March Sursum Corda: Volunteering with SVdP Flood Relief

We spent last month with spiritual works of mercy, making a pilgrimage to the Old Cathedral. This month, we will be performing corporal works of mercy by assisting a local St. Vincent de Paul thrift store.

In particular, many families have been temporarily or permanently displaced by the flooding we saw in the past few months. SSVdP has been working to help these families replace many of the household goods that they lost - clothing, furniture, appliances, bedding/fabrics, ect. They have a special program which offers vouchers to families in need to redeem at local thrift stores for these items. However, they have also seen a large increase of donations to their thrift stores for these families, and need assistance sorting, tagging, and displaying the donations.

We will be helping them out on Saturday, March 12th. We will start with 8am Mass at St. Francis de Sales, followed by a quick breakfast in the convent (if you bring something to eat/share!). We will then head to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store off of Christy and S. Kingshighway to volunteer from 9:30am - 1pm. Afterwards, we will head out for lunch nearby for those interested.

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 10th, by e-mailing sursumcordastlouis@gmail.com, as the manager of the thrift store would like to know roughly how many will be attending to help organize work in advance.

As always, all Catholics aged 18 - 35 are welcome to attend! Spread the word and bring a friend!

Saturday, March 12th 2016
8am: Mass at St. Francis de Sales Oratory, followed by quick breakfast
9:30am - 1pm: Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
(If you can, please let me know if you plan on attending by Thursday, March 10th)

St. Francis de Sales Oratory
2653 Ohio Ave
St. Louis, MO 63104

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
4928 Christy Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63116

March 4th, 2016: 40 Days for Life - St. Francis de Sales Sponsored Day

Twice each year, Saint Louis comes together to as a Pro-Life nation to pray and stand witness in front of the Downtown St. Louis Abortion Clinic during 40 Days for Life. During this Lenten Season, would you consider supporting the 40 Days for Life effort, as you have done in the past, with your prayers and presence?

This year St. Francis de Sales Oratory has sponsored Friday, March 4th.

As young adults, we have a very powerful presence in this movement - which means we especially should strive to take part. The women who visit these clinics, and the people who work at the clinic all need our prayers. For those considering a change of heart, it can be a tremendous support to see people, especially young people often like themselves, outside willing to sacrifice some of their time to support Life.

We are looking to find 2 volunteers per hourly time slot from 7am to 7pm on our sponsored day.

UPDATE: Volunteers are still needed especially for the following hours:

7am - 8am

8am - 9am

9am - 10am

Your help is greatly appreciated and tremendously needed. If you are able to spend some time this Lenten season on Friday March 4th, please email sursumcordastlouis@gmail.com or sign up after Mass during the coffee hour.

Spread the word and bring a friend!

Friday, March 4th

7am - 7pm: Pray and Stand Witness for Life!

Planned Parenthood
4251 Forest Park Ave
St. Louis, MO 63108

February Sursum Corda: Year of Mercy Pilgrimage

"The Old Cathedral" in front of the St. Louis Arch

For the Year of Mercy, the Saint Louis Archdiocese has announced several pilgrimage sites, where pilgrims can receive a plenary indulgence for visiting. One of these is the Old Cathedral!

As usual, our meeting will begin on the Second Saturday of the Month, February 13th.  We will be attending 8am Mass at St. Francis de Sales to start the morning, followed by a potluck breakfast and short conference by Canon Commins. Please be sure to bring something to contribute to the breakfast! (Bagels, cereal/granola, fruit, juice, ect). We will then head over to the visit the newly renovated Old Cathedral at about 10am.

The plenary indulgence is granted to those who:

• Perform a public devotion or participate in the liturgy (we will be saying a rosary) at the pilgrimage site
• Spend time in meditative prayer
• and conclude with prayer for the Holy Father (Our Father, Apostle's Creed, and Prayer to the BVM)

Of course, there are also the usual conditions of receiving the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession, and a complete detachment from sin. After spending time at the Old Cathedral, we may visit the museums under the Arch as well (depending on time and interest of those attending).

As always, all Catholics aged 18 - 35 are welcome to attend. Spread the word and bring a friend!

Hope to see y'all there!

Saturday, February 13th, 2016

8:00am: Mass at St. Francis de Sales
~8:45am: "potluck breakfast" and conference following Mass (bring something to eat/share!)
10:00am: carpool/drive to the Old Cathedral/Arch Grounds

St. Francis de Sales Oratory
2653 Ohio Ave
St. Louis, MO 63104

Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
209 Walnut St

St. Louis, MO 63102