Creative Writing Contest Winners

One hundred and thirty finalists attended the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate’s 2019 eighth-grade Creative Writing Contest May 1 at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury. In all, the apostolate received 1,103 entries representing 63 Catholic schools, PSR programs and home schools. Students were asked to “explain why living the virtue of chastity protects us from abortion and blesses us with true holiness, health and happiness.” Six winners were each presented with a $2,000 scholarship and tickets to the Respect Life Convention. They are: Riley Cappozzo (St. Joseph, Imperial), Anastasia Griesbauer (St. Gianna), Luke Rosenberg (St. Joan of Arc), Caitlin Barry (St. Gerard Majella), Charlie William Schueppert (Holy Infant), and Maggie Alexander (St. Peter, St. Charles).

There also were nine honorable mention winners, each of whom received a $500 cash award and tickets to the Respect Life Convention: Hannah Bergman (St. Joseph, Cottleville), Alexis Esker (St. Simon the Apostle), Phoebe Glover (Immaculate Conception, Dardenne Prairie), Jessica Kelly (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque), Zoe Lloyd (Ascension, Chesterfield), Emily Moelm (St. Paul, Fenton), Sienna Grace Mose (Our Lady Queen of Peace), Thomas Niebrugge (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque), and Anna Stirton (St. Mary’s, Alton, Ill.).

Fresh start

The Missouri Catholic Conference is asking people to support Missouri House Bill 564, also known as the “Fresh Start Act,” sponsored by Rep. Derek Grier (R-Chesterfield). The legislation makes getting a professional license more accessible for ex-offenders after they are released from prison. With the passage of this bill, they could obtain a professional license, which would allow them the chance to re-enter society, secure a job and put down roots in the community, according to the Missouri Catholic Conference, public policy agency of the state’s bishops. According to the bill, each licensing authority must explicitly list the criminal convictions that will disqualify an applicant from receiving that license. The licensing authority can no longer use vague or generic language to disqualify someone. The Catholic Church has long supported a restorative justice approach to crime: one in which the offender is held accountable for his actions, the victim receives support and the community assists the offender in successfully re-entering society.

Family essay contest winner

Norah Brozio, an eighth-grader at South City Catholic Academy, won first place in the Knights of Columbus International Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. She wrote on “How your family keeps its Catholic faith in action.” The Knights’ leadership noted that the quality of the essays are an inspiring representation of today’s Catholic youth. Besides serving the Church, the Knights help meet the community’s needs in health, religion, education, arts, business, economic development and human services.

Interim president

The archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education and Formation has named Kevin Regan the interim president of Bishop DuBourg High School for the 2019-20 year. The search for a new president will continue during the 2019-20 year. The 2019-20 school year will be Regan’s 48th year at DuBourg. He started teaching in 1972-73. He served as a coordinator for the classes of 1979, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 and as dean of students from 2013-18. Regan has taught, coached several sports and, from 2000-08, served as athletic director. He currently teaches in DuBourg’s religion department.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ecumenical prayer service

An ecumenical prayer service, “The Power of the Holy Spirit,” featuring the Michael Latchison Singing Ministry, will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Christ Prince of Peace Church, 415 Weidman Road in Manchester. The event is being presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 12986 in partnership with Christ Prince of Peace Church, the archdiocesan Peace and Justice Commission and Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church.

Hoops and Habits

St. Dominic High School students Natalie Zoellner and Ryann Jones recently organized a Hoops and Habits FUN Raiser to increase vocations awareness for women. Students joined with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George of Alton, Illinois, for an evening of basketball and fellowship. Price of admission was the donation of a personal care item to be given to a charitable organization. Natalie and Ryann organized the event as part of a senior leadership project at the O’Fallon high school.

Walking with Purpose

Walking with Purpose, a women’s Catholic Bible study offering a Scripture-based program, invites women and parish leaders from throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis to attend a Learn About Walking with Purpose Event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at St. Gerard Majella Parish, 1969 Dougherty Ferry Road in Kirkwood. Walking with Purpose offers at-home study and weekly small group discussions that link women’s everyday challenges with the solutions found in the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. Programs are currently offered in the Archdiocese of St. Louis at two parishes. To register for the event, contact Peg Petralia at [email protected] or register online at www.goo.gl/uxYdHu. For more information, contact Emily Thengvall, at [email protected].

Racial justice events

The Quest for Racial Justice and Harmony is a two-part series that will take place in May at St. Cletus Parish, 2705 Zumbehl Road in St. Charles. The first is a showing of “Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness For Change,” from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in the parish hall. The documentary shares story of a group of women religious, including the late Sister Antona Ebo, FSM, and their involvement with the civil rights movement and march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Small group discussions and prayer will follow.

The second event is a conversation with Father Art Cavitt, executive director of the St. Charles Lwanga Center, on Thursday, May 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Father Cavitt will address how the work to establish racial justice and healing, particularly in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. He also will discuss the nexus between the Black Lives Matter movement and the Catholic Church. Group discussions, Q&A dialogue and prayer will follow. Both events are sponsored by the St. Cletus Peace and Justice Ministry.

Poverty simulation

The Incarnate Word Peace and Justice Ministry and the St. Vincent de Paul Voice of the Poor Committee will host a Poverty Simulation from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the gymnasium at Incarnate Word Church, 13416 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield. Facilitated by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, the simulation will help participants understand what it is like to live in poverty. Adults and high school-age teens are welcome. To RSVP, contact Beth Cagle at (314) 651-6507 or [email protected] by May 28.

Borgia building turns 150

St. Francis Borgia Parish in Washington is celebrating 150 years of its current church building. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the church, 115 Cedar St. A celebration will take place after Mass, including food and drink provided by parishioners who have area restaurants and food businesses. The Loehnig German Band will provide music, and there will be activities for children. This year also marks the 185th anniversary of the founding of St. Francis Borgia Parish.

Rosary River Run

The second annual St. Charles Rosary River Run/Walk will take place Saturday, June 8, in Frontier Park along Main Street in St. Charles. The event publicly celebrates the Rosary while raising funds for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in conjunction with the archdiocesan Glennon Sunday appeal. Participants may walk or run the 5K route lined in the form of rosary beads, which includes signs from supporters who’ve donated at least $50 or more. There also will be a one-mile walk. Those who choose to do their morning devotion without participating in the 5K may bring a chair and sit for free in the Magnificat section. For cost and registration information, visit tinyurl.com/StCharlesRiverRun​ Or visit stcharlesrosaryrun on Facebook.