Today is Priesthood Sunday, and as such it is a fitting time for us to reflect on what is often called the “Vocations Crisis.” We all know that, over the last several decades, there have not been enough priests ordained to replace the priests who have retired or passed to their eternal reward. The reasons that this is the case, or theories about them, could fill volumes, but today I think that we should reflect on why the priesthood is so important to us as Christ’s Church.

In partnership with Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Ascension Garden and local funeral directors, St. Louis Church will present a legacy and funeral pre-planning seminar from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Monday, Sept. 25 in the Parish Meeting Hall.

As shared by St. Louis' Helping Haiti Ministry Leaders, Fr. Rick Frechette's July 30 2023 update speaks to the increase in gang violence in Port-au-Prince and the loss of his "treasured friend" Raphael Louigene. St. Louis Church will offer a Mass for Peace in Haiti and the Repose of the Soul of Raphael Louigene at 5:15 pm Thursday, September 7.

After all Masses on Sept. 9 and 10, the Powers Farm Market Family* will bring their freshly harvested corn to St. Louis to help raise money for St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Led by Fr. Rick Frechette, St. Damien is Haiti's only children's hospital that is free to the indigent. It is one of only four hospitals with a neonatal unit. This is the 53rd year that the Powers Farm Market Family has generously donated corn. Suggested donation: $5 per bag (6 ears of corn). Payable using cash or check. (Make checks payable to St. Louis Church and write "HAITI" in the memo line.) For more information about the Helping Haiti Ministry, call Cari Marin Mollinedo at (585) 622-2375 or visit stlouisclurch.org/haiti. * Powers Farm Market is located at 161 Marsh Road, Pittsford.

Consecration to Jesus through Mary is a tried-an-true way of attaining holiness of life. Consecration to Jesus through Mary is the act of entrusting one's entire life to the protection, guidance, and intercession of Our Lady. We invite you to join St. Louis Church on a 33-day journey towards Marian consecration this summer!

On July 2 we will welcome our New Parochial Vicar, Fr. Joseph Maurici,  to St. Louis Parish. We will hold two welcome receptions for him  following the Sunday 8:00 am and 10:30 am Masses. If you are not able  to greet him that weekend, there will be many more opportunities to  come!

Experience Jesus through Adoration on the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 11! A brief period of Eucharistic Adoration, followed by Benediction will be offered at the conclusion of all weekend Masses. A Eucharistic Procession will follow the 10:30 am Mass.

The St. Louis Church Ministry Center will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

This weekend at St. Louis: CRS Rice Bowl collection and, in the Narthex, Knights of Columbus will sell tickets to the May 7th Pancake Breakfast.

Due to planned HVAC system upgrades, 11 am weekday Masses will be held in the Parish Meeting Hall this spring.

Pope Francis was released from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday morning following a brief hospital stay that involved scheduled tests and treatment for bronchitis. In a brief statement Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office noted that, before his departure, the Holy Father greeted the leadership of the hospital, including Franco Anelli, the Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Marco Elefanti, the General Director of the Policlinic; and the General Ecclesiastical Assistant for the hospital, Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, as well as the medical team and healthcare workers who assisted him during his convalescence.