Honoring veterans
Valle Catholic Schools honored military veterans with their annual Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 7 at Ste. Genevieve Church. Veterans from World War II to current conflicts in Afghanistan/Iraq attended, along with the entire student body — kindergarten through 12th grade. Pastor and school president Father Ed Nemeth celebrated Mass, which was followed by "Taps," three-round volleys and an honor walk en route to a reception at the school.
Fontbonne to buy Kennedy Catholic
Fontbonne University will buy the buildings and grounds of former John F. Kennedy Catholic High School from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. A Fontbonne spokesperson confirmed Nov. 15 that a "property transaction is in progress," with more details to come at press conference Monday, Nov. 20. After operating for 49 years, JFK closed in May. A Fontbonne official said the college plans to use the facility, in part, as the sports facility for its intercollegiate teams.
Marianists aid Puerto Rico
On behalf of the Marianists, Brother Armando Aneses accepted a $3,000 check on Nov. 10 from Dr. Andrew Schmitt of the Chaminade Marianist Life Community. The gift will support Colegio San Jose, a Marianist school for boys in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Devastated by Hurricane Maria in September, Colegio San Jose has a close relationship with Chaminade College Preparatory School, which also is a Mariantist school.
Volunteer challenge
St. Louis University marked the start of the 200-Years-in-One Challenge by unveiling SLU's bicentennial clock Nov. 14. The clock is on the southeast corner of Grand and Lindell Boulevards across from St. Francis Xavier (College) Church and will tick until Nov. 14, 2018. The goal is to deliver 200 years of volunteering, mentoring, improving the community and participating in other service — 1,753,176 hours — in one year. The challenge is open to anyone by downloading a free app — SLU 200 Years in One App — to track and submit service hours. It's available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. In addition, participants may also submit volunteer hours online at www.slu.edu/200years. The webpage features a video about the project as well as FAQs.
Ending pipeline to prison
At the Metropolitan Churches United (MCU) public meeting Nov. 9 at Harris-Stowe University, on "From Pipeline to Pathways," 15 school districts made commitments to continue efforts to end out-of-school suspensions, increase training on trauma-informed care and learning with staff and other ways to help children stay in school. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department and the St. Louis Pulic School's Safety and Security Department agreed to define the role of police in schools and the St. Louis County Family Court officials committed to strategies that will reduce referrals to the juvenile court, according to a statement from MCU. The goal of the multi-church organization is to keep youth out of the judicial system and in school.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Paulines' Christmas concert
The Daughters of St. Paul Choir will perform their annual Christmas concert, "Love Among Us," at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, and Thursday, Dec. 7, at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd. in Creve Coeur. The sisters will offer unique renditions of Christmas favorites as well as contemporary inspirational songs in their annual family concert celebrating Christ's birth. Tickets are $15 per person. For information, visit www.pauline.org/STLconcert or call (314) 965-6935.