Family of Parishes begins Friday, July 1, 2022. Our SERF Vicarate Family #3 consists of: St. Ambrose, St. Clare, St. Matthew and St. Paul on the Lake. Our governance model is: In Solidium. The Moderator of our Family is Fr. Jim Bilot from St. Paul. Since April the priests of our Family have gathered to discuss the Covenant which is the document that will help us navigate the cooperation between the parishes. More...

As the days are getting warmer, I would like to extend my invitation to all of you to come and use the main door as we leave the church after Mass. Our presence there, in the front of the church, could be a sign of invitation to those passing by to ask for God’s presence in their lives.

Thank you for your continued service in these very important roles during our liturgies. Be sure to check the schedules and if you are unable to attend on an assigned day, it is your responsibility to find a substitute to serve. Thank you also for wearing proper attire when serving on the altar.

I would like to invite all young people to consider serving the Lord and our parish community around the altar as a server. It is a wonderful way of being active during the Mass and assist in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Please join the St. Clare Community and School this Tuesday, April 26th, as we come together to provide a funeral Mass for Joann Prewitt, who died on February 2, 2022. We have no details about the life of the deceased. In partnering with Verheyden Funeral Home and their outreach service in the community, we were informed that they had been granted disposition of her body from the authorities.

For the first time since our arrival the team was together again in one location. After a final shopping trip for supplies, and meeting with David the logistical manager at the retreat house we loaded up the vans, said our goodbyes and left the beauty of the mountains behind.

Bonanza 2022 is rounding the final turn.  The 3rd count was held on April 9th and the first of ten drawings will begin April 24th after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.  As always, we appreciate your support of the Parish's largest fund raiser.  

On Wednesday, April 26, 2022 our St. Clare community and school will provide a Funeral Mass for Joann Prewitt, who died on February 2, 2022. We are partnering with Verheyden Funeral Home, which has been granted disposition of her remains.

Happy Palm Sunday. As Christians around the world begin Holy Week, both our Przemysl group and field team went to services at their locations. Those at the retreat house enjoyed a small personal service then were off to their daily assignments, while the group in Przemysl were treated to the pomp and circumstance of Mass at the Cathedral with the Archbishop and all the beauty of the special day. We were just about to leave when the custodian asked if we would like to see the catacombs below the church. These crypts hold the tombs of the bishops of this diocese buried here dating back several centuries.

We transitioned the groups today, most in Przemysl went to the field station and vice versa. Each day we head off to the various destinations, never sure exactly what we will encounter, including the weather where we had snow and rain, but always willing to give it our best shot. There seemed to be a lot of movement at the centers today, a bit of an uptick in activity. The sheer volume of people is staggering, heartbreaking and surreal.

We are at the halfway point of our mission. It was a very long but productive day. Our field team was on the move at 4:45 am to unload the truck from France that was delayed at the last moment last night. They unloaded supplies for 2 hours took a break for breakfast then back to work again. We unpacked and organized the supplies, did laundry, delivered medical supplies more shopping for specifics for the guests. Another trip to pick up more refugees and help get them settled. We said goodbye to many of the families we had met as they were off on the next leg of their journey to different countries. Amazing how in just 24 hours such a strong connection can be felt even with the language barrier, it just shows how universal kindness is. We also encountered border patrol stops a few times…all part of a “normal” day.

Day four is coming to a close. We ended the day unloading a truck of supplies at the center and brought more families here to transition from Ukraine. More shopping for medical supplies, and day to day supplies, and much physical labor at the refugee center in Przemysl where half of our group is ministering. Stripping sheets, disinfecting cots, mopping floors, clearing clutter and always providing that warm smile and hug for anyone in need.

Our first day fully immersed in our work in Poland. We have been split up into 2 groups so hoping to hear from those working in Przemysl for tomorrow's post. Here in southern Poland today we helped at the medical clinic, transitioned families entering Poland to our center, shopped for supplies which resulted in some unexpected excitement when we were stopped by Polish Border Patrol to authenticate what we were doing. The stops help guard against the problem of human trafficking.

We arrived in Krakow mid-day then headed to Przemysl. We had a quick meal, took our things to our room and headed out to the Refugee Center. We are working in two groups at two locations. We are assisting with whatever is needed. We are in awe of the work being done by the relief agencies.

I have briefly relinquished my title as Captain. I thought since there is an actual pilot it would be best if I let her fly the plane. We are all accounted for but not quite all in the photo…next stop Frankfurt!

The last two weeks were very busy with calls, emails and texts arranging and organizing our humanitarian effort to assist those suffering due to war. Your generous support, through prayer, financial assistance and good will for the refugees from Ukraine are tangible acts of love for our worldwide family. We hope to be your hands, feet, hugs, hearts and smiles to those we serve and let them know they are not alone or forgotten. Thank you for your help.

In the February 27, 2022 bulletin you will find the schedule for all that is for happening at St. Clare in the upcoming 40 days. Be sure to place it on the fridge so it will serve as a reminder and invitation to participate.

This week is the First Friday of March and of the Season of Lent. Come join us for Adoration after the morning Mass until noon for some time of reflection and prayer, or in the evening at 7:30 PM for Stations of the Cross.

Pregnancy Aid Bottle Drive: A “Bottle Drive” to support our local Pregnancy Aid organization will be coming in February. Your donations will support their services to help young women through their pregnancies. We planning for the following dates: February 17-28, 2022. Detailed articles coming soon.

Are you signed up for Formed.org? You can find so many great programs for you, your family, the children. Just go to formed.org and enter St. Clare of Montefalco Church. Take a look around. Invite a friend or two for coffee or tea and share faith together. God will like it if you do and…so will Sr. Kathy