In memoriam

A memorial mass was celebrated Feb. 2 at Incarnate Word Church in Chesterfield for Leo Paradis, former CEO and board member of St. Patrick Center. Mr. Paradis died Jan. 2 at age 88. He took over leadership of the Catholic Charities agency from its founder, Edith Cunnane, in 1993. He was driven to help people who are homeless or at risk, improving their lives and the community. A retired Monsanto chemist and environmental compliance director, Mr. Paradis volunteered at St. Patrick Center a couple of days each week. His vision of a one-stop caring center came true in 2000 when the agency moved into its current location, a building donated from Sverdrup Corporation. Mr. Paradis dedicated more than 10 years to St. Patrick Center. In an interview with the Review in 1995, he said St. Patrick Center best fit his interest in “not just feeding people fish but in teaching them how to fish.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

‘Welcoming the Stranger’

“Welcoming the Stranger to St. Louis: Religious Responses to Recent Immigrants and Refugees” is the topic of a panel discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge at Washington University in St. Louis. The speaker will be Anna Crosslin, president and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis. Panelists will include: Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council; F. Javier Orozco, executive director of human dignity and intercultural affairs of the Archdiocese of St. Louis; and Imam Eldin Susa of the St. Louis Islamic Center NUR. Panelists will answer questions and a reception will follow the program. Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to email [email protected] or call (314) 935-9345.

Scholarships

All elementary and high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are accepting applications for scholarships for the 2019-20 school year through the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation. Deadline is Feb. 28. Apply online at wwww.ttef-stl.org. For information, call (314) 792-7777 or email [email protected].

Women’s retreat on Beatitudes

St. Alban Roe Parish will host a women’s retreat, “Beatitudes: The Attitudes for Holy Living,” March 23-24 at the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center. Jane Guenther, director of the Catholic Renewal Center, spiritual director and teacher, will lead the retreat. Cost is $135 for a one-night stay, $165 for a two-night stay and $110 for commuters. Deadline to register is March 15. For more information or to register, call Kathi Danna at (636) 458-3109 or visit www.mretreat.org and click on retreats and events.

Sportsmanship scholarship

The St. Louis Sports Commission is accepting applications for its annual Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship. A total of $20,000 in scholarship money (including a top prize of $10,000) will be awarded to graduating high school students from the St. Louis metro area who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship in athletic competition. Greatest consideration will be given to nominees who demonstrate a track record of sportsmanship and respect directed at opponents, officials and the spirit of the game. Student-athletes and parents are strongly encouraged to self-nominate. The Sportsmanship Scholarship nomination packet can be obtained by calling (314) 345-5130 or online at www.sportsmanship.org. Applications must be received by April 16.

Pro-Life Lobby Day

Missouri Right to Life will host a “Show Me Life” pro-life action day Tuesday, March 12, at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Guest speaker will be Sue Thayer, former Planned Parenthood manager turned pro-life advocate. Thayer is founder and former director of Cornerstone for Life Pregnancy Center in Storm Lake, Iowa, and works with 40 days for Life as director of outreach. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with a rally in the first-floor rotunda at noon. Participants also will meet with legislators and encourage them to pass pro-life legislation. Transportation is available. For more information, call (573) 635-5110 or visit www.missourilife.org.

Retreat weekend

A Koinonia retreat weekend for divorced or separated Catholics and other Christians will be held Friday-Sunday, April 26-28, at Todd Hall Retreat Center, 320 Todd Hall Center Drive, Columbia, Ill. Cost is $110, which includes room, double occupancy, and six meals. Call Jean at (314) 704-1870 or Carol at (314) 775-1253 for brochure and registration. A $50 deposit will reserve a space.

Family support group

The St. Louis Mental Illness Family Support Group, sponsored by Karla Smith Behavioral Health, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month at Clayton Behavioral, 9890 Clayton Road in Ladue. Families and loved ones of anyone with a mental illness are invited to attend. Contact Deacon Jim or Linda Murphey at (314) 481-0008