Criminal justice

St. Anselm Parish will host a virtual presentation on the Criminal Justice Ministry at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. The presentation will cover the history and work of the Criminal Justice Ministry, an overview of the criminal justice system, statistics on incarceration, reentry and recidivism, opportunities to get involved and volunteer. For information on joining the meeting or to inquire about a recording of it, contact: [email protected].

Talk on St. Benedict

St. Austin School will host a virtual speaker program on St. Benedict as a Model for Catholic Education at 7 pm. Thursday, Feb. 25. Guest speaker is Jared Staudt, associate superintendent for mission and formation of the Archdiocese of Denver and visiting professor for the Augustine Institute. He is the author of “Restoring Humanity: Essays on the Evangelization of Culture” (Divine Providence Press) and is a Benedictine oblate at Clear Creek Abbey. Reply at www.saintaustinschool.org or email [email protected] for more information on the Zoom meeting.

Behold ministry

Behold Ministry is hosting a Compassion Morning for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, or are divorced or separated, from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury. A virtual option is available as well. Jane Guenther, director of the Catholic Renewal Center, will give a talk on “The Weight of Glory.” RSVP to Mary Jo at [email protected] or (314) 792-7414.

Zechariah men’s group

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will be the speaker at the next Zechariah Men’s Prayer Morning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury. The format includes fellowship, a talk and prayer. Due to COVID-19 precautions, breakfast will not be served. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or (636) 215-0973; or fill out the online form at Stlrenewal.org/ZPB. For more information on the Catholic Renewal Center, see Facebook at www.facebook.com/stlrenewal.

Black Catholic History

In celebration of Black History Month, the Catholic Racial Justice Collaborative is sponsoring a presentation and interactive panel discussion on Black Catholic History: Vision, Voice and Vigilance. This free webinar from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, will explore Black Catholic leaders whose vision, voice and vigilance still speak to us today. Featured Speakers are Winnie Sullivan and Sharon Cooney-Smith. Register at www.catholicracialjusticestl.org.

Pathways presentation

Pathways to Progress will hold a virtual presentation from 7-8:15 p.m. Monday, March 1. Pathways to Progress is a unique initiative of Catholic Charities of St. Louis and St. Francis Community Services that proves life-changing for families in need of help. Register online at https://bit.ly/3dlaqrs. Information will be provided when your registration is confirmed. For information, email [email protected].

Lenten reflection

“This Is Who We Are,” a Lenten reflection on Pope Francis’ third encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship),” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will lead an online panel discussion of Pope Francis’ reflection on humanity’s path forward to peace. Panelists include Ray Boshara, director of the Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a member of the Archdiocese of St. Louis Peace & Justice Commission and consultant with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Tamara Kenny, director of advocacy and community engagement with Catholic Charities of St. Louis. Archbishop Rozanski will lead an online panel discussion of Pope Francis’ reflection. To join the webinar, visit https://bit.ly/3asu4zC. For information, contact Marie Kenyon at (314) 792-7062 or [email protected].

New SLU provost

Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello announced Feb. 17 that Michael Lewis will be appointed permanent provost. The appointment follows a national search that began in August 2020. The provost serves as the university’s chief academic officer. Lewis has been SLU’s interim provost since July 2020. Prior to that appointment he served as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and as acting provost. He has been a member of the chemistry faculty since 2004. Lewis said he is “thrilled to continue working with this community, enhancing our educational experience, expanding the impact of our research and scholarship, and leading with fidelity to our Jesuit mission as we seek to embody equity and justice at SLU and throughout the St. Louis region.”

MCC supports two bills

The Missouri Catholic Conference is supporting state House bills on early parole for geriatric inmates and a benevolent tax credit bill. The MCC supported HB 277, which would allow for some geriatric inmates to get a parole hearing, testifying that the bill would correct a discrepancy in the criminal code and bring some balance to the sentencing structure. It would also save state resources spent on health care for these individuals, the Catholic Conference testified at a hearing in the House Special Committee on Criminal Justice. Sponsored by Rep. Tom Hannegan (R-St. Charles), the bill only applies to inmates who received a sentence of life plus 50 years without parole. In 1985, the law was changed to allow persons receiving a life sentence to be eligible for parole after serving 30 years, rather than 50. Those individuals sentenced before 1985 remained ineligible for parole until they served at least 50 years. The Department of Corrections estimates that about 54 elderly offenders would fall into this category. The Senate Economic Development Committee considered SB 155, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), which would expand the tax credits for donations to domestic violence shelters and maternity homes. Current law authorizes a tax credit for contributions to domestic violence shelters equal to 50% of the contribution, with a maximum annual amount of $2 million. SB 155 would increase the tax credit to 70% and remove the annual cumulative limit. The bill would also add rape crisis centers to the facilities eligible for the tax credit. SB 155 also raises the tax credit for contributions to maternity homes from 50% to 70% and removes the annual cumulative limit (current set at $3.5 million). The MCC submitted testimony, stating that the bill provides a cost-effective way for the State of Missouri to support women in need and promote a culture of life.

Mercy adding outpatient center

After several years of planning, Mercy recently broke ground on a multi-specialty center across from Mercy Hospital St. Louis. With more than 272,000 square feet of space, the high-tech, five-level outpatient center will include functions such as a single point of care, ensuring patients can get everything they need without adding another stop, and virtual visitors when family members or loved ones can’t be physically present with the patient. Specialties will include bariatrics, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, reconstructive surgery and urology. There will be additional services to support care such as weight and wellness programming, imaging services and a surgery center.