers and let all of us give thanks for those faith-filled and loving fathers in our lives. 

                                                                        Blessings!

                                                                        Msgr. John Shamleffer

Please remember to return your donation for the ACA (Archdiocesan Annual Campaign) so far only about one-sixth of our parishioners have responded.  I would love to have a 100% participation even if you cannot give this year please return your cards to the parish.  This collection helps the neediest in our Archdiocese, if you have any questions about this collection please contact me.  Thank you.

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Dear Parishioners:

On July 18, 2026 the Archdiocese of St. Louis will mark its 200th anniversary commemorating the founding of the diocese in 1826 by Pope Leo XII.   This once-in-a-generation Bicentennial Jubilee is an invitation to reflect on 200 years of Catholic faith, celebrate the present, and renew the mission of Christ for the future.

Historical Context

• 1764: First Mass in St. Louis on the site of the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral).
• 1818: St. Louis became the episcopal seat of a growing frontier Church.
• 1826: Pope Leo XII established the Diocese of St. Louis, entrusted to Bishop Joseph Rosati with a vast missionary territory from the Louisiana border to the Rocky Mountains.
• 1847: Pope Pius IX elevated St. Louis to an archdiocese 

Here at The Church of the Annunziata we celebrate almost 100 years of serving the people of Ladue and our surrounding area.  In order to gather as a community to give thanks for 200 years as a diocese and 100 years as a parish. Our parish Council is inviting all to a gathering following our 5pm Mass on Saturday June 20, 2026.  This celebration will take place in our parish hall and courtyard with food and drink for all.  This is an opportunity to give thanks to each other and to all who have helped to form us.

I would especially like to give thanks to all of you who share your gifts with our community and for all those who have gone before us.   Hope you can join us on the 2oth.

                                                                   God Bless!

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Dear Parishioners:

On Sunday June 7, 2026 the United States Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar observes Corpus Christi (Latin for ‘Body of Christ’), also known as the Feast of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  What is it? 

“On this feast, we celebrate our covenant with God established through the shedding of Jesus’ blood, and through his eagerness to feed us with the only bread that will satisfy our hunger.  We renew this covenant by participating in the banquet of his body and blood, a banquet that through his death, gives us life.” 

Today we are celebrating a solemn feast that expresses the awesome wonder of the People of God: a wonder filled with gratitude for the gift of the Eucharist. In the Sacrament of the Altar, Jesus wanted to perpetuate his living presence in our midst in the same form in which he gave himself to the Apostles in the Upper Room. He left to us what he did at the Last Supper and we faithfully renew his action.

According to established custom, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi consists of two moments: the Mass, in which the offering of the Sacrifice takes place and the procession, which manifests the public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Days, years and centuries go by, but this most holy act in which Jesus condensed his entire Gospel of love does not pass away. He never ceases to offer himself, the Lamb immolated and risen, for the salvation of the world. With this memorial the Church responds to the command of God's Word, which we heard in today’s Second Reading: "Do this in remembrance of me" (Cor. 11: 24).

From the Eucharist, "the source and the summit of all preaching of the Gospel”, our Parish Community of Annunziata daily draws the strength and enthusiasm for our call to witness to Christ in the world.

A reminder that during the day our Church is open for Eucharistic Adoration here at Annunziata all are welcome to partake in this time of prayer.  In a special way thanks to all who partake in our Eucharistic Adoration here at The Church of the Annunziata your prayer is a gift to all of us in the Church. 

                                                                                    Blessings!

                                                                                    Msgr. John Shamleffer

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