Border shelter

The Archdiocese of St. Louis recently contributed $10,000 to La Posada Providencia, which has offered emergency shelter services to immigrants and asylum seekers in the Rio Grande Valley for 29 years. A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence in St. Louis, La Posada helps people in crisis from around the world who seek legal refuge; it provides a safe and welcoming home, promoting self-sufficiency and cultural integration and sharing values which witness God’s Providence in the world. Recently, La Posada housed three families; 13 people from the Congo; a father and son from Guatemala; two Cuban men from a detention center. Contributions may be sent to 30094 Marydale Road, San Benito, TX 78586. For information, contact (412) 635-5401 or [email protected].

Teacher honored

Amanda Goughenour, a fifth-grade teacher at Sts. Joachim and Ann School in St. Charles, was recently awarded a $2,500 educational grant from Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers program. She plans to use the grant to supply classrooms with tools to help non-traditional learners, such as adaptive equipment like flexible seating and floor cushions. Goughenour was among 200 teachers nationwide who were awarded grants this year.

Helping people in need

St. Joseph Parish in Manchester adopted more than 125 families in rural Missouri this Christmas. More than 800 envelopes were handed out at the school and the parish with specific Christmas wishes. Gifts were collected and taken to the Rural Parish Workers of Christ the King in Fertile for distribution to needy families in the area.

Latino outreach grant

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery received a grant of $42,794 from the Daughters of Charity Foundation of St. Louis to help assist more than 210 Spanish-speaking parents and children in the St. Louis area who are struggling with poverty, domestic violence and mental health issues. The grant will be used by the Crisis Nursery’s Latino Outreach Program, located in SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, to provide individuals with counseling sessions, therapy groups and individual crisis intervention. The funds also will ensure more than 140 children will remain safe and have basic needs met. The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery provides a safe haven 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for children, birth through age 12, whose families are facing a crisis. For more information, call (314) 292-5770 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org.

Follow the issues

The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) informs, educates and mobilizes citizens about major issues confronting the state and nation. Members of the MCC’s Catholic Advocacy Network (MOCAN) receive updates on legislation and how to contact legislators. Anyone who chooses to receive the MCC Weekly Update by email becomes a member of MOCAN. For information, contact the MCC at (573) 635-7239 or [email protected]

Simbang Gabi

Members of the Catholic Filipino community in the archdiocese recently celebrated Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses in honor of the Blessed Mother, the expectant Mother of God, and in preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Masses took place Dec. 15-23 at Holy Trinity Parish in St. Ann. The joyful celebration dates to the 17th century in the Philippines, when Masses “de Aguinaldo” (now known as “Simbang Gabi”), were celebrated in the early hours of the morning or dawn on the nine days before Christmas. The celebrations including the singing of the Gloria and Christmas carols. Mass celebrants wear white vestments.

Upcoming events

Art exhibit features the Psalms

The opening ceremony for “150: A Visual Meditation on the Psalms,” will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Good Shepherd Arts Center in downtown Ferguson. Artists Gary Lang, Mary Martin, Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP, and Sister Glynis Mary McManamon, RGS, share images inspired by the Psalms. The show runs through Saturday, Jan. 26. Good Shepherd’s new hours are: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; additional hours for events and by arrangement. For information, visit www.goodshepherdarts.org or call (314) 522-1155

Adoration for life

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity at Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent will have adoration on Mondays in January to pray for an end to abortion and a reversal of Roe vs. Wade. Adoration will take place at the convent, 4311 Forest Park Ave., after Mass at 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (314) 449-8612.

Joyous Jubilee Concert Series

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts will present the first Joyous Jubilee Concert Series, three evenings of sacred, spiritual and gospel music in early 2019 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Concerts include an evening of contemporary gospel music featuring the North City Deanery Choir on Friday, Jan. 18; an evening of sacred music featuring Dello Thedford and The Gospel Symphonic Choir on Friday, Jan. 25; and an evening with American Spiritual Ensemble on Friday, Feb. 1. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Admission is free for the North City Deanery Choir and The Gospel Symphonic Choir. Tickets for American Spiritual Ensemble are $42, $29 and $19. To purchase tickets, call (314) 533-7662. Group rates are available.

Paul VI courses

The Paul VI Institute is accepting registrations online for its spring 2019 classroom and online courses. Paul VI seeks to “deepen, consolidate, nourish and make ever more mature” the faith of its students through “a catechesis full of Gospel vitality and in a language suited to people and circumstances” (Pope Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi,” 54). Classroom courses are in an eight-week format. Registration deadline is Feb. 4. To register or for information, visit www.archstl.org/paul6 and click “Courses,” then scroll to “Current Course Schedule.” The registration form is on the bottom of the page. For more information, call (314) 792-7454.