In memoriam

A businessman and longtime supporter of Catholic causes, Charles L. Drury, Sr. died Sept. 7 at the age of 92. Mr. Drury and his wife, Shirley were presented the Order of Saint Louis King award from the Archdiocese of St. Louis on July 27. The award honored their involvement in the Church and the support of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Catholic education, the Rural Parish Clinic, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation and many other archdiocesan initiatives. They were honored last year by Marygrove, a Catholic Charities agency, for their commitment to youth in need. In 2013, Mr. Drury, his wife and Don Musick led fundraising for and extensive renovation of the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral). Drury’s father, Lambert Drury, started the family plastering business with his sons after the family farm was nearly lost in the Depression. It led Drury Development Corporation founder Charles Drury and his brothers into the hospitality industry. In 1973, they built the first Drury Inn in Sikeston, Missouri. A private family visitation and funeral Mass were to be held at the Old Cathedral with burial at St. Augustine Church Cemetery in Kelso, Missouri. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; seven children, Chuck Drury, Jeannie Tanner, Joan Drury, Tim Drury, Janice Ruopp, Jennifer Drury and Jackie Pollvogt; 20 grandchildren; and a brother, Jerry Drury, and sister, Vicki Hahn.

Caring for the planet

The archdiocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs is sponsoring a panel discussion on faith, science, justice and creation focusing on “Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home),” in which Pope Francis calls Catholics and all people of good will to unite in caring for the future of the planet. The virtual panel discussion from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, will provide information on how to advocate in our homes, parishes, schools and legislatures for the care of our common home. It includes a welcome from Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski. For information or to register online, visit www.archstl.org/laudato-si or call James Fowlkes-Comninellis at (314) 792-7177.

Interfaith concert

Arts & Faith St. Louis will present an interfaith concert to build a harmonious St. Louis, “Songs of Compassion,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct 25. The concert will be streamed live on HEC-TV from The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis without an audience. The program will feature music sung by soloists from diverse faith communities — including Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh, The Sheldon’s City of Music All-Star Chorus, renowned soprano Christine Brewer and the dynamic jazz vocalist Anita Jackson. They will pay tribute to the doctors, nurses and health care workers who are working during the pandemic, through a new song by Paul Reuter entitled “Thank You” sung by Brewer. Visit www.artsfaithstl.org for access to the concert. It will be available on cable in St. Louis City and County on Charter/Spectrum channel 989 or channel 108.26 or 118.26 for those with digital TVs, and also on AT&T U-Verse. Arts & Faith St. Louis began in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and continues to bring together the faith and arts communities to inspire thoughtful discussion among diverse audiences. For more information, contact Barbara Murray at: [email protected] or (314) 553-9900.

Structural racism

An online discussion of “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code” will be held by the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. The film by Judith Helfand, released this year in the United States and available on PBS and elsewhere, examines structural racism. Watch the film free on-demand, then join in a Zoom discussion. For information, visit bit.ly/3haLtgs.