A note from Fr. Jeff: Pet blessings & stewardship

Again friends, I am so looking forward to meeting you all in just a few short weeks, on October 4th, as I preach and celebrate my first mass as your interim priest. We will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi and bless our beloved pets; and, if this isn't enough, we will celebrate homecoming with a community feast in Tower Grove Park. It will be a great and memorable day of celebration! Pray for cool, dry weather!

If you have a special pet that you would like blessed on October 4th, please bring them to church with you if possible. Dogs must be on a leash, cats or other animals in a carrier or crate. You must be responsible for the safety of others and cleaning up any messes your pet might make. If your pet barks or meows throughout the service, so be it. They are being who they are. If you have a photo or a collar or leash of a pet no longer with you, bring that too and we will say a special prayer for all those who have brought so much joy to our lives over the years. I am a dog lover; currently I have Bobbi, a two-and-a-half-year-old female golden retriever. In the past, I've had two yellow labs and another golden retriever, Gabriel, Michael, and Clare, and a dog from the pound many years ago, Fred. They still hold special places in my heart.

We will be kicking off the 2026-27 Stewardship Campaign for St. John's this coming Sunday. I ask that over the next several weeks you listen intently to the speakers who will be sharing why they love St. John's and how they find it rewarding to give of their time, talents, and financial treasures. Please set aside time to reflect on your own blessings and how you can give a generous token of gratitude back to God for all you and your family have received. You already know what a special faith family St. John's is, and how it nourishes and enriches you and your family, body, mind, and spirit. Please pray that you can find the means necessary to be extra generous during this transition season, and during this challenging economic time. 

Blessings!

Fr. Jeff+