Mission and History
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Parish Community of St. Anselm declares its mission to be the love of God through the Mass, Sacraments and prayer, and the imitation of Jesus Christ by loving and serving all people.
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History of Saint Anselm Parish
Saint Anselm Parish is in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Saint Anselm Parish was established by Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter in August 1966, he chose Reverend Robert P. Slattery as Pastor to serve the rapidly increasing population of West County.
Saint Anselm Parish is located on the campus of the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis and shares facilities with the Benedictine Community of the Abbey. The founding superior of the monastery, Father Columba Cary-Elwes invited the Archdiocese to use the monastic church until a new church could be built nearby. A relationship that began as a temporary accommodation deepened and, in May of 1968, representative of the Archdiocese and the Benedictine Community signed agreements that the Parish of Saint Anselm be formally constituted on the grounds of Saint Louis Priory now Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis.
In 1972, Monsignor Slattery constructed a Parish House and, later, a Parish Center that contains offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, kitchens and a chapel. In March 1981, Monsignor Slattery was appointed Director of Catholic Charities and, in accord with the agreements of 1968, Archbishop May offered administration of the Parish to the Benedictine Community. Father Timothy Horner, O.S.B. was appointed Pastor and confirmed in 1981. Father Gerard Garrigan, O.S.B. was appointed Pastor in July 1996. In November of 2012, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson presided over the Installation Mass of Father Michael Brunner, O.S.B., as Pastor of Saint Anselm Parish.
On January 23, 2019, Bishop Mark S. Rivituso presided over the Rite of Installation of Father Aidan McDermott, O.S.B, as the new Pastor of Saint Anselm Parish.
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